THE EPIC EPILOGUE.

The end is here! You wanna hear the truth?

As we all know, from the previous investigation, the victims are most likely to be Herman Hartono, and his son, Adi Hartono and also Anya Suriati.

Here's what happened:

Danie - A crazy lover and really well-known politician.
Maly - Danie's follower. She's having a crush on Danie.

WHAT HAPPENED?
Danie kidnapped and raped Anya in a small bushy area.
Herman Hartono & Adi Hartono witnessed the assault after they came back from a father-son bonding session in the park at 5.34am. They were having a morning jog.
Maly saw the duo pass by.
Since Danie didn't want to lose his reputation (he's actually running for the post of Health Minister.) So he ordered Maly to 'shut' their mouths up by giving them some money.
But the duo did not want to take it. Herman Hartono even threatened Danie that he will contact the police now. Like NOW.
Danie panicked, so he ordered his follower, Maly to kill the both of them.
As a LOYAL follower, she helped him to 'ELIMINATE' all traces of evidence.
BUT THEY FORGOTTEN THE FACT THAT ANYA SURIATI WAS WATCHING THEM AS WELL!
So they decided to murder her too. For two reasons now; one, because she saw them murdering both father and son and two, because Danie raped her.
After that, they buried the bodies in the park because they didn't want to carry the bodies around. This was because time was passing by and the amount of people who were coming to the park were getting more and more.

THE END.

Best story ever. LIKE EVER.

Part 7: How is it done?

This murder case is getting to be more and more interesting. As of now, the doctors have developed a DNA profile and it showed clear evidence for a father and son. Also, they got lucky! There was another DNA profiling pattern that matched a living twin; Tanya Rosilawati. With this, now we are to match the evidence to these victims who were earlier filed for missing person, namely Herman Hartono, Adi Hartono and Anya Suriati. Now, we are one step away from solving this gruesome murder! 

Now, to reaffirm the identity of the victims with the people from the missing people list, we have to compare ante mortem records with that of the postmortem.

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POSTMORTEM RECORDS

We shall start off with the methods of obtaining the post mortem results:

First off, we have to extract the DNA from the evidences that were found previously, which were:

-   Skull and jaw of an adult bearing five teeth

-   Fragments of a jaw with three molars

-   Jaw of a child with teeth still erupting

Unlike nuclear DNA,  mitochondrial DNA is present at levels of more than 103 or 104 copies/cell and can be amplified from highly degraded samples using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, which will be elaborated further on. Once we have already grasp this concept, we now have to extract the mitochondrial DNA from the tooth dentine. "Why the tooth dentine?" you may ask. 

Why the tooth?

Well, since dentine and pulp is covered with enamel (the outer layer as well as the hardest part of tooth) both are resistant to incompatible conditions for DNA. Therefore, in extreme conditions such as when the condition of the body which has been decomposed or burnt, dentine remains as a better source of DNA, particularly mitochondrial DNA.

Mitochondria!

             

Once the DNA samples have been obtained, it will be analysed and the analysis of the DNA is known as DNA Profiling or DNA typing. 

What is DNA?

DNA is found in the cells of all living things, including the human body.

A person will have the same DNA throughout their body in every cell with a nucleus. That is, the same DNA profiling results for one person will be obtained whether testing blood or semen or muscle tissue.

Cool animation... DNA!

Basically, the DNA molecule:

- consists of two strands twisted about each other in the shape of a spiral staircase 

- has 4 different types of bases

- each type of base will only bind with another specific type

- the two strands are 'complementary'

For what cases is DNA profiling used?

Usually, DNA profiling is carried out when human biological fluid or tissue is found at a crime scene and used as evidence to solve the crime such as in this case. For example:

• A murder where it appeared that a struggle took place and blood from the murderer was left at the scene. This would be compared to a sample of blood from the suspect.
• A murder where a blunt instrument was used and a suspect was found with a club on which there were dried blood stains. The blood on the club would be compared to the victim's blood.

DNA molecule

DNA profiling can only be used if there is enough DNA in the samples. Crime samples can be compared to a sample from a known suspect or compared to a database of DNA profiling results from other scenes or from convicted offenders. If there is a 'match', the two samples may have originated from the same person.

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There are two DNA profiling techniques used in forensic science laboratories throughout the world;

1.     Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP);

2.     Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

    

It involves cutting up the DNA into small fragments with molecular scissors known as restriction enzymes and determining their length. This is done by electrophoresis, that is placing the fragments on a gel that acts as a molecular sieve. When a voltage is applied the larger fragments travel a lesser distance than the smaller ones because the gel molecules hinder the movement of the fragments.

The DNA fragments on the gel are then transferred to a special membrane to which is applied a 'probe', a radioactive piece of DNA that specifically attaches to certain fragments depending on their type .The position of the probe is found by placing the membrane next to a sheet of radioactive film, resulting in the DNA fragments appearing as 'bands'.

