Forensic Sciences Research最新文献

{"title":"Forensic efficiency evaluation of a novel 22-STR panel for kinship testing in Eastern Chinese Han population.","authors":"Man Chen, Fan Yang, Zhixiao Gao, Weifen Sun, Xufeng Chu, Hui Li, Lei Jiang, Xiling Liu","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf022","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Short tandem repeats have been essential and fundamental genetic markers used in forensic individual discrimination and paternity testing since their discovery, especially those used in the Combined DNA Index System. Nevertheless, in cases of complex kinship identification, such as full-sibling, half-sibling, and uncle-niece relationships, the combined application of additional short tandem repeat loci is necessary to reach reliable identification conclusions. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of an updated novel short tandem repeat genotyping system for kinship identification in the Eastern Chinese Han population. This 23-plex short tandem repeat system demonstrated strong discrimination power among individuals in the target population, with a combined power of discrimination and cumulative probability of exclusion of 1-2.107 1 × 10^-27 and 0.999 999 999 800, respectively. When 74 short tandem repeats were used and the threshold log₁₀(likelihood ratio) was set to 4, the system efficiency reached 0.999 9 and 0.707 3 for simulated full-sibling and half-sibling pairs, respectively. Furthermore, in two real secondary kinship identification cases, incorporation of the novel 23-plex short tandem repeat system increased the probabilities of the prior kinship hypotheses from 154.259 5 and 1 031.699 5 to 56 597.118 4 and 134 829.791 5, respectively, yielding reliable identification conclusions. Hence, it is evident that the novel 23-plex short tandem repeat system has notable potential as a tool for forensic kinship identification in the Eastern Chinese Han population and could serve as a complementary set of short tandem repeat loci for the identification of distant kinship.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 4","pages":"owaf022"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12809537/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146067581","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating the accuracy, reliability, and agreement of the İşcan and Hartnett age estimation methods on a contemporary European skeletal sample of fourth ribs.","authors":"Gian Luca Marella, Giulia Ceccobelli, Claudia Reitano, Alessandro Mauro Tavone, Raimondo Vella, Gabriele Giuga, Antonio Vinci, Fabio Ingravalle, Saverio Potenza, Massimo Maurici, Maria Cristina Martinez-Labarga","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf021","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluates the accuracy and reliability of the İşcan and Hartnett methods for estimating the age of adults based on rib analysis, using a sample of 127 pairs of ribs from a contemporary European population. The study employed a double-blind design with repeated measurements conducted by two observers. The İşcan method demonstrated a higher success rate, accurately assigning age in 62% of cases, compared to 38% for the Hartnett method. Both methods exhibited moderate intra- and interoperator agreement, as measured by Cohen's Kappa. A detailed statistical analysis, including logistic regression, revealed significant discrepancies in phase-assignment accuracy between the two methods. The İşcan method's success rate improved when prioritizing the highest observed phase, indicating potential for enhancing accuracy through strategic methodological adjustments. The findings underscore the importance of operator training and the need for consistent application of criteria. This research highlights the critical need for standardization in age estimation methods and suggests potential improvements for forensic and anthropological applications. The study contributes valuable insights into the strengths and limitations of widely used skeletal age estimation techniques, with implications for improving methodological consistency and accuracy in forensic investigations. <b>Key points</b>  Human age can be estimated through the study of the fourth rib in skeletal remains; the two most commonly used methods are those of İşcan and Hartnett.Both the İşcan and Hartnett methods showed moderate inter- and intraoperator agreement.The İşcan method exhibited significant overlap in age ranges, particularly in later phases, which can lead to underestimation of age.The findings emphasize the importance of extensive training for operators using these methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 4","pages":"owaf021"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12821366/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146067562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Systematic analysis of full-sibling identification by adding genetic markers and reference relatives.","authors":"Qianqian Kong, Shubo Wen, Zhenmin Zhao, Man Chen, Weijie Teng, Liqin Chen, Ran Li, Hongyu Sun, Xiling Liu","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf020","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Full-sibling (FS) identification is a crucial aspect of kinship analysis. However, current FS identification methods need to be more accurate and effective for routine FS identification. In this study, the optimal cut-off values for FS identification by incorporating both the identical by state (IBS) and likelihood ratio (LR) methods under four different levels of error rates were assessed. The