{"title":"Sex and age estimation with corneal topography parameters by using machine learning algorithms and artificial neural networks","authors":"Nesibe Yilmaz, Y. Secgin, Kadir Mercan","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00400-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00400-6","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141358264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R. Rajan, Yusmazura Zakaria, S. Shamsuddin, Nik Faizu Nik Hassan
{"title":"Exploring sustainable forensics: silica nanoparticle powder derived from rice husk waste for aged fingermark development and the chemistry of surface interactions","authors":"R. Rajan, Yusmazura Zakaria, S. Shamsuddin, Nik Faizu Nik Hassan","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00398-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00398-x","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140967374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating causes of femicide in Egypt: review","authors":"F. M. Hassan, M. Hussein, A. Moawad","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00397-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00397-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140969031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Letter to the editor: “Potential applicability of blockchain technology in the maintenance of chain of custody in forensic casework”","authors":"Nishchal Soni","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00396-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00396-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Editor,</p><p>I recently had the opportunity to delve into the intriguing review paper titled “Potential applicability of blockchain technology in the maintenance of chain of custody in forensic casework” by Patil et al. (2024). This paper provides a thought-provoking exploration into leveraging blockchain technology for improving the integrity and reliability of the chain of custody in forensic casework, an area of growing importance in our increasingly digital world.</p><p>I commend the authors for their pioneering efforts to address the complex challenges surrounding digital evidence management in forensic investigations. The initiative to integrate blockchain technology as a solution for enhancing evidence security, transparency, and verifiability is both innovative and timely. It represents a significant step forward in the quest for more rigorous and tamper-proof forensic processes.</p><p>However, upon thorough examination, I believe the paper’s impact and usefulness could be greatly amplified by addressing several key areas.</p><p>A deeper comparative analysis between the traditional chain of custody mechanisms and the proposed blockchain-based solution is essential. This not only should highlight qualitative differences but also should present quantitative assessments such as efficiency gains, cost implications, and improved security metrics. Demonstrating specific scenarios where blockchain significantly outperforms traditional systems could offer compelling evidence for its adoption (Tripathi et al. 2023).</p><p>The methodology section would benefit greatly from detailed implementation specifics, possibly through a case study or prototype demonstration. This could help illustrate the practical application and feasibility of the blockchain solution in real forensic settings. Additionally, a comprehensive security assessment, addressing potential vulnerabilities unique to blockchain technology within the forensic domain, is crucial. An exploration of how the system withstands common cybersecurity threats and blockchain-specific attacks would lend credibility and robustness to the proposed solution.</p><p>The inclusion of empirical evidence supporting the theoretical advantages of a blockchain-based chain of custody is necessary to validate the authors’ claims. Data from pilot studies, simulations, or even theoretical models could substantiate the solution’s effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, a discussion on scalability, addressing how the system manages increasing volumes of digital evidence and its performance under different operational loads, would enhance the paper’s relevance to large-scale forensic applications.</p><p>An in-depth exploration of the legal and ethical dimensions associated with the adoption of blockchain technology in forensic investigations would be invaluable. This includes examining the admissibility of blockchain-based evidence in courtrooms across different jurisdictions and addressing potential pr","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140940221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"PMCT-based sex determination using posterior segment of greater sciatic notch in North Indian population","authors":"Ruchi Kumari, Jay Narayan Pandit, Surya Kiran Panga, Swati Tyagi, Abhishek Yadav, Sudhir Kumar Gupta","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00394-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00394-1","url":null,"abstract":"Digital tools, which offer superior accuracy compared to manual metrics, utilize radiological images for noninvasive data collection, providing a convenient means of obtaining skeletal data. The greater sciatic notch exhibits high sexual dimorphism and resistance to damage, and therefore serves as a viable tool for sex determination in poorly preserved skeletons, particularly in scenarios involving mass disasters, highly putrefied, and skeletonized cases. In addition to the width and depth of the greater sciatic notch, the length and angle of the posterior segment are highly specific parameters. This study aims to obtain accurate and standardized values for determining sex by measuring the posterior segment of the greater sciatic notch using postmortem computed tomography with a 16-slice multidetector row computed tomography scanner. The study revealed that except for depth and the distance between the ischial spine and deepest point, all measured variables of the greater sciatic notch were greater for women than men on both sides. The length of the posterior segment and the posterior angle on both sides showed the highest positive correlation and provided highly significant differences between males and females. These findings not only reinforce the utility of the greater sciatic notch in sex determination but also highlight the potential for more accurate and noninvasive methods in forensic investigations. Postmortem computed tomography accurately determines sex by measuring the posterior sciatic notch segment, achieving a 90.9% accuracy rate. This study, the first of its kind in India, utilized postmortem computed tomography ruler measurements for sex determination, specifically evaluating the role of the posterior segment dimensions of the greater sciatic notch in the North Indian population.","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140940176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mahrous A. Ibrahim, Ayman Fathi Elsharawy, Waleed E. Abo Baraka, Athar M. Khalifa, Metwally E Abdalla, Mohamed S. Nafie, Shaimaa A. Shehata, Gamal Abdelrahman Bakhaat
