Forensic Science International: Reports最新文献

{"title":"A preliminary anthropometric study on second digit: Fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio and other hand dimensions for sex determination","authors":"Francis Kofi Sarkodie,&nbsp;Belinda Manu Adjei,&nbsp;Joshua Tetteh,&nbsp;Samuel Bimpong,&nbsp;James Nketsiah,&nbsp;Collins Adjei-Antwi,&nbsp;Nancy Darkoa Darko,&nbsp;Chrissie Stansie Abaidoo","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100320","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100320","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sex determination is one of the most important primary parameter in human identification. The development of forensic science in the world has provided identification tools and biometric systems for various identity cards. However, there is very little information available in Ghana on sex determination using Second digit: fourth Digit ratio (2D:4D), and hand dimensions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine sex using 2D:4D, and hand dimensions. This quantitative cross-sectional study involved 100 (46 males and 54 females) undergraduate students of the University aged 17–26 years. Measurements of 2D:4D, and hand dimensions of participants were taken with a flatbed scanner (CanoScan LiDe 120) and resultant hand prints images were measured using the parallel dimension tool in Corel DRAW X7 application software. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 20.0). The average hand length, breadth and index were found to be greater in males than in females. The predominant hand index for the study was Dolichocheri (Long fingers with narrow small palm) and the least common was the Hyperdolichocheri (Very long fingers with narrow small palm). The 2D:4D showed sexual differences and the male participants recorded significantly higher values for the right hands but no significant difference for the left. A binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the sex of the participants using 2D:4D, and hand dimensions. The significance of the study is that, it has provided additional data for forensic work in Ghana.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100320"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42380188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the suitability of the Greulich and Pyle atlas in estimating age for the Botswana population using hand and wrist radiographs of young Botswana population","authors":"Baraedi Olaotse ,&nbsp;Phokedi Gothatamang Norma ,&nbsp;Panzirah-Mabaka Kaone ,&nbsp;Mosothwane Morongwa ,&nbsp;Mokgadi Janes ,&nbsp;Kemiso Kabo ,&nbsp;Mugoma Shathani ,&nbsp;Patlakwe Thato","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100312","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100312","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The applicability of Greulich and Pyle atlas for estimating age for court cases that require age estimation amongst the Botswana population is often questioned because the atlas has been adopted without being evaluated for Botswana. It has long been established that accuracies of such age estimation methods are dependent on different factors such as the general health and nutrition of the population. We present a study aimed at determining the level of accuracy of the Greulich and Pyle atlas at estimating age for the Botswana population. It is the first time that this type of study is being performed for Botswana. The results will be used to confirm if there is need to develop specific age estimation standards for Botswana. A total of 140 x-ray image samples were obtained from local hospitals for patients aged between 5 and 18 years. The sample images were compared with the Greulich and Pyle age estimation standards. In forensic age estimations, there are several important age limits which are considered. The legal age of maturity for Botswana is 18 years. This age limit is very important in determining whether offenders should be tried as children or adults and at the same time, in determining if victims are minors or adults. It also forms the basis for sentencing of offenders for crimes committed against children. For the important age group 15 ≤ 18 the mean skeletal age difference was found to be 0.94 (statistically significant) indicating that age was underestimated for males. This could be a problem where a perpetrator’s age is underestimated as a result not sentenced accordingly as they are mistaken for a minor. The mean skeletal age difference for females was found to be 0.64 years, indicating that age was underestimated by up to 0.64 years for females while the mean skeletal age difference was found to be 0.50 years for males in overall. This indicated that the Greulich and Pyle atlas underestimated age by 0.50 years overall. Significant statistical difference was observed between the mean chronological age and the mean estimated age as the p-values were found to be 0.03 for females and 0.05 for males. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the Greulich and Pyle atlas can be used to estimate age but with caution as there is a possibility of errors. There is need for this atlas to be revised to reduce errors in age estimation for the Botswana context.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100312"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48186492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retraction notice to “Developmental validation of the VersaPlex™ 27PY system” [Forensic Sci. Int. Rep. 2C (2020) 100156]","authors":"Kristy A. Lenz ,&nbsp;Dawn R. Rabbach ,&nbsp;Chao Liu ,&nbsp;Quyi Xu ,&nbsp;Ying Zeng ,&nbsp;Carolyn R. Steffen ,&nbsp;Douglas R. Storts","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100306","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (<span>https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal</span><svg><path></path></svg>).</p><p>This article has been retracted at the request of the Section Editor and Authors after a thorough investigation.</p><p>While NIST informed the journal that it followed appropriate human subjects protocols, it has come to light that the manuscript fails to indicate whether consent was obtained for all sample acquisition. The article further incorrectly implies that NIST collaborated with the Guangzhou Forensic Science Institute. All authors have been informed of this decision. Apologies are offered to readers of the journal that this was not detected during the submission process.