Forensic science international最新文献

{"title":"Comparison of visible-light and infrared photography for visualizing hematomas postmortem","authors":"Joel Bottoni ,&nbsp;Thomas Rost ,&nbsp;Holger Wittig ,&nbsp;Melanie Bauer ,&nbsp;Eva Scheurer ,&nbsp;Claudia Lenz","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photography is essential in forensic medicine documentation. While visible-light photography uses the human eye's spectrum (approximately 380–780 nm), infrared (IR) photography captures wavelengths invisible to the naked eye (approximately 700–1100 nm). This study aimed to assess the reliability of IR photography in detecting subcutaneous hematomas in deceased individuals. In postmortem examinations of 23 individuals with different skin tones, 43 hematomas were evaluated; for ethical reasons, hematomas on the face, neck, hands, or feet were excluded. Standardized photographs were taken using two different cameras: a Nikon D810 (visible-light) and a Nikon D800E modified with a 700 nm IR filter. Subsequently, tissue samples including the hematomas were excised. Hematoma density was assessed on paraffin-embedded samples using a Keyence VHX 5000 digital microscope. Raw IR photographs were processed with Photoshop to obtain tonal values of the darkest hematoma spot and the brightest spot of the surrounding intact tissue. Visual inspection of the excised samples confirmed that infrared photography accurately depicted 100 % of the 43 hematomas, whereas using visible-light photography, only 53.5 % were well visible and 46.5 % poorly visible. Tonal values correlated positively with microscopic densities of the hematomas, yielding a moderate to strong linear correlation coefficient of 0.70 (p &lt; 0.001). In conclusion, IR photography is highly reliable in visualizing subcutaneous hematomas and has clear advantages over visible-light photography. Our results suggest that IR photography could be valuable as an additional tool in depicting suspected hematomas in living individuals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 112300"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142681232","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic footwear examination: A systematic review of the existing literature","authors":"Danyela Kellett ,&nbsp;Sanaz Zolghadriha ,&nbsp;Ruth Morgan ,&nbsp;David Lagnado ,&nbsp;Sherry Nakhaeizadeh","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Systematic reviews have been shown to be useful tools mainly in terms of identifying research areas, but the approach is less common in forensic science. Systematic reviews in forensic science have generally focused on topics closely linked to medicine or to the general practice of forensic science, such as cognitive bias or misleading evidence. The value of a systematic review is dependent on its transparency and reproducibility and, it is therefore of benefit to follow established guidelines, such as those published by the Cochrane Collaboration and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This paper applies these guidelines to conduct an effective systematic review of the types of research that have addressed forensic footwear examination. Using this approach, it was found that overall, there is a significant body of research that has been undertaken addressing forensic footwear examination, with 427 papers in the scope of the systematic review. The results showed that the largest proportion of papers published reported the use of an algorithm to produce an automated system to code footwear marks (25.1 %). However, only a small number of papers (1.2 %) related to the actual coding process with limited research into the use of footwear intelligence (2.1 %) and linking of scenes (0.7 %) which would follow on from pattern coding. Papers relating to the recovery and enhancement of footwear marks most frequently reported in the areas of casting (7.3 %), photography (6.3 %), chemical enhancement of marks in blood (5.9 %) and other chemical enhancement (5.6 %). A relatively small proportion of papers identified considered interpretation (15.5 %) and the characteristics of a footwear mark (12.2 %), with the former predominantly focused on general interpretation (5.9 %) and the latter on damage or randomly acquired features (6.1 %). Overall, the review suggested that more research is needed to address the use of footwear intelligence; to understand the properties of footwear prints used to compare and evaluate footwear marks; and to develop a robust, transparent and consistent method to interpret and express the significance of a footwear comparison. The latter would facilitate the clear and unambiguous communication of findings to the Criminal Justice System as a whole, including the expression of the uncertainty of the evidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112295"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142675516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"According to forensic science recommendations, are carbon dots capable of reliably developing latent fingerprints?","authors":"Daniel da Silva Carvalho ,&nbsp;Bernardo José Munhoz Lobo ,&nbsp;Atailson Oliveira da Silva ,&nbsp;Marcelo Henrique Sousa ,&nbsp;Sebastião William da Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112291","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112291","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon dots (CDs) are zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials that have been subject of considerable interest due to their remarkable electronic and optical characteristics. Their adjustable properties have gathered attention in different fields, including biological sensing, drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, photocatalysis, solar cells, and latent fingerprint development. In forensic science, the frequently reported outstanding photoluminescence behavior and biocompatibility of CDs are particularly important. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to assess the reliability of the results presented in studies proposing CD-based solutions for latent fingerprint development. By standardizing procedures, forensic science guidelines are valuable references that provide a framework for comparing new development materials with established ones. These publications were used to generate key points that allowed for a more objective evaluation of the reviewed studies. Our analysis revealed that most of the studies were conducted under rather limited conditions, with significant potential for bias in the presentation and evaluation of the new results achieved by the new CD-based developmental materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112291"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142617186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Post-mortem iris biometrics – Field, applications and methods","authors":"Mateusz Trokielewicz ,&nbsp;Piotr Maciejewicz ,&nbsp;Adam Czajka","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Post-mortem iris recognition (PMIR) is a recently developed area of expertise falling into the broader category of biometric methods utilizing human iris features for the purpose of automatic or semi-automatic establishing or confirming one’s identity. Yet, contrary to traditional iris recognition applied to living individuals, post-mortem biometrics presents forensic experts and scientists with challenges that have previously been unknown and require novel approaches and development of new skills. This paper summarizes the current state of the art of research in this area, both with respect to studies exploring the feasibility of iris recognition in a forensic setting, as well as the challenges still pervasive in the scientific community and potential ways to overcome them. We argue that post-mortem iris biometrics can serve both as a way for improving iris recognition, as well as provide forensic examiners tools for extending knowledge and skills in their respective field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112293"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142643425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Smart tech meets forensics: Enhancing crime scene investigation with digital simulations","authors":"Jing Ma","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112296","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112296","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study proposes the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically reinforcement learning and immersive human-computer interaction, to enhance crime scene investigation (CSI) training and assessment in public security colleges and universities. By incorporating these technologies, the aim is to provide a more systematic, scientific, and efficient learning experience for students, while ensuring fair and impartial evaluation. The technical roadmap and implementation strategy for applying AI and immersive interaction in CSI training are outlined, along with an application plan for different stages of the training and assessment process. This integration seeks to standardize and optimize CSI training, improving both intelligence and efficiency while ensuring fairness in evaluations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112296"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142617202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Location and accumulation of primary head injuries, and prevalence of secondary injuries among neuropathologically examined medico-legal autopsy cases – A comparative study of falls and assaults","authors":"Teemu Silver ,&nbsp;Petteri Oura","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112294","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112294","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Even though traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death globally, detailed data on the location and accumulation of primary head injuries, and prevalence of secondary injuries in distinct injury circumstances such as falls and assaults is limited. This study aimed to highlight the differences in injury patterns between falls and assaults among neuropathologically examined medico-legal autopsy cases. Data were collected on a total of 128 cases from the Forensic Medicine Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, between the years 2016 and 2022. All cases had suspected or confirmed acute head injuries and underwent a full neuropathological examination. Background and circumstantial variables, as well as the presence of head and brain injuries, were extracted from the medico-legal autopsy case files. Comparative analyses were conducted between assured falls (n = 26) and assaults (n = 23). Any primary head injury was observed in 57.0 % of the full sample; the most common primary injuries were scalp haemorrhage (47.7 %), subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) (24.2 %), and diffuse traumatic axonal injury (13.3 %). Assault cases showed a significantly higher prevalence of scalp haemorrhage (82.6 % vs. 46.2 %, p = 0.016) and SAH (52.2 % vs. 11.5 %, p = 0.004) compared to fall cases. In assault cases, the left hemisphere was clearly more frequently affected than the right one (91.3 % vs. 65.2 %). Of secondary injuries, brain oedema was more common in assaults than falls (47.8 % vs. 7.7 %, p = 0.003). In conclusion, this study highlights differences in head and brain injury patterns between falls and assaults. Scalp haemorrhage and SAH are more common in assaults than falls. Assaults appear to lead to a higher frequency and diversity of injuries, particularly in the left hemisphere.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112294"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142617199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geographical classification of population: Analysis of amino acid in fingermark residues using UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS combined with machine learning","authors":"Lu-Chuan Tian (田陆川),&nbsp;Shi-Si Tian (田师思),&nbsp;Ya-Bin Zhao (赵雅彬)","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112273","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112273","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To determine the living regions of individuals based on amino acids in fingermark residues and to establish a rapid and accurate regional classification method using machine learning. Methods: A total of 71 fingermark donors from six different provinces in various regions of China were selected. The content of 18 amino acids in their fingermarks was detected using UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS. Classification models were established using various machine learning algorithms, and the cross-validation accuracy of 72 combinations, including feature engineering, classification algorithms, and optimization algorithms, was compared. Results: UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS successfully quantified 16 amino acids. Significant differences in the relative content of amino acids were found between the fingermarks from the eastern and western regions of China, as well as among neighboring provinces. The combination of SFS+SVM+BO was identified as the optimal classification model, achieving an accuracy of 90.14 %. Conclusion: The study found regional differences in the relative content of amino acids in fingermarks and established a regional classification method combining UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS and machine learning. The method developed in this study can be applied to incomplete or distorted fingermarks, and the experimental results can be directly used in police investigations. This research uncovers the multidimensional information carried by fingerprint substances, demonstrating innovation and application value. It not only saves and shortens investigation time and provides investigative leads, but also enables previously unusable physical evidence to play a role again, enhancing the profiling of