Forensic science international最新文献

{"title":"A review of laser printer classification and identification","authors":"Yawen Zhao ,&nbsp;Xu Yang ,&nbsp;Xiaohong Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112491","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112491","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic document examination has long focused on elucidating the classification and identification paradigms of laser-printed documents. Toner establishes critical evidentiary linkages between printed documents and their corresponding printing devices, making toner analysis a significant part of document examination. This systematic review synthesizes contemporary advances in laser printer forensics through tripartite analytical dimensions: morphological analysis, physical characterization, and chemical profiling. The emerging paradigm demonstrates heightened adoption of quasi-nondestructive and nondestructive testing methodologies to maintain evidentiary integrity, concurrently with the integration of chemometric workflows and machine learning architectures to address operational demands for rapid, high-fidelity analysis. Our methodological framework facilitates comparative evaluation of analytical techniques' merits and limitations, supported by bibliometric analysis of peer-reviewed studies (2018–2024) that reveals emergent trends. Crucially, we identify a critical research gap in explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) frameworks for forensic algorithm validation, underscoring the imperative for interpretable computational models in judicial contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"371 ","pages":"Article 112491"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143918256","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":"Analytical approaches for forensic paper comparison and differentiation: A critical review","authors":"Haohan Yuan ,&nbsp;Ruiqin Yang ,&nbsp;Zhe Lian","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112490","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112490","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review provides a comprehensive overview of advanced analytical techniques employed in forensic science for paper comparison and differentiation, encompassing spectroscopic, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and various complementary methods. It examines the principles, potential applications, and discriminatory potential of these diverse approaches, including the application of chemometrics and machine learning for data analysis and interpretation. However, the review critically highlights persistent challenges—such as substrate variability, environmental influences, database deficiencies, and validation gaps—which impede reliable forensic application. Enhancing scientific robustness and practical utility through focused efforts in validation, database creation, standardization, and interpretive methods is underscored as essential for advancing the field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"371 ","pages":"Article 112490"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143886418","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":"Implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 in forensic genetics laboratories in Brazil","authors":"Laryssa Silva de Andrade Bezerra ,&nbsp;Advaldo Carlos de Souza-Neto ,&nbsp;Paulo B. Chaves ,&nbsp;Camila Fabricio Poltronieri","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112489","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112489","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In Brazil, while there are legal regulations establishing technical requirements to promote quality management systems in forensic genetics laboratories based on ISO standards, accreditation is not yet mandatory. In this study, we assess the compliance of Brazilian forensic genetics laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 and try to identify the challenges these labs face in meeting those standards. A survey was responded by the 28 laboratories of the Integrated Network of Genetic Profile Databases (RIBPG) in order to gauge compliance with eight critical criteria: personnel management, equipment management, equipment calibration, method validation, proficiency testing, internal auditing, risk management, and critical review. The results indicate that laboratories reported greater compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 clauses already mandated and audited under the current national quality standard (Resolution 12 of the CG-RIBPG), such as pessoal competence (64 %) and equipment management (57 %). However, the results also revealed challenges in meeting some ISO requirements, especially those related to procurement of external services such as calibration (29 %) and proficiency testing through accredited providers (14 %). This article highlights the need for strategic public policy projects to support forensic laboratory accreditation, including capacity-building, specialized training, and monitoring of implementation. External motivators for accreditation and strategies tailored to the specific needs of the laboratories are also necessary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"371 ","pages":"Article 112489"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143895447","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 new synthetic opioid threat: A comprehensive review on MT-45","authors":"Sena Nur Kadem ,&nbsp;Zeynep Arslan ,&nbsp;Zeynep