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100306"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49866766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alcohol use trends in Dallas County during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Sara K. Dempsey,&nbsp;Lindsay Glicksberg,&nbsp;Amanda J. Rausch,&nbsp;Heidi Christensen,&nbsp;Brittany K. Casey","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100318","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100318","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Alcohol (ethanol) is the most widely detected drug in forensic toxicology casework and an increase in consumption of alcohol was reported during the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in consumption could be attributed to rising stress levels and social isolation. To determine whether the pandemic had an impact on ethanol positivity and concentrations in cases analyzed by the Dallas County Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences, blood ethanol results were evaluated from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2021. This time frame captured ethanol prevalence and concentrations before, during, and immediately following the pandemic for comparison. The average ethanol concentration in postmortem casework over the three years for each quarter ranged from 0.116 g/100 mL to 0.142 g/100 mL while the average concentration in driving while intoxicated (DWI) was higher, ranging from 0.173 g/100 mL to 0.188 g/100 mL. The ethanol positivity rate for postmortem casework remained relatively the same at approximately 20% during the time frame, while there was a decrease in ethanol positivity rate for DWI casework during the pandemic in April - June (Q2) 2020. However, the positivity rate returned to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2020. Despite the self-reported surveys of increased alcohol consumption during the pandemic, a corresponding increase in average ethanol concentrations was not observed in Dallas County and the surrounding area.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100318"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49866767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Role of soft-tissue thickness on the reproducibility in forensic facial approximation: A comparative case study","authors":"Debesh Nilendu ,&nbsp;Abraham Johnson","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2022.100293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2022.100293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Forensic facial approximation plays a vital role in identifying individuals who cannot be identified using conventional approaches. The key concern is linking the hard and soft tissues while improving the precision and consistency of its varied approaches. However, forensic facial approximation has limited relevance in India due to a lack of thorough study and proficiency with a diverse population displaying disparities in facial characteristics. The current study attempts to assess the changes in facial characteristics on forensic facial reconstruction utilizing different soft tissue thickness databases while keeping the skeletal elements, technique, and operator constant. Three facial approximations were created based on three facial soft tissue thickness databases of different geographic regions within India. Visual assessment and superimposition were used to analyze the reconstructed faces and subjects. All the reconstructed faces showed a considerable difference between each other and the subject. The placement of the eyes, ears, and, most crucially, the mouth differed significantly. No approach works with the nose, eyes, mouth, and ears; even with the best practices possible, sometimes inaccurate results occur. Facial approximation should be seen as a blend of science and art based on well-documented anatomical principles.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100293"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42699370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sex estimation using proximal femoral parameters of adult population in the Volta region of Ghana","authors":"Raymond Saa-Eru Maalman ,&nbsp;Joseph K. Korpisah ,&nbsp;Kingsley Ampong ,&nbsp;Nancy Darkoa Darko ,&nbsp;Isaac E. Ennin ,&nbsp;Esther Eseenam Kpordzih ,&nbsp;Micheal Barima Kumi ,&nbsp;Mahamudu Ayamba Ali ,&nbsp;Peter Adatara","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>The estimation of sex is a fundamental component in the establishment of a biological profile and a critical step for the identification of skeletal remains in forensic contexts. The proximal femoral geometry is frequently evaluated at crime scene for the estimation of sex, but the use of radiograph anthropometry for the estimation of sex is rare, even though radiographs would be easier to handle than bone specimen.</p></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><p>The aim of this study was to estimate sex using proximal femoral parameters of adult population in the Volta region of Ghana.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>This study made use of 214 normal anteroposterior (AP) radiographs of the pelvis that showed the hip joints and the proximal femora. The age and sex were recorded. Four proximal femoral parameters were measured on the radiographs using the ‘DICOM radiology reader software. The hip axis length was measured and mean difference of the parameters between the genders and the laterality categories were assessed.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Three out of the four parameters measured; femoral head diameter, neck diameter and hip axis length demonstrated statistically significantly difference (p = 0.0001) between the males and females in both right and left side measurement. The right hip axis length (RHAL) and left head diameter (LHD) contributed significantly to sex estimation.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>The right hip axis length demonstrates a high accuracy of 81.3% in sex determination among the population. This is the first study to present this finding in this population and might provide another way (if not easier way) to estimate the sex of a given skeletal specimen may give valuable insight into a better-customised implant and prosthesis design.