Sudheer Babu Balla , Sana Hamid Ali , Asa Priyanka Mula , Santosh Kumar Tadakamadla , Merdietio Boedi Rizky , Ademir Franco , Nikolaos Angelakopoulos , Jyothi Tadakamadla
{"title":"The effect of impaction on the mineralisation of third molars and forensic age estimation: A systematic review and meta-analysis","authors":"Sudheer Babu Balla , Sana Hamid Ali , Asa Priyanka Mula , Santosh Kumar Tadakamadla , Merdietio Boedi Rizky , Ademir Franco , Nikolaos Angelakopoulos , Jyothi Tadakamadla","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether impaction affects the mineralization and developmental timing of mandibular third molars.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A systematic literature review was conducted, adhering in part to the PRISMA statement and registered in The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, PROSPERO: CRD42023454534. Four scientific databases (PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) were used as primary search sources, and one (OATD) was consulted to retrieve part of the grey literature. Methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies. Mean differences in developmental timing were pooled for random-effect meta-analysis, and subgroup analyses were conducted by developmental stage and sex.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative review, and five were eligible for meta-analysis. Impacted third molars exhibited a statistically significant developmental delay compared to non-impacted counterparts, with a pooled mean difference of 0.8 years (95 % CI: 0.61–0.98; I²= 81.5 %). Methodological quality was moderate to high, though substantial heterogeneity and population variability were observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The results suggested that impaction can be associated with a delay of third molar development. This delay was more pronounced in females compared to males, together with variations in stage-specific sub-group analysis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"378 ","pages":"Article 112650"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145212135","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}
Wilmar Alexander Ariza-Garcia , Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez , Gonzalo Taborda-Ocampo , Milton Rosero-Moreano , Mónica P. Cala
{"title":"Metabolomic patterns in fatal carbon monoxide poisoning: A forensic toxicology perspective","authors":"Wilmar Alexander Ariza-Garcia , Daniel Pardo-Rodriguez , Gonzalo Taborda-Ocampo , Milton Rosero-Moreano , Mónica P. Cala","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112643","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112643","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning remains a major forensic and public health concern due to its high lethality and diagnostic challenges. Its colorless, odorless nature and the limited reliability of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels—compounded by postmortem changes—complicate toxicological interpretation. This study employed untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics to characterize systemic biochemical alterations in fatal CO poisoning cases. Integrated metabolomic and lipidomic analyses revealed significant dysregulation in lipid-related pathways, including steroid biosynthesis, mitochondrial β-oxidation, fatty acid and sphingolipid metabolism, and lysophospholipid-mediated membrane destabilization. Impaired biosynthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) was also observed, potentially compromising membrane structure and signaling. These findings highlight widespread metabolic disruption affecting energy homeostasis and lipid signaling. Among the altered metabolites, carnitine 18:2 (CAR 18:2) demonstrated strong discriminative power (AUC = 0.846) between CO-poisoned and control cases, suggesting its value as a forensic biomarker. Additionally, lysophosphatidylcholine 18:2 (LPC 18:2) and sphingomyelin 44:1;O₂ (SM 44:1;O₂) emerged as promising candidates. These results underscore the systemic metabolic impact of CO toxicity and support the continued exploration and implementation of targeted lipidomics as alternative forensic biomarkers in fatal poisonings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112643"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145004265","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}
Emily L. Green , Simon P.B. Ovenden , Roger J. Mulder , Joanna E. Cosgriff , Jayde Samuels , Nathan W. McGill , Renée L. Webster
