Forensic science international最新文献

{"title":"Death by lice? − A case of fatal secondary anaemia following severe lice infestation","authors":"David Fabian Ast ,&nbsp;Maximilian Seidl ,&nbsp;Stefanie Ritz ,&nbsp;Lisa Küppers","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112618","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112618","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Head lice are generally considered harmless but in rare cases, a prolonged infestation can lead to severe consequences even resulting in the individuals’ death. This article presents the case of a 56-year-old man who died from severe secondary anaemia most probably caused by prolonged and pronounced lice infestation. The man, who lived in poor hygienic conditions and suffered from schizophrenia and alcohol addiction, was found breathing heavily on the floor of his apartment and later died during the emergency measures. His body was covered in thousands of lice, even affecting his respiratory openings and the oesophagus. Autopsy and histopathological results revealed iron deficiency anaemia and signs of a long-term lice infestation. While other contributing factors such as hypothermia and alcohol withdrawal syndrome had to be discussed as contributory factors, the findings suggested that lice-induced anaemia was the primary cause of death. The case highlights the need for awareness about the potentially fatal consequences of untreated lice infestations, particularly in vulnerable populations. To our knowledge, it is the first death case due to lice infestation in the European Union.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112618"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144896362","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":"Fatal and non-fatal strangulation in Sweden: A retrospective analysis of injury patterns and forensic implications","authors":"Anna Jinghede Sundwall ,&nbsp;Shilan Caman ,&nbsp;Brita Zilg","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112614","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112614","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Strangulation is a gendered and under-recognized form of violence often linked to intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault, predominantly affecting women. Understanding injury patterns in non-fatal (NFS) and fatal strangulation (FS) is essential for diagnosis, prosecution, and prevention.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study examines injury patterns and forensic characteristics in NFS and FS cases in Sweden, contributing evidence to support clinical and forensic assessments.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This retrospective study analyzed 617 NFS cases from 2022 and 139 FS cases from 2003–2022, sourced from the Swedish National Board of Forensic Medicine. Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact Test assessed associations between strangulation method and injury patterns.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Manual strangulation predominated in NFS (96 %), while FS cases had a near-equal distribution of manual and ligature methods. Petechiae were much more common in FS (91 %) than in NFS (4 %), but no significant differences were observed in the occurrence of petechiae between the different types of strangulation. Fractures of neck structures were more frequent in older FS victims compared to younger. IPV was the primary context in both NFS (67 %) and FS (43 %) cases, with a majority of victims being female.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Distinct injury patterns were observed in NFS and FS emphasizing the need for thorough forensic assessments. The findings underscore the importance of clinical vigilance and standardized documentation of injuries in suspected strangulation cases to support legal investigations and prevent future violence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112614"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144889958","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":"Nondestructive automated DNA extraction method from the tooth root surface","authors":"Irena Zupanič Pajnič ,&nbsp;Tamara Leskovar","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112620","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112620","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Skeletal remains are among the most challenging forensic samples, and when extracting DNA from them, destructive grinding is usually employed to obtain a sufficient quantity of DNA. When identifying skeletonized remains, a nondestructive extraction method is of great importance, and undamaged skeletal remains should be returned to relatives after identification due to ethical issues. Teeth are a good source of DNA, which can be found in dental pulp, dentin, and cementum. Similar to bones, highly destructive grinding of the entire tooth is usually employed in the standard forensic extraction procedure. Recent studies have shown that DNA can be best preserved within teeth in the cementum layer of the tooth root. The DNA in the tooth root surface is easily accessible. A simple and fast nondestructive method without grinding, drilling, or scraping of the tooth was developed. A commercial forensic extraction kit was used for automated DNA purification. Sixty-two canines from adult skeletons excavated from two archaeological cemeteries dating from the 13th to 19th centuries were used for analysis. After chemical cleaning and UV irradiation, demineralization was performed by submerging the tooth in 0.5 M EDTA, followed by lysis of demineralized tissue and automated DNA purification. Real-time PCR quantification was employed to determine the quality and quantity of DNA. The efficiency of the nondestructive DNA extraction method developed for genetic analysis of teeth was evaluated by determining the DNA yield, degree of DNA degradation, and success of short tandem repeat (STR) typing. The results showed high efficiency of the method developed, with highly informative STR profiles obtained from 74 % of archaeological canines analyzed. This study highlights the potential of a nondestructive method for analysis of skeletal remains, and it discusses the practical implications of teeth for forensic investigations. The method developed to physically preserve the tooth is simple, fast, and highly efficient, and, because of reduced manual handling, it has a low risk of contamination.