Forensic science international最新文献

{"title":"Quantifying variation in the physical size of footwear test impressions","authors":"Samantha K. Brady ,&nbsp;Jacqueline A. Speir ,&nbsp;Christopher Hamburg ,&nbsp;Jeffery Jagmin","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112245","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112245","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The analysis of forensic footwear evidence often requires the preparation of test impressions created under controlled laboratory conditions. When these test impressions are compared to questioned impressions, (dis)agreement in physical size is an important attribute that must be evaluated and documented. Integral to this comparison is an understanding of the variation that may exist between replicate test impressions, and test impressions created using different methods. The aim of this study was to empirically characterize the variation that exists within and between test impressions prepared using a static benchtop and a dynamic walking method, as well as explore the potential influence of the wearer’s foot size when using the walking method. To examine this variation, twenty-three participants were recruited to prepare test impressions of two different shoe makes and models in four different manufacturer’s sizes. Five replicate benchtop impressions per make/model/size and three replicate walking impressions per participant/make/model/size were created, resulting in approximately 550 test samples, to which an additional 150 quality control copies were blindly added, resulting in almost 700 processed test impressions. Using reproducible and reliable ground control points, the physical size of toe-to-heel length and medial-to-lateral ball of the toe width measurements were collected and compared. For the shoe make/models examined in this study, a systematic bias was observed between benchtop and walking impressions, such that benchtop impressions were almost always longer and narrower than walking impressions, and that within the walking method, physical size differences vary with foot/shoe size mismatch. Of the experimental shoes and groups examined in this study, the variation in toe-to-heel length measurements between benchtop and walking impressions was greatest when the shoe was two sizes smaller than the foot, resulting in a maximum physical size difference of 4.18 mm for a Nike® Downshifter 11 outsole. Similarly, when comparing the variation in toe-to-heel length measurements between walking impressions created using a correctly-fitted shoe versus a shoe that was two sizes smaller than the wearer’s foot, a maximum physical size difference of 3.25 mm was observed. Based on these findings, best practice suggests that footwear analysts document the foot size of the wearer preparing walking test impressions, refrain from using benchtop impressions to form opinions about physical size consistency/differences, and to be cognizant that a large mismatch between foot/shoe size when creating walking impressions can lead to length differences greater than 3.0 mm.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112245"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142603896","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":"Evaluation of the effect of orthodontic treatment on the reliability of facial recognition by using three-dimensional model superimposition technique","authors":"Qin Zhou ,&nbsp;Jinxiu Wang ,&nbsp;Yu Tang ,&nbsp;Wenqing Bu ,&nbsp;Jie Gao ,&nbsp;Shaoyi Du ,&nbsp;Yuxin Guo ,&nbsp;Yucheng Guo ,&nbsp;Haotian Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112253","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112253","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>3D-3D registration of facial models, has great advantages in personal individual identification in forensic medicine. However, orthodontic treatment has brought changes in facial soft and hard tissues, which has a potential effect in personal identification. The aim of the study was to explore whether orthodontic treatment affects 3D-3D facial recognition. A total of 68 patients aged between 18 and 38 were selected (30 subjects with tooth extraction, 38 subjects with non-tooth extraction) and a control group consisting of 30 volunteers without orthodontic treatment was selected from a database of 3dMD facial models. 3dMD facial model acquisition was performed twice for each subject. For both extraction and non-extraction groups, T0 was acquired before treatment, and T1 was acquired at the end of treatment. The time span of 2 times 3dMD facial model acquisition in the control group was about 2 years. 3dMD facial models were then registered onto other 3dMD models belonging to the same and different individuals according to the minimum point-to-point distance, getting a cohort of matches and mismatches. Root mean square (RMS) value of the minimum point-to-point distance between two models was then calculated. The intra- and inter-observer repeatability coefficients were 0.986 (P&lt;0.001) and 0.982 (P&lt;0.001). The absolute technical error of measurement (TEM) value was 0.05 mm and 0.04 mm, and relative technical error of measurement (rTEM) value was 4.91 % and 3.60 %, respectively. Possible significant differences between groups were assessed through independent samples <em>t</em>-test or Mann–Whitney U test (p&lt;0.001). The average RMS value was 1.03±0.33 mm in matches of orthodontic group, 0.67±0.22 mm in matches of control group, and 2.66±0.51 mm in mismatches. An RMS value range of 1.70–1.77 mm could distinguish matches from mismatches in 100 % of cases in the present study. This study showed that orthodontic treatment would not affect 3D-3D facial recognition in adults for the purpose of individual identification in forensic medicine.