corresponding sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and effectiveness were calculated for different numbers of short tandem repeats (STRs), ranging from 19 to 55. The identified cut-off values were validated using authentic pedigrees from the Han population in East China. It was determined that the cut-off values derived from the IBS method and LR method with an error rate below 0.01% were dependable and practical. The study also explored the impact of half-sibling relationships and the inclusion of reference relatives in FS identification. Currently, an updated technical specification for FS identification in China was released, serving as a valuable resource for FS testing in forensic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 3","pages":"owaf020"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12632192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145589418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The evaluation of latent fingerprints exposed to different snow conditions and their usability in forensics.","authors":"Michal Soták, Mária Chovancová Nee Kondeková, Petra Švábová Nee Uhrová, Radoslav Beňuš","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf019","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Second level dactyloscopic markants (minutiae) are irregularities in the course of the friction ridge skin used for personal identification because of their high variability. Individual uniqueness is affected by the high number of minutiae and their random distribution within the friction ridge skin. The combination of various environmental factors, e.g., snow, soil environment, and direct sunlight, can affect the quality of fingerprints. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of snow under two different conditions (natural snowfall and immersion in the snow) within various time intervals on fingerprints. A total of 265 groomed latent distal fingerprints were taken from a Caucasian male from Slovakia. Latent fingerprints were taken only from one participant, as the composition of sweat, i.e., the sweat-fat substance, varies from person to person, which could influence the results. Subsequently, obtained latent fingerprints were developed using small particle reagent. We evaluated the decrease in the number of minutiae on latent fingerprints exposed to the destructive influence of snow. The results confirmed that snow has a significant effect on the quality of latent fingerprints, as a decrease in the average number of minutiae on latent prints was observed after only 2 h of exposure to snow conditions. After snow exposure, usable fingerprints for identification decreased, whilst non-usable ones increased, with 53.33% of non-usable fingerprints resulting from natural snowfall exposure. After exposure of latent fingerprints to snow immersion, 98.13% of non-usable fingerprints were found. The results can help improving personal identification efficiency. <b>Key Points</b>  Fingerprints exposed to various environmental factors are recommended to be evaluated.Visual quality of latent prints decreases with the length of exposure to snow conditions.The average number of minutiae decreases significantly after the influence of snow conditions.Snowfall has a less negative influence on the average number of minutiae than forcible immersion.Latent fingerprints exposed to snowfall have better identification potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 4","pages":"owaf019"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12643014/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145606634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From desire to destruction: addiction, jealousy, and mental disorder in an Italian femicide case.","authors":"Cristiano Barbieri, Roberta Risola, Andrea De Leo, Anna Cassano, Ignazio Grattagliano, Kimberly Pagani, Maria Grazia Violante","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf018","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This contribution aims to analyse an Italian femicide case that progressed through three levels of trial up to the Supreme Court of Cassation and required an expert opinion. This analysis will address specific forensic psychiatry issues inherent to this field, i.e., the interaction between addiction, jealousy, and mental disorder in a femicide case, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding of both criminology and legal medicine. On one hand, the nosographic setup of the so-called dual diagnosis (in the case examined, there was alcohol addiction and a borderline personality disorder), together with conditions inherent to a personality disorder (in this specific case, at least a borderline state or actually marginal manifest disease) that integrated an infirmity with legal relevance. Both conditions were inserted in a relational context of dysfunctional and collusive characters in which the victim's personality caused her, at a victimological level, to become an active partner co-responsible for the criminal act. <b>Key points</b>  Forensic psychiatric analysis in a case of femicide.Nosographic difficulty in making dual diagnosis.Assessment of the perpetrator's mental capacity and of diminished responsibility.Personal predisposition of the victim as an active partner in the crime.