Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine最新文献

{"title":"Optimization of the Superglue Fuming and Powder Technique for the Enhancement of Latent Fingerprints from Objects Submerged in Water: An Experimental Study in Ghana","authors":"Maxwell Abedi, Richmond Afoakwah, Reagan Appiah, Ebenezer Asante, Fredrick Arthur, Sweta Khariyal","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_15_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_15_22","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Introduction Criminals’ propensity to precautionary mask their tracks such as disposing of an item of evidence in an aquatic environment (including freshwater and seawater) warrants the ongoing quest for advanced reagents and techniques that are tailored to the substrate characteristics on which the print will be developed. Aim The study aimed to evaluate the synergic efficiency of the superglue fuming technique (using a homemade fuming chamber) and the powder technique in the development and visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) from different nonporous substrates submerged in an aquatic environment for up to 120 days. Materials and Methods All selected nonporous substrates were cleaned thoroughly with a 70% alcohol swab. Natural latent prints were obtained from a single donor and the substrates were exposed to an aquatic environment. The superglue fuming (using a homemade fuming chamber) plus the powder technique was employed to develop and visualize the print. Results Our findings disclose that the use of the superglue fuming technique together with the powder technique enhances the recovery rate of LFPs from substrates kept underwater for up to 90 days. The development of fingerprints was challenging from the substrates that were submerged in water for exactly 120 days. Conclusions The resulting efficiency of the combined technique (superglue fuming technique using a homemade fuming chamber + powder technique) is substantially more sensitive, and selective, and performs better than the previously used stand-alone fingerprint enhancement technique. The improvised homemade fuming chamber proves to be a viable alternative to the standardized fuming cabinet in terms of functionality and sensitivity.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"52 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135650532","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":"Characteristics of mechanical asphyxia: A retrospective epidemiological study in two developed cities in China","authors":"Erwen Huang, Guoli Lv, Yumei Wang, Qiangwei Wang, Jing Zhang, Lie Liang, Ben Liu, Wen-jun Yang, Chuan-Zheng Tang, Chao Liu, Jianding Cheng","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_45_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_45_22","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Mechanical asphyxia (MA) is multi-classified. Some epidemiological characteristics are shared and the others different among different MA types. Aims and Objectives: To reveal the characteristics of different types of MA and provide reference data for forensic identification of MA. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 913 cases to reveal the epidemiological characteristics of MA in Dongguan and Guangzhou, China. Results: Seven types of MA were identified and strangulation accounted for up to 89.2%. Those aged 20-29 were the most susceptible to all types, except for traumatic and positional asphyxia. Suicide accounted for 96.6% of hanging cases, and accident was the main manner of death in cases of choking, traumatic, and positional asphyxia. Homicide was the most common in cases of ligature strangulation (LS), manual strangulation (MS), smothering, and asphyxia concomitant with lethal mechanical injury. The homicide rate in LS was positively correlated with the rate of female victims (P<0.001, OR=21.14). In MS, the ratio of female : male was 101 : 15 in homicide. Compared to native residents, migrant workers were more likely to suffer from LS and MS. Rope was used in 50.8% of hanging cases, while LS tools were evenly distributed. Ligature marks were mostly found above the thyroid cartilage in both hanging and LS cases. The U shaped marks were shown in 51.01% of hanging cases but absent in LS cases. In LS, ligature marks completely encircling the neck, discontinuous marks, as well as ≥two marks, were more (P<0.001) than in hanging. In LS and MS cases, abrasion and subcutaneous hemorrhages on the neck were more frequent than in hanging cases (P=0.004 and P<0.001), but the difference in frequency of blister marks was opposite (P<0.001). Conclusion: In summary, this study revealed the epidemiological characteristics of the MA cases in Guangzhou and Dongguan cities. The characteristics of death scene and autopsy findings are important in differentiation of different types of MA, especially between suicide and homicide.