Turkmen","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112479","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112479","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>MT-45 is an analgesic belonging to the class of new synthetic opioids (NSOs) found on the illicit drug market, with pharmacological effects similar to morphine. This substance, which can be administered by a variety of routes including oral, nasal, inhalation, and injection, poses a serious threat to public health, particularly through recreational use. MT-45, which is readily available to users, is commonly used to experience its opioid-like effects, which has led to its increasing popularity. It has also been reported to be used by mixing it with other psychoactive substances to obtain more potent effects. The use of MT-45 has been associated with many side effects such as alopecia, hair depigmentation, folliculitis, dermatitis, elevated liver enzymes, transverse white mees lines on fingernails and toenails, and cataracts. In addition, the addictive properties of MT-45 and cases of poisoning and death demonstrate the seriousness of its use and clearly show the negative effects of the substance on health. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive resource on the chemical and physical properties, exposure patterns, adverse effects, pharmacology, cases, and detection methods of MT-45 and its control. In this context, it is expected that the review study will draw attention to the abuse of MT-45 and contribute to clinical and judicial practice. In cases where skin, hair, and eye symptoms are observed, caution should be exercised against the possible use of MT-45. In this context, it is important to discourage non-medical use and to carry out studies to raise awareness of the potential risks of this substance in order to protect public health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"371 ","pages":"Article 112479"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143865131","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":"Explainable AI for sharp injury identification using transfer learning with pre-trained deep neural networks","authors":"Shoutao Ni ,&nbsp;Fangmao Ju ,&nbsp;Jiaxin Zhang ,&nbsp;Miaogen Xuan ,&nbsp;Liang Chen ,&nbsp;Shutao Zhang ,&nbsp;Wenzhi Guo ,&nbsp;Chunfeng Lian ,&nbsp;Yang Li","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112476","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112476","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To investigate an AI-based method for automatically identifying and classifying sharp injuries using deep learning models, evaluate its effectiveness (e.g., accuracy and explainability), and support forensic injury classification.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A dataset comprising 1161 photos was collected, including stab wounds (723), chop wounds (314), and slash wounds (124) from homicide cases. After preprocessing and weighted random sampling, the processed dataset was divided into training and validation sets in an 8:2 ratio. Additionally, 212 images from new cases representing the three types of wounds were collected as an external dataset for a human vs. AI test. Specifically, three classification networks pre-trained on natural images—ResNet50, GoogLeNet, and ShuffleNet-V2—were fine-tuned via transfer learning on the training set. The models were then quantitatively tested in terms of precision, recall, F1 score, and reading time. The test results of AI models were compared with forensic pathologists using the external test data. Moreover, we analyzed the image explanation factors captured by these models according to the saliency maps produced by the class activation mapping techniques.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>All three models successfully classified three types of wounds. Among these, the GoogLeNet network model demonstrated an overall classification accuracy (total) and recall rate of 88.2 %. The model achieved its highest classification accuracy of 98.4 % for stab wounds, followed by 96.7 % for chop wounds and 30.0 % for slash wounds, the lowest among them. Classification accuracy is positively correlated with sample size. The model achieved a maximum precision rate of 88.4 % and a F1 score of 0.860, with a classification time of 0.04 seconds per image. A comparison with forensic pathologists revealed that the model's classification time was shorter, while its accuracy of stab and chop wounds was comparable to that of senior forensic pathologists, but the accuracy for slash wound was lower than that of junior forensic pathologists. The image explanation factors captured by AI models align closely with the characteristic wound positions identified by forensic pathologists.