Forensic Science International: Reports最新文献

{"title":"Analytical validation study of the RapidHIT™ ID and RapidLINK™ v2.0.1 system to generate and process profiles with ACE GlobalFiler™ Express cartridge","authors":"Melissa Shear,&nbsp;Jaime Brachold,&nbsp;Prachi Christian,&nbsp;Charles Troup,&nbsp;Rino Radhakrishnan","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100448","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100448","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Applied Biosystems™ RapidHIT™ ID System<span><span>¹</span></span> is a highly automated and simple-to-use instrument that produces trusted laboratory-quality forensic DNA short tandem repeat (STR) profiles in as little as 90 min. The system has been optimized for use in decentralized environments and for processing presumed single-source DNA samples, generating Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)-compatible DNA profiles. The system delivers reliable, reproducible, high-quality electrophoretic data with management software that enables real-time access, review, and control of STR profiles. The RapidHIT™ ID instrument and RapidLINK™ v2.0.1 software validation studies were performed using Applied Biosystems ACE GlobalFiler™ Express sample cartridges with single source reference samples in accordance with the FBI Quality Assurance Standards and guidelines from the Scientific Working Group for DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM). The results from these validation studies are reported here for sensitivity, specificity, inhibitors, size precision, concordance, contamination and carryover, mixtures, and reproducibility and repeatability. In addition, it is demonstrated that multiple RapidHIT ID systems networked with RapidLINK form a highly reliable system for wide-scale deployment in locations such as police booking stations and Ports of Entry, enabling real-time testing of arrestees, potential human trafficking victims and other instances where rapid turnaround is essential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100448"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038175","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":"Chemical analysis of fire debris in atypical fire incidents","authors":"Kang Hua Lee,&nbsp;Thiam Bon Lim","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100453","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100453","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In atypical fire cases where ignitable liquid residues were undetected using traditional fire debris detection methods, analyzing other chemical traces such as the gaseous and volatile organic contents, and liquid and solid components of the debris itself, can shed light on the fire events. The forensic laboratory has broadened the scope of instrumental techniques to analyze the diverse nature of samples from fire scenes. In this paper, we reviewed the laboratory’s analytical findings of fire debris samples submitted from atypical fire incidents in recent years. We demonstrated how multi-instrumental approaches usually employed in chemical unknowns analysis, combined with understanding of the correlation between the detected compounds’ physical and chemical properties and the fire, help trace possible primary ignition sources. In local cases, potential sources of fuel in the initial event of atypical fires were categorized into flammable gases, self-heating materials, reactive mixtures, and combustible substances. However, interpreting analytical results and classifying fuel sources remain challenging as they may be subjected to the scale and complexity of scene debris, altered states, detectability of fuel traces, and the limited comprehension of the laboratory regarding the fire properties and behavior of the detected compounds and parent materials.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100453"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038178","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":"Legal and ethical breaches in personal health data handling among cardiologists: A multicenter survey on compliance gaps and forensic risk","authors":"Ufuk İyi̇gün ,&nbsp;Deniz Ergene","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100444","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100444","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The digitization of healthcare services in Türkiye has introduced significant legal and ethical challenges, particularly concerning the protection of personal health data. Despite established legal frameworks, limited empirical data exist regarding the behavioral and legal awareness of physicians, especially cardiologists, in complying with data protection regulations.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To evaluate the legal and practical awareness of cardiologists in Türkiye regarding the protection of personal health data, identify common non-compliant practices, and assess associated forensic risks.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross-sectional, multicenter survey was conducted with 52 cardiologists from various institutions in Türkiye. The questionnaire, developed through literature review and expert input, included 12 items addressing clinical data practices, password sharing, anonymization awareness, and communication methods. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The majority of respondents demonstrated poor compliance with core data protection principles. While 71 % were aware of legal sanctions, nearly half admitted to sharing patient data without consent, and 78.85 % used unsecured platforms like WhatsApp for data transmission. Moreover, 67.31 % were unfamiliar with anonymization, and only one-third maintained exclusive control over their digital signatures.