Science & Justice最新文献

{"title":"IRMS based evidence passes the test","authors":"Sean Doyle,&nbsp;Thuan Chau,&nbsp;John Howa","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>At the two latest FIRMS (The Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry Network Ltd) conferences, presentations were made describing the status of IRMS based evidence in criminal proceedings [S. Doyle, T. Chau and J. Howa, IRMS based evidence passes the ‘test’ (aided by FIRMS) – an important milestone, in: <em>8th FIRMS Conference</em>, 2022; J. Ehleringer, J. Howa and T. Chau, Stable isotope evidence in the U.S. courts, in: <em>7th FIRMS Conference</em>, 2019].</p><p>One of those cases was of particular significance in that it established the admissibility of IRMS (isotope ratio mass spectrometry) based expert testimony having satisfied the US Federal Rule of Evidence (FRE)702 ‘Testimony by Expert Witnesses’ in the State of Colorado. While specific to the State of Colorado and the particulars of the case, the admissibility of IRMS based evidence in other cases might be supported by such a ruling.</p><p>This paper provides the detail of the process by which IRMS based evidence was found to be admissible and in so doing also provides practical guidance on how to satisfy FRE 702 and meet a Daubert challenge. It also highlights the role of approval by the FIRMS Network of both practitioners and their methods in support of admissibility [The FIRMS Network Ltd., FIRMS Approved Practitioners, [Online]. Available: <span>https://www.forensic-isotopes.org/fafp.html</span><svg><path></path></svg> [Accessed 11 May 2023].].</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91960104","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oxygen isotope variation in drinking water in Oaxaca, Mexico and its implications for forensic provenancing efforts","authors":"Taylor Lambrigger","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Forensic anthropologists have used oxygen isotopic analyses (<em>δ</em>¹⁸O) in recent decades because of its ability to help estimate probable regions of origin of unidentified individuals based on isotopic composition of bodily tissues. Prior research has found that drinking water is geographically patterned and that tap water is often representative of drinking water in assessing these links between human tissues and geography. Researchers have begun applying the method in a variety of global contexts. This research critically assesses the assumption that tap water is isotopically representative of drinking water in Oaxaca, Mexico. Drinking water samples from Oaxaca were analyzed and compared with predicted <em>δ</em>¹⁸O values from a previously constructed tap water isoscape of Mexico. Hair samples from Oaxaca were also analyzed to compare against various water sources. Tap water <em>δ</em>¹⁸O values do not reliably reflect drinking water <em>δ</em>¹⁸O in sampled regions of Oaxaca, Mexico. Further, the models relating hair keratin to drinking water, built on this assumption, fail to hold predictive power. With an incomplete understanding of tap water’s ability to represent drinking water isotopically, researchers need to study the role of other key factors in <em>δ</em>¹⁸O values. If the individual’s being identified with <em>δ</em>¹⁸O are from non-Western communities, forensic practitioners run the risk of incorrectly predicting region of origin because of the method’s assumptions. Recognizing the varying sociocultural realities of the communities forensic practitioners seek to aid is paramount as we grow and develop our methods moving forward.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623001028/pdfft?md5=9c3fd4c7e3bd174ea35894c0ce38c1ba&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030623001028-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"92046744","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 laboratory perspective: Confirming the integrity of fingermark enhancement reagents","authors":"Roberto S.P. King,&nbsp;Beth McNash,&nbsp;Richard Wilson","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.11.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Validation is particularly important in forensic science. Each process utilised by a forensic laboratory will undergo validation to ensure it is functioning as expected. Some pieces of equipment (hardware) will be simple to validate, and this will be conducted regularly. However, many commonly employed fingermark enhancement reagents, such as ninhydrin and 1,2-Indandione, do not have clearly defined and robust validation parameters. To that end, artificial fingermark solutions, particularly amino acid solutions, have previously been investigated as a controlled validation method, <em>via</em> deposition onto a substrate. Whilst amino acid reagents are important, there is also a wider group of latent fingermark constituents (targets) that require the use of other enhancement reagents within the forensic laboratory. The work presented herein seeks to expand on the concept of amino acid printing, by exploring the possibilities of depositing a sebaceous solution matrix, thereby facilitating the testing of reagents such as Oil-Red-O and Physical Developer. In addition, we present a method that extends capabilities beyond fingermark enhancement reagents for porous substrates, by developing a methodology that enables process validation of the cyanoacrylate fuming technique to be easily facilitated. These simple and effective solutions have the capacity to serve as a crucial process validation check within the laboratory validation workflow.