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The AI model effectively identifies the image characteristics of stab and chop wounds, enabling accurate recognition and rapid differentiation. The AI classification performance for stab and chop was comparable to that of senior forensic pathologists, implying the model’s practical utility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"371 ","pages":"Article 112476"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143882218","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":"Full-length 16S rRNA-based exploration of body site-specific bacterial signatures for origin determination and individual identification","authors":"Yinlei Lei ,&nbsp;Yu Deng ,&nbsp;Ruocheng Xia ,&nbsp;Baoyan Xie ,&nbsp;Zhenchen Yang ,&nbsp;Shuangyun Xi ,&nbsp;Pengyu Chen ,&nbsp;Ruiyang Tao","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112475","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112475","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>When the available human-derived information at a crime scene is limited, it poses challenges in determining the origin of the biological materials and identifying their donors. In this context, microorganisms have gradually emerged as a valuable complementary tool. Nowadays, the application of third-generation sequencing technology for full-length 16S rRNA sequencing to explore the specific bacterial biomarkers in various biological materials holds significant research and practical value. In this study, we performed full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing on sterile swabs from palmar skin, oral mucosa, and nasal cavity using the PacBio single-molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) platform. Alongside identifying specific bacterial biomarkers for these biological materials from different body sites, the study also preliminarily explored the specific bacterial taxa in 19 individuals at the phylum, genus, and species levels. The results showed that the palmar skin bacteria primarily consist of <em>Cutibacterium</em>, <em>Staphylococcus</em>, and <em>Streptococcus</em>, the oral mucosal bacteria are dominated by <em>Streptococcus</em>, <em>Neisseria</em>, and <em>Haemophilus</em>, while the dominant bacteria in nasal cavity are <em>Staphylococcus</em> and <em>Cutibacterium</em>. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in the bacterial community composition across the three origins of biological materials. Furthermore, classification models based on the bacterial species were constructed using the Random Forest, XGBoost, and KNN algorithms. The results showed that both Random Forest and XGBoost models achieved an accuracy of 97 %, significantly outperforming the KNN model (79 %). The prediction accuracy at the OTU level was comparable to that at the species level. In addition, bacterial community differences between individuals were observed at both the genus and species levels. Overall, this study further explores the potential of classification prediction methods based on bacterial features for distinguishing the body site origins of different biological materials and enabling individual traceability, thereby providing valuable data to support the application of microbiological techniques in forensic practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"371 ","pages":"Article 112475"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143868196","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":"Hide and seek with falsified medicines: Current challenges and physico-chemical and biological approaches for tracing the origin of trafficked products","authors":"Carla Perez-Mon ,&nbsp;Cathrin Hauk ,&nbsp;Alberto Roncone ,&nbsp;Luana Bontempo ,&nbsp;Simon D. Kelly ,&nbsp;Céline Caillet ,&nbsp;Michael Deats ,&nbsp;Rob Ogden ,&nbsp;Paul N. Newton","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112474","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The criminal trafficking of falsified medical products is a worldwide, yet still largely overlooked, public health problem. A falsified medicine fraudulently misrepresents its identity, composition and/or source, often being ineffective or toxic for patients. Although techniques have been developed to detect falsified medicines, it remains a challenge to trace where- and by whom- the products are manufactured. We aim to discuss plausible biological and physico-chemical analytical techniques that could reveal information about the origin of medical falsifications. We first provide a brief overview on the prevalence, criminal activities, health impacts and (bio)chemical features of falsified medical products. We then explore diverse laboratory approaches, that are used in food fraud, illicit drug and wildlife trafficking investigations, and discuss how they could be combined and redirected towards tracing falsified medicine origin and hence empowering enforcement to counter this pernicious but neglected global health problem.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"370 ","pages":"Article 112474"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143843964","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":"X-STR analysis: Allele and haplotype diversity in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina","authors":"Amela Pilav ,&nbsp;Naris Pojskic ,&nbsp;Belma Jusic ,&nbsp;Mirela Dzehverovic ,&nbsp;Abdurahim Kalajdzic ,&nbsp;Jasmina Cakar","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112472","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112472","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With the aim to improve the present X-STR database regarding the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&amp;H), we report the genetic data from 228 unrelated adults residing in different regions of B&amp;H that were genotyped using the QIAGEN’s Investigator® Argus X-12 kit which detects 12 STR markers distributed over the entire X-chromosome as four distinct linkage groups. Our results indicate that the 12 X-STR loci examined are highly polymorphic in the B&amp;H population. Distribution of allele frequencies, calculated only for female samples, did not show significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p &gt; 0.05). Moreover, PIC values for all analyzed X-STR loci and