{"title":"Chemical forensic profiling of compounds related to the chemical weapons convention using 2D and 3D diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy","authors":"Emily L. Green , Simon P.B. Ovenden , Roger J. Mulder , Joanna E. Cosgriff , Jayde Samuels , Nathan W. McGill , Renée L. Webster","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112641","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112641","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The ongoing use of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in conflicts, assassinations, and terrorist attacks means that the detection and identification of these compounds are crucial. The forensic identification of organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) and their precursors and degradation products remains challenging due to the destructive nature and extensive preparation required for conventional chromatographic methods. In this study, we characterise precursor and degradation products of Novichok analogues, including 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine, N,N-diethylpentanimidamide, N,N-dipropylbutanimidamide, using 2D ¹H–¹³C heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence (HMQC) NMR. We further investigate mixtures of phosphonate compounds [dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), diethyl 2,2-diethoxyethylphosphonate (DEOP), and dibutyl butylphosphonate (DBBP)] and a fully degraded VX sample using ¹H diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) and 3D ¹H–¹³C DOSY-HMQC NMR. The ¹H DOSY experiments successfully separated components of both amine and phosphonate mixtures, while analysis of the degraded VX sample revealed key degradation products, including ethyl methylphosphonic acid and bis-2-(diisopropylaminoethyl)disulfide. The 3D DOSY-HMQC method provided improved resolution of overlapping signals compared to 2D approaches, representing the first application of this experiment to CWA-related compounds. These results demonstrate that DOSY-based NMR can virtually separate complex mixtures non-destructively, providing complementary capability to GC-MS and LC-MS in forensic CWA investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112641"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019914","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}
Yu Chen Lim-Hitchings , Michael Schnegg , Ray Palmer , Geneviève Massonnet
{"title":"Evaluating findings of fibre comparisons in forensic science. Part 2: Considering transfer, persistence, and recovery","authors":"Yu Chen Lim-Hitchings , Michael Schnegg , Ray Palmer , Geneviève Massonnet","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112644","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112644","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>After a forensic fibre analysis, the results need to be interpreted with respect to the relevant competing propositions and case context. The assignment of probabilities to parameters such as occurrence, background, transfer, persistence, and recovery, is indispensable to this process. This paper will summarise and consolidate the current body of knowledge on the subject of transfer, persistence, and recovery. These parameters are often grouped together due to their close relationship. Primarily they offer on explanation for the quantity of fibres that would be found on a relevant surface, and it is this quantity on which most evaluations are based. Crucially, for findings to be helpful, there often needs to be a distinction between the expected number of fibres found as a result of each competing proposition and the background. These three different processes are highly complex and have a variety of interacting elements that affect them. The consensus in the literature on these elements and how they influence these events are covered in this paper. This knowledge sheds light on the expected number of fibres as a result of the transfer, persistence, and recovery in the context of an activity. Finally, lists of published research are given, such that experts may select the relevant ones and consult them for further information. The objective is to assist experts in selecting relevant literature and adapting them for their specific needs on a case-by-case basis. Finally, the application of this data and information into practical probability assignment is demonstrated using an example.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112644"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145026642","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}
Caio Henrique Pinke Rodrigues , Lívia Salviano Mariotto , Nigel J. Mason , Felipe Fantuzzi , Aline Thais Bruni
{"title":"Towards analytical standards for new psychoactive substances: The contribution of computational chemistry and statistical methods","authors":"Caio Henrique Pinke Rodrigues , Lívia Salviano Mariotto , Nigel J. Mason , Felipe Fantuzzi , Aline Thais Bruni","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112642","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112642","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>New psychoactive substances (NPS) present significant challenges for law enforcement and public health due to their rapid emergence and structural diversity, often outpacing the development of traditional analytical methods. This review explores using computational chemistry, particularly density functional theory (DFT), to obtain infrared spectra. This combination to characterize NPS began in the 2010s and has gained momentum across all continents in recent years. We demonstrate that DFT can accurately predict the spectroscopic properties of NPS. In addition, statistical methods for comparing computational and experimental data are presented. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) assessment is performed to assess the potential and limitations of these computational approaches. Finally, integrating artificial intelligence and developing extensive spectral databases emerge as promising avenues for future research, provided that data reliability and rigorous validation processes are maintained. All these efforts are aligned to obtain faster responses and keep up with NPS advances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112642"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145019912","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}
