Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology最新文献

{"title":"Contactless in vitro detection of carboxyhemoglobin using hyperspectral imaging (HSI).","authors":"P Czarkowski, C Babian, St Lüdtke, S Baumann, J Dreßler","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-00949-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12024-025-00949-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) allows for the contactless analysis of the composition of substances based on the reflected light and is already used in various areas of medicine. The carboxyhemoglobin (CO-Hb) concentration in blood of suspected fire victims serves to prove vitality and the cause of death. However, this metric is usually determined by spectrophotometry in the laboratory. The present study provides the basis for the future development of methods for determining CO-Hb concentrations right at the scene of a corpse or at necropsy using mobile HSI. Human erythrocyte concentrate was mixed with gaseous carbon monoxide using an aerator to produce a series of samples, which were analyzed for their CO-Hb concentration (2.9; 9.7; 18; 27.9; 39.9; 51.9; 62.3; 73.4% CO-Hb) using established spectrophotometric blood gas analysis. These blood samples were stored in a cool place at 4 °C, dripped onto a spot plate every 7 days over a period of 6 weeks, and photographed under standardized conditions (ambient lighting, distance and angle of the camera to the sample, camera settings) using the HSI camera SPECIM IQ. This device analyzes each image in the wavelength range from 400 to 1000 nm in 204 spectral bands. The data sets were used to train a lasso regression model, which provides predicted values for the CO-Hb concentration of the blood sample based on their hyperspectral properties. The results were then compared with the results of spectrophotometric measurements. The lasso regression model allowed the prediction of the CO-Hb concentration of the samples with a mean prediction error of 4.46 percentage points, independent of the sample age. Further investigations regarding pre-analytical influencing factors such as variable ambient light and tissue scattering effects, are planned to validate the robustness of the method and realize practical implementations.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"745-752"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12325415/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143188983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Neonatal fatal haemorrhage after a ritual circumcision: forensic and ethical considerations.","authors":"Pierluigi Passalacqua, Raimondo Vella, Giorgio M Coppola, Nazaria Lanzillo, Francesca Servadei, Michele Treglia, Margherita Pallocci","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-01011-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12024-025-01011-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neonatal circumcision is a common procedure worldwide, which may be performed for medical reasons and for cultural and religious motivations. Regarding ritual circumcision, there has been a wide-ranging debate in medical society about the level of acceptability of this practice. Even from a bioethical and legal point of view, the problem is approached differently in different contexts worldwide, especially given that, even if rare, complications can occur both during and after the procedure, and may result in infections, bleedings, hemorrhages and even death. Bleeding occurs most frequently after the fourth week of life and is related to the presence of an abundant venous vascularization of the penile shaft. Unlike adults, the blood loss rates suggestive for hemorrhagic shock are not defined in neonatal populations. Therefore, the diagnosis of the cause of death can be challenging for the forensic pathologist, especially if circumstantial information is missing. We report the case of a full-term infant boy born after a terminally complicated pregnancy. He underwent a \"domestic\" circumcision on 22nd day of life. The same day he was admitted to the emergency room in cardiac arrest and died despite resuscitation procedures. The autopsy findings revealed the presence of a large amount of blood in the diaper and a circumferential laceration of the penile shaft, consistent with a recent circumcision. Diffuse organ pallor was macroscopically and microscopically demonstrated, consistently with a hemorrhagic shock. To conclude, the diagnosis of hemorrhagic shock can be difficult in the newborn and requires the estimation of lost blood volume. Moreover, due to the possibility of rare fatal complications, neonatal circumcision should be performed only in a controlled, medical environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"869-875"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12325414/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143965443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fatal acute uterine inversion post-vaginal delivery: an autopsy-based case report.","authors":"Arijit Datta, Darshan Galoria, Sweta Sinha, Arpan Kumar Pan","doi":"10.1007/s12024-024-00933-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12024-024-00933-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Uterine inversion refers to the condition where the fundus is turned inside and positioned within the uterine cavity. Uterine inversion is a life-threatening and uncommon obstetric emergency that can be fatal because of postpartum hemorrhage and shock. Acute uterine inversion is the most common type, which occurs within 24 h of delivery and is usually associated with untrained birth attendants and a lack of knowledge of labor-inducing drugs. We present a case of alleged medical negligence in the death of a 23-year-old female following vaginal delivery of a second child with autopsy findings suggestive of uterine inversion. The primary cause of death in this patient was postpartum hemorrhage and shock resulting from acute uterine inversion. This case underscores the importance of postmortem examinations in determining responsibility in legal proceedings.