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112620"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144896361","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":"Determination of relevant sampling locations for burglary investigations","authors":"Yoram R. Goedhart ,&nbsp;Katharina Draxel ,&nbsp;Androniki S.I. Katsikis ,&nbsp;Ingrid Jullens ,&nbsp;Anouk de Ronde ,&nbsp;Bas Kokshoorn ,&nbsp;Christianne J. de Poot","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112615","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112615","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Residential burglaries often go unsolved, as collected DNA traces and fingermarks frequently originate from residents rather than the offender. It is therefore important to know how to target sampling locations that specifically relate to the burglary event. However, data that aid in assessing the likelihood of a burglar touching certain surfaces, and, consequently leaving trace evidence, is unavailable. Instead, forensic examiners rely primarily on their personal experience and expertise to determine where burglary-related traces are most likely to be found.</div><div>The current study aims to identify specific areas that are contacted during different types of interactions with points of entry. An experiment was conducted at a Dutch music festival, where participants simulated both a legitimate and burglary scenario. Using paint, the points of contact between the participants’ hands and the experimental set-up were recorded. The contact locations of all participants were combined using heatmaps to reveal the patterns of contact. We found that different burglary methods lead to distinct contact patterns, indicating specific areas where traces are most likely to be deposited. Our findings can support forensic examiners in making evidence-based decisions during search strategies in burglary investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112615"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865145","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":"Deriving score-based Likelihood Ratios from facial images of different quality: A practical approach","authors":"Davide Minaglia,&nbsp;Saverio Paolino,&nbsp;Manuel Meneghetti,&nbsp;Francesco Zampa","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112613","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112613","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this work, a method for computing the score-based Likelihood Ratio (SLR) in the context of forensic face recognition is presented. The quality of facial images is first assessed through the Open-Source Facial Image Quality (OFIQ) library, which is available on the GitHub platform [1]. The generation of Between-Source Variability (BSV) and Within-Source Variability (WSV) curves for each quality range is achieved by employing two distinct facial image datasets. A generic approach is adopted to facilitate SLR computations across different quality levels, with the aim of enhancing reliability in forensic applications. The proposed method has been thoroughly validated, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing the challenges posed by varying image quality in forensic scenarios, as well as its practical applicability in disaster victim identification (DVI) situations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112613"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865159","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":"Usefulness of computed tomography-guided postmortem biopsy to evaluate pneumonia","authors":"Tomoaki Hagita ,&nbsp;Akiko Takeuchi ,&nbsp;Shogo Shimbashi ,&nbsp;Hideki Hyodoh ,&nbsp;Kotaro Matoba ,&nbsp;Tomoko Matoba ,&nbsp;Takayuki Kiuchi ,&nbsp;Shigeki Jin","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112612","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112612","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study examined the feasibility of utilizing computed tomography (CT)-guided postmortem lung biopsy to diagnose pneumonia and compared the findings from postmortem CT (PMCT) and blood analyses with histopathological results.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The study included 13 patients who had died within 3 days and had confirmed neutrophil infiltration through histopathological examination. All patients underwent PMCT before autopsy, followed by CT-guided postmortem biopsy on the areas with suspected pneumonia. Blood samples were collected from the heart at the start of autopsy, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and presepsin (P-SEP) levels were measured.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>PMCT revealed pulmonary hypostasis in five cases (38.5 %). Abnormal appearances were observed bilaterally in six cases (46.2 %) and unilaterally in seven cases (53.8 %). The distribution was diffuse in seven cases (53.8 %) and localized in six cases (46.2 %). The appearance findings (with overlap) included reticular in four cases (30.8 %), ground-glass opacities in two cases (15.4 %), patchy in 10 cases (76.9 %), and three cases (23.1 %) had nodular collections (23.1 %). CRP and P-SEP could not be measured in one case each, due to high viscosity. Of the 12 cases, all CRP levels exceeded the normal range, while P-SEP levels were normal in two cases (16.7 %).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights limitations in diagnosing pneumonia solely using PMCT and blood tests. However, CT-guided postmortem biopsy facilitates the identification of pneumonia even when inflammatory findings are not detectable by PMCT and blood tests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112612"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144865144","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":"Gunshot entrance recognition by artificial intelligence using computer vision","authors":"Caio Henrique Pinke Rodrigues ,&nbsp;Milena Dantas da Cruz Sousa ,&nbsp;Michele Avila dos Santos ,&nbsp;Percio Almeida Fistarol Filho ,&nbsp;Jesus Antonio Velho ,&nbsp;Aline Thais Bruni","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112616","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112616","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of firearms as a means of facilitating crimes, such as robberies and homicides, has grown in several places around the world. However, recognizing this type of evidence is not a trivial task. Therefore, trace examinations are increasingly crucial to obtain information about a crime scene and criminal dynamics. Given this scenario, this work aimed to use resources based on computer vision to recognize different entries caused by caliber type on a white cotton T-shirt. The algorithm used was YOLOv11 (Ultralytics), based on convolutional neural networks. The samples comprised images of three firearms: a.38 caliber revolver and 9 mm and.357 caliber pistols. These were obtained with the Leica DVM6 digital microscope, totaling 110 images divided into 53 images of 9 mm caliber, 29 of.357 caliber, and 28 of.38 caliber. Due to the limited quantity, a methodology known as data augmentation was used, which increased the number of samples (totaling 436) without introducing new information into the system. These samples were divided into training (336 images) and validation (100 images). The training results indicate robustness for the