{"title":"Forensic Leads: a service model recast","authors":"Ray Wickenheiser, Catherine Knutson","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100511","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100511","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100511"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X24000585/pdfft?md5=0885e81793877411a0002f13ef818d95&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X24000585-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142147638","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.I. is the Easy Part: Strategic Insights from History, Fiction, and Beyond","authors":"James Villarrubia","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100493","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100493","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100493"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X24000408/pdfft?md5=cbbc77868c60018e0d283fd3995941e7&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X24000408-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142147824","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":"Demonstrating and Use Value to Advan FS","authors":"Garry Bombard","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100506","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100506"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X24000536/pdfft?md5=e40fd3ef2290f5e0dcb9642dd003e395&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X24000536-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142147940","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":"Preparing for Forensic Rapid DNA & CODIS","authors":"Douglas R. Hares","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100530","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100530","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100530"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X24000779/pdfft?md5=1a461f4a68587130c5fb717ba6596ed6&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X24000779-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142148177","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}
J.H. Smith , V. Lynch , A.O. Amankwaa , B. Budowle , S.A. Fonseca , S.K. Shako , I. Molefe
{"title":"4th DNA Forensic Symposium: Challenges and future directions in Africa","authors":"J.H. Smith , V. Lynch , A.O. Amankwaa , B. Budowle , S.A. Fonseca , S.K. Shako , I. Molefe","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100555","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100555","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The 4th Forensic DNA Symposium in Africa underscored the critical role of regional collaboration in advancing forensic sciences, with a particular focus on forensic DNA examinations, databases, and humanitarian initiatives. The symposium aimed to assess the current forensic DNA capabilities across African countries and develop strategies to expand and better utilize DNA platforms. Key findings from the symposium highlight the necessity for enhanced cooperation among African nations to build robust forensic DNA databases and improve data-sharing mechanisms. The symposium also identified significant gaps in current capabilities and the need to develop legal frameworks, infrastructure, and expertise to support forensic initiatives. Moving forward, these findings suggest a strategic focus on capacity building, establishing standardized procedures, and implementing sustainable forensic practices across the continent. Champions were nominated by attending delegates to lead their respective countries in the implementation of these strategies, marking a critical step towards strengthening forensic science in Africa and addressing the pressing challenges related to crime and humanitarian efforts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100555"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X24001025/pdfft?md5=05b7147b6876a580313995e6464ddbf7&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X24001025-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142240031","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}
Liat C. Weinstein , Kelly A. Keyes , Connor Brooks , Micaela A. Ascolese , Hope M. Smiley-McDonald , Jeri D. Ropero-Miller
{"title":"Technology use among the nation’s medical examiner and coroner offices: Data from the 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices","authors":"Liat C. Weinstein , Kelly A. Keyes , Connor Brooks , Micaela A. Ascolese , Hope M. Smiley-McDonald , Jeri D. Ropero-Miller","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100477","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100477","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Technology uses among medical examiner and coroner (MEC) offices in the United States are not well characterized, yet technology is essential to job-performing duties. Resources, operational infrastructure, and MECs' policies and procedures that affect technology use should be better understood. MEC offices need access to technologies like internet, case management systems (CMSs), databases, and advanced imaging to perform their basic duties. A current state of the technologies MEC offices use to complete a death investigation is presented by analyzing data from the 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices. This analysis shows the New England division reported the most internet and CMS access. Many offices reported limited access to, and low participation in, databases for assessing and sharing case data. Offices serving populations >250,000 have more access to the internet, CMSs, databases, and advanced imaging. Although MEC office technology use has improved over time, it is still disparate.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100477"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X2400024X/pdfft?md5=1093f12553d743ec74d970fa9a4073e0&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X2400024X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141067978","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}
Kaye N. Ballantyne, Stephanie Summersby, James R. Pearson, Katherine Nicol, Erin Pirie, Catherine Quinn, Rebecca Kogios
{"title":"A transparent approach: Openness in forensic science reporting","authors":"Kaye N. Ballantyne, Stephanie Summersby, James R. Pearson, Katherine Nicol, Erin Pirie, Catherine Quinn, Rebecca Kogios","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100474","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100474","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>There have been numerous calls for increased transparency and disclosure in forensic science. However, there is a paucity of guidance on how to achieve this transparency in reports, and the impacts it may have on criminal justice proceedings. We describe one multi-disciplinary forensic laboratory's journey to fully transparent reporting, disclosing matters of scientific relevance and importance. All expert reports across 17 disciplines now contain information regarding the fundamental principles and methodology, validity and error, assumptions and limitations, competency testing and quality assurance, cognitive factors, and areas of scientific controversy. Staff support for transparent reporting increased following introduction, with most reporting largely positive impacts. A slight increase in questioning in court has been experienced, with increased legal attention paid to the indicia of scientific validity. Transparency in expert forensic science reports is possible, and can improve the use of scientific evidence in courts without compromising the timeliness of service.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100474"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X24000214/pdfft?md5=aec87add69dd0e2a10fefd39d25fdcb1&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X24000214-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140822734","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":"Reconsideration of Bertillonage in the age of digitalisation: Digital anthropometric patterns as a promising method for establishing identity","authors":"Marie L. Heuschkel, Dirk Labudde","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2023.100452","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2023.100452","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The idea of using measurements of the human body for identity matching is deeply associated with Bertillonage, a historic biometric system that was briefly applied until it was superseded by fingerprinting in the early 20th century. The apparent failure then commonly causes doubt with regard to the suitability of a set of measurements as a biometric identifier in the present.</p><p>Hence, the aim of this paper is to explore the potentials of using an anthropometric pattern, comprising of a set of body measurements, for identity matching. For this purpose, it will begin with a thorough examination of Bertillon's system and move on to conduct a comprehensive inquiry of the current possibilities of using digital anthropometric patterns in image or video-based evidence.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"8 ","pages":"Article 100452"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X23001390/pdfft?md5=0716d57bc4ea58c58d661b378ed6212e&pid=1-s2.0-S2589871X23001390-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139111543","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}