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"364 ","pages":"Article 112253"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142461632","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":"Is it time for a unified forensic science taxonomy?","authors":"Michelle D. Miranda ,&nbsp;Ciaran H. Niceberg ,&nbsp;Claude Roux","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112252","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112252","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prompted by disparate data highlighted in responses to a Sydney Declaration survey, this paper examines how forensic science ‘disciplines’ are defined and described by various professional organizations. A considerable degree of disagreement in taxonomic organization of forensic science ‘disciplines’ was uncovered. This paper suggests that the global forensic science community come together to develop and implement a standard taxonomic system for defining, describing and classifying the disciplines/subdisciplines within forensic science. Such uniform taxonomic structure could serve to align education and awareness while at the same time contributing to the goal of professionalization. This taxonomy should be built on a foundation based on underlying forensic science philosophies and principles, such as those delineated in the Sydney Declaration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112252"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142527687","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":"Unravelling the threat of contamination in elite sports: Exploring diverse sources impacting adverse analytical findings and the risk of inadvertent exposure to prohibited substances","authors":"Ana Belen Moraleda Merlo ,&nbsp;Louisa Lobigs ,&nbsp;Thomas Piper ,&nbsp;Christophe Champod ,&nbsp;Neil Robinson","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112240","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112240","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent years, increasing concerns have emerged regarding athletes being exposed to various sources of contamination that could result in an adverse analytical finding (AAF), which is considered a positive doping test and may lead to the athlete's sanction. This review aims to examine the potential sources of contamination. Firstly, exogenous sources such as food, water, supplements, and medications will be described, along with endogenous sources, primarily arising from the athlete’s physiological condition via the biotransformation of Medications. Finally, other hypothetical contaminations arising from sample collection procedures, poor transport or storage, and laboratory conditions will be discussed. Despite some legislative efforts to regulate the production of food and supplements, contamination remains a significant concern in the context of anti-doping, necessitating athletes to stay vigilant against the risks of inadvertent uptake of illicit products. Increased knowledge of the potential sources of contamination is essential for all parties involved in the fight against doping, including athletes, support personnel, legitimate supplement product manufacturers, and the anti-doping and scientific community. Such insights can contribute to developing the most effective strategy for preventing contamination and, most importantly, reducing the risk of inadvertent AAFs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112240"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142497824","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":"Diagnosing fatal drownings: A review of the postmortem findings","authors":"Alexander Tyr ,&nbsp;Nina Heldring ,&nbsp;Carl Winskog ,&nbsp;Brita Zilg","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112251","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112251","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The lack of drowning-specific pathological findings postmortem complicates medico-legal investigations when bodies are recovered in water. This review provides an in-depth analysis of macroscopic and microscopic findings, as well as biochemical and molecular approaches typically used to diagnose drownings. To ensure that only studies fulfilling established scientific criteria were selected to form conclusions in this review, existing literature was systematically assessed using SPICOT for evaluation of scientific evidence and risk of bias. Analysis of selected studies indicates that several pathophysiological findings following suspected drowning lack scientific evidence, while others are supported by the literature. However, the shortage of suitable controls in drowning research, specifically addressing non-drowned immersed bodies significantly limits investigations on postmortem drowning pathology, and further research is