Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal最新文献

{"title":"Intra- and inter-rater reliability of a manual codification system for footwear impressions: first lessons learned from the development of a footwear database for forensic intelligence purposes","authors":"Vincent Mousseau, Maralee Tapps, Romain Volery, Jean Brazeau","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2278911","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2278911","url":null,"abstract":"AbstractTo generate forensic intelligence from footwear impressions and link crime scenes, most law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories rely on a manual codification system based on pattern recognition and classification by human analysts. However, although they are commonly used in practice, to date we still know little about the reliability of such systems. Taking advantage of the development of a footwear database for forensic intelligence purposes at the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale in Quebec (Canada), this study aims to make a preliminary assessment of the intra- and inter-rater reliability (i.e., the level of repeatability over time and the level of consensus between analysts) of the proposed codification system. To do so, three forensic intelligence analysts classified a set of 27 crime scene impressions and test impressions at two different times (two weeks apart). Percent agreement, Cohen’s Kappa, and Light’s Kappa were then calculated. Results show that two out of three analysts have reached an almost perfect level of intra-rater agreement, while the other have achieved a substantial level of intra-agreement, and that all analysts have reached a substantial level of inter-rater agreement. Findings suggest that, although a few patterns may have lower levels of agreement, overall, the developed codification system presents a satisfactory level of reliability. This preliminary study thus suggests that contrary to what advocates of fully automated systems may sometimes imply, manual codification of footwear impressions may be fairly appropriate for intelligence purposes. It calls for further evaluative research in the field.RÉSUMÉPour générer du renseignement forensique à partir des traces de chaussure et ainsi insérer la scène de crime unique dans une série criminelle, la plupart des corps policiers ont recours à un système de codification manuelle basé sur la reconnaissance et la classification de certaines formes ou motifs par des analystes formés en la matière. Bien que ces systèmes soient couramment utilisés dans la pratique quotidienne, peu d’études ont jusqu’ici tenté de cerner leur fiabilité. Profitant du développement du service de profilage de traces et d’empreintes de chaussure à des fins de renseignement criminalistique au Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale au Québec (Canada), la présente étude cherche à réaliser une évaluation préliminaire de la fiabilité intra- et inter-juges (c.-à-d. le niveau de répétabilité dans le temps et le niveau de consensus entre les analystes) du système de codification manuelle élaborée. Pour ce faire, trois membres du service de renseignement criminalistique du Laboratoire ont codifié à deux reprises, à deux semaines d’intervalle, le même ensemble de 27 traces et empreintes de chaussure. Le pourcentage d’accord, le Kappa de Cohen et le Kappa de Light ont ensuite été calculés à partir des données recueillies. Les résultats révèlent que d","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135681296","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":"A fatal motor vehicle collision involving multiple novel psychoactive substances","authors":"Michael Fagiola","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2267860","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2267860","url":null,"abstract":"AbstractNovel psychoactive substances comprise a number of chemically diverse substances that have emerged in the illicit market over the past decade and continue to be readily available. These compounds have been considered “legal alternatives” for typical drugs of abuse and often share similar pharmacological profiles. Presented herein is a case from the United States of a 29-year-old male with no known past medical history that was suspected of impaired driving while traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle stopped when the decedent lost control and collided with a guardrail. The decedent was ejected and found lying near the guardrail with extensive blunt force trauma and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Initial screening of the decedent’s cardiac blood revealed 3-methoxy-PCP, butylone, delorazepam, and N-ethylpentylone. Further testing provided by an outside reference laboratory additionally confirmed 3-fluorophenmetrazine, diclazepam, etizolam, and fluoroamphetamine. Testing of scene evidence revealed the presence of 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine, butylone, diclazepam, etizolam, and N-ethylpentylone. The cause of death was attributed to an internal hemorrhage due to a laceration of the aortic root with multiple skeletal fractures resulting from blunt force trauma. The manner of death was accidental. The compounds detected in this case may have played a significant role in facilitating this fatal crash. This report documents a unique instance of poly-NPS use, and a discussion on the analytical and interpretive considerations commonly encountered when analyzing NPS is also presented.RésuméLes nouvelles substances psychoactives comprennent un certain nombre de substances chimiquement diverses qui sont apparues sur le marché illicite au cours de la dernière décennie et qui continuent d’être facilement disponibles. Ces composés ont été considérés comme des “alternatives légales” aux drogues typiques d’abus et partagent souvent des profils pharmacologiques similaires. Nous présentons ici le cas, aux États-Unis, d’un homme de 29 ans sans antécédents médicaux connus, soupçonné de conduite sous influence alors qu’il roulait à grande vitesse. Le véhicule s’est arrêté