Science & Justice最新文献

{"title":"BM2: Council Information","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1355-0306(23)00142-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/S1355-0306(23)00142-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623001429/pdfft?md5=7ee228ccdf80f4f9d5781c0281218d7c&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030623001429-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139109007","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":"Prelim 3: Contents","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/S1355-0306(23)00140-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/S1355-0306(23)00140-5","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623001405/pdfft?md5=c9f24eb6250a0f80bcd49a1690477662&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030623001405-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139109001","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":"Estimate of the random match frequency of acquired characteristics in footwear: Part II — Impressions in dust","authors":"Alyssa N. Smale,&nbsp;Jacqueline A. Speir","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.10.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><span>This study serves as Part II of an investigation into the random match frequency of randomly acquired characteristics (RAC-RMF) in footwear evidence. In Part I, RAC-RMF was estimated in a dataset of laboratory-simulated crime scene impressions deposited in blood. For Part II, a second dataset was created composed of impressions deposited in dust on paper or tile, with the latter lifted using gelatin or Mylar film. A total of 1,513 RACs were identified from more than 160 dust impressions and compared to RACs with positional similarity in test impressions from 1,299 non-mated outsoles. RACs of any size deposited in dust exhibited a 31% decrease in shoes with non-zero RAC-RMFs as compared to their mated test impressions, while those deposited in blood exhibited a 45% increase. When only considering shoes with at least one RAC deemed forensically-reliable (length </span><span><math><mrow><mo>⩾</mo></mrow></math></span> 2.8 mm), 3.1% of shoes contributing dust impressions and 3.4% of shoes contributing blood impressions exhibited relative RAC-RMFs at a value <span><math><mrow><mo>⩾</mo></mrow></math></span> 0.0008. Although each dataset resulted in a comparable rate for encountering non-zero RAC-RMFs, the estimate for dust was based on twice the number of RAC comparisons (154,477) than those performed when assessing blood (77,566). While these results are considered specific to the non-mated impressions and methods of analysis described herein, and continued work is required before rates can be fully understood and reported in forensic casework, this study encountered non-zero RAC-