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"9 1","pages":"57 - 63"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47189670","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":"Sudden death in goldenhar syndrome","authors":"B. Hugar, Jayanth S. Hosahally, K. Kumari, Samiya Chisti","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_92_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_92_21","url":null,"abstract":"Goldenhar syndrome (GS) is a rare congenital disorder that is characterized by incomplete development of the ear, eye, nose, soft palate, lip, and jaw. It is also called oculo-auriculo-vertebral syndrome of Goldenhar, the name describes the common structural problems seen with the eyes, ears, and vertebrae. The outlook for children with GS varies but is generally very positive. Most children can expect to live a healthy life once treatments have been administered. However, certain congenital heart defects seen in this syndrome such as ventricular septal defect (VSD), persistence of arterial conduct, tetralogy of Fallot, and big vessel transposition can lead to sudden death during childhood. These defects are usually diagnosed during intrauterine life by means of fetal echography, leading to termination of such pregnancy or necessary corrective measures after the birth of such child. If such a child dies, it will be certified by the treating pediatrician. Thus, an autopsy pathologist rarely comes across such deaths. One such case of a 45-day-old female infant suffering from craniofacial deformity who became breathless, cyanotic, and died on the way to the hospital is being discussed here. The right ventricle showed double outlets, arising from it were the pulmonary artery and aorta. A small subaortic VSD was seen. Generalized hypoplasia of all internal viscera on the right side was observed.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"9 1","pages":"84 - 87"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44156071","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":"Patterns of Violence Experienced by Women Victims of Domestic Violence in Bengaluru City: A Cross-sectional Study","authors":"K. A. Jyothsna, Kannappa V. Shetty, Sanjeev Kumar, Mahesh Ganeshan","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_89_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_89_22","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Introduction Domestic violence has negative effects on the physical health and mental health of women. Domestic violence takes various forms physical, psychological, sexual, and emotional abuse. Many organizations are working with women and their families to prevent and reduce instances of violence. The current study aimed to understand the various patterns of violence among women victims of domestic violence. Materials and Methods The sample of 30 women approaching the women’s helpline, in Bengaluru was considered for the study using a cross-sectional design. The interview schedule for assessing patterns of violence was used. Descriptive statistics were used for analyzing the data. Results The majority of the respondents (50%) were in the age group of 20–29 years, more than half (53.3%) were homemaker and the majority (70%) stayed in nuclear family structures. More than one-fourth reported severe physical violence such as pushing, slapping, and punching. Most of the respondents reported husbands to be perpetrators of violence, 60% reported violence as a habit, and the majority reported dowry harassment as the reason for violence. Conclusion Mental health professionals need to work on the root cause of habitual violence and dowry harassment perpetrated by the spouse and empower the victims.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"132 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135650533","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":"Genetic Approaches for Sex Determination of Chinese Female with Male Pseudohermaphroditism","authors":"Li Lai, Xiaoli Huang, Shuning Zhang, Yichen Wu, Siyuan Yang, Zonglin Zhu","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_63_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_63_22","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Male pseudohermaphroditism is a rare disorders of sex development (DSD) that is manifested by a female-like appearance or incompletely differentiated external genitalia in an individual with a Y chromosome. In this paper, we report our investigation of the case of a 33-year-old Chinese female who was diagnosed with a malignant mixed germ-cell tumor of the ovary. To confirm the sex of the female, we utilized genetic approaches to detect amelogenin and Y-STR loci. Y chromosome microdeletion was performed to identify existing deletions in the AZF regions and SRY. Chromosome karyotyping and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were then applied to reveal the deletion of sex chromosome segments and pathogenic variations in DNA sequences. Using DNA-STR genotyping, we detected both AMEL-X and AMEL-Y fragments. We also found haplotype Y-STR loci and detected all alleles. Furthermore, no microdeletion was detected in the AZF regions and SRY. The chromosome karyotyping was 46, XY. WES revealed a transversion mutation of 58T → C in the androgen receptor exon 1, which could be the pathogenic variant in this case of abnormal sexual development. Sex determination in forensic DNA typing is based on the amelogenin system. It is important that forensic biologists should master various genetic approaches to overcome the issue of gender ambiguity caused by DSDs.