Forensic Science International: Reports最新文献

{"title":"Survey of bloodstain pattern analysts regarding pattern classifications on assorted fabrics","authors":"Dylan J. Drazdik ,&nbsp;David M. Hammond ,&nbsp;Travis J. Worst ,&nbsp;Crystal M. Oechsle","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100394","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100394","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Because bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) on absorbent surfaces, such as fabrics, is far more complex than its application on hard, nonporous surfaces, pattern type may be interpreted differently between fabric substrates and by analysts with more or less experience. Four bloodstain pattern types (impact spatter, transfer, drip stains, and cast-off) were created on seven fabrics (cotton, satin polyester, rayon, blended polyester/spandex, blended nylon/spandex, blended modal/polyester/spandex, and terry cloth), foamboard, or butcher paper and then photographed. A survey questionnaire that asked respondents to classify 16 patterns as to general pattern type, specific pattern type, and directionality was developed and disseminated among bloodstain pattern analysts. Respondents (n = 32, divided into five experience levels) classified the bloodstains differently based upon amounts of training and experience, the pattern type, and the substrate type. The ability to accurately classify the specific pattern type overall (p-value &lt; 0.0002) as wells as on fabric (p-value &lt; 0.001) was dependent upon respondent experience level. The more experienced respondents were less likely to specifically classify patterns than the less experienced respondents (p-value &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, the ability to accurately classify the specific pattern type was dependent upon whether the pattern had been created on fabric or some other substrate (p-value &lt; 0.0000000001). However, if the proper morphology was present in the stain, it was found that BPA on certain fabrics was possible. This finding supports the need for further research and the development of guidelines and standards for bloodstain pattern analysis on fabric materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100394"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142702571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Missing persons of post-conflict countries: Assessing dental identification through a questionnaire-based study in Syria","authors":"Rawad Qaq ,&nbsp;Scheila Mânica ,&nbsp;Sean McAleer","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100393","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100393","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Locating and identifying missing persons is crucial to protecting human rights and rebuilding war-torn countries like Syria. Biological identity primarily relies on DNA, fingerprints, or dentition. However, post-conflict countries with high deaths, limited databases, insufficient resources, and a reduced or a lack of forensic expertise make this effort more challenging. Teeth are a practical and cost-effective means to identify human remains, particularly when acceptable dental records are available. Still, the application of comparative dental analysis in conflict scenarios needs to be more explored.</div><div>A survey study in Syria examined whether post-conflict countries could employ comparative dental identification of missing individuals. The attitudes and perceptions of four groups (the public and dentists, forensic odontologists, dental schools, and the Syrian Dental Association) were determined using questionnaires and analysed for the first two groups. Most respondents (&gt;90 %) indicated that addressing disappearance is crucial for post-conflict reconstruction and considered it unachievable without international support and only 20 % had confidence in this support. Issues hindering human identification reported by a high percentage of dentists and forensic odontologists and included education in Forensic Odontology (92 %), expertise in the field (70 %), awareness (90 %), the availability of <em>antemortem</em> records (92.3 %) and political and security influence (50 %). Responses from over 80 % of the public, 50 % of the dentists and 92 % of the forensic odontologists indicated that comparative dental identification in Syria may not be feasible.</div><div>The results of this study provide strong evidence of the challenges in identifying missing persons using teeth in developing nations, particularly those affected by conflicts. They include the lack of <em>antemortem</em> records and forensic expertise. The international community is urged to support post-conflict nations including Syria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100393"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658513","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Technical Report A light touch; Reviewing the relative effectiveness of light sources and physical/chemical techniques for fingermark retrieval in casework","authors":"Nicholas Marsh ,&nbsp;Karen Marsh ,&nbsp;Lisa Hall ,&nbsp;Ruth Buckley ,&nbsp;Stephen Bleay","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100391","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100391","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study reviewed the efficacy of non-contact light source examinations of serious crime scenes using ultraviolet A (UVA) light, bespoke white light and lasers, compared with subsequent powdering or chemical enhancements. Twenty-six examinations of serious crime scenes or motor vehicles were analysed, from which 655 areas of retrieved fingermark or friction ridge detail<span><span>¹</span></span> where reported on. It was found that undertaking a light source examination revealed equivalent numbers of marks to aluminium powder and chemical enhancements, with only a 4 % duplication rate between optical and physical/chemical techniques suggesting that both approaches are supplementary and should be used sequentially to each other.