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134657398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An assessment of a non-destructive magneto-optical imaging technique for the recovery of laser engraved marks from steel plates and firearm components","authors":"Bailey Henwood ,&nbsp;Aimée Helliker ,&nbsp;Rachael Hazael ,&nbsp;Katherine Hewins","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The International Tracing Instrument (ITI) is a document adopted by United Nations Member States in 2005, which outlines challenges faced in the tracing of illicit weapons and offers suggestions to increase the success of tracing operations. A key provision of the ITI states that serial numbers must be recoverable if obliterated. This research, therefore, investigates two methods of recovering laser engraved marks on steel, due to the increase in firearms manufacturing relying on lasers to apply critical markings. This work uses 20 steel plates (CR4 grade), 6 AK-pattern rifle top covers, and a steel pistol slide to investigate the potential for visualising laser engraved marks. All samples had marks applied using a BWM-30F Fibre laser marking machine, in addition to any original manufacture’s stamped marks on the pistol. All marks were removed using a grinding belt (plates) and a Dremel® rotary tool (slide and top covers) to average depths of 1200 µm (stamped) and 240 µm (laser engraved). Recovery of the marks was attempted using two techniques to compare the two techniques in their ability to recover laser engraved marks; Regula Forensics® Eddy Current Recovery kit, followed by traditional Fry’s reagent. Both recovery techniques recovered 100 % (n = 6) of the stamped characters on the pistol slide, and 0 % (n = 509) of the laser engraved characters on the pistol, top covers and steel plates. Recommendations are made for forensic firearms examiners to avoid attempting the recovery of laser engraved marks using Fry’s reagent to preserve the integrity of evidence. It is also suggested that manufacturers avoid laser engraving unique identifying marks on firearms, and to use more permanent methods, such as stamping, to remain compliant with politically binding documents such as the ITI.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50198568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Partial validation of multiplexed real-time quantitative PCR assays for forensic body fluid identification","authors":"Courtney Lynch ,&nbsp;Rachel Fleming","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Confirmatory body fluid identification using messenger RNA (mRNA) is a well-established technique to address issues encountered with conventional testing – such as poor sensitivity, specificity, and a lack of available tests for all body fluids of interest. For over a decade, endpoint reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays have been used in forensic casework for such purposes. However, in comparison with real-time quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR), endpoint RT-PCR has lower sensitivity, precision, and linear dynamic range.</p><p>This research details the multiplexing and partial validation of confirmatory RT-qPCR assays. We have previously described novel assays for a range of body fluid targets and identified an optimal commercial kit for their amplification. Here, multiplexing was undertaken to form three assays: circulatory blood (<em>SLC4A1</em>) and menstrual fluid (<em>STC1</em>), saliva (<em>HTN3</em>) and vaginal material (<em>CYP2B7P</em>), and spermatozoa (<em>PRM1</em>) and seminal fluid (<em>KLK2</em>), all including a synthetic internal control RNA.</p><p>Partial validation of the multiplexed assays incorporated the MIQE guidelines, ISO requirements, and SWGDAM guidelines. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, each marker was significantly different from an uninformative assay and optimal cut-offs were all above 35 cycles. All assays showed a wide LDR (ranging from 3 to 5 logs with most R² &gt; 0.99), and high precision (most mean CV &lt; 1 %). <em>STC1</em> showed some instances of sporadic expression in blood, semen, and vaginal material at high C_T values. <em>CYP2B7P</em> showed off-target expression in semen and blood. The sensitivities were approximated as; saliva: 1 in 1,000 dilution of a whole buccal swab, circulatory blood: 0.01–0.1 µL blood, menstrual fluid: 1 in 10,000 dilution of a whole menstrual swab, spermatozoa: 0.001 µL semen, seminal fluid: 0.01 µL semen, and vaginal material: 1 in 1,000 dilution of a whole vaginal swab.