Science & JusticePub Date : 2024-07-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.003
Matthew Lewis , Katie Lainé , Louise Dawnay , David Lamont , Kirstie Scott , Stefano Mariani , Bernd Hӓnfling , Nick Dawnay
{"title":"The forensic potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) in freshwater wildlife crime investigations: From research to application","authors":"Matthew Lewis , Katie Lainé , Louise Dawnay , David Lamont , Kirstie Scott , Stefano Mariani , Bernd Hӓnfling , Nick Dawnay","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Environmental DNA (eDNA) is widely used in biodiversity, conservation, and ecological studies but despite its successes, similar approaches have not yet been regularly applied to assist in wildlife crime investigations. The purpose of this paper is to review current eDNA methods and assess their potential forensic application in freshwater environments considering collection, transport and persistence, analysis, and interpretation, while identifying additional research required to present eDNA evidence in court. An extensive review of the literature suggests that commonly used collection methods can be easily adapted for forensic frameworks providing they address the appropriate investigative questions and take into consideration the uniqueness of the target species, its habitat, and the requirements of the end user. The use of eDNA methods to inform conservationists, monitor biodiversity and impacts of climate change, and detect invasive species and pathogens shows confidence within the scientific community, making the acceptance of these methods by the criminal justice system highly possible. To contextualise the potential application of eDNA on forensic investigations, two test cases are explored involving i) species detection and ii) species localisation. Recommendations for future work within the forensic eDNA discipline include development of suitable standardised collection methods, considered collection strategies, forensically validated assays and publication of procedures and empirical research studies to support implementation within the legal system.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030624000534/pdfft?md5=38a9086159272abef151f7ec9d0b03d9&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030624000534-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141487064","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}
Science & JusticePub Date : 2024-07-01DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.002
Petra Urbanova , Tomas Goldmann , Dominik Cerny , Martin Drahansky
{"title":"Head poses and grimaces: Challenges for automated face identification algorithms?","authors":"Petra Urbanova , Tomas Goldmann , Dominik Cerny , Martin Drahansky","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In today’s biometric and commercial settings, state-of-the-art image processing relies solely on artificial intelligence and machine learning which provides a high level of accuracy. However, these principles are deeply rooted in abstract, complex “black-box systems”. When applied to forensic image identification, concerns about transparency and accountability emerge. This study explores the impact of two challenging factors in automated facial identification: facial expressions and head poses. The sample comprised 3D faces with nine prototype expressions, collected from 41 participants (13 males, 28 females) of European descent aged 19.96 to 50.89 years. Pre-processing involved converting 3D models to 2D color images (256 × 256 px). Probes included a set of 9 images per individual with head poses varying by 5° in both left-to-right (yaw) and up-and-down (pitch) directions for neutral expressions. A second set of 3,610 images per individual covered viewpoints in 5° increments from −45° to 45° for head movements and different facial expressions, forming the targets. Pair-wise comparisons using ArcFace, a state-of-the-art face identification algorithm yielded 54,615,690 dissimilarity scores. Results indicate that minor head deviations in probes have minimal impact. However, the performance diminished as targets deviated from the frontal position. Right-to-left movements were less influential than up and down, with downward pitch showing less impact than upward movements. The lowest accuracy was for upward pitch at 45°. Dissimilarity scores were consistently higher for males than for females across all studied factors. The performance particularly diverged in upward movements, starting at 15°. Among tested facial expressions, happiness and contempt performed best, while disgust exhibited the lowest AUC values.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141487066","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}
Science & JusticePub Date : 2024-06-25DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.005
Lili Saskőy , Luke Taylor , Brian Rooney , Gavin Trotter
{"title":"Back to the future: Retrograde alcohol calculations an uncertain science","authors":"Lili Saskőy , Luke Taylor , Brian Rooney , Gavin Trotter","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.06.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Retrograde extrapolations, known as back calculations are widely used in forensic toxicology to estimate the blood alcohol concentration of an individual at some prior time. In the UK guidelines have been issued by the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists) and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science. However, these guidelines are not fully agreed and open to<!--> <!-->interpretation. Alcohol elimination rates have been discussed in numerous publications since Widmark’s original data was published. The current guidance from UKIAFT, is to report the most likely back calculated result together with a range of results based on the 95% confidence limit elimination rates (9 to 29 mg/100 mL/hour).<!--> <!-->The Divisional Court, upheld by the House of Lords, ruled that in order to convict someone for being over the prescribed limit on the basis of any back calculation, the case must be proven beyond reasonable doubt. A 99.73% confidence interval increased to 3 standard deviations at the lower end would provide a greater factual basis for the court and cover a<!--> <!-->larger proportion of the population, this can be achieved by increasing the elimination range to 8 to 29 mg/100 mL/hour. Retrograde extrapolations also rely on the subject being post absorptive at the prior time. In the UK, back calculations are valid<!--> <!-->if the subject has not eaten or consumed alcohol within<!--> <!-->one<!--> <!-->hour of<!--> <!-->the back calculation time. Where the subject has eaten<!--> <!-->prior to the back calculation, experts are instructed to consider whether the back calculation is applicable. In Germany and the United States back calculations are not permitted to a time within 2 h after last drink consumed. The 2 h limit would better meet the highest standard of ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ burden of proof, and should be used. These proposed changes would decrease the uncertainty associated with retrograde calculations carried out by UK toxicologists.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030624000558/pdfft?md5=835ae81c830775dbcdf379cc4a188221&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030624000558-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141582354","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}
Science & JusticePub Date : 2024-05-23DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.003