sample groups proved to be high (PIC≥0.6); the most informative X-STR marker is DXS10135 (for male, female and pooled samples: 0.918647, 0.912071 and 0.918621, respectively) and the most informative linkage group is LG I (PIC = 0.988903076). Also, B&amp;H population was compared to other 14 populations; no significant differences were observed between B&amp;H and neighboring populations of Serbia, Slovenia and Croatia. Contrariwise, the greatest genetic distance was observed in comparison with South African population (0.1449). Overall, this paper is the first report of forensically relevant parameters, allele and haplotype frequencies for the 12 X-STR loci included in the Investigator® Argus X-12 marker system in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Also, this study strongly supports the application of X-STR markers for human identification, provides new insights into the genetic structure of contemporary population and contributes to the existing database of B&amp;H population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"370 ","pages":"Article 112472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143847588","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":"MicroRNA transcriptome analysis for post-mortem interval estimation","authors":"Haneul Lee ,&nbsp;Eun Ju Lee ,&nbsp;Kwangmin Park ,&nbsp;Dong Geon Lee ,&nbsp;Ah Yeoung Kim ,&nbsp;Sunyoung Park ,&nbsp;Jungho Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112473","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112473","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) is a critical aspect of forensic science; however, current methods often lack precision because of the variability in external and internal factors. This study investigated the potential use of microRNAs (miRNAs) as stable molecular biomarkers for PMI estimation. We analysed the miRNA expression profiles in myocardial tissue from 18 BALB/c mice sampled at six PMIs (0, 12, 24, 36, 48 h, and 6 d) using high-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR. In total, 154 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified, of which 55 were upregulated and 99 were downregulated. Five upregulated (miR-206–3p, miR-200a-3p, miR-205–5p, miR-200b-3p, miR-429–3p) and four downregulated (miR-541–5p, miR-455–3p, miR-30c-5p, and miR-149–5p) apoptosis-related miRNAs were validated through qRT-PCR analysis, indicating their potential as supportive biomarkers in PMI estimation. Gene ontology analysis revealed their involvement in processes such as cardiac muscle cell proliferation, nuclear migration, and miRNA metabolic regulation. Linear regression models demonstrated significant correlations between specific miRNA expression levels and the PMI. These findings provide a molecular basis that may contribute to improving PMI estimation accuracy and supporting forensic methodologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"370 ","pages":"Article 112473"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143839308","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":"Development of a methamphetamine chemical profiling program in Quebec, Canada for use in an intelligence perspective","authors":"Marina Charest ,&nbsp;Martine Lamarche ,&nbsp;Marie-Joëlle Prévost ,&nbsp;Pierre Esseiva","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112470","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112470","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper describes a new method for the chemical profiling of seized methamphetamine tablets. This method was performed for the first time in Quebec, Canada, at the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale (LSJML, Provincial Forensic Laboratory). The main objective was to provide information related to the production and trafficking of methamphetamine tablets in the province of Quebec. Samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and 12 relevant impurities were selected to establish the chemical class. Data were pretreated by the normalization to the sum of peak responses followed by the square roots. The Manhattan distance was then calculated between population of linked samples and unlinked samples. The method proved to efficiently discriminate between the two populations. A comprehensive database containing the profiles of all analyzed samples was established and continues to be updated. The database incorporates information about purity, chemical class, presence of cutting agents and physical characteristics of each specimen. If systematically applied, this methodology should highlight connections between ongoing cases and those stored in the database, as well as facilitate comparisons between preselected cases based on traditional police casework. Integrating the results of methamphetamine tablet chemical profiling with other pertinent law enforcement data will yield valuable tactical and operational intelligence as well as strategic intelligence. This project brings an additional tool to investigators with the differentiation of linked and unlinked methamphetamine specimens. Although further research is required to determine the tool’s capacity to understand methamphetamine production and distribution networks, it shows potential for contributing to efforts against illicit production and trafficking in the province of Quebec, Canada.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"370 ","pages":"Article 112470"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143828489","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}