Forensic science international最新文献

{"title":"Detection of tooth-colored composite restorations via optical analysis - hyperspectral imaging (400 nm–1000 nm) and near-infrared spectroscopy (1550 nm–1950 nm)","authors":"PW Radicke ,&nbsp;St Lüdtke ,&nbsp;J. Dreßler ,&nbsp;C. Babian","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112583","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112583","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The proportion of teeth restored with tooth-colored composite restorations increased significantly in recent decades. Owing to improvements in their composition and processing technique, they visually appear almost indistinguishable from native tooth structure. This poses a challenge when establishing and comparing the postmortem dental status in order to identify an unknown body. This study investigated two different wavelength ranges using hyperspectral imaging and near-infrared-spectroscopy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>78 extracted teeth were restored with single and multi surface dental resin restorations. Nine different composites from seven different manufacturers were included. Hyperspectral imaging (400 nm – 1000 nm) and near-infrared spectroscopy (1550 nm – 1950 nm) were compared for their usability. The recorded spectra were evaluated via graphical plots, statistical comparison and by the use of a classification model.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Dental composite and enamel are defined by different spectral characteristics above the range of visible light. Wavelength between 1550 nm and 1950 nm revealed a clear difference over the entire range. Statistically significant differences were found for the range of 1750 nm to 1800 nm (α= 0.01, p = 1.588e⁻¹⁴). In 400 nm to 1000 nm, a clear optical differentiation was not possible. For both ranges, the classification model achieved an accuracy of 84 % (400–1000 nm, HSI) and 99.8 % (1550–1950 nm, NIS) for the correct labeling of enamel and composite.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The two wavelength ranges connected to portable NIS and HSI devices differ in the accuracy with which native tooth structure and restorative material can be distinguished. The NIR-range, tested through NIS allows reliable detection of tooth colored restorations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112583"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144721445","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":"Where are they? A review of statistical techniques and data analysis to support the search for missing persons and the new field of data-based disappearance analysis","authors":"Jorge Ruiz Reyes ,&nbsp;Derek Congram ,&nbsp;Renée A. Sirbu ,&nbsp;Luciano Floridi","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112582","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112582","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The disappearances of individuals are complex phenomena, spanning different regions and temporal periods. Evolving from different legal, social, and forensic disciplines, existing research has signaled the reasons for and contexts in which people disappear or go missing, as well as the development of investigative tools that assist, in fatal cases, in their identification. However, a different type of applied research, which we have labeled as data-based disappearance analysis (DDA), can offer statistical techniques to support the search for missing persons. In this paper, we review the literature on DDA, paying close attention to the evolution of this methodology and its contextual relevance. We highlight three applications by which DDA may support the search for missing persons: statistical inference, geospatial tools, and machine learning models and artificial intelligence. We demonstrate significant results using these applications, the potential misuses and ethical concerns, and draw lessons from their use. Lastly, we make recommendations to help researchers and practitioners support the search for missing persons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112582"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711324","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":"Bridging methodological gaps in forensic science: A study of hydrochloric acid and human dentition","authors":"Tammy Bracewell,&nbsp;Christine A. Jones","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112580","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112580","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of acid to obscure human remains is a tactic frequently associated with criminal activity, yet research on its effects on human dentition remains inconsistent. Dental tissues, among the body's most durable components, play a vital role in forensic identification. However, existing studies on acid dissolution of dentition often lack standardized methods, resulting in findings that are difficult to reproduce or generalize. This study addresses these gaps by examining the effects of hydrochloric acid (HCl) on permanent maxillary molars under controlled conditions, using a replicable methodology that incorporates experimental controls and evaluates the impact of handling techniques such as removal, rinsing, and drying. Five permanent maxillary molar samples were submerged in HCl (37 %) under varied handling conditions. Findings reveal that undisturbed samples dissolved more slowly than those subjected to periodic removal and rinsing, which accelerated dissolution rates by over 100 %. This highlights the significant influence of handling techniques on experimental outcomes. The study also identifies inconsistent reporting and the absence of standardized protocols in prior research as critical barriers to reproducibility. By providing a clear and replicable framework, this study advances understanding of the dissolution process and emphasizes the importance of methodological rigor in forensic science. These findings have broader implications for improving the reliability of forensic evidence and ensuring its applicability in criminal investigations. Addressing these issues is essential for enhancing public trust in forensic methods and strengthening their role in the justice system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112580"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704659","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":"Investigation of semen deposition time: Spectral analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy at different temperatures in vivo","authors":"Puxu Di ,&nbsp;Xingtian Zhao ,&nbsp;Bo Zhang ,&nbsp;Yu Yuan ,&nbsp;Song Liu ,&nbsp;Li Song ,&nbsp;Lu Zhang ,&nbsp;Jun Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112581","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112581","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For forensic application, except for the detection of DNA, there remains a significant gap in