How PCR is done.

Detecting the variation

A detection system is required to determine the difference between DNA types once amplification has taken place. The detection system used depends on the type of variation, that is either the sequence or length.

Using this method, the variation is detected using electrophoresis. The millions of copies of DNA produced by the PCR reaction are placed on a gel in a line. An electrical voltage is applied to the gel and the DNA then travels through the gel because of electrical charge of the DNA molecules. The larger molecules travel a shorter distance through the gel than the smaller ones because the gel molecules hinder the movement of the DNA. The distance the DNA copies have traveled through the gel is compared to the distance that known standards have traveled.

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What do the DNA profiling results mean for a case?

DNA profiling does not claim to be absolute identification, but may be very strong evidence, and generally forms just one part of a case. It is really a question of looking at all the evidence in the case such as; who had the opportunity to commit the crime, eye-witness descriptions, fingerprints, the transfer of glass fragments, paint flakes or fibres linking a person to a crime and the DNA profiling results. DNA profiling is presented to the court as in the example above and the jury or magistrate can draw their own conclusions, as they do about all the evidence.

DNA profiling can be a very powerful investigative tool. Of the cases carried out so far, approximately fifty percent of the profiling results have established that the suspect was not the source of the sample associated with the crime - i.e. he/she was excluded as being the perpetrator of the crime.

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ANTEMORTEM RECORDS

Okay, after knowing the methods and gathering postmortem  records we need ante mortem records for comparison. Various methods of records are available for comparison;

1) X-rays

They are one of the most important antemortem records.These x-rays may reveal additional information and may compare more favorably with the postmortem x-rays of the remains.Also it is important to obtain the most recent ante mortem records as most individuals have probably been treated by more than one dentist throughout their lifetime.

X-ray showing a person's teeth.

What if they have no dental x-rays? Not to worry!

If conventional dental x-rays are unavailable, we can recover medical or chiropractic x-rays that may show the teeth.

2) Study models or casts of teeth 

Cast of teeth

These are also very useful in comparison with postmortem evidences. They can usually be obtained if patient has history of orthodontic treatment.

3) Photographs

Various sources can be searched. They can be acquired from dentist documenting their patients dental condition or simply family snapshots or any picture from gatherings wedding or graduation with the person smiling.These can help as teeth may be visible showing missing teeth, discoloration, any breaks or any chip in the tooth. These visual evidences are distinct and can aid in identification with comparison with postmortem evidences.

                                                                       

THE END.

Part 6: All I Want For Christmas is My 2 Front Teeth

Teeth aren't as unique to a person compare to fingerprinst, but dental evidence can be crucial in establishing a person's identity. The size of teeth indicates to a person's approximate age because of how fast teeth grow -- about four micrometers a day.

The skull has 8 visible and countable alveolar processes of the mandibular arch in each quadrant. Only in an adult dentition, there are 8 teeth in each quadrant, whilst in a child, there would only be 4. Hence, it's a no brainer that...

 IT BELONGED TO HERMAN HARTONO! 
- or his son.
 Why? But before that, picture 2.

 

 

 

These 3 different views of the teeth  show the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. How do we know? Here's why:

1. Primary mandibular first molar

• Largest posterior teeth
• It has 4 cusps 
• Presence of transverse ridge joining mesiolingual and distobuccal cusp 

2. Primary mandibular second molar

• Resembles permanent mandibular first molar but smaller
• It has 5 cusps :3 buccal -mesiobuccal, distobuccal, distal and  2 lingual cusps

3. Third mandibular molar

• Smallest among the tree molars

And since 3rd molars are only present in adults, chances are this jaw also could've belonged to the once living Herman Hartono or his son. 

Primary mandibular canine

• Has sharp cusp tips
• The mesial slope is shorter than the distal slope of the tooth

Anya is the only child filed missing. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the jaw in the picture3 belonged to her. 

Since there are no other child skull fragments found, it can be also assumed that Adi Hartono is aged 17 years of age or more since the 3rd molar is present in both adult dentition in picture 1 & 2. However, at this point, whether it belonged to the father or son, is still unclear.

Further reading:

Fig.- Lower jaw of child and adult, showing the mental foramen.

The position of the mental foramen, normally between the two bicuspids (beneath the second in the negro - Humphry), varies in its vertical location between the alveolar border and lower edge of the body, according to age. In infancy it is low down, in young adults it is midway, and in old people it is high up.