prediction and stability of the model. The model quality parameters were all satisfactory. All samples were classified, and based on the confusion matrix, a 3 × 3 contingency table was constructed, and its analysis indicated parameters average above 90 %. Computer vision applied to forensic science problems is still in its infancy compared to other approaches. Still, it is growing and can provide complementary information with less subjective interpretation procedures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112616"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144889957","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":"Integrated visualization and genetic profiling of latent fingerprints via UVITEX OB and adapted fluorescence microscopy","authors":"Sabina Bunescu ,&nbsp;Bogdan Alexandru Stoica ,&nbsp;Alin Dumitru Ciubotaru ,&nbsp;Andreea Laura Antohi ,&nbsp;Gabriela Bordeianu ,&nbsp;Carmen Ecaterina Leferman","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112611","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112611","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study introduces a novel enhancement method for latent fingerprint visualization in forensic investigations, featuring two key advancements: the use of UVITEX OB, a fluorescent compound traditionally found as an optical brightener in textiles, and the utility of a modified fluorescence microscope for fingerprint documentation. UVITEX OB's lipophilic nature, ability to be ground into an ultra-fine powder, its high fluorescence properties (quantum yield ∼ 0.9, excitation spectrum 350–450 nm), and high photostability make it an ideal compound for fingerprint visualization on both non-porous and porous surfaces. By replacing the high-power objective with a low-magnification lens assembly of longer focal length and increased working distance, the field of view was extended, enabling full-fingerprint fluorescence imaging. Additionally, genetic analysis of UVITEX OB - treated fingerprints confirms the compound’s ability to preserve sufficient DNA for a complete genetic profile, without interfering with critical DNA analysis techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. These findings support the potential forensic applicability of UVITEX OB in casework scenarios that require both latent fingerprint visualization and subsequent DNA profiling from the same trace evidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112611"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144858248","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":"A systematic review on the analysis of trace materials via Raman spectroscopy: Advancements and forensic implications","authors":"Samiksha Chauhan,&nbsp;Lovlish Gupta,&nbsp;Sweety Sharma","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112609","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112609","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Raman spectroscopy, complemented by advanced techniques such as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and micro-Raman spectroscopy, is increasingly expanding its forensic applications in analysing trace materials. Forensic practitioners are adopting it more widely due to its simplicity, speed, non-destructive nature, and minimal or no sample preparation required. Despite certain limitations, such as relatively low sensitivity and significant fluorescence interference, Raman spectroscopy has been greatly enhanced by advanced techniques like SERS and Resonance Raman Spectroscopy, which effectively mitigate these issues and help unlock the full potential of Raman analysis. This review compiles extensive data from three major databases—Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar—to demonstrate the utility of Raman spectroscopic techniques in the forensic analysis of trace samples, particularly in the examination of inks, dyes, gunshot residues, paints, and related substances. The study shows that Raman spectroscopy has significantly simplified the analysis of forensic traces, offering a promising approach for the on-site examination of a wide range of traces with improved efficiency and accuracy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"377 ","pages":"Article 112609"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144889956","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":"Protein glycosylation modification as a novel forensic biomarker for discriminating monozygotic twins","authors":"Yun-zhou Chen ,&nbsp;Yang Li ,&nbsp;Yi-long Wang ,&nbsp;Allah Rakha ,&nbsp;Zhenze Liu ,&nbsp;Dan-yang Wang ,&nbsp;Si-wen Wang ,&nbsp;Mao-ling Sun ,&nbsp;Hongbo Wang ,&nbsp;Atif Adnan ,&nbsp;Jun Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112596","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112596","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Discriminating monozygotic (MZ) twins remains a significant challenge in forensic science due to their nearly identical DNA, which renders conventional short tandem repeat (STR) typing ineffective. Protein glycosylation, influenced by environmental factors, offers a promising alternative for personal identification. While epigenetic markers have shown potential in distinguishing MZ twins, many are unstable, prone to degradation, or unsuitable for forensic field samples. A stable and reliable biomarker is urgently needed to address this gap. This study uniquely explores protein glycosylation modifications as a novel approach to differentiate MZ twins. Each twin pair was randomly split into group A and group B. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and western blot (WB) analysis, we investigated N-glycosylation and O-glycosylation patterns in peripheral blood samples from six unrelated individuals and three pairs of MZ twins. LC-MS/MS analysis identified 720 distinct N-glycosylation-modified peptides across the three pairs of MZ twins, with 77 peptides unique to group A and 50 to group B. WB analysis successfully distinguished both six unrelated individuals and three pairs of MZ twins based on O-GlcNAc expression patterns, despite subtle differences within the twin pairs. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that protein glycosylation modifications can serve as reliable biomarkers for differentiating MZ twins, offering a significant advancement in forensic identification where traditional methods fall short. However, further validation in larger datasets and under simulated forensic conditions is necessary before widespread adoption. This study not only enriches the pool of potential forensic biomarkers but also opens new avenues for research into the role of glycosylation in individual specificity and its broader applications in personalized medicine and disease diagnostics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112596"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144852256","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}