the field of time estimation for semen traces. We utilized Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology and chemometric methods to investigate the time since deposition of semen in vivo groups at different temperatures. Principal component analysis revealed that the degradation patterns of semen were divided into three stages, primarily dominated by moisture, proteins, and degraded small molecules, respectively. Additionally, within the time frame of 0–168 h, robust Partial Least Squares Regression (PLSR) and Random Forest (RF) time prediction models with R² &gt; 0.9 were successfully established in all three environmental conditions, with the best Root Mean Square Error of Prediction values being 7.1796 and 4.1359, respectively. The key variables for both the PLSR and RF models were primarily concentrated in the wavenumber ranges of 1000–1180, 1320–1480, 1530–1630, and 1700–1760 cm⁻¹ . Furthermore, the PLSR model, after multivariate scatter correction preprocessing, was suitable for scenarios involving prolonged time and high temperatures that lead to more thorough degradation of semen, while the RF model demonstrated valuable predictive performance under opposite conditions. The results indicate that the use of FTIR and chemometric methods can further elucidate temporal and procedural details in sexual offenses, showcasing significant potential in the investigation of actual cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112581"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144694550","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":"Intravoxel incoherent motion of postmortem in-situ human brains: Insights and forensic implications","authors":"Melanie Bauer ,&nbsp;Celine Berger ,&nbsp;Andrea Zirn ,&nbsp;Eva Scheurer ,&nbsp;Claudia Lenz","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112578","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112578","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) distinguishes different diffusion processes based on varying molecular velocities. While IVIM is used in-vivo, postmortem studies are lacking, although they could provide valuable insights and validate in-vivo results. In this study, postmortem in-situ brain MRI scans of 13 deceased subjects were performed by applying a diffusion-weighted single-shot-echo-planar imaging sequence with 16 b-values (0–2500 s/mm²). The IVIM parameters perfusion fraction (f), diffusion (D), pseudo-diffusion (D*) and kurtosis (K) were determined in segmented white matter, cerebral cortex and deep gray matter. D was additionally corrected for temperature. All parameters were correlated with forehead and core temperature, postmortem interval (PMI), age at death and brain edema presence. Furthermore, differences of IVIM parameters between cases of fatal intoxication and other causes of deaths were analyzed. Postmortem f, D and D* were lower than in-vivo, while f in deep gray matter and K in all regions were higher. f did not level to 0 %. Forehead and core temperatures and PMI revealed statistically significant correlations with D. K correlated significantly with forehead temperature in deep gray matter, core temperature in cerebral cortex and PMI in white and deep gray matter. A significant difference was found in D* when comparing fatal intoxication cases with those with other causes of death. In conclusion, postmortem IVIM parameters differ from in-vivo values and are influenced by temperature and PMI. In the future, D* might enable noninvasive detection of intoxication as the cause of death.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112578"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711323","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 review of the literature on the applications of machine learning in forensic anthropology","authors":"Eman Faisal,&nbsp;Tracy L. Rogers","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Applications of machine learning (ML) models in forensic anthropology have increased in the last half decade. It is, therefore, important to understand the context in which machine learning models are being used in this discipline. The aim of this paper is to provide the current state of machine learning applications in forensic anthropology through a systematic review process of the literature. This paper provides a descriptive summary of existing literature, rather than a deep critical analysis of the methodological robustness. The literature search was performed using Scopus and Web of Science from 1987 to 2024. Eligible studies were investigated if they had a forensic anthropological focus with an application of machine learning. A total of 167 papers were analyzed after the exclusion criteria were applied. The results of this paper demonstrate that there is a wide range of machine learning model applications in forensic anthropology, utilizing diverse bones, applied to all aspects of the biological profile and some aspects of trauma analysis. Through this review, it is also encouraged to use ML models on underutilized skeletal elements to optimize the pattern recognition capabilities of machine learning for validation of forensic anthropological assessments. Validating ML models on less commonly analyzed skeletal elements will increase the skeletal elements that can be utilized to assist in identifying and repatriating individuals. The review also demonstrates that there is an increased need to provide a comprehensive description of the machine learning applications to increase transparency, interpretability, and further validation in forensic anthropological assessments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"376 ","pages":"Article 112579"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144711313","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":"From images to detection: Machine learning for blood pattern classification","authors":"Yilin Li ,&nbsp;Weining Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112558","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112558","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) helps us understand how bloodstains form, with a focus on their size, shape, and distributions. This aids in crime scene reconstruction and provides insight into victim positions and crime investigation. One challenge in BPA is distinguishing between different types of bloodstains, such as those from firearms, impacts, or other mechanisms. Our study focuses on differentiating impact spatter bloodstain patterns from gunshot backward spatter bloodstain patterns. We distinguish patterns by extracting well-designed individual stain features, applying effective data consolidation methods, and selecting boosting classifiers. As a result, our model exhibits competitive accuracy and efficiency on the tested dataset, suggesting its potential in similar scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 112558"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144614879","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":"Automated