warranted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"364 ","pages":"Article 112251"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142442002","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":"The transfer of spermatozoa onto children’s underwear during normal domestic laundering activities","authors":"G. Davidson ,&nbsp;M. Lee-Gorman ,&nbsp;A. Davidson","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112250","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112250","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In cases of sexual assaults involving children, biological evidence such as semen is often found on clothes rather than on intimate swabs. Two cases involving young girls were submitted to one of the AFSP BFF forensic science laboratories instigating further research into the background levels of semen on children’s underwear after being laundered, without sexual acts occurring. This study considered the potential for background levels of semen in the washing machine and the levels of semen transferred with varying laundry storage and washing arrangements. The results concur with previous studies that low levels of spermatozoa can transfer during washing; however, this study demonstrated that background levels of semen can be present on children’s clothing during domestic laundering activities which include male underwear when there are sexually active males within the household. Further, that semen can persist in the washing machine even after three washes. This study has produced data which will assist forensic scientists to evaluate cases of child abuse in a domestic setting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"364 ","pages":"Article 112250"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142433597","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":"Electrical resistivity tomography of simulated graves with buried human and pig remains","authors":"Katrina Cristino ,&nbsp;Kennedy O. Doro ,&nbsp;Aidan Armstrong ,&nbsp;Shari Forbes ,&nbsp;Agathe Ribéreau-Gayon ,&nbsp;Carl-Georg Bank","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112248","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112248","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rigorous field assessment in different soil types and climates comparing simulated graves with pig remains and human remains are needed to assess the capabilities and limitations of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) as a tool to search for unmarked graves. Our study assesses the ERT signals from graves with pig and human remains in a cold, humid continental climate with sandy soils. Two sets of three experimental graves were established: the first set consisted of two graves containing human remains and an empty grave serving as a control, while the second set consisted of two graves with pig remains and a second empty grave. ERT measurements were conducted prior to establishing the graves and were repeated 10 times over seventeen months, except for winter months when measurements were impossible. Each time we acquired eight 18 m long ERT transects using a dipole-dipole electrode array with a unit electrode spacing of 0.5 m and the transects spaced 1 m apart. The measured electrical resistivity decreased for all graves by 14–22 % for measurements conducted up to two months after burial. No further decrease was observed in the control, while resistivity in the graves with human and pig remains continued to decrease by 45–52 % up to the end of our study, seventeen months after burial. The resistivity anomaly in the pig graves shows a contrasting anomaly that is broader than that of the human remains. Our study thus validates the sensitivity of ERT to graves in cold, humid climates with sandy soil.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"364 ","pages":"Article 112248"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142433598","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":"Examiner consistency in perceptions of fingerprint minutia rarity","authors":"Adele Quigley-McBride ,&nbsp;Heidi Eldridge ,&nbsp;Brett Gardner","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112244","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112244","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Friction ridge examiners (FREs) identify distinctive features (minutiae) in fingerprints and consider how rare these observed minutiae are in their decisions about both the value of a fingerprint and whether there is enough correspondence between two fingerprints to support an “identification” or “exclusion” decision. But subjective perceptions about the frequency of events and features tend to be inconsistent and dynamic, which means that variable perceptions of minutia frequency may contribute to inconsistencies in FREs’ opinions about fingerprint evidence. We surveyed expert FREs at two time points (<em>N</em>_{<em>Time 1</em>} = 132; <em>N</em>_{<em>Time 2</em>} = 99) to establish how rare FREs believe different minutia types to be and to determine the variation in examiners’ perceptions—both between different examiners and across time for the same examiner. We observed significantly less variation in FREs’ perceptions of minutia frequency for three minutiae: the two most common minutiae and the minutia perceived to be the least common. We also