Amna Arooj, Hifz Ur Rehman, Hafiz Muhammad Abbas Malik, Muhammad Shahid Cholistani, Muhammad Adeel Aslam, Samiullah Malik
{"title":"Retraction notice to \"DNA evidence in illicit drug trafficking: A forensic analysis of transfer DNA between packaging materials\" [Forensic Sci. Int. 374 (2025) 112546].","authors":"Amna Arooj, Hifz Ur Rehman, Hafiz Muhammad Abbas Malik, Muhammad Shahid Cholistani, Muhammad Adeel Aslam, Samiullah Malik","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112645","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112645","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":" ","pages":"112645"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145063883","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}
Michael S. Pollanen , K.A. Sarathchandra Kodikara , Fabio A. Tironi
{"title":"The forensic and clinicopathological spectrum of the vertebral artery","authors":"Michael S. Pollanen , K.A. Sarathchandra Kodikara , Fabio A. Tironi","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We report the forensic and clinicopathological spectrum of 14 postmortem cases involving the vertebral artery. In all cases, there was either pontocerebellar infarction (n = 8) or subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 6). The underlying pathology of the vertebral artery was segmental mediolytic arteriopathy (n = 5), traumatic rupture of the arterial wall (n = 3), arterial dissection (n = 2), or atherosclerosis (n = 4). Histopathologic changes were often present in both the intracranial and extracranial segments of the vertebral artery. In our case series, the most frequent disease in the vertebral artery was segmental mediolytic arteriopathy which sometimes simultaneously involved the superior mesenteric artery. Our data show that a heterogeneous combination of acquired and genetic cofactors likely played a role in etiopathogenesis. The two main cofactors included sudden neck movements from applied external force (7/14 case, 50 %), and genetics (3/14 case, 21 %). Mutations in structural or regulatory genes of the arterial wall appear to be key risk factors and may interact with trauma or neck motion to result in fatal outcomes. We recommend that the autopsy of all cases with suspected vertebral artery lesions include histologic examination of both the intracranial and extracranial segments of the vertebral artery, histologic sampling of the intra-abdominal (mesenteric) arteries, and genetic testing. This will help clarify the role of injury, genetics, and disease when determining the cause of death in these complex cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112631"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145004264","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":"Effects of chemical & biological warfare agent decontaminants on trace survival: Impact on digital media","authors":"Isabelle Radgen-Morvant , Johann Polewczyk , Christophe Curty , Natalie Kummer , Olivier Delémont","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Digital media are valuable assets for forensic investigations, offering essential data for reconstructing events and understanding activities. In scenarios where biological or chemical contaminants, such as hazardous pathogens or toxic chemicals, must be removed, it is important to understand how decontamination processes affect digital evidence. This study evaluates the impact on digital media of sixteen decontaminants, encompassing various chemical mechanisms and application methods, that could be used in mass decontamination scenarios. This work complements previously published results concerning the decontamination effects on fingermarks and DNA. Through a comprehensive analysis involving physical inspection, responsiveness testing, and data integrity verification, the study assessed the effects of these decontamination means on USB drives, microSD cards and hard drives and the data they withhold. The findings indicate that while some minor impacts were observed, overall, the decontaminants did not impede data retrieval or integrity. Challenges may arise over time since corrosion residues were observed, emphasizing the importance of rapid action and thorough cleaning of the media. Although on-site data retrieval can be imagined with single use equipment and personal protective equipment for incidents involving chemical or biological agents, our observations suggest that alternative approaches involving media decontamination may be considered due to the resilience of digital media.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112630"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144989114","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}