In infancy the teeth, not having erupted, are contained in the jaw, the alveolar portion is, therefore, large. The basal portion, on the contrary, is quite small, serving merely as a narrow shelf on which the unerupted teeth lie. As the mandibular nerve runs beneath the teeth, the mental foramen is of necessity comparatively low. At birth the condyle is about level with the upper portion of the symphysis, and the body forms with the ramus an angle of 175 degrees. At the end of the fourth year the angle has decreased to about 140 degrees. By adult age the angle has decreased to about 115 degrees, and as the teeth are lost the angle gradually increases until it again reaches 140 degrees.

As we can see from the evidence provided, the mandible is obviously smaller compared to a normal adult's mandible size. Moreover, the angle of the ramus and the body of the mandible is more oblique than the angle seen in adult's mandible and thus it indicates that the lower jaw above belong to a child.

In fact,the permanent canine begins to erupt from age 9-10 years old. It is seen that the permanent canine in this child' jaw (clue from master csi part2) is either fully or near fully erupted. And since the twin girls are aged 9 years old, their canine couldn't have been in the end stage of eruption. Although it is not known the age, but it is clear as day that this jaw! had belonged to Adi Hartono.

 


                                                                              THE END.

Part 5: Crime Scene Investigation (C.S.I.) !

So here's a short recap on the items that the doctors have been presented with thus far:

-   Skull and jaw of an adult bearing five teeth

-   Fragments of a jaw with three molars

-   Jaw of a child with teeth still erupting

Okay, so here's the deal. We have to solve this crime as promised, by dinnertime. What would the modern day Sherlock Holmes do? 

  

First off, we have to ask ourselves the most basic questions when solving a crime. This would include the "who?", "when?", "where?" and "how?"

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WHO?

WHO ARE THE VICTIM(s)?
WHO ARE THE MURDERER(s)?

As of now, we cannot determine the exact profile of the murderer or the victim. But we can certainly narrow down our search by trying to determine the:

---->   Gender

The clues for the gender of the victims can be found from their osteological traits on the pelvis and the cranium. Features such as the shape of the supraorbital ridge, incisors, mental protuberance, and mastoid process, among other cranial features are fundamental to the identification of ancestry and gender for the skeletal remains. The pelvis may play a role in the differentiation between male and female by looking at features such as the pubic symphysis or the ishchio-pubic index. 

Anthropologist: A person who specializes in the scientific study of the origin, the behavior and the physical, social and cultural development of humans. 

Well, since we have already discussed about the ways to differentiate the skull of a female from a male and vice versa in Part 2: Not so legendary legend, we shall not waste any more time and get on with the rest of our investigation!

Feel free to read the previous posts for more details. 

http://killme29.blogspot.com/2012/10/part-2-not-so-legendary-legend.html

---->   Age 

If the victim is younger than 25 years old, it will be easier to determine the victim's age by observing at teeth. However, after the age of about 40, the sutures in the skull start to close at a fairly steady rate. The forensic expert can narrow down the victim's age by examining the skull for arthritis, arterial degeneration and more.

We can also observe the victims' antemortem to determine their age, and if you wonder, "WHY do we have to observe the teeth but not other parts of the body?", here are the reasons:

• They are the part of the body that lasts longest after death
• False teeth and other repairs such as fillings are very resistant to degredation
• Each set of teeth is essentially unique
• X-rays can reveal even more information on the structure of the teeth and jaws.    

Fun fact: Did you know that dental records are responsible for 93% of identification from remains?


---->   Race

If skin color is not an option, - as skin has decomposed leaving only skeleton and bone fragments - deductions can be made based on skull measurements or dentition.

It has generally been assumed that tooth size variation has a strong genetic component. Variation in the dentition appears to result from an interplay between a number of genes, each with small effects, and environment factors operating during development - so-called polygenic or multifactorial inheritance.

For example, Australian Aborigines and Melanesians (Nasioi) tend to have large teeth, as do some South American Indian tribes (Lengua). In contrast, Filipinos, Indians, and Yemenites have small teeth, while values for Australian White and Taiwan Aborigines are generally intermediate in magnitude.

Racial differences in accordance to skull.

---->   Missing person's list

Once a murder happens, the police will automatically refer to the missing persons' list to help narrow down the search of the victim by using whatever information that they are able to get their hands on. For instance, the police can take into account of their gender (which has been mentioned above) and whatever findings that they get which may eventually lead them to identify the victim.

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HOW?

HOW DID THE MURDER HAPPEN?

Death is usually caused by one of three ways:

-   Coma         [failure of brain] 

-   Syncope      [failure of heart] 

-   Asphyxia     [failure of lungs]  

Here are some possible causes to aid our investigation from the little evidence we have!
Syncope and asphyxia leave little evidences to bone so it is not so useful in our case. That leaves us with

---->   Coma !

Usually caused by one of four ways:

• Compression of the brain due to a depressed fracture to the skull. In homicide, this is usually caused by a direct head injury by bludgeoning by a blunt implement.

• Bludgeoning with a blunt instrument.

