{"title":"The scientific method in forensic science: a Canadian handbook","authors":"Michael H. Gorn","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2021.1915637","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2021.1915637","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2021.1915637","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47373118","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":"Effects of vaping E-juices with and without alcohol on the accuracy of the Alco-Sensor FST® approved screening device","authors":"Amy Eng Minh","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2021.1898774","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2021.1898774","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Approved screening devices (ASDs) are valuable roadside tools for police officers to determine if an individual has been driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the prescribed limits and to form reasonable and probable grounds for further investigation. ASDs are expected to produce accurate and reliable results that are free from interference by exogenous substances other than the individual’s BAC. Nevertheless, electronic cigarette (E-cigarette) vapours have the potential to interfere with the accuracy of ASDs as certain E-juices, the liquid that is aerosolized to generate the vapour, have been found to contain alcohol. In this study, five alcohol-free participants were tested with the Alco-Sensor FST® after inhaling vapours from alcohol-free and alcohol-positive E-juices. Subsequently, the five participants were dosed with alcohol, and the testing was repeated. Although vaping alcohol-positive E-juice did falsely increase the apparent BAC of both alcohol-free and alcohol-positive participants, the effects completely subsided within 3 min. The recommended standard operating procedure for ASDs used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (R.C.M.P.) requires a 5-min wait time following the end of smoking prior to provision of a sample by a subject. This wait period is more than sufficient for any effects from the E-cigarette vapour containing alcohol to be eliminated, thus refuting any concerns of E-cigarette vapour falsely elevating an individual’s existing BAC.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2021.1898774","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47486130","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}
Jesse Plante, Amanda Orr, Irv Albrecht, L. Wyard, Phillip Boyd, T. Stotesbury
{"title":"Drip stains formed on ice and snow: an observational study","authors":"Jesse Plante, Amanda Orr, Irv Albrecht, L. Wyard, Phillip Boyd, T. Stotesbury","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2021.1880726","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2021.1880726","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract When a crime is committed in colder climates, there is potential for bloodshed to occur in areas covered in ice and/or snow. In this work, we investigate drip stain formation on ice and snow surfaces. We examine the effects of dripping height and surface type on bloodstain size, shape and distribution. Seventy-five drip stains were created from droplets generated perpendicular to the surface across five different dripping heights and three surface types (new snow, powder snow and crust). Digital images of each bloodstain were collected and were analyzed using FIJI. Additionally, high-speed videos were taken of drip stains forming on three types of natural snow surfaces. The bloodstains observed in this study exhibited irregular characteristics compared to those seen in bloodstains on hard, non-porous and non-absorbent surfaces created in ambient laboratory conditions. The type of surface was observed to affect the diameter, circularity and distribution of satellite stains; however, dripping height did not affect these characteristics. While the estimated roughness of the snow surfaces may have influenced the formation of the bloodstains, we suggest that it is not the only surface property involved in bloodstain appearance. Our findings, while preliminary, support future investigation of bloodstain formation on cold complex surfaces.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2021.1880726","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44741389","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}
Heidi Letendre, Karelle Séguin, Anne-Julie Grenier, V. Mousseau, L. Cadola, F. Crispino
{"title":"First lessons regarding the data analysis of physicochemical traces at activity level in TTADB","authors":"Heidi Letendre, Karelle Séguin, Anne-Julie Grenier, V. Mousseau, L. Cadola, F. Crispino","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2021.1899655","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2021.1899655","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract If transfer traces inform about the source from which they originate, they also have an informative potential on their generating activity. To help practitioners interpret such traces and assess their evidential value at the activity level, this research aims at producing a structured knowledge base on physicochemical transfer traces here defined as ignitable liquids, cosmetics, explosives, narcotics and paints. Studies focusing on background, persistence, transfer and contamination assessment (e.g. washing machines, laboratory), mimicking operative situations (e.g. cross transfers of paint from crowbars onto door frames from a burglary), and covering different supports (e.g. textiles, plastics, doors) were privileged with a special concern for the Canadian relevancy. This research also helps highlighting gaps of knowledge in the overall literature, hence, new research to launch.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2021.1899655","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46659035","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}
