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However, standard histological samples in these cases are low-end, and preparation is burdened by several problems and so are diagnostic results: an improvement of these types of specimens is therefore advantageous. This study aims to identify the best performing rehydration solution among a fabric softener, a body lotion, and Sandison\u2019s rehydrating solution. Samples of skin undergoing mummification or corification were collected from 25 corpses and each sample was divided into 4 fragments: one of these fragments was directly fixated in 4% formalin, one was previously treated with a tissue softener, another one was previously treated with a body lotion, and the last one was treated with Sandison\u2019s solution. After 72 h, the pretreated samples were post-fixated in 4% formalin and then prepared for standard histological examination staining the histological slides with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson\u2019s trichrome. At the microscopic examination, samples directly fixated in formalin were characterized by usual marked structural alterations and altered stainability, typical of such dry tissues. Vice versa, those previously treated appeared to be better-preserved even though with different improvement levels: body lotion made a medium\u2013low-grade restoration of the tissues, and fabric softener a high-grade restoration, while Sandison\u2019s rehydrating solution produced an optimal grade restoration. Sandison\u2019s rehydrating solution was confirmed to be the best rehydrating substance for mummified and corified skin. Fabric softener could be, however, considered a valid substitute, being productive of high-grade microscopic yield.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1007\/s00414-022-02833-x","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,5,11]],"date-time":"2022-05-11T11:05:15Z","timestamp":1652267115000},"page":"997-1007","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":7,"title":["Technical note: A comparison between rehydrating solutions in the pretreatment of mummified and corified skin for forensic microscopic examination"],"prefix":"10.1007","volume":"136","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4711-5545","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Stefano","family":"Tambuzzi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4407-9844","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Guendalina","family":"Gentile","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Gianluigi","family":"Bilardo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4240-4121","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Michele","family":"Boracchi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7041-838X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paolo","family":"Bailo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Teresa","family":"Casalino","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Salvatore","family":"Andreola","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3347-2541","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Riccardo","family":"Zoja","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,5,11]]},"reference":[{"key":"2833_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"307","DOI":"10.1097\/PAF.0b013e318187df4b","volume":"30","author":"CP Campobasso","year":"2009","unstructured":"Campobasso CP, Falamingo R, Grattagliano I, Vinci F (2009) The mummified corpse in a domestic setting. 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All the studies conducted followed the guidelines provided by Legislation and the National Bioethical Committee and guidelines by Helsinki Declaration. Moreover, the subjects involved in this study underwent a judicial autopsy at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan in order to identify the cause of death. Data collecting, sampling, and subsequent forensic analysis were authorized by the public prosecutor.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval"}},{"value":"The authors declared that all the investigations were carried out accordingly to the Italian Law.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent to participate"}},{"value":"All the authors agree for publication.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":5,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}]}}