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study highlights a critical gap between legal knowledge and clinical practice among cardiologists in Türkiye. Institutional interventions—including targeted training, legal education, and secure data systems—are urgently needed to improve compliance, mitigate forensic risk, and uphold patient privacy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100444"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927174","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":"Corrigendum to “Forensic reconstruction of an incident scene using rigid body photogrammetry techniques” [Forensic Sci. Int.: Rep. 13 (2026) 100443]","authors":"Kevin Gilmore,&nbsp;Geoffrey T. Desmoulin,&nbsp;Szymon Claridad,&nbsp;Marc-André Nolette,&nbsp;Theodore E. Milner","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100458","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100458","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100458"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148523478","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":"Application of qualitative and quantitative techniques to estimate the sex of Brazilian skulls and mandibles","authors":"Ezequiel Ortiz Rosa ,&nbsp;Sergio Ricardo Marques ,&nbsp;Edgard Michel-Crosato ,&nbsp;Thais Torralbo Lopes-Capp ,&nbsp;Maria Gabriela Haye Biazevic","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100450","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100450","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Estimating sex in human skulls is an essential step in forensic identification. The combined application of qualitative and quantitative techniques allows for greater accuracy, especially in specific populations such as the Brazilian one, characterized by great biological diversity. Considering the ethnic and geographic diversity of Brazil, this study aims to conduct a comparative assessment of accuracy for sex estimation applicable to the Brazilian population. The research was conducted with 96 skulls and 96 mandibles from the collection of the Federal University of São Paulo, using two distinct methods: the qualitative (anthroposcopy) method and the quantitative (anthropometric) method. Although qualitative and quantitative analyses are constantly discussed, there is a lack of comparison between analyses in the Brazilian population. The qualitative analysis had a 73.00 % accuracy rate with a 0.524 kappa coefficient, while the quantitative method had an 82.00 % overall accuracy, with greater sensitivity for females (95.00 %). The variables Maxium Cranial Length (GOL), Basion-Bregma Height (BBH), and Bizygomatic Width (ZYB) (skull), as well as Bigonial Width (BGB) and Right Mandibular Ramus Height (MRHd) (mandible), showed greater discriminatory capacity according to the area under the ROC curve. The research highlights that, although the qualitative method is traditionally accepted and of practical application, it is more subject to interobserver errors, while the quantitative method offers greater standardization and precision, being useful mainly in forensic contexts that require objective and statistically based data. It is concluded that. Quantitative and qualitative findings indicate the need for additional research to validate new methods and improve outcomes for the Brazilian population. Hence, they should be applied to local population samples for greater reliability in forensic results.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100450"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977844","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":"Empirical evaluation of 56 microhaplotypes with cryptic variation for kinship testing in a Korean population","authors":"Sohee Cho ,&nbsp;Kyoung-Jin Shin ,&nbsp;Soong Deok Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100451","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100451","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microhaplotypes (microhaps), composed of two or more SNPs within short DNA segments, have emerged as promising markers for forensic kinship testing, offering advantages over conventional STRs. However, their resolution for distant relationships remains limited, prompting efforts to improve panel performance. This study evaluated a 56-locus microhap panel in a Korean population and examined the effects of incorporating cryptic variations adjacent to established microhap loci, identified through massively parallel sequencing. Using data from 281 individuals across 53 families, the panel demonstrated superior discrimination in parent-child, full-siblings, and second-degree relatives pairs compared with STRs, while resolution for third-degree relatives remained challenging. A total of 72 cryptic variations were detected across 38 loci, increasing the mean effective allele number (A_e) from 3.288 to 3.476 and generating 23 novel haplotypes. Incorporating these variants led to modest but consistent improvements in likelihood ratio distributions across all kinship categories. These findings highlight that leveraging cryptic variations can enhance microhap-based kinship inference without panel redesign, providing a cost-effective and scalable strategy for improving forensic kinship analysis. Further studies in larger and multi-ethnic populations will be essential to validate and optimize this approach for broader forensic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100451"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927175","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":"Descriptive quality of traumatic lesion documentation in emergency medical certificates","authors":"Khedija Zaouche ,&nbsp;Hana Harzallah ,&nbsp;Emna Rezgui ,&nbsp;Emna Kallel ,&nbsp;Rania Hmaissi ,&nbsp;Wicem Hannachi ,&nbsp;Fedya El Ayech ,&nbsp;Manel Kallel","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100446","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100446","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The Initial Medical Certificate (IMC) is a crucial medico-legal document, particularly in cases of physical violence, where its descriptive accuracy directly influences its evidentiary value in legal and compensation processes. This study aimed to assess the quality of traumatic lesion documentation in IMCs issued in emergency departments and to identify common deficiencies.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective descriptive study between July and September 2022 in the emergency department of a regional hospital in Tunisia. IMCs issued following physical assault or road traffic accidents were included. Evaluation focused on five common lesion types (erythema, ecchymosis, hematoma, excoriation, wound) using standardized criteria: size, shape, color, depth, location, and estimated age. A binary scoring system classified documentation quality as good, average, or poor.