{"title":"Tert-butylhydroquinone prevents cyclophosphamide induce lung toxicity in rats via inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis: in vivo and in silico study","authors":"Mahrous A. Ibrahim, Ayman Fathi Elsharawy, Waleed E. Abo Baraka, Athar M. Khalifa, Metwally E Abdalla, Mohamed S. Nafie, Shaimaa A. Shehata, Gamal Abdelrahman Bakhaat","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00395-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00395-0","url":null,"abstract":"Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent that induces oxidative stress, causing lung tissue damage. The study aims to explore the antioxidant role of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in ameliorating CP-induced lung toxicity exhibited as oxidative stress and programmed cell death. Thirty-two adult male rats were allocated randomly into four groups: group 1 (control), group 2 TBHQ 50 mg/kg orally for 14 days, and group 3 single dose of (200 mg/kg, CP, i.p.) on the 9th day. In group 4, TBHQ (50 mg/kg, orally) was provided for 14 days, and (200 mg/kg, CP, i.p.) was administrated on the 9th day. Rats’ body and lung weight were measured. Oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) and pulmonary tissue enzymatic antioxidant levels were assessed: glutathione S transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, glutathione level was measured. Assessment of the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were done as well as histopathological and immunohistochemistry investigations. Molecular docking studies of the protein structures of p53-MDM2, IL-6, and IL-1β were performed. CP-intoxicated rats demonstrated a significant decline (CAT, GPx, SOD, GST, and GSH) levels and a significant increase in MDA levels. The proinflammatory parameters (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß) were significantly elevated in group 3. The noted biochemical changes, accompanied by histopathological destruction, indicate CP-induced pulmonary tissue injury. TBHQ played a protective role by attenuating most of the aforementioned biochemical alterations and histopathological distortions in rats’ lungs. TBHQ might be utilized as a potential ameliorative agent to inhibit CP-induced pulmonary toxicity via TBHQ’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140887916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amanda Fonseca Leitzke, Danielle Tapia Bueno, Tais Poletti, Guilherme Kurz Maron, Bruno Vasconcellos Lopes, Eduarda Vitória Morais, Ana Paula de Oliveira Lopes Inacio, Caroline Ieque Silveira, Juliana Porciuncula da Silva, Daiane Dias, Netftali Lenin Villarreal Carreño, Claudio Martin Pereira de Pereira
{"title":"The effectiveness of natural indigo/kaolinite composite powder in the development of latent fingermarks","authors":"Amanda Fonseca Leitzke, Danielle Tapia Bueno, Tais Poletti, Guilherme Kurz Maron, Bruno Vasconcellos Lopes, Eduarda Vitória Morais, Ana Paula de Oliveira Lopes Inacio, Caroline Ieque Silveira, Juliana Porciuncula da Silva, Daiane Dias, Netftali Lenin Villarreal Carreño, Claudio Martin Pereira de Pereira","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00392-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00392-3","url":null,"abstract":"Composites are materials that have multiple phases and have attracted much attention as they are able to improve physical and chemical properties of an isolated material. In this sense, these composites are commonly used as key components for two purposes: coloring and improving the operational properties; besides that, they have alternative synthesis routes that respect the principles of green chemistry. Thus, this reports the development of a new composite using natural products, indigo and kaolinite, for application in papilloscopy as a new nontoxic fingermark developer. The composite was obtained via green procedures and was characterized by spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Thus, to investigate the potential of the material as a fingermark developer, different techniques were applied such as depletion, aging, comparison with commercial powder, and development of latent fingermarks on different surfaces. Tests revealed that the composite presented good contrast and adhesion with the latent fingermarks, even after 15 days of deposition. This study presents a natural indigo/kaolinite composite powder that showed similar or higher efficiency when compared to the commercial fingerprint powder and was able to develop identifiable natural and sebaceous fingermarks. • A composite was formed from eco-friendly materials. • The composite formation follows the concepts of green chemistry and low cost. •The composite was applied as a latent fingermark developer.","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140887917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Muhammed Emin Parlak, Bengü Berrak Özkul, Mucahit Oruç, Osman Celbiş
