New Method of Identifying Family Related Skulls: Forensic Medicine, Anthropology, Epigenetics

In spite of the current feelings that today only molecular DNA analysis is the exact identification method - and that, if DNA cannot be isolated, it might be better to give up the identification - the author has used for the same purpose older, classical methods from physical anthropology to forensic medicine and especially a recent method of comparison of epigenetic traits, which proved to be very useful for identification of the family related skulls in connection with historical, genealogical and other data. These multidisciplinary methods can serve the same purpose as the reference method and can be applied in similar cases all over the world. The monograph presents the identification of 18 collectively interred skulls, supposedly belonging to the Counts of Celje (15th c.), and to family members, who lived on the territory of present-day Slovenia. Their kinship is established by comparison of X-ray images of paranasal cavities (frontal and maxillary sinuses, and also orbital and nasal cavities), the shape and size of which are autosomal dominant inherited characters. The comparison also extends to numerous other, likewise inherited, epigenetic trait similarities on the skulls. This work will be an invaluable guide for the identification and verification of kinship by skulls collectively interred (in family vaults), where isolation of DNA is no longer possible, even though the skeletal remains may not be old. This work based on the latest epigenetic research, is highly relevant for modern non-genetic identification studies. It is highly recommended to: scientists working on human identification and studying heredity, forensic scientists, physical anthropologists, radiologists, stomatologists, paleopathologists, geneticists, historians and many others.