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 3","pages":"owaf018"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12403057/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144993912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elder abuse-related rib fractures: performance of chest computed tomography in two case reports.","authors":"Zhilu Zhou, Peipei Zhuo, Jiemin Chen, Lei Wan, Xiaoying Yu, Maowen Wang, Dan Ran, Xiaoping Yang, Hongxia Hao, Wentao Xia, Qing Xia","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf011","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trauma in victims of abuse often exists in various ways, and the characters usually manifest as non-fatal injuries, repetitive occurrence, and the injured parts are relatively hidden. Forensic experts are optimally positioned to raise suspicion for abuse when comprehensively considering a forensic investigation, reviewing imaging, and other multiple factors of geriatric injury victims. However, few experts received formal or informal training in abuse identification. In this article, we discussed two cases of suspected victims of abuse with rib fractures and attempted to determine the location, timing, and directionality of these injuries to raise the index of suspicion for abuse. We present two cases to characterize the radiographic changes of rib fractures in various stages of healing and radiographic findings in elder abuse events. To improve the accuracy of the imaging diagnosis, we collected a series of computed tomography images of rib fractures and compared all computed tomography images of these two victims with these images. We found that the victims presented with repeated rib fractures and with different stages of healing. We strongly suspect these were abuse cases due to the radiographic findings and clinical recordings demonstrated by these cases. We aim to raise awareness of abuse in radiology and forensic medicine to help these victims and reduce such incidents.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 3","pages":"owaf011"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12302708/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144733788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Types and distribution of the friction ridge patterns on the ball area of the bare footprint.","authors":"Li Liu","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf015","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The comparison of footprints to establish positive identification of individuals is an accepted practice. Due to the poor clarity and limited quantity of friction ridge skin detail in the bare footprint at crime scenes, it can prove challenging and problematic to locate the part of the foot that made the print. The aim of the present study is to analyse the types and its distributions of patterns in the ball area of the footprint. The samples comprise 1 460 adults. Results show that loops, whorls, and arches have been found in the ball area of the footprint. In the inner zone, loops are 65.51% of all the patterns, in which vertical loop-down is the most common pattern. In the mid zone, 54.04% of the samples only have vertical loop-down as the single pattern, and 7.71% show multiple patterns, with particularly nine types of multiple patterns found. In the outer zone, patterns are very rare. Only 5.45% of the samples have horizontal loop-outer, and 0.27% of the samples are vertical loop-down. Different patterns in the ball area of the foot show different frequencies of appearance. The shapes of patterns are different in each area of the foot. The examination of the patterns in the bare footprint could be a possibility of locating a certain position of the origin foot.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 3","pages":"owaf015"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12536876/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145349052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"E-dentification, the use of teledentistry for remote personal forensic identification in forensic odontology: a Queensland experience.","authors":"Neil Evans, Alistair Soon, Alex Forrest, Matthew Meredith, Peter Harris","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf016","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Dental comparison is recognized by the International Criminal Police Organization as one of three primary forensic identification techniques that can provide conclusive findings. Queensland is a large Australian state with a centralized forensic odontology service located at Queensland Health's Coronial and Public Health Sciences (CPHS) in Brisbane, which sits in the state's South-Eastern corner. Almost half of the Queensland population is located outside of Brisbane, and the distance to regional centres can be very large. Transporting forensic dental personnel and their equipment to these regional centres to undertake identification and examination procedures can be both expensive and time-consuming, depriving CPHS of service for the period of absence. The acquisition of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) data locally in regional centres with remote access electronically from CPHS in Brisbane has the potential to alleviate these issues in many cases. Forensic radiographers at CPHS work with forensic odontologists to produce multi-planar reformat images from PMCT data, which simulate common dental radiographs such as orthopantomogram, bitewing, and periapical views. Additional images, such as three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the teeth and jaws, can also be produced and viewed from various angles. These multi-planar reformat and 3D images can be compared with antemortem (AM) radiographic images and dental records of a missing person sourced from public or private dental surgeries, public hospitals, or private radiology practices. Comparisons can be made not only with AM traditional dental radiographs but also with images and reconstructions produced from AM dental cone-beam computed tomography or medical computed tomography data. The authors term this remote dental identification \"e-dentification\". While e-dentification offers numerous advantages, there are several limitations to its use, including access to the necessary equipment, the consistent acquisition of high-resolution PMCT data, and artefacts, including those due to metal restorations, that may be present in computed tomography images. We present four cases to illustrate and discuss e-dentification.