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100391"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142658512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From death to the Virgin birth: Multi-analytical investigation of a suspected 16th century painting","authors":"Michelle G. Carlin ,&nbsp;Nicola Grimaldi","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100392","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100392","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A painting depicting St John the Baptist prior to his brutal execution, until recently, was held in storage at the Bowes Museum in the North of England, UK. Owing to weakened joins in the wood panel the painting was marked for art conservation treatments, examination and analysis. However, other than the fact that the records show it purchased in Italy in the late nineteenth century by museum founders John and Joséphine Bowes, little else is known of the work. Through a combination of chemical testing and technical art history, further knowledge of the painting has been established. Preparation of cross sections of paint was carried out, as well as chemical testing involving pyrolysis gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (py-GCMS) and attenuated total reflectance – Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), lead white, chalk and linseed oil as binder were identified. The presence of an aged natural resin on the surface of the painting, presence of a thick gesso ground layer, as well as examination of the wood panel construction provided insight into the techniques used in the artwork and that they are comparable with late Medieval to early Renaissance period methods. During examination of the cross-section images, it was noted that there was a second preparatory ground layer in the central part of the sequence; this feature prompted further multi-spectral photography and analysis. X-radiography a commonly used technique for painting analysis surprisingly revealed an entirely different image depicting a nativity scene which had been previously completely concealed by the painting of St John we see today. Although an unexpected discovery still presents some unanswered questions such as who the original artist was and why was the panel so radically reworked. This investigation began with the depiction of the imminent death of the St John the Baptist and ended with the virgin birth. This analytical methodology was applied in technical art history but may also have applications in forensic investigations of suspected fraudulent works of art.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100392"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142659007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medico-legal analysis of the correlation between head trauma and aneurysm rupture: A case report","authors":"Emanuele Capasso,&nbsp;Gaetano Di Donna,&nbsp;Roberto Cortese,&nbsp;Verdiana De Caro,&nbsp;Fabio Policino","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100390","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100390","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We present the case of a 54 years old man who was found in a state of confusion and a forehead wound. Transported to the closest E.R., a brain CT scan showed massive subarachnoid hemorrhage and an angiographic exam showed a ruptured aneurysm of the cavernous siphon. Death occurred 4 days after admission. The autopsy showed the presence of a linear wound on the forehead which was considered a sharp force injury. The aneurysm rupture was therefore considered as a consequence of the head trauma associated to the frontal wound. In the medico-legal analysis of the case primary importance was given to the distinction between potential homicide, suicide or accident. In the end, based on the morphological features of the forehead wound, this case was defined as of potentially homicidal nature, so that the responsible of stab wound should be considered accountable for the man’s death.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100390"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142532121","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Management and disposal of human remains acquired for medical education – A forensic perspective","authors":"Neelkamal Battu ,&nbsp;Rutuja Kanekar ,&nbsp;Siddharth Sawardekar ,&nbsp;Girish Tasgaonkar,&nbsp;Vikrant Waghmare","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100389","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100389","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In medical schools, the foundational subject of human anatomy usually requires the medical students to procure a set of human bones, either real or artificial, for comprehensive understanding of the human body. The proper maintenance and disposal of these human remains is the responsibility of the students and the institutions possessing the remains. Improper disposal of human remains can have far-reaching implications, including ethical, legal, public health, environmental, social, and psychological consequences. We present a case of a human skull used for medical studies found dumped in a garbage, leading to unnecessary investigation by the law authorities. The case brings to light the need for including ethical disposal of academic human skeletons at the beginning of the medical curriculum. The authors also discuss in detail the various legal provisions and cultural practices of disposal of human remains in the Indian scenario.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100389"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142532120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Amino acid sensitive latent fingermark detection formulations based upon improvised carrier solvents for resource-limited environments: A proof-of-concept study","authors":"Emma C. Jones ,&nbsp;Jordan F.L. Hooper ,&nbsp;Jemmy T. Bouzin ,&nbsp;Renee Wilson ,&nbsp;Simon W. Lewis","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100388","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100388","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>HFE-7100 and petroleum ether (bp 40–60 °C) are routine carrier solvents used in amino acid sensitive fingermark reagents such as 1,2-indanedione/zinc chloride (IND-Zn) and ninhydrin. However, limited resource jurisdictions face major challenges in sourcing laboratory-grade reagents due to budgetary and geographical restrictions. Common hydrocarbon solvents, available from hardware stores and similar outlets, may offer a more readily available and inexpensive alternative for such jurisdictions. This study assessed the range of improvised carrier solvents for their suitability in the IND-Zn formulation and found that eight different hydrocarbon solvents were able to develop fingermarks when substituted into the formulation. The formulation based on shellite solvent outperformed all other improvised formulations tested, providing high-quality fingermarks and similar sensitivity to a petroleum ether (bp 40–60 °C) based formulation across six porous substrates using six donors. A similar approach was applied to ninhydrin, where it was discovered that formulations using kerosene, white spirits and shellite as carrier solvents performed comparably to a