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135650236","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 Estimation of Stature and Sex using Various Anthropometric Parameters in South Indian Population","authors":"Swati Yadav, Vinod C. Nayak, V. Palimar, C. Gupta, Janvi Ram Chetal","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_33_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_33_22","url":null,"abstract":"Estimation of stature and sex is very important to identify the unidentified human remains to solve the crime or in the case of mass destruction. The stature can be estimated using various regression formulas and it differs depending on the population and the regions. To predict stature and sex from various anthropometric parameters in south Indian population. One hundred adults (living individuals) belonging to the age group of 20–80 years were included in the study. A total of 22 anthropometric parameters were measured for the study. Using the regression formula, the stature is been estimated. Statistical analysis of all the parameters was done. Correlation coefficient test was done to correlate all the parameters with stature and sex. Based on the coefficient correlation result, it was found that for stature estimation leg length followed by thigh length is the best and ear length (EL) is the worst in females. In males for stature estimation, forearm length (FL) is the best and nose width (NW) is the worst. In estimating sex height, weight, foot length and width, hand length and width, arm and FL, inter-acromial distance, cranial height and width, face length and width, NW and nasal height and EL were found to be significant. Results of this study will be useful for forensic anthropologist for estimating stature and sex. The regression equations obtained in this study are population specific and they can be used for estimating stature in the south Indian population.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70793584","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":"Analysis of Medicolegal Examination in Alleged Sexual Abuse Presented to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Sri Lanka","authors":"G. I. D. Kitulwatte, H. Wijewardena, P. Edirisinghe, U. Senarathne","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_44_22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_44_22","url":null,"abstract":"Forensic experts are often expected to provide an opinion on alleged physical or sexual contact between individuals following medicolegal examination of a case of sexual abuse (SA). There are many factors influencing the opinion. A retrospective descriptive study was performed to study the factors influencing the medicolegal opinion in SA forensic examination using medical and medicolegal records of alleged SA victims to extract data. Records of 441 victims were studied. A majority, 180 (40%), presented due to the guardian’s concerns – 302 (68%) presented for medicolegal examination 72 h after the incident. Recent injuries were observed in only 15% of the victims. Genital injuries were observed in 74% of the victims brought due to concerns of the guardians, with 12 victims having recent injuries. Of the 172 victims who complained of vaginal intercourse, 21% had recent injuries. A firm positive medicolegal opinion could be given in 63% of all cases. In 124 individuals, a firm positive or negative opinion could not be given. A majority (n = 90, 73%) of these individuals did not have any injuries, while 23% had healed injuries. According to the nature of the complaint, in a significant number of victims (53%), no scientific evidence was present to make a firm opinion. The nature of the sexual act and the absence of injuries influence the medicolegal opinion on SA, making it a challenging task for forensic experts.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"70793771","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":"Blast injury from locally manufactured “Hakka patas”","authors":"C. Wickramasinghe, A. Vadysinghe","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_69_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_69_21","url":null,"abstract":"Explosives are potentially harmful devices that can create an explosion by a rapid release of a pressurized gas consequent to a chemical reaction within the device. They can inflict a variety of injuries, due to the blast wave, fire, and shrapnel. The pattern and severity of injuries will be determined by various factors, including explosive potential and constituents such as shrapnel. Homemade explosive devices (HEDs) pose a further threat due to their volatile, unpredictable nature which can lead to accidental explosions. We present the case of a 28-year-old farmer who presented with extensive blast injury to the left hand from a “Hakka patas,” a HED endemic to Sri Lanka. The injuries to his hand consisted of extensive soft tissue and muscle loss, and fractures of metacarpal bones with amputation of the first distal phalanx. Low-grade explosives such as “Hakka patas” have the potential to cause injury greater than expected due to their volatile, unpredictable nature, causing accidental explosions. This can injure unintended targets, resulting in grave consequences. The specific pattern described in low-grade explosive injuries will be important to differentiate other explosive-related injuries for medicolegal purposes.