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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
[Pathology of bone diseases in elderly subjects]
Tomomi Kusumi1, Akinori Kusumi, Fuyuki Sato
1Department of Pathology, Hirosaki University School of Medicine.
Abstract:
In elderly persons, structural changes occur in bone tissue. The bone histology and histomorphometry demonstrate that the trabecular volume and thickness are reduced and trabecular connection is disrupted in cancellous bone, and that the cortical layer becomes thinner and the bone lacuna is enlarged in compact bone. These features become more serious in osteoporotic patients. Even weak forces can cause fragility fractures in osteoporotic patients. However, a prolonged period is not always required for fracture healing in elderly patients. Elderly persons can suffer from many disorders, such as osteomalacia, bone diseases associated with joint diseases and bone tumors.
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