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Out of 218 IMCs analyzed, 54.6 % involved female patients with a mean age of 37 years. Judicial requisitions prompted 94.4 % of the certificates. Descriptions were rated as poor in 47.2 % of cases and average in 52.8 %. No certificate included anatomical landmarks. Wounds were the best described (p &lt; 0.001), while ecchymoses were more often poorly documented (p = 0.016). Lesion size (p &lt; 0.001) and depth (p = 0.02) were the most frequently reported elements.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Significant deficiencies were found in the documentation of elementary lesions, compromising the medico-legal value of IMCs. Implementing structured reporting tools and ongoing training is essential to improve descriptive quality and the probative strength of these certificates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100446"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927178","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":"Technical note: Extraction and analysis of DNA from rhamphotheca collected from an unknown Corvidae forensic sample","authors":"Darren J. Wostenberg","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100460","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100460","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wildlife forensics analyzes evidence from crimes against wildlife and has many disciplines. The recovery of genetic evidence can be difficult from crafted items or evidence that has decomposed or become degraded. The utility of sampling the rhamphotheca as a source of DNA from an avian skull evidence item was investigated and compared to the DNA recovered from one quadrate bone. The quantity and quality of the DNA recovered from both structures was suitable for mitochondrial DNA analysis and determination of the taxonomic origin of the evidence item. This technique effectively recovered DNA while minimizing damage to the evidence item.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100460"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188891","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":"Forensic reconstruction of an incident scene using rigid body photogrammetry techniques","authors":"Kevin Gilmore ,&nbsp;Geoffrey T. Desmoulin ,&nbsp;Szymon Claridad ,&nbsp;Marc-André Nolette ,&nbsp;Theodore E. Milner","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100443","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100443","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic biomechanics is used to draw conclusions about incident and injury reports, relying on images of the incident for relevant photogrammetric measurement techniques, such as spatial resection and intersection. However, these techniques rely on the quality and type of media available, which can vary substantially. As such, this study aims to quantify the error associated with utilizing various supporting media. A simulated incident scene containing 2 objects of interest, a model rifle and a motorcycle, was 3D scanned and recorded from 3 camera angles. PhotoModeler was used to measure the 3D location of these objects with supporting media being limited to the use of a 3D scan, calibrated or uncalibrated cameras, single or multiple viewing angles, and stationary or moving cameras. The results of statistical analysis demonstrated that, when supported by a scan, single and multiple camera angles resulted in similar positional measurement errors. Mean errors of 6.52 cm and 5.98 cm for the single view, compared to ranges of 3.73–5.71 cm and 2.56 – 13.74 cm with multiple views, were found for the motorcycle and rifle, respectively. Also, using 3 stationary cameras resulted in lower distance and orientation errors than 3 frames from a moving camera. Thus, it was concluded that supporting 3D scans provide the highest level of accuracy and the use of single or multiple stationary cameras demonstrated higher accuracy compared to mobile cameras. Using 3D scans in conjunction with stationary cameras provides reliability and admissibility of photogrammetry-based evidence in forensic investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100443"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927176","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":"Forensic aspects of sexual assaults examined at the Department of Forensic Medicine of the University Hospital Center of Bogodogo, Burkina Faso","authors":"W.N. Ramdé ,&nbsp;S. Bagré ,&nbsp;M. Tall ,&nbsp;R. Kagambèga ,&nbsp;B. Doudoulgou ,&nbsp;B. Sawadogo ,&nbsp;P.W. Compaoré","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100449","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100449","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Sexual assaults are a global issue and remain a major concern in African countries. They raise significant medico-legal challenges. This study, conducted at the Department of Forensic Medicine of CHU-B, aimed to investigate the epidemiological, clinical, and medico-legal aspects of sexual assault victims received.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>We carried out a retrospective descriptive study over five years (from April 15, 2017, to April 14, 2021) in the Forensic Medicine Department of Bogodogo University Hospital (CHU-B).</div><div><u>This was an exhaustive sampling of all case files of sexual assault victims received in our study setting</u>.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We collected 205 case files of victims. The mean age was 15.46 years. The sex ratio was 0.025. Pupils/students represented 29.26 %. Perpetrators were adult males in 90.24 % of cases and acted alone in 90.24 %. Threats were reported in 78.05 % of cases, including 12.19 % with a bladed weapon and 4.88 % with a firearm. Assaults took place at home in 68.29 % of cases. In 70.73 % of cases, victims reported having been sexually penetrated by the male organ in the vagina, mouth, or anus. Victims examined showed clinical signs consistent with recent vaginal sexual penetration in 51.22 %. Spermatozoa were found in 8.78 % of cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Sexual assaults remain a public health problem. Studying the associated factors will help determine specific preventive actions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100449"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038177","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}