L. Cadola, Marie-Pier Charest, Catherine Lavallée, F. Crispino
{"title":"L’occurrence et la genèse des traces de transfert en criminalistique: une base de connaissances structurée","authors":"L. Cadola, Marie-Pier Charest, Catherine Lavallée, F. Crispino","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2021.1890942","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2021.1890942","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract While forensic science is generally focused on associating a trace to its source, trace’s relevance is best addressed at the activity responsible for its genesis. Recurring studies show the potential of the Bayesian approach in order to address activity level’s propositions in a rational and transparent manner. The objective of this research is to identify and review literature and models for transfer traces to create a relevant database for activity level interpretation. As of December 17th, 2020, a thorough review of 2042 existing peer-reviewed publications and studies concerning transfer traces has been conducted. The data have been classified by different criteria such as, the type of trace, year of publication, and type of study (i.e. population). Every publication has been critically analyzed according to its relevance, among others, with regards to a Canadian environment. This process identified research that needed to be completed. A database collecting publication and data on activity level assessment has been created. This database is available for consultation to laboratories, police agencies, lawyers and universities, thus contributing to the transparency of the expert opinion.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2021.1890942","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41491480","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}
L. Cadola, Marina Charest, Catherine Lavallée, F. Crispino
{"title":"The occurrence and genesis of transfer traces in forensic science: a structured knowledge database","authors":"L. Cadola, Marina Charest, Catherine Lavallée, F. Crispino","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2021.1890941","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2021.1890941","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract While forensic science is generally focused on associating a trace to its source, trace’s relevance is best addressed at the activity responsible for its genesis. Recurring studies show the potential of the Bayesian approach in order to address activity level’s propositions in a rational and transparent manner. The objective of this research is to identify and review literature and models for transfer traces to create a relevant database for activity level interpretation. As of December 17th, 2020, a thorough review of 2042 existing peer-reviewed publications and studies concerning transfer traces has been conducted. The data have been classified by different criteria such as, the type of trace, year of publication, and type of study (i.e. population). Every publication has been critically analyzed according to its relevance, among others, with regards to a Canadian environment. This process identified research that needed to be completed. A database collecting publication and data on activity level assessment has been created. This database is available for consultation to laboratories, police agencies, lawyers and universities, thus contributing to the transparency of the expert opinion.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2021.1890941","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41780502","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}
N. Amidu, Moses Banyeh, S. Bani, Y. Adam, P. Dapare, Kervin Edinam Zogli
{"title":"Models for predicting height from percutaneous lengths of the ulna and femur in a Ghanaian population","authors":"N. Amidu, Moses Banyeh, S. Bani, Y. Adam, P. Dapare, Kervin Edinam Zogli","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2021.1880725","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2021.1880725","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This study aimed to develop predictive models from percutaneous femoral (PFL) and ulna (PUL) lengths for estimating height among a living Ghanaian population. This was a cross-sectional study involving 99 adults (males = 52, females = 47) between the ages of 19–31yrs. The height, femoral and ulnar lengths of all participants were measured twice using standard anthropometric methods. Regression predictive equation models were developed based on PFL, PUL, age and the combined PFL + PUL. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Males were significantly taller and had longer PFL and PUL than females (p < 0.05 for all). Correlation between height and PFL, PUL, age and PFL + PUL in the total study population was 0.783, 0.786, 0.234 and 0.875 and their adjusted R2 were 60.9%, 61.4%, 4.5% and 76.4%, respectively. Predicted heights using all models except age, were not significantly different from the measured height (mean difference ≤ 0.0, p > 0.05). However, other population-based models used to predict the height of Ghanaians deviated from the observed height by about 2.1–8.2 cm in males and 1.5–7.6 cm in females. The combined PFL + PUL was more suitable for predictive height followed by PFL and PUL. Height estimating models from PFL and PUL are population-specific and should not be extrapolated to other populations.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2021.1880725","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43888164","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}
N. Garg, Abhinav Kathuria, Srikant N, Nandita Kp, Shweta Yellapurkar, N. Jose, J. Ahmed, V. Kulkarni