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"9 1","pages":"81 - 83"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47445891","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":"Sexual abuse and mental disorders: The dark side of violence","authors":"I. Aquila, M. Sacco, P. Ricci","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_29_21","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_29_21","url":null,"abstract":"Rape and sexual violence occur in all social classes and societies. In most cases, the sexual offenders are known to the victim and the majority of rapes happen in intimate relationships. Children are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse, in particular, the female sex. The sexual abuse of minors is defined as “any sexual activities that an adult carries on or with a person under the age of consent.” Literature evidence that the prevalence of any type of violence among women with disabilities varies between 26.0% and 90.0%, compared to nondisabled women, showing that people with disabilities have an increased risk of suffering physical and sexual violence. Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) show a high risk of sexual victimization. The World Health Organization presently defines mental retardation as “a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information and to learn and apply new skills (impaired intelligence). This results in a reduced ability to cope independently (impaired social functioning), and begins before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development.” The aim of this study is to investigate the correct identification of sexual abuse and severe mental retardation through the collaboration of a team of experts (forensic pathologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, gynecologist, pediatrician, and social worker). We present a case of a 12-year-old female child, who suffers from severe mental retardation and was the victim of rape by a 79-year-old man. The study shows the difficulties in discovering episodes of sexual abuse among children affected by ID by evidencing the importance of adequate analysis through a multidisciplinary approach. The work focuses on the need to improve knowledge about medical and forensic investigations through proper protocols, for early recognition and appropriate management of these complicated cases.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"9 1","pages":"76 - 80"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45033758","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":"The Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescent Suicide Deaths in the State of Maryland","authors":"Lainé Nicole Rogers, Gracen Korfanty, Victoria Roby, Ecem Yildiz, Pamela Ann Ferreira, Stephanie A. Dean, Ling Li","doi":"10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_90_23","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/jfsm.jfsm_90_23","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic. As of December 2021, there have been over 278 million cases and 5.4 million deaths reported. One area of concern regarding the pandemic was its potential impact on mental health, and it was feared that the onset of such a devastating pandemic would lead to increased suicide risks among the general population. With suicide being a leading cause of death in adolescents, it is important to assess the potential mental health consequences that the COVID-19 pandemic may impose. Aim The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on suicide deaths among adolescents in the state of Maryland from 2019 to 2021. Subjects and Methods This was a retrospective study of adolescent suicide victims, aged 10–19 years, from January 2019 to December 2021 in the state of Maryland. De-identified data were collected from the statewide medical examiner’s office which is responsible for the medicolegal death investigation in Maryland. Results A total of 102 adolescent suicide deaths were investigated statewide by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner during these 3 years. The number of adolescent suicide cases stayed relatively stable during the COVID-19 pandemic, with slightly more cases during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (2019: n = 37; 2020: n = 31; and 2022: n = 34). Looking at months of incidence, less cases were reported in March–May 2020 ( n = 5), which marks the beginning of the pandemic when compared to the same period in 2019 ( n = 13). The number was higher for August–November 2020 ( n = 15) than for that of 2019 ( n = 8) and 2021 ( n = 8). The male-to-female suicide ratio was 3.7:1 ( n = 80/22). However, the data exhibited a significant increase in the number of female adolescent suicides, from 8.11% in 2019 ( n = 3) to 25.81% in 2020 ( n = 8) and 32.35% in 2021 ( n = 11). Of the cases examined, more than 50% were white and approximately 27% were African-Americans. The two leading causes of death were hanging (47%) and firearm injuries (29%). Maryland consists of 23 countries and Baltimore City. The majority of adolescent suicides occurred in county residents with only 8.8% of cases in Baltimore City.","PeriodicalId":36434,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Forensic Science and Medicine","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135650886","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}