observed increases in FREs’ estimates of minutia frequency over time and when they reported recent sightings of the rarest minutiae. FREs reported frequently using this information in their fingerprint comparison decisions. We present practical recommendations for using these consensus-based frequency estimates (until more objective data are available) to increase consistency in FREs’ use of base rates when examining fingerprint evidence, which may consequently increase the repeatability and reproducibility of decisions made by FREs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"364 ","pages":"Article 112244"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142433600","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":"Presence of microplastics in human stomachs","authors":"Sait Özsoy ,&nbsp;Sedat Gündogdu ,&nbsp;Sermet Sezigen ,&nbsp;Esra Tasalp ,&nbsp;Durmuş Arinc Ikiz ,&nbsp;Ahmet Erkan Kideys","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112246","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the first definitive confirmation of microplastic presence in the human stomach, based on samples from 26 cadavers. 97 microplastic particles were extracted from stomach contents, across all 26 individuals, revealing a universal prevalence of microplastics in the cadavers. Morphological analysis of the extracted particles unveiled distinct shapes, with fibers constituting the majority (52.04 %), followed by fragments (39.80 %) and films (8.16 %). The average quantity of microplastics per individual was calculated to be 9.4 ± 10.4 particles, with an estimated daily intake of microplastics at 32.2 particles per day. These figures are lower than estimates derived from both daily microplastic consumption alone and notably, those calculated from stool analyses. Our study also suggests that the breakdown or transformation of microplastics cannot be ruled out during their passage through the digestive tract. Although the number of microplastics in stomach contents reported in this study was even lower than the daily microplastic intake rates reported in the literature, it provides conclusive evidence for the presence of microplastics in the human stomach and provides important preliminary data in terms of the risks that may arise for human health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"364 ","pages":"Article 112246"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142438426","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":"Death, flies and environments: Towards a qualitative assessment of insect (Diptera) colonization of human cadavers retrieved from sites of death in Brazil","authors":"Stephanie Evelyn Guimarães de Barros ,&nbsp;Carla de Lima Bicho ,&nbsp;Henrique Rafael Pontes Ferreira ,&nbsp;Simão Dias Vasconcelos","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112241","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112241","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Empirical data on decomposition ecology have long established blowflies (Calliphoridae) and flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) (Diptera) as the most frequent colonizers of carrion, especially at early stages of decomposition. However, the scarcity of studies based on human cadavers has hindered inferences about colonization of homicide victims in real case scenarios. We describe here a survey of insects associated with cadavers retrieved from the site of death in Northeastern Brazil, with emphasis on the association between species diversity and the surrounding environment. We examined 81 cadavers, most of which were of men and resulting from violent death. Twelve cadavers (14.8 %) contained insect larvae, which were reared in the laboratory until adult emergence and identification. Ten species of Diptera effectively colonized the cadavers; seven of Family Calliphoridae – <em>Chrysomya albiceps</em> (Wiedemann, 1819), <em>Chrysomya megacephala</em> (Fabricius, 1794), <em>Chrysomya putoria</em> (Wiedemann, 1830), <em>Cochliomyia macellaria</em> (Fabricius, 1775), <em>Hemilucilia segmentaria</em> (Fabricius, 1805), <em>Lucilia cuprina</em> (Wiedemann, 1830), <em>Lucilia eximia</em> (Wiedemann, 1819) and three of Family Sarcophagidae<em>, Blaesoxipha</em> (<em>Gigantotheca</em>) <em>stallengi</em> (Lahille, 1907)<em>, Microcerella halli</em> (Engel, 1931) and <em>Peckia</em> (<em>Sarcodexia</em>) <em>lambens</em> (Wiedemann, 1830). The species <em>C. albiceps</em> and <em>C. macellaria</em> were the most frequent colonizers, while Sarcophagidae was reported in only four cases. Insects were present on cadavers found in urban (n = 8) and rural (n = 4) sites, outdoors (n = 6) and inside (n = 6) residences. Presence of larvae was more frequent in the natural orifices in the head (n = 11). Clothing did not prevent from ovi/larviposition for most species. We present the first register of <em>B. stallengi</em> colonizing human corpses and expand the knowledge on the geographical distribution of necrophagous insects. Our protocol may contribute to forensic entomology in areas exposed to fast decomposition, such as the Neotropical Region.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"365 ","pages":"Article 112241"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142552019","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}