{"title":"Validity of Willems age estimation method in children’s & adolescents’ of Dakshina Kannada Region, India","authors":"N. Garg, Abhinav Kathuria, Srikant N, Nandita Kp, Shweta Yellapurkar, N. Jose, J. Ahmed, V. Kulkarni","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2020.1858588","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2020.1858588","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Willems gender-specific and non-specific maturity scores derive the age of the individual with acceptable error margins in the Belgian Population. This needs to be validated in various subpopulations to enable its use in age estimation. Our aim was to test the validity of both Willems’s I & II maturity scores to estimate dental age in children and adolescents (aged 5–20 yrs) in Dakshina Kannada population in India. Seven teeth of mandibular left quadrant from 800 Orthopantomograms (Male:Female::372:428) of individuals aged 5–20 years were staged using Demirjian’s method and substituted by the Willems maturity scores to derive the age. The chronological and the predicted age of the individuals were correlated to derive the mean absolute error of age estimation in male, female and total. The mean absolute error of estimation of age in males, females, and total of Willems I and II techniques were 1.11, 1.04, 1.07, 1.15, 1.04 and 1.09 years respectively. The gender nonspecific scores predominantly underestimated the age. The Willems I technique showed an underestimation of age in females and over-estimation of age in males (p < 0.001). The present study validates Willems method of age estimation in Dakshina Kannada population, showing a low error rate of ∼1 year.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2020.1858588","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41452395","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 use of fungi in forensic science, a brief overview","authors":"M. C. Tranchida, S. Pelizza, L. Elíades","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2020.1869390","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2020.1869390","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Fungi are increasingly being used in criminal investigations as a source of data for crime scene and can be proposed as a forensic tool. There are very few forensic investigators trained in this discipline, which justifies the small amount of published data and most justice professionals are not aware of the contribution of fungi to these investigations. A wide variety of techniques derived from biology are used by forensic investigators to study the changes in the corpse and in the ground where the corpse decomposition occurs in order to solve a crime or find clandestine burials. We review the data available on the use of mycological evidence in criminal cases and as proofs before the justice. The first uses of fungi as evidence were restricted to cases associated with poisonous or psychotropic species. Currently, the objective of forensic mycology is to date the post-mortem and post-burial intervals using information from the fungal community found on the corpse surface or in the environment associated with a clandestine burial. The use of fungi as a forensic tool in different parts of the world has aroused the interest of forensic investigators, such as the members of the different Law Enforcements who deal with solving criminal cases.","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2021-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2020.1869390","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42695045","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":"Decomposition process and arthropod succession on pig carcasses in Quebec (Canada)","authors":"Julie-Éléonore Maisonhaute, S. Forbes","doi":"10.1080/00085030.2020.1820799","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00085030.2020.1820799","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Necrophagous arthropods are essential ecosystem decomposers and are important indicator species in the discipline of forensic entomology. Studies around the world have evaluated the succession of arthropods on animal carcasses, but no published data are available for the province of Quebec (Canada). The objective of this study was to evaluate the diversity of arthropods associated with pig carcasses in Quebec, and to determine the colonization sequence of the different families/species throughout the decomposition process. Three pig carcasses were deposited in a small woodland area in Trois-Rivières, in mid-June 2019. The decomposition process and the arthropod community were studied until the beginning of November (first snowfall) by visual observation, and sample collection on the carcasses, using an entomological net and pitfall traps. Five species of blow fly (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were found to lay eggs on the carcasses: Calliphora livida, C. vomitoria, Lucilia illustris, Phormia regina, and Protophormia terraenovae. Eggs/larvae of the first three species were recorded during the first week only (fresh stage-beginning of active decay), while the other two species were recorded throughout the decomposition process until the dry remains stage. Coleoptera were observed from day 0 to day 141 (end of experiment). Some families/species were associated with early stages of decomposition (e.g. Necrophila americana, Silphidae), while others were only found during the dry remains stage (e.g. Carnicops pumilio, Histeridae).","PeriodicalId":44383,"journal":{"name":"Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.4,"publicationDate":"2020-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/00085030.2020.1820799","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47295950","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}