Pharmacological History of Missing Subjects: Perspective of a Correction Factor to Aid in the Study of Bone Remains

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The reconstruction of the biological profile of skeletal remains of missing subjects is also based on the analysis of the quality of bone tissue. The density of bone mass is a factor that allows us to inscribe the subject in a specific age group. Bone density varies not only according to age but also by the intake of certain drugs and certain abuse substances. The objective of our study is to propose the introduction of pharmacological history in the profile of missing persons. Information on drugs or abuse substances taken by the missing person is a useful corrective factor for tracing the chronological age of bone remains found, increasing the likelihood of identification. We emphasize the usefulness of this information also for the characterization of bone injuries and for the dating of antemortem fractures, useful elements to trace the cause and dynamics of death. The evaluation of these findings is also based on the characteristics of the bone tissue of skeletal remains which is also affected by any drugs and/or substances of abuse. Therefore, we believe that the pharmacological history of the missing subjects could be a new and interesting tool to help the activity of the forensic anthropologist. ABSTRACT: In forensic anthropology, bone mineral density and the estimation of the dating of fractures based on the degree of progress of healing processes are important parameters of study on bone remains. With our article we aim, on the one hand, to highlight the importance that these parameters have in the reconstruction of the biological profile of the subject, as well as the time and the cause of death; on the other hand, we aim to limit their variability according to the medical substances and/or abuse assumed during life by the subject. The aim of this article is to encourage the introduction of the pharmacological history of missing persons as a new correction factor for the study of bone remains, possibly based on new scientific studies that allow us to establish with greater specificity the effect that certain pharmacological therapies produce on bone mass and the speed of remodeling.