Rosario Guerra , Rubén Martos , Óscar Ibáñez , Andrea Valsecchi , Enrique Bermejo , Stefano De Luca , María Alejandra Guativonza , Guillermo R-García , Verónica Martínez-García , Daniel Casallas , Zuzana Obertova , Helmi Hadi , Terrie Simmons-Ehrhardt , Erin Kimmerle , Gennifer Goad
{"title":"International validation study of AI-guided Craniofacial Superimposition in a contemporary population sample","authors":"Rosario Guerra , Rubén Martos , Óscar Ibáñez , Andrea Valsecchi , Enrique Bermejo , Stefano De Luca , María Alejandra Guativonza , Guillermo R-García , Verónica Martínez-García , Daniel Casallas , Zuzana Obertova , Helmi Hadi , Terrie Simmons-Ehrhardt , Erin Kimmerle , Gennifer Goad","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reliance on primary identifiers (DNA, fingerprints) alone, can delay or hamper forensic human identification. At the same time, the use of techniques with unknown accuracy can compromise identification efforts. Craniofacial Superimposition has faced scrutiny due to limitations in reliability studies, such as small samples, non-representative case selections and unrealistic experimental setups. These studies often lacked comprehensive cross-comparisons and disregarded recommended practices.</div><div>Building upon insights from a previous validation study, which highlighted limitations caused by material quality and quantity, a blind validation study focusing on a contemporary sample with superior photographic quality has been conducted. Ten practitioners with different levels of expertise addressed the identification scenario under blind conditions employing a novel AI-guided Craniofacial Superimposition technology, which automates tasks within the application of the technique. Two conclusions are reached: (i) the combination of human expertise and AI assistance can lead to reliable identification outcomes. In particular, it is noteworthy that experienced participants achieved a 100 % correct decision rate, suggesting that prior experience and expertise in the technique contributes to improved decision-making ability, even when aided by AI tools; (ii) the utilization of an automatic AI-based ranking tool significantly reduced the workload for participants by providing a prioritized list of potential matches, narrowing down the number of comparisons from 1175 to 141. Additional constraints and sources of error have been identified. The study was conducted with Skeleton‑ID v4.2, a commercial AI tool (Panacea Cooperative Research, Spain); authors’ competing interests are disclosed in full.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112628"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145185292","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}
Olivia Luxford Meyer , Frederik Torp Petersen , Bo Thisted Simonsen , Jacob Tfelt-Hansen , Claus Børsting
{"title":"Nationwide study on forensic genetic analyses in criminal cases in Denmark","authors":"Olivia Luxford Meyer , Frederik Torp Petersen , Bo Thisted Simonsen , Jacob Tfelt-Hansen , Claus Børsting","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Historically, forensic genetics research has focused on increasing sensitivity of DNA analyses, improving mixture profile deconvolution, and advancing forensic DNA intelligence methodologies. The aim of this study was to quantify the relevance of these areas using empirical data from forensic genetic casework in Danish criminal cases. We present a retrospective analysis, primarily covering the years 2016–2022, with additional data from 2023 to 2024. During the entire study period, we received an average of 36,605 samples per year of which 66 % were from high-volume crime cases and 34 % were from violent crime cases. In 2016–2022, 50 % of the samples were deemed unsuitable for standard PCR-CE analyses due to insufficient DNA quantity or quality. Among the reported profiles, 85 % were full profiles with alleles in all analysed loci. A match to a person of interest, a victim, or a profile in the Danish National DNA Database was obtained for 40 % of reported DNA profiles. In 2023, our input DNA threshold for PCR-CE analyses was lowered from 200 pg to 100 pg. This increase in sensitivity led to an immediate increase in the relative number of reported profiles from 50 % to 59 %, which underlines the importance of further optimization of laboratory protocols. Across the full study period, approximately two-thirds of profiles were mixtures, emphasizing the need for continuous research in mixture interpretation and the exploration of alternative methods to deconvolute sample information. Additionally, nearly 8000 single-source profiles from violent crime cases that did not lead to a match with any known individuals, were identified as potential candidates for supplementary analyses. This amounts to approximately 850 samples per year or 2 % of all processed samples that may be analysed with the purpose of obtaining investigative leads through forensic DNA intelligence including prediction of physical traits and age, biogeographic ancestry inference, familial searching or Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112629"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144917559","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}