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"844-852"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142921293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Postmortem biochemistry of GFAP, NSE and S100B in cerebrospinal fluid and in vitreous humor for estimation of postmortem interval: a pilot study.","authors":"Rossana Cecchi, Jessika Camatti, Maria Laura Schirripa, Monica Ragona, Silvana Pinelli, Nicola Cucurachi","doi":"10.1007/s12024-024-00874-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12024-024-00874-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Postmortem interval (PMI) is a challenging issue in forensic practice. Although postmortem biomarkers of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are recognised as an emerging resource for PMI estimation, their role remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate postmortem concentrations of three TBI biomarkers (GFAP, NSE and S100B) in two matrices (cerebrospinal fluid and vitreous humor), in order to find out if these markers could be adopted in PMI estimation. Thirty-five deceased individuals with known PMI who underwent forensic autopsy at the University of Parma were examined. Matrices were collected during autopsy, then biomarker concentrations were determined through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical significance of the data in relation to PMI was studied. The correlation of biomarkers with PMI, examined with samples divided into six groups according to the number of days elapsed since death, was not statistically significant, although S100B in cerebrospinal fluid showed an increasing trend in cases from 1 to 5 days of PMI. Comparison between cases with 1 day of PMI and those with 2 or more days of PMI showed a statistically significant correlation for GFAP and NSE in cerebrospinal fluid. GFAP and NSE in cerebrospinal fluid represent appropriate biomarkers in PMI estimation to distinguish cases with one day of PMI from those with two or more days of PMI. The current study was limited by the scarcity of the cohort and the narrow spectrum of cases. Further research is needed to confirm these observations.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"589-598"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141987798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Calcium chloride poisoning: an autopsy case report and histologic features.","authors":"Harin Cheong","doi":"10.1007/s12024-024-00891-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12024-024-00891-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Calcium chloride, which is commonly used in de-icing agents and desiccants, is known for the potential harm it can cause through skin contact, oral ingestion, or intravenous administration. The current paper reports on an autopsy case of a 68-year-old woman who died after ingesting an unknown substance. Histopathological examination revealed coagulative necrosis in the esophagus and ionized blood calcium levels that were significantly higher than normal. Calcium chloride was detected in the contents of the water bottle collected at the scene. These results are expected to make a significant contribution to the limited literature on fatal outcomes from calcium chloride ingestion, while emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and education about the risks of commonly available chemicals.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"758-762"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142283131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"MALDI-MSI: A potential game changer in forensic sciences.","authors":"Asma Jamshaid, Saadia Noreen, Tanveer Khalid","doi":"10.1007/s12024-024-00911-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12024-024-00911-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Matrix-assisted laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI MSI) is an analytical technique used for the spatial mapping of drugs, explosives, and organic samples, making it a game-changer in Forensic examination. It detects a wide range of biomolecules in their native state without specific tags, antibodies, labels, and dyes. This review aims to highlight the advancement of MALDI-MSI over time and its impact on Forensic Science due to high-resolution molecular imaging. To foster the development of forensic investigations the utility of MALDI-MSI in six different broad areas, Latent Fingerprinting division, forensic toxicology division, Crime Scene Reconstruction and investigation division, Sex crimes, forensic trichology division, question document analysis, is explored in this review. MALDI-MSI possesses a unique strength of molecular imaging of biomolecules without complex preparation from diverse sample types. In the future, the sensitivity and detection limits of MALDI-MSI can be enhanced and its instrumental size should be reduced to perform on-site investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":"895-904"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142978191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Detection of common drug metabolites in urine using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR).","authors":"Yawen Yu, Tangdong Chen, Lijuan Yuan, Mao Sun, Yuanming Wu","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-01017-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-01017-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study seeks to establish a rapid, non-invasive methodology for the detection of drug abuse through the identification of common urinary drug metabolites utilizing attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was employed to detect and differentiate metabolites of heroin (6-AM), ecstasy (MDA), and cocaine (BE) in urine samples across a range of concentrations. Advanced chemometric approaches, encompassing principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), were applied to construct robust discriminative models. Spectral data from both the fingerprint region and the full spectral range were analyzed to maximize analytical precision. The proposed ATR-FTIR method demonstrated remarkable sensitivity, achieving