formulation based on petroleum ether (bp 40–60 °C). By chemically characterising each solvent using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, this study also provided a greater understanding of how the chemical composition of a carrier solvent impacts the efficacy of the resulting IND-Zn formulation, emphasising that hydrocarbon solvents should contain short-chain alkanes and minimal aromatic content to give a more volatile formulation. Additionally, the identity of the solvent was found to cause slight differences in the colour and luminescence intensity of ink diffusion on porous substrates. These results indicate that improvised hydrocarbon solvents are suitable alternatives to common carrier solvents with their operational use offering major benefits for limited resource jurisdictions by reducing costs and supply chain risks. A thorough risk assessment must be conducted by each jurisdiction that intends to use this method as health and safety considerations are concerns with these improvised solvents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100388"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142323033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A preliminary evaluation of the effects of aquatic environments on the recovery of fingermarks on porous substrates","authors":"Amanda A. Frick ,&nbsp;Ian Yi Liang Lim ,&nbsp;Paola A. Magni","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100387","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100387","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Latent fingermark detection can become increasingly difficult in the weeks following deposition, due to chemical and physical changes influenced by environment. There has been increased research interest into ageing mechanisms of fingermark residue, however these studies have typically been conducted in dry, indoors conditions. Less information is available regarding degradation processes that may occur in scenarios involving water and the potential longevity of porous substrates under such conditions. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the performances of Oil Red O (ORO) and physical developer (PD) on samples submerged in different aquatic environments in a laboratory setting. Charged fingermarks from three donors were deposited on copy paper and immersed in either salt water or freshwater; still or with water flow. Samples were treated at multiple intervals (1, 12, 20 and 40 days) after submersion. Results showed that high quality of development could be achieved up to 40 days after immersion. The overall performances of ORO and PD were generally unaffected in the early stages of the study. Physical and chemical degradation of both latent residue and substrate were observed, which were increased by salt and water movement. While PD appeared to be less affected by potential chemical changes, it was less effective than ORO due to substrate degradation in moving salt water. These results present the first steps towards better understanding the practical effects of degradation processes specific to fingermarks on porous substrates underwater.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100387"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910724000367/pdfft?md5=8dd39d955eb7e5b7874585aa0f6ed265&pid=1-s2.0-S2665910724000367-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142241637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex estimation from the first and second ribs using 3D postmortem CT images in a Japanese population: A comparison of discriminant analysis and machine learning techniques","authors":"Tawachai Monum ,&nbsp;Yohsuke Makino ,&nbsp;Daisuke Yajima ,&nbsp;Go Inoguchi ,&nbsp;Fumiko Chiba ,&nbsp;Suguru Torimitsu ,&nbsp;Maiko Yoshida ,&nbsp;Patison Palee ,&nbsp;Yumi Hoshioka ,&nbsp;Naoki Saito ,&nbsp;Hirotaro Iwase","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100386","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100386","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study investigated the use of 3D postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) images of the first and second ribs for sex estimation in a Japanese population. Sex estimation models using conventional discriminant analysis and ten machine learning algorithms including logistic regression (LR), Naive Bayes (NB), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), artificial neural network (ANN), and extra tree (ET), were achieved from PMCT measurements of the first and second rib and the accuracy of models were compared. The results showed that ML algorithms, particularly LR, outperformed discriminant analysis, achieving an accuracy of 83.6 % compared to 79.1 % for stepwise discriminant analysis. This study highlights the potential of 3D PMCT and ML for accurate sex estimation in forensic anthropology.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100386"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910724000355/pdfft?md5=da64721ec3c54df285b9cb30377348ad&pid=1-s2.0-S2665910724000355-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142128254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A rectal foreign body with giant bladder stone; An autopsy case of unusual autoerotic death","authors":"Tadashi Hosoya ,&nbsp;Kazuki Harada ,&nbsp;Jun Kanetake","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100385","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2024.100385","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A man in his 60 s, who had experienced sustained abdominal pain intermittently for three years, lost consciousness and was transferred to an emergency hospital, where he was pronounced dead. In the forensic autopsy, a giant bladder stone measuring 6.5 × 6.0 × 4.0 cm was found adhering to an aluminum eyeliner that penetrated the anterior wall of his rectum. This might have induced pyelonephritis in the left kidney, resulting in sepsis. The deceased may have inserted the eyeliner for sexual stimulation. However, the eyeliner did not injure the peritoneum and no peritonitis occurred, which probably prevented acute sepsis immediately after insertion. The exact time of penetration was undetermined; however, the rectal foreign body may have been retained for three years. This case suggests that sexual activity should be considered a possible manner of death, even if it took place several years previously.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100385"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910724000343/pdfft?md5=8f4eaf96e1449725b6ad4e9cd3ec889e&pid=1-s2.0-S2665910724000343-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142150937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}