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 3","pages":"owaf016"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12356368/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144875855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of progress in violence risk assessment methods.","authors":"Xindi Ling, Haozhe Li, Wen Li, Shujian Wang, Qinting Zhang, Weixiong Cai","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf014","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Violence often occurs among patients with mental disorders. The risk of violence is assessed under the demand of psychiatric clinical treatment or forensic assessment. Corresponding therapeutic intervention strategies could be developed according to the outcome of the assessment. Currently, violence risk assessment methods are mainly divided into actuarial assessment and structured professional judgement. Scientific and objective assessment results support judicial decisions and risk management. However, all the assessment methods have certain shortcomings, and there is still room for improvement. This paper reviews several tools of violence risk assessment and their research progress, focusing on the main content of each tool and its applicability. The review aimed to provide a reference for the selection and application of violence risk assessment tools and optimization of violence risk assessment methods in the future. <b>Key points</b>  The violence risk assessment methods are widely used in psychiatric clinical treatment or forensic assessment, but all the methods have certain shortcomings.The review discussed main contents and research progress of several violence risk assessment tools in order to explore applicability of each tool.The review aimed to provide a reference for the selection and application of violence risk assessment tools and optimization of violence risk assessment methods in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 3","pages":"owaf014"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12396626/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144973632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic science or sciences? The recognition as an independent science and redefinition of expert practices based on transdisciplinary.","authors":"Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira","doi":"10.1093/fsr/owaf012","DOIUrl":"10.1093/fsr/owaf012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Forensic science explores scientific knowledge to clarify legal and legal issues. Since I started in this area of knowledge in mid-2007, my priority has been to create a centre of reference and excellence that would advance forensic science, an area sometimes based on self-taught practices. Along this pathway, I always considered that we were dealing with an articulated set of \"Forensic Sciences\" and not with a single \"Forensic Science\", but I was, at least partially, wrong! This work discusses the competencies of the different forensic subspecialties, seeking to be the starting point for reformulating forensic teaching, research, and public and private forensic activity. It also highlights the concern of offering a certain level of professionalization to forensic science. For this reflection, it was important to follow a path that had its foundations in the study of the historical roots of forensic science, namely the first Portuguese forensic case, to study the revolutionary scientific contribution triggered by the \"CSI effect\", to understand in depth the competencies of each of the forensic subspecialties and bring this knowledge to specialized pre- and postgraduate training, to promote innovation through peer review of empirical forensic practices to increase the scientific evidence, the development of certification mechanisms for forensic experts and their respective code of ethics, and to open the doors for artificial intelligence to assist the courts and the opportunity that forensic science represents in the development of other areas of health sciences, life, and social behaviour. Thus, it was born, very unconsciously, a scientific project for the transdisciplinary reformulation of forensic activity, but over time, it allowed me to realize that we can have specialists trained in all its dimensions and plenitude. The pillars for the modernization of this science and, ultimately, the law, which, together with education and health, are the three main pillars of society. Not punishing innocent people, leaving criminals unharmed through scientific evidence, seeking justice, and repairing the damage is the supreme spirit of Forensic Science. Our One Forensics model is now being considered to be implemented by other countries.</p>","PeriodicalId":45852,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Sciences Research","volume":"10 3","pages":"owaf012"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12499758/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145245396","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}