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100323"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46023115","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An ethical framework for the creation and use of 3D printed human remains in crime reconstruction","authors":"Rachael M. Carew ,&nbsp;James French ,&nbsp;Ruth M. Morgan","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>There is currently a lack of clear guidance setting out ethical best practice in 3D forensic science broadly, and for 3D printing human remains specifically. This paper presents nine ethical principles identified by Carew et al. [4,7] that provide a foundation for establishing ethical practice. The relevance of the nine key normative ethics principles (justice transparency, proportionality, beneficence, context, non-maleficence, anonymity, consent, and autonomy) is outlined, and a hierarchical ethics framework is presented that sets out a synthesis of these nine principles at societal, case, and task levels. This framework sets out key principles to be considered at different stages in the forensic science process and in operational planning, as well as identifying the accountability of key decision makers at each stage. The hierarchical ethics framework provides an adaptive tool that forensic actors can use in practice, to take each ethical principle into consideration and develop best ethical practice, that ensures 3D printed human remains are created and used in an ethical manner.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100319"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46110630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medico-legal implications for carbon dioxide embolism during laparoscopic surgery: Two fatal cases","authors":"Maria Cristina Davolio ,&nbsp;Margherita Pizzirani ,&nbsp;Simona Vecchio ,&nbsp;Eleonora Tore ,&nbsp;Michele Strocchi ,&nbsp;Gianluigi Melotti ,&nbsp;Sabino Pelosi","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2022.100304","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2022.100304","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Carbon dioxide embolism is a rare complication of laparoscopic surgery resulting from direct intravascular carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation usually due to accidental organ or vessel injury during surgery. Clinical presentation depends on the characteristics of embolized gas (speed and volume) as well as patient’s underlying medical condition. In particular, patent foramen ovale (PFO) has been found to be associated with higher risk of intraoperative entry of gas into the venous system resulting in cerebral carbon dioxide embolism (CCDE). We present two cases of fatal CCDE in patients with PFO and their medico-legal implications in terms of medical professional liability. An accurate patient’s informed consent subscription, a detailed surgical report and proper diagnostic-therapeutic management of CO2 embolism play a crucial role in clinical management and medico-legal evaluation in cases of CCDE.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100304"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46487507","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Methamphetamine contamination in residential properties and their remediation in Queensland, Australia","authors":"Jianfa Gao ,&nbsp;Peter Culshaw ,&nbsp;Hieu K.T. Ngo ,&nbsp;John Howell ,&nbsp;Hong H.T.C. Le ,&nbsp;Mengting Yang ,&nbsp;Phong K. Thai","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100311","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100311","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The high use rate for methamphetamine in Australia has led to the emergence of local clandestine production. Contamination of the properties being used for methamphetamine production or consumption poses adverse health risks to occupants, and thus remediation is highly desirable to protect them. However, the residue level and removal efficiency of methamphetamine is not well documented yet in the literature. This study examined the level of methamphetamine residue on the surfaces of different materials in different rooms before and after remediation in Queensland with 561 swab samples taken from 47 properties suspected of methamphetamine production or consumption. Results indicated that kitchens and bathrooms usually had the highest levels of methamphetamine detected in surface wipe samples of all room types, while laminated and painted surfaces had higher methamphetamine contamination than the surfaces of other materials. Our results also indicated that properties with high residue levels and in certain situations might require multiple clean-ups, probably due to the low effectiveness of the remediation methods and the release of methamphetamine from within the matrix for porous materials. Efforts should be spent in the future to improve removal efficiency by using advanced technologies. This will inform methamphetamine contamination management guidance.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100311"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49866739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"AgeEst: An open access web application for skeletal age-at-death estimation employing machine learning","authors":"Chrysovalantis Constantinou ,&nbsp;Maria-Eleni Chovalopoulou ,&nbsp;Efthymia Nikita","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100317","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsir.2023.100317","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The present study tests the accuracy of commonly adopted age-at-death estimation markers based on the morphology of the pubic symphysis, iliac auricular surface and cranial sutures on a contemporary documented skeletal collection from Greece (81 males and 59 females). Machine learning techniques are used to assess whether a) machine learning classification models can correctly classify skeletons into their correct age group and b) machine learning regression models can predict the correct age to a satisfactory degree. The constructed models are used in a web application (AgeEst), where users can easily employ them to make predictions for their own skeletal assemblages. The results show that the use of machine learning improves age predictions in terms of bias and inaccuracy compared to the direct application of the original methods. However, there is a strong misclassification of middle-aged individuals, stressing the inherent biases both of the skeletal markers traditionally used in age-at-death prediction and of machine learning methods that, in our case, tend to classify most individuals to one of the two extremes (young or old). We would like to invite colleagues to share with us raw data from other skeletal collections to expand the training dataset to address to some extent issues of age mimicry, while the notebook used for the analysis as well as the code used to construct the web application are openly available to promote the further development of this or similar applications by other scholars.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100317"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49866768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}