{"title":"Sex and stature estimation from anthropometric measurements of the foot: linear analyses and neural network approach on a Turkish sample","authors":"Muhammed Emin Parlak, Bengü Berrak Özkul, Mucahit Oruç, Osman Celbiş","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00391-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00391-4","url":null,"abstract":"For over a century, anthropometric techniques, widely used by anthropologists and adopted by medical scientists, have been utilized for predicting stature and sex. This study, conducted on a Eastern Turkish sample, aims to predict sex and stature using foot measurements through linear methods and Artificial Neural Networks. Our research was conducted on 134 medical students, comprising 69 males and 65 females. Stature and weight were measured in a standard anatomical position in the Frankfurt Horizontal Plane with a stadiometer of 0.1 cm precision. Measurements of both feet's height, length, and breadth were taken using a Vernier caliper, osteometric board, and height scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26.00. It was observed that all foot dimensions in males were significantly larger than in females. Sex prediction using linear methods yielded an accuracy of 94.8%, with a stature estimation error of 4.15 cm. When employing Artificial Neural Networks, sex prediction accuracy increased to 97.8%, and the error in stature estimation was reduced to 4.07 cm. Our findings indicate that Artificial Neural Networks can work more effectively with such data. Using Artificial Neural Networks, the accuracy of sex prediction for both feet exceeded 95%. Additionally, the error in stature estimation was reduced compared to the formulas obtained through linear methods.","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140629135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Othmane Essoubaiy, Bouchaïb Gazzaz, Hakima Yahia, Hicham EL Ossmani, Jalal Talbi, Brahim El Houate, Taoufiq Fechtali
{"title":"Anthropogenetic study of the Arabic - speaking population of Chaouia Ouardigha (Morocco) based on autosomal STRs","authors":"Othmane Essoubaiy, Bouchaïb Gazzaz, Hakima Yahia, Hicham EL Ossmani, Jalal Talbi, Brahim El Houate, Taoufiq Fechtali","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00390-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00390-5","url":null,"abstract":"The Chaouia - Ouradigha is a historical and ethno-geographic region of Morocco. Despite its historical relevance, this region has not received sufficient attention in terms of population genetic exploration. The present study aims to provide new data on the genetic background of the Chaouia-Ouardigha population, the Arabic-speaking North African population in the western center of Morocco, and to examine the relationship between this population and other reference populations based on our dataset as well as previously published population data. Genetic exploration will enable the reconstruction of past gene flows that have influenced the genetic makeup of this particular population. We utilized the Investigator® IDplex Plus PCR amplification kit (Qiagen, Germany) to establish the allelic frequencies and forensic statistical parameters of 15 autosomal Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) included in the kit in 153 random healthy unrelated individuals from the Chaouia-Ourdigha region. The Chaouia-Ouardigha population, which speaks Arabic, exhibits a high degree of genetic diversity with heterozygosity values ranging from 0.670 to 0.879. The loci with the highest allele frequencies, namely D7S820 and TPOX, have the lowest heterozygosity values (0.670 and 0.672, respectively), resulting in lower exclusion power (PE) and typical relatedness index (TPI) values (PE = 0.427 and TPI = 1.66 for TPOX; PE = 0.442 and TPI = 1.72 for D7S820). Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Arabic-speaking population of Chaouia-Ouardigha was found to be distinct from Sub-Saharan, East Asian, and Latin American populations. Our study provides insights into the genetic connections of the Chaouia Ouardigha population, highlighting how historical events, socio-cultural influences, and geographical proximity have contributed to shaping their genetic structure. It demonstrates the substantial impact of historical events and geographical closeness in fostering affinities between the Chaouia Ouardigha community and neighboring populations in North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. Additionally, the study has generated valuable data confirming the effectiveness of these 15 genetic markers for forensic applications across the broader population.","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140586890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A comprehensive review on the detection of latent fingermarks using carbon dots","authors":"Aseem Grover, Laxmi Devi, Jyotirmoy Maity, Gurvinder Singh Bumbrah, Anirban Das","doi":"10.1186/s41935-024-00388-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-024-00388-z","url":null,"abstract":"Fingermarks are one of the oldest, reliable, and universally accepted evidence found on the crime scene. They can be used to link suspect with scene of crime and weapon of offence. Fingermarks are frequently used to investigate criminal cases and identify missing persons and criminals. Conventional methods such as cyanoacrylate fuming, iodine fuming, ninhydrin, silver nitrate, small particle reagent, and powder dusting are routinely used to detect and develop latent fingermarks on various surfaces of forensic importance. However, these methods suffer several limitations including poor contrast, low sensitivity, background interference, and low specificity. To overcome these limitations, nowadays, nanoparticles have gained importance in the development of latent fingermarks. In this review, we focus on the carbon dots (CD's) nanomaterial for the development of latent fingermarks. CD’s have superior fluorescence performance, color tuneability, and low synthesis cost and are non-toxic. The color and intensity of luminescence of CD's depend on its morphology and synthesis method. CD's can be used either in solid or solution form to develop latent fingermarks on the various porous and nonporous surfaces. CD’s are potentially a good candidate to develop latent fingermarks on wide range of porous and nonporous items of forensic importance. The fingerprints developed with CD’s show excellent contrast and resolution. Their small size, biocompatibility, facile and low-cost synthesis, and color tuneability can be successfully utilized to overcome the limitations of the conventional methods.","PeriodicalId":11507,"journal":{"name":"Egyptian journal of forensic sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140586800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}