</p><p>A total of 16 mock body fluid extract mixtures and 18 swab mixtures were tested and had 100% and 99% detection of target markers below each specific cut-off, respectively. Some mixtures containing high volumes of blood and semen showed off-target <em>CYP2B7P</em> expression. The successful application of a probabilistic model to the RT-qPCR data was also demonstrated. Further work will involve full developmental validation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50199170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"BITACORA: An isotopic database of modern human tissues (keratin, teeth) for Argentina","authors":"Luciano O. Valenzuela ,&nbsp;Felipe Otero ,&nbsp;Luciano L. Loupias ,&nbsp;Marien Béguelin ,&nbsp;Rocío García Mancuso","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>As a consequence of the recent history of Argentina related to crimes against humanity, the country has positioned itself as a leader on Forensic Anthropology in human rights contexts. To some extent it can even be argued that Forensic Genetics for human identification had its origins in human rights work in the early 1980s in Argentina. However, there are still hundreds of unidentified human remains recovered from the dictatorial regimes’ crimes. Additionally, every year there are dozens of unidentified deceased buried in public cemeteries. Thus, there is an urgent need to adopt new techniques that could increase the biological profile of a person, and therefore increase the chances of positive identifications. One of such initiatives is the development of isotopic databases and models that can provide information on the population and region of origin of unidentified victims. We present the development of an isotopic database of modern human tissues named BITACORA (from its name in Spanish: <em>Base de Información Isotópica de Tejidos Actuales Como Referencia Argentina</em>). BITACORA holds isotopic data (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and δ³⁴S values) from teeth (enamel and dentine) and keratin tissues (scalp hair, beard and fingernails) obtained from volunteers of known origin, as well as individual information of the donors (age, gender, biometrics, dietary preferences, and relocation history). BITACORA is associated with a tap water isotope database. Currently, we have 345 keratin, 273 teeth and 287 tap water samples gathered from across the country. We present preliminary analyses on the geographic distribution of these isotopic markers, and provide an overall discussion of the current status and future development of the databases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50198567","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Environmental scanning of cocaine trafficking in Brazil: Evidence from geospatial intelligence and natural language processing methods","authors":"Jairo Jesús Pinto Hidalgo ,&nbsp;Jorge Antonio Silva Centeno","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.09.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cocaine trafficking threatens countries' national security and is a major public health challenge. Cocaine is transported from producer countries to consumer markets using various routes, methods, and transportation means. These routes develop in the geographical environment, are carefully planned and are geo-strategic objects that respond to the opportunities that drug trafficking organisations (DTOs) find to reduce the risks of interdiction. In this sense, individual drug seizure data (IDS) become essential indicators for identifying trends and understanding trafficking flows associated with drug trafficking routes. However, due to the illicit nature of DTOs, the availability of these data is considerably limited, hindering the ability to analyse and identify trends. This study presents a methodology for collecting and processing data from open-source information reported by Brazil's federal government news website. Using geospatial intelligence and natural language processing methods, we created a dataset with 939 records and 44 variables related to cocaine seizures in Brazil in 2022. We applied geospatial analysis techniques from this dataset to identify trends and potential cocaine trafficking flows. The results were broadly consistent with existing literature on drug trafficking. They demonstrated the potential of open-source information for environmental scanning and knowledge generation through geographic information science. The approach proposed in our research provides tools that can be used to complement drug trafficking monitoring and formulate public policies to strengthen prevention and enforcement strategies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50198565","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public/family concerns for providing DNA in missing persons cases: Paper 2: The main concerns raised and implications for policing policy","authors":"Kate Russell ,&nbsp;Sally F. Kelty ,&nbsp;Nathan Scudder","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.09.