detection of drug metabolites in urine at concentrations as low as 0.02 mg/mL without necessitating sample separation or extraction steps. The OPLS-DA model exhibited superior discriminative performance, effectively distinguishing all three metabolites in both calibration and validation sets. These findings underscore the potential of integrating ATR-FTIR with chemometrics for the development of a rapid and reliable drug screening tool. This pilot investigation demonstrates that the integration of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with chemometric analysis represents a highly promising strategy for the detection of urinary drug metabolites, circumventing the need for complex sample pretreatment procedures. This approach offers a novel, efficient, and non-invasive solution for the rapid identification of drug abuse, with substantial implications for forensic medicine and public health surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144186924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Fatal stray dog attack in Russian federation: a case report based on CCTV Documentation.","authors":"Galina Zolotenkova, Rizky Merdietio Boedi, Oleg Viktorovich Lysenko, Nikolaos Angelakopoulos","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-01027-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-01027-2","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144186923","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic podiatry in the identification of gait by CCTV. A systematic review.","authors":"Aurora Castro-Méndez, Natalia Tovaruela-Carrión, Laura Regife-Fernández, Sara García-Mora, María Vázquez-Castro, Juan Alvarez-Cordero","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-01022-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-01022-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Forensic podiatry is the application of the professional knowledge of this specialist in the legal field as an expert. Forensic podiatrists collaborate in the forensic identification of evidence that, from the foot, can help clarify what happened at a crime or crime scene. At the scene of the crime, footprints, shoe prints, and traces are evidence that are present even though they might not be immediately visible. The forensic analysis of a suspect's gait is evidence sometimes available and has as an important characteristic: it is an individualistic parameter and even a biometric factor. This gait analysis can be very relevant as evidence in the context of a crime. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the reliability of gait forensics with respect to the use of angular measurements compared to observational analysis of morphological characteristics to identify the current gold standard.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review of the scientific literature available in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Dialnet has been carried out. Nine observational studies were selected after applying the eligibility criteria.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The selected studies were analytical and provided, among other information, numerical data on the reliability, reproducibility, and validity of the analysis methods in question. There is not enough conclusive scientific evidence on the reliability of the method of analysis using angular measurements, as there is controversy between authors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Forensic gait analysis based on angular measurements shows reliability limitations due to intra-individual factors (mood, clothing), requiring further empirical evidence; in contrast, the observational method analyzing of unique gait characteristics emerges as the most reliable method, offering high accuracy, validity, and reproducibility when conducted by trained biomechanical experts.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144150052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of the methamphetamine-related deaths in Eastern Saxony, Germany, between 2005 and 2019.","authors":"Henri Masing, Jörg Pietsch","doi":"10.1007/s12024-025-01023-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-025-01023-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This study aims to evaluate the fatal consequences of the rising methamphetamine (MA) abuse in Eastern Saxony, Germany, and to examine the broader societal impact of MA on the region.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sociodemographic, forensic toxicological, forensic medical, and psychiatric data from 74 cases of deaths associated with MA were analyzed to identify significant trends and findings (2005-2019).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority of cases involved male individuals and non-natural deaths, with accidental MA intoxications and suicides being the predominant categories. The Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) was calculated at 49.8 years. The majority of natural deaths were related to cardiovascular conditions (e.g. cardiogenic shock, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), myocardial infarction), metabolic (e.g. diabetic ketoacidosis, alcohol withdrawal delirium) and inflammatory causes. In cases of fatal MA mono-intoxications and mixed intoxications involving MA, significantly higher MA blood concentrations were observed compared to intoxications primarily caused by other substances. Individuals in socioeconomically precarious situations are especially vulnerable to MA-associated deaths.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There has been an increase in MA-related fatalities in Eastern Saxony since 2005. Accidental MA intoxications were the leading cause of death, followed by violent suicides. Challenging living conditions and social circumstances are especially vulnerable to MA-associated deaths. The study underlines the need for a comprehensive, coordinated approach to tackle the MA problem and reduce the number of MA-associated deaths.</p>","PeriodicalId":12449,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144101581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}