• Fatal blow to the head. Even then, sometimes we needs a hail of blows to kill, and the assailant will get very bloody. Death is usually caused from skull fracture pushing fragments of bone into the brain, or internal bleeding between the skull and the dura - the membrane covering the brain. By analyzing the skull fragments, the exact appearance of the injury can usually aid to determine what the weapon was.

• Gunshot wounds.

Bullets can penetrate the skin and bone as well with its high velocity. Fortunately for us, they leave a very unique mark.

Where on the body the injury occurred: A shot to the side of the head, in the mouth, or to the front of the chest is usually suicide. Wounds located anywhere else are most likely homicide.

Fun fact: Did you know most suicide shots are angled slightly upwards?                                                                                           
Number of shots fired: After one shot, even if a suicide victim isn't dead, he would likely be unconscious or physically unable to fire a second time. Multiple shots usually indicate homicide.

History, a note, other factors: If the victim left a suicide note, or was known to have personal problems, or if there was evidence of drug use or drinking, suicide is likely.

       

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WHEN?

WHEN DID THE MURDER HAPPEN?

So, assuming this body is not found and untouched, insects arrive to the scene very quickly as they are really sensitive to the smell of decomposition. Flies will lay eggs in skin openings and in entrances to the body; in the  nose, ears and mouth. Maggots will hatch and start eating the decomposing flesh.

Period (days)	Event
4-10	·  Gases with terrible smell are released. ·    Gases inflate the remaining intact tissues, causing them to release      any stored liquid. ·     Stinking liquid attracts more insects. ·     Skin shows cottage cheese like appearance. ·     Liquid leaks out into the soil and attracts even more insects. ·     A body can fell warm to the touch at this point due to all of the      insect activity
10-20	·      Exposed parts that haven’t yet been consumed start to turn black.
20-50	·     The body begins to dry out as insects consume all of the remaining       flesh. ·     Maggots can no longer feed on the dry body because they can’t     chew through the tough tissue. ·      Beatles take over. ·      It chews through the remaining tendons and ligaments, until all     that is left is bone and hair.
50-365	·      Moths and bacteria consume the hair. ·     All that is left is bone; it can last indefinitely as long as there are     no predators around.

Table 1: Events following death in accordance of days.

This whole process can be hastened or slowed depending upon what happens to the body after death. Bodies last longer in cold and dry environments and are consumed quicker in the heat. Contrary to what you might think, a body lasts longer in the water, than in open air and much longer in the ground than in either of the previous two. 

Maggots in action! *wiggle wiggle*

Embalming can preserve a body, so that it remains recognisable several months after death, but within a year, bones and teeth are usually all that is left. We are not sure what kinds of coffins are available,but they may, in addition to embalming slow the decomposition process even more. Depending upon the type of soil that they body is buried in; the bones can last for decades. If the soil is peatier, the bones will decompose much more quickly.

The process of embalming.

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WHERE?

WHERE DID THE MURDER HAPPEN?

If you are a big fan of the U.S. drama series, C.S.I: Crime Scene Investigation, we are sure that you would have heard of primary and secondary crime scenes. BUT, if you have not, fret not, because we, the investigators will explain it to you!

CSI team: DT112. 

There is a saying that goes like this 'what you see is not always as it seems'. From this scenario, there may be more to a crime scene than first meets the eye. In fact, more than one crime scene may exist, depending upon how the crime was committed — not to mention where.

Life is not always as it seems.

Before we start, we need to know what is a:

-   Primary crime scene      :- 

    Where a crime actually occurred; the first scene in which the person is murdered. 

-   Secondary crime scene   :- 

    Where evidences related to the crime can be found but is not where the actual crime 

    took place. 

    [This place is perhaps the place where the victim has been placed by the murderer to 

    confuse the police and investigators.]

In this case, the spot where the skulls of the victims are found may or may NOT be the primary crime scene. So, how can we differentiate whether they are primary or secondary crime scenes?

Here are the comparisons between primary scenes and secondary scenes. 

PRIMARY Crime Scene        : Typically yield more usable evidence. 

SECONDARY Crime Scene : Where the body was dumped. 

In secondary crime scene, the investigators will have to use evidence(s) they find at the secondary scenes to help them identify the murderer or locate the primary scene. We can narrow down the focus of the investigation and lead police to the primary crime scene and the perpetrator by doing this.

Other than that, the investigators can also search around the neighborhood or surrounding areas for missing person's list or any suspicious behavior reported few months ago. 

Now, perhaps, you'll get a better understanding of how we would go about investigating further, all these while putting ourselves into Dr Rudi's or Dr Suria's shoes. Solving crimes takes up a lot of time and effort! Phew! We hope you had as much fun reading this as much as we had while researching and presenting our findings to you. Until then, keep your eyes open for our future posts as we continue to solve crimes before dinnertime!

THE END