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Identification of unidentified human remains, and long-term missing persons (LTMP) is imperative, allowing for missing persons to be reunited with their families, which could provide closure to families experiencing ongoing ambiguity surrounding the situation. However, identification remains problematic for several reasons, including the absence of DNA provision in the investigation. The research reported here is the second in a two-part series exploring public/family support for providing DNA in LTMP cases. In the first study, quantitative results showed that participants had concerns when asked if they thought there would be implications for a person providing DNA to police in LTMP cases. The aim of this second study was to explore further using qualitative methods the nuances and themes underpinning concerns for providing DNA in LTMP cases. Participants described their concerns about providing DNA in four hypothetical LTMP case scenarios (a child, an adult with dementia, a runaway 19-year-old adolescent, and an estranged adult). Through thematic content analysis, ten themes were identified. Nine themes run across all four LTMP case scenarios. The tenth theme was only observed in two scenarios; cases involving adolescents with a history of runaway, and in cases involving adults estranged from their family. Results showed public concerns differed according to LTMP case circumstances. Key findings point to public education about how DNA is used in LTMP investigations, the applicable legislation relating to police use of DNA in investigations and increasing public awareness around the benefits of DNA use in LTMP investigations. Potentional policy options are discussed that could guide the future development of nuanced police practice in different types of LTMP cases.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50198569","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enzyme activity, DNA degradation and drying times of semen, saliva and vaginal material","authors":"Jonathan Finnis ,&nbsp;Charlotte Murphy ,&nbsp;Geraldine Davidson ,&nbsp;Karen Alexander ,&nbsp;Jennie Lewis ,&nbsp;Maggie Boyce ,&nbsp;Finlay Kennedy ,&nbsp;David Casey ,&nbsp;Nicola Clayson ,&nbsp;Isla Fraser ,&nbsp;Charlotte Hargreaves ,&nbsp;Nighean Stevenson ,&nbsp;Sharon Doole ,&nbsp;Carol Rogers","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.09.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The stability of enzyme activity and the amount of detectable DNA within liquid samples of semen, saliva and vaginal material were tested across a number of days. The concentration of DNA within neat semen and saliva samples fell significantly after one week of refrigeration. No apparent change in acid phosphatase or amylase enzyme activity was observed in neat semen and saliva samples over 96 or 72 h respectively. Changes in the enzyme activity of most of the dilute semen and saliva samples, as well as the neat vaginal material sample, were noted after 24 h. The drying times and sizes of stains produced from various volumes of neat semen, saliva and vaginal material were tested on porous and non-porous surfaces at room temperature. Larger volumes of body fluid took longer to dry and generally resulted in larger stains. Body fluids on a non-porous surface took longer to dry than on the porous surface tested.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"50198566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From clean spaces to crime scenes: Exploring trace DNA recovery from titania-coated self-cleaning substrates","authors":"Dan Nana Osei Bonsu ,&nbsp;Denice Higgins ,&nbsp;Jeremy J. Austin","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.07.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.07.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Titanium dioxide (titania, TiO₂) is frequently used as a coating for a variety of self-cleaning products, such as antifogging vehicle mirrors, ceramic tiles, and glass windows because of its distinct physiochemical features. When exposed to light TiO₂ causes photocatalytic decomposition of organic contaminants, potentially compromising DNA integrity. The impact of TiO₂-coated commercial glasses, Bioclean® and SaniTise™, on trace DNA persistence, recovery, and profiling was investigated. DNA in saliva and touch samples deposited on self-cleaning glass slides exposed to indoor fluorescent light for up to seven days was more degraded than control samples indicating some degree of fluorescent light-induced photocatalytic activity of the self-cleaning surfaces. When exposed to sunlight, DNA yields from saliva and touch samples deposited on the titania-coated substrates decreased rapidly, with a corresponding increase in DNA degradation. After three days no DNA samples applied to self-cleaning glass and exposed to natural sunlight yielded STR profiles. These results suggest that the photocatalytic activation of TiO₂ is the likely mechanism of action underlying the extreme DNA degradation on the Bioclean® and SaniTise™ glasses. Consequently, rapid sample collection and use may be warranted in casework scenarios involving TiO₂-coated materials.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10654872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}