Vivek Sahajpal , Deepika Bhandari
{"title":"DNA profiling in India: Addressing issues of sample preservation, databasing, marker selection, & statistical approaches","authors":"Vivek Sahajpal , Deepika Bhandari","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>DNA technology is the gold standard with respect to the identification of individuals from biological evidence. The technology offers the convenience of a universally similar approach and methodology for analysis across the globe. However, the technology has not realised its full potential in India due to the lack of a DNA database and lacunae in sample collection and preservation from the scene of crime and victims (especially those of sexual assault). Further, statistical interpretation of DNA results is non-existent in the majority of cases. Though the latest technologies and developments in the field of DNA analysis are being adopted and implemented,<!--> <!-->very little has been enacted practically to improve optimise sample collection and preservation. This article discusses current casework scenarios that highlight the pitfalls and ambiguous areas in the field of DNA analysis, especially with respect DNA databases, sampling, and<!--> <!-->statistical approaches to genetic data analysis. Possible solutions and mitigation measures are suggested.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141134263","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}
Science & JusticePub Date : 2024-05-13DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.04.008
Linju Lawrence , R. Shreelekshmi
{"title":"Edwards curve digital signature algorithm for video integrity verification on blockchain framework","authors":"Linju Lawrence , R. Shreelekshmi","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.04.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.04.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Within the field of forensic science, video integrity is an essential component that ensures the validity and dependability of visual evidence that is essential for court cases. Maintaining the integrity of justice in a time when digital modification tools are easily accessible requires making sure that video recordings are unaltered. Video footage is carefully inspected by forensic analysts who use advanced tools to look for indications of manipulation or change. This paper presents a novel, lightweight approach for verifying the integrity of video data. The proposed method utilizes the blockchain and the Edwards Curve Digital Signature Algorithm, coupled with the BLAKE2b hash function. Signatures are generated for video clips with a predetermined size called video segments and stored in blocks chronologically. The signature of the previous block is stored in the current block to add another layer of security. At the time of validation, these signatures are verified. Experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods in both speed and security. Our method is capable of identifying any type of forgery on any video file, by anyone, at any given moment, with insignificant additional storage requirements. Furthermore, our security analysis shows that our method is resilient against various types of attacks, including collision attacks, key substitution attacks, side-channel attacks, and chosen message attacks. The proposed lightweight video integrity verification method is better suited for use in resource constrained devices.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140951940","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}
Science & JusticePub Date : 2024-05-11DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.002
Ning He , Hongxia Hao
{"title":"Contextual bias by Forensic Document Examination trainees: An empirical study from China","authors":"Ning He , Hongxia Hao","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The impact of contextual bias has been repeatedly demonstrated across forensic domains; however, research on this topic in China is scarce. To examine the prevalence of contextual bias in pattern feature-comparison disciplines, we conducted an experiment involving 24 forensic document examination students. The aim was to determine whether knowledge of different contextual information influenced their forensic decision-making. Participants were divided into different context groups and tasked with examining whether questioned signatures with ambiguous features matched reference signatures. The results of independent-samples <em>t</em>-tests for their decision score data in the two context groups exhibited a statistically significant difference (<em>p</em> < 0.05, Cohen’s <em>d</em> > 0.8). Moreover, the submitted forensic reports by participants disclosed a biased evaluation of handwriting features. These findings show how contextual information can bias forensic decision-making in handwriting examination. Context management with complementary strategies such as case triage, cognitive training and decision-making transparency must be implemented to minimize bias in handwriting examination.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140951941","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}
Science & JusticePub Date : 2024-05-11DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.001
Gengwang Hu , Yanan Zhang , Liangliang Li , Yinghui Wang , Yi Guo , Shipeng Shao , Yundi Gao , Ruonan Zhang , Yu Wang , Luyang Tao
{"title":"New developmental data for Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) from the Yangtze River Delta region of China under different constant temperatures","authors":"Gengwang Hu , Yanan Zhang , Liangliang Li , Yinghui Wang , Yi Guo , Shipeng Shao , Yundi Gao , Ruonan Zhang , Yu Wang , Luyang Tao","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.05.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Necrophagous beetles are sometimes used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (PMI<sub>min</sub>) in the decay and remains stages of a corpse. Among these, the Dermestidae is one of the most common groups used and therefore has important research and application value. In this study, the developmental events of <em>Dermestes maculatus</em> de Geer, 1774, were recorded at six constant temperatures, and isomorphen diagrams were established. The thermobiological parameters were estimated using linear and non-linear models, and morphological indicators such as larval body length were measured. The results showed that the developmental duration of the whole immature stage decreased from 66.13 ± 8.58 days at 19 °C to 21.9 ± 2.01 days at 34 °C. The survival rate of the immature stages, especially the egg stage, varies greatly with temperature, with the lowest survival observed at 34 °C and the highest at 22 °C. The lower developmental threshold, the intrinsic optimum temperature, and the upper lethal developmental threshold obtained by the curvilinear Optim SSI models were 15.28 °C, 28.36 °C, and 34.03 °C, respectively. The body length, head capsule width, and pronotum width showed obvious growth patterns with larval developmental duration, which were characterized by equations and isomegalen diagrams. This study provides important basic data for the application of <em>D. maculatus</em> to estimate the PMI<sub>min</sub> in forensic entomology in the Yangtze River Delta region of China.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-05-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141055408","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}