segmentation of the breech and firing pin faces of fired cartridge case images","authors":"Muthu Rama Krishnan Mookiah ,&nbsp;Roberto Puch-Solis ,&nbsp;Santo Farhan ,&nbsp;Busayo Ajala ,&nbsp;Niamh Nic Daeid","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112554","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112554","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Firearm identification plays a crucial role in criminal justice globally. The capability to link firearms to specific crimes is invaluable for investigations and court cases. Each firearm leaves distinctive markings on bullets and cartridge cases, creating a “mechanical fingerprint” that can be used for the comparison of bullets and cartridge cases and underpins this area of forensic science. Cartridge cases fired from the same firearm exhibit similar markings on their bases. These traces can be used for investigation purposes as a means to potentially provide a link between more than one scene where cartridge cases have been recovered, or to provide a potential evidential link between a firearm and a cartridge case. These applications involve comparing the markings on the base of two or more cartridge cases, consisting of the headstamp, breech face and firing pin areas. The headstamp area usually contains information about the manufacturer and the calibre. Once this is considered, the remaining task is to compare the breech and firing pin areas of the two cartridges. Currently, some automated methods exist for this comparison, all of which involve the removal of the headstamp area to minimize bias. Some semi-automated methods for headstamp removal are available, and recently, an automated deep learning method that can be applied to 256 × 256 pixel resolution images has been introduced. In this article, we also propose a deep learning method addressing a more computationally demanding task of removing the head stamp area in higher-resolution images, 512 × 512 and 2592 × 1944 pixels, which will permit the automated extraction of finer features at a higher resolution. We also (a) introduce a post-processing method that improves the performance of our method, (b) provide the labelled data that we have produced so it can be used, together with the NIST database of cartridge case images, as a benchmark for future research, and (c) provide the estimated weights and models of the convolutional neural networks that can either be used directly or as initial values for further research. This article contributes to the emerging body of research on deep learning applications in forensic science.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 112554"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655549","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":"Charred or fragmented, yet comparable: Quantifying dental surface dissimilarity across teeth, jaws, and heat exposure","authors":"Anika Kofod Petersen ,&nbsp;Scheila Mânica ,&nbsp;Andrew Forgie ,&nbsp;Richard Boyle ,&nbsp;Hemlata Pandey ,&nbsp;Palle Villesen ,&nbsp;Line Staun Larsen","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112577","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112577","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate dental matching is essential for forensic identification, particularly in challenging cases involving dentitions with no dental work, incomplete dentitions or damaged remains. This study evaluates similarity scoring schemes for 3D dental data using three datasets: full jaws versus single teeth (DATA-A), and two collections of heat-traumatized teeth (DATA-B and DATA-C). The similarity scores are assessed for their ability to quantify tooth curvature (dis)similarity and distinguish matching from mismatching dental comparisons. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the methods in handling dental fragmentation (ROC-AUC_DATA-A = 0.899 (95 % CI 0.840–0.948) and heat trauma (ROC-AUC _DATA-B = 0.996 (95 % CI 0.98–1.00); ROC-AUC _DATA-C = 0.993 (95 % CI 0.980–1.00), and that they offer a robust tool for forensic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 112577"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144631802","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":"Where did they come from? The accumulation of fibres from the home environment on daily wear","authors":"Yu Chen Lim-Hitchings,&nbsp;Geneviève Massonnet","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112562","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112562","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic fibre comparisons are not limited to the fibres from garments purported to have been worn during or involved in the incident. They extend to potential secondarily or higher order transferred fibres originating from textiles in frequented environments. Comparisons in these cases may be made to recovered known textiles, or to other fibre collectives found in the environment and clothing of the involved individuals. The results of such comparisons have been purported to be valuable due to several assumed axioms. First, that the fibre population of an environment is highly characteristic. Second, that these fibres reliably accumulate onto everyday wear from day-to-day activities in these environments. Finally, that these fibres accumulate in significant enough quantities to form a pool of fibres that can be transferred again in meaningful quantities. This study addresses these assumptions by studying the accumulation of fibres from home environments on daily wear. 24 participants were recruited to submit clothing worn in their home. These clothes were taped and examined with microscopy to evaluate the diversity of fibre populations of different homes. Following this, 5 of these 24 participants participated in a longitudinal study where target fibres were identified from their first submission. Potential origins of these target fibres were searched for in their homes and compared with fibres recovered from the submitted clothing. Undifferentiated known materials were then used to access the intra-variability of the target fibres. Meanwhile these 5 participants continued to submit clothing of their own along with clothing provided to them over the course of 5 – 6 months. These were also taped and examined with microscopy to assess the quantity of these target fibres. The results provided support for the three mentioned assumptions, which strengthens the case for carrying out such comparisons in practice. Furthermore, the data could be reliably modelled with a negative binomial linear regression based on factors such as shedding, use, and storage. Such models allow for more robust evaluation of scientific findings in fibre comparison cases of related nature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"375 ","pages":"Article 112562"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144596814","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}