An evaluation of the effect of surgical intervention on foot and ankle radiographic comparisons was performed. In this study, 34 sets of pre-surgical ("premortem") and post-surgical ("postmortem") foot and ankle radiographs were retrospectively evaluated simulating a postmortem identification. In each radiographic set, the films were separated by a surgical event to reproduce the effects of an alteration in the anatomy. The radiographs included both matches and mismatches. This study also presents a numerical representation of the reliability of a radiographic match following a surgical procedure. Results indicate that surgical intervention with subsequent healing does not preclude positive identification in foot and ankle radiographic comparisons.

This report describes seven deaths caused by angioedema of the tongue related to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These seven cases were received in our office between 1998 and 2000. In that time frame we performed approximately 2000 autopsies. The cases involved African-American mean and women, aged 51 to 65 years, all of whom had been prescribed an ACE inhibitor for the treatment of hypertensive heart disease. In each case, the external examination revealed markedly swollen tongues. The autopsies confirmed massive tongue swelling due to angioedema, and some patients also had swelling of the lips, pharynx, and larynx. Toxicologic analyses on postmortem blood samples were negative for ethanol and drugs of abuse. Although oral and pharyngeal swelling related to angioedema is well known in the clinical literature, its fatal potential has rarely been described.

A case of positive identification from decomposed human remains using an unusual foot deformity is presented. Scrutiny of the decedent revealed foot deformities, which upon examination, prompted further inquiry. Radiographic comparisons and defleshing each foot established bilateral talipes equinovarus (TEV, clubfoot) Positive identification was based upon unique skeletal features present in the radiographs.