suspects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112273"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142647368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic science: Where to from Here?","authors":"Alastair Ross ,&nbsp;Chris Lennard ,&nbsp;Claude Roux","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112285","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112285","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>‘Where to from Here’ (WTFH) was the theme chosen for the 2023 meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS). This theme reflects the fact that forensic science is evolving rapidly, not only within individual sub-disciplines but, critically, across the whole forensic science landscape. Identifying and predicting evolutionary change will enable a more focused and constructive future for forensic science. The IAFS meeting originally scheduled for 2020 was cancelled due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on 18 May 2021, an IAFS Virtual Event launched the Sydney Declaration as an integral part of the WTFH initiative. The Sydney Declaration articulates a definition and seven principles for forensic science and provides a much-needed platform for forensic science into the future. It is aspirational, not focused on organisations, techniques or protocols, and provides a shared understanding of forensic science and its principles. The 2023 IAFS meeting built on the Sydney Declaration, with five themes developed as the basis for eliciting information from delegates related to the WTFH concept. The themes were: (i) integration and harmonisation; (ii) digital transformation; (iii) research; (iv) education and training; and (v) technology. Information across these themes was gathered via short, sharply focused panel discussions in the final session of each of the 22 disciplines represented at the meeting. In addition, there was a panel-based seminar on the Sydney Declaration and a panel-based plenary session on the conference theme. Meeting delegates were also able to provide their thoughts during the meeting, and for a two-week post-conference window, via a dedicated meeting app. Information from all of these sources has been collated to provide a consolidated WTFH landscape for forensic science.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"366 ","pages":"Article 112285"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142681333","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of organic explosive residues from outdoor detonations using confocal Raman microscopy","authors":"Jared Estevanes,&nbsp;Geraldine Monjardez","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112292","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112292","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The detection of post-blast residues in the aftermath of an explosion involving organic explosives with spectroscopic techniques is challenging as, typically, no microscopically visible unreacted particles remain after the explosion. However, some low-order explosions may leave visible particles behind, as well as the presence of significant amounts of unreacted material. In this study, four authentic open-air detonations using two simulated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) containing a mixture of military explosives (TNT and RDX), and two IEDs containing smokeless powder were conducted. The various materials they contained, including plastic, wood, and metal, were swabbed and extracted with acetone to create post-blast liquid extracts. The extracts were then dried and examined using confocal Raman microscopy, alongside a 50 ppm reference mixture of smokeless powder constituents, which was created to evaluate the effects of Raman scattering within the full smokeless powder mixture. Smokeless powder constituents, such as ethyl centralite, diphenylamine, nitroglycerin, and dibutyl phthalate, were successfully identified by comparison to the reference mixture on most substrates, with the exception of the paint stick (wood) substrate. TNT/RDX was also able to be identified in the extracts, with RDX crystals being observed in some dried extracts after solvent evaporation. However, the detection of TNT/RDX in the second detonation was unsuccessful, possibly due to an explosive chain reaction that was highly efficient. No trends were seen in substrate affinity for TNT/RDX. The challenges and benefits with the developed methodology for the detection of organic explosive residues from a variety of substrates are discussed in detail.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112292"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142617195","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the effects of silent genes on pairwise kinship testing","authors":"Da Yang ,&nbsp;Mei Li Li ,&nbsp;An Qi Wei","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112290","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112290","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Short tandem repeat (STR) loci are frequently utilized in kinship testing, and mutations of a single base occurring in the primer-binding region of the STR locus can result in the failure of allelic amplification and the emergence of silent genes. Silent genes are not observable and, therefore, are excluded from the genotypes assessed. Pedigree likelihood ratios (LRs) are often employed in kinship testing to determine the likelihood of different kinship scenarios. LR values are derived from various types of genotypes. LR_exact values are based on the exact or actual genotypes, which may include silent genes. Conversely, LR_observe values are based on observed genotypes that exclude silent genes, while LR_adjust values incorporate all potential genotypes, including both observed and those with silent genes. Initially, the formulae for LRs in 1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree kinship testing are presented according to different genotype forms of pairwise individuals. The correctness of these formulae is then verified using the Familias software, and the results are compared with those from the GeneVisa software (<span><span>www.genevisa.net</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>). Lastly, the simulation modules of GeneVisa are used to assess the impact of silent genes on pairwise kinship testing. The findings indicate that the overall impact of silent genes is minimal, although in some cases, the effects can be relatively significant. The influence of silent genes generally decreases as the kinship relationship becomes more distant. In specific kinship tests, the effect of silent genes is reduced when the individuals are unrelated compared to when there is a kinship relationship. Utilizing the LR_adjust value for 1st degree and 2nd degree kinship testing can substantially mitigate the effects of silent genes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112290"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142617196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}