lorsque le défunt a perdu le contrôle et est entré en collision avec une glissière de sécurité. Le défunt a été éjecté et retrouvé allongé près de la glissière de sécurité, souffrant d’un important traumatisme contondant, et son décès a été constaté sur place. L’analyse initiale du sang cardiaque du défunt a révélé la présence de 3-méthoxy-PCP, de butylone, de délorazépam et de N-éthylpentylone. D’autres tests effectués par un laboratoire externe ont confirmé la présence de 3-fluorophénmétrazine, de diclazépam, d’étizolam et de fluoroamphétamine. L’analyse des prélèvements recueillis sur scène a révélé la présence de 2-fluoro-deschlorocétamine, de butylone, de diclazépam, d’étizolam et de N-éthylpentylone. La cause du décès a été attribuée à une hémorragie interne due à une lacéra","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135679441","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":"Individual age estimation using pulp-to-tooth area ratio in single-rooted teeth","authors":"Matthieu Trottier, Scott Keenan, Scott I. Fairgrieve","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2276562","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2276562","url":null,"abstract":"AbstractDental age estimation can play a crucial role in forensic investigations as it can assist authorities in the identification of living and deceased individuals. Of the various age estimation methods based on odontology, pulp-to-tooth ratios measured through radiography have been a popular choice due to their less invasive nature. Pulp-to-tooth area ratios were assessed in 12 permanent single rooted teeth (maxillary and mandibular, left and right central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines) using clinical cone beam computed tomographs. A total of 227 teeth were analyzed from 66 subjects, 33 males and 33 females. Pulp-to-tooth area ratios were measured in the coronal, sagittal and axial perspectives. Additionally, the difference in pulp-to-tooth area ratio between the entire pulp cavity area of the tooth, and the pulp cavity area exclusively above the cementoenamel junction were compared. Bilateral symmetry was confirmed between the teeth from the right and left side (p = 0.9405). All correlations exceeded 0.6, with the highest correlations observed in maxillary teeth (R=-0.836), the teeth from females (R=-0.830), and central and lateral incisors exclusively (R=-0.802). The standard error of estimates from the linear regression models varied between ±10.11 and 14.98 years. This study confirmed that pulp-to-tooth ratios are a sound technique to estimate age.RÉSUMÉL’estimation d’âge dentaire peut jouer un rôle important dans les enquêtes médicolégales, car elle peut aider les autorités à identifier des individus vivants et décédés. Parmi les maintes méthodes d’estimation d’âge pour la dentition, le ratio de pulpe-à-dent mesuré à partir d’interprétations radiographiques demeure favorable à cause de la technique moins invasive. Le ratio de pulpe-à-dent fut analysé dans 12 dents permanentes à racine unique (incisive centrale et latérale, et la canine, de la maxillaire et mandibulaire et de la droite et gauche). Un total de 227 dents fut analysé parmi 66 sujets, dont 33 hommes et 33 femmes. Le ratio de pulpe-à-dent fut mesuré dans le plan coronal, sagittal et axial. De plus, la différence en ratio de pulpe-à-dent fut comparée entre la pulpe complète de la dent et la pulpe supérieure à la jonction amélo-cémentaire. La symétrie bilatérale fut confirmée entre les dents de la droite et de la gauche (p = 0,9405). Toutes les corrélations ont surpassé 0,6 avec la plus haute corrélation notée dans les dents maxillaires (R=-0,836), les dents des femmes (R=-0,830), et les incisives centrales et latérales uniquement (R=-0,802). L'erreur type d’estimation des modèles de régression linéaire a varié entre ±10,11 et 14,98 années. Cette étude confirme que les ratios de pulpe-à-dent présentent une technique propice à estimer l’âge.Keywords: Forensic scienceForensic odontologyAge estimationPulp-to-tooth ratioSecondary dentinCBCTMOTS CLÉS: Sciences medicolégalesodontologie medicolégalesestimation d’âgeratio de pulpe-à-dentdentine secondairetomographie volumique ","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136067898","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":"A preliminary study evaluating the relationship between force and incised trauma on pig rib bones","authors":"Cathy Ngọc Hân Tran, Eugene Liscio","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2255410","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2255410","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49138958","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":"A fluorescent enhancement method for footwear impressions in ice melt products","authors":"A. Thompson, Zahra M. Linsky, Lindsey A. Welch","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2240667","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2240667","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49586783","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":"Cadaver transport in large river systems: winter case study in the South Saskatchewan River","authors":"Iain D. Phillips, Ernie Walker","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2243015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2243015","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45947010","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 Intoxilyzer® 9000 evidential breath alcohol testing instrument","authors":"I. Bugyra, B. Cahill, T. L. Martin","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2230012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2230012","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42088013","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":"Simultaneous screening and quantitation of stimulant drugs in dried blood spot (DBS) samples using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS)","authors":"K. Unger, J. Watterson","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2171022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2171022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Dried blood spots (DBS) have seen recent development as an alternative to whole blood samples for drug testing. The ease of use of DBS makes the technique suitable and attractive for drug testing applications. Quantitation of drug concentrations in the ng/mL range can be achieved from DBS samples using 10 to 20 µL of blood. The establishment of drug per se limits for drivers requires timely methods of sampling blood for accurate drug concentration measurements. Method validation for the analysis of forensically relevant stimulant drugs and their metabolites in DBS samples by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS) is presented. DBS blood samples were prepared by spiking 20 µL of blood-containing analytes ranging from 10 to 1000 ng/mL onto Whatman® 903 Protein Saver cards. Analytes were extracted from whole DBS samples punched from protein saver cards by sonication in water followed by PRiME® MCX μElution solid phase extraction. An LOQ of 10 ng/mL was achieved for all analytes. Precision (0.09% to 14.67%), bias (–17.15% to 13.91%) and matrix effects (–18.7% to 23.4%) were suitable for validation in 10/14 analytes. DBS drug stability varied by analyte. DBS sampling may assist in overcoming forensic challenges associated with blood sampling, and accurate drug quantitation even at low concentrations is possible. The results of this work suggest that DBS microsampling is suitable for drug-impaired driving cases in jurisdictions where per se limits for drugs exist, particularly for zero-tolerance drug limits. Abstrait Les gouttes de sang séché (DBS) ont vu le développement récent comme une alternative aux échantillons de sang total pour le dépistage des drogues. La facilité d’utilisation de DBS rend la technique appropriée et attrayante pour les applications de dépistage de drogues. La quantification des concentrations de médicament dans la gamme ng/mL peut être obtenue à partir d’échantillons DBS en utilisant 10 à 20 μL de sang. L’établissement de limites de drogue en soi pour les conducteurs nécessite des méthodes opportunes d’échantillonnage du sang pour des mesures précises de la concentration de drogue. La validation de la méthode pour l’analyse de médicaments stimulants pertinents sur le plan médico-légal et de leurs métabolites dans des échantillons de DBS par chromatographie liquide ultra-performante-spectrométrie de masse à temps de vol quadripolaire à haute résolution (UPLC-QTOF-MS) est présentée. Des échantillons de sang DBS ont été préparés en dopant 20 μL d’analytes contenant du sang allant de 10 à 1000 ng/mL sur des cartes Whatman® 903 Protein Saver. Les analytes ont été extraits d’échantillons entiers de DBS perforés à partir de cartes économes en protéines par sonication dans l’eau suivie d’une extraction en phase solide PRiME® MCX μElution. Une LOQ de 10 ng/mL a été atteinte pour tous les analytes. La précision (0,09 % à 14,67 %), le biais (–17,15 % à 1","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43910367","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 from patella using discriminant analysis in Central Thai population","authors":"Nattida Srinak, Panisa Sukvitchai","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2175956","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2175956","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Sex estimation is an essential step for identification of unidentified human remains. Pelvis, skull, and long bones are commonly used because of their distinct sexual dimorphism. However, these bones are incomplete or missing in some circumstances and other potential bones are needed. Several studies have shown the sexual dimorphism of the patella in specific populations by using an anthropometry method with statistical modeling. The patella has been recognized to be resistant to post-mortem changes. We developed discriminant function equations for sex estimation from measurements of the patella in a modern Central Thai population. Six variables of the patella were measured on 130 skeletons derived from Central Institute of Forensic Science, Thailand. Results showed prediction accuracies of 90% on the left side and 93% on the right side. This study illustrated the potential usage of the patella for sex estimation and indicated size variations of the patella among Thai sub-populations. Résumé L’estimation du sexe est une étape essentielle à l’identification de restes humains non identifiés. Le pelvis, le crâne et les os longs sont communément utilisés dus à leur dimorphisme sexuel distinct. Cependant, ces os sont parfois incomplets ou manquants et d’autres éléments deviennent potentiellement nécessaires. Plusieurs études ont démontré un dimorphisme sexuel de la patella chez des populations spécifiques en utilisant des modèles statistiques appliqués à une méthode anthropométrique. La patella a été reconnue comme étant résistante aux changements post-mortem. Nous avons développé des équations de fonctions discriminantes afin d’estimer le sexe à partir de mesures de patella provenant d’une population moderne de la Thaïlande centrale. Six variables de la patella ont été mesurées sur 130 squelettes provenant du Central Institute of Forensic Science en Thaïlande. Les résultats démontrent une prédiction avec une exactitude de 90% pour le côté gauche et de 93% pour le côté droit. Cette étude illustre l’utilité potentielle de la patella pour estimer le sexe, en plus d’indiquer une variation de la taille des patellas entre sous-populations thaïes.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41459189","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":"A review of forensic applications of physicochemical parameters of soil beneath decomposed cadavers","authors":"Sarabjit Singh, S. Yong, R. Rahimi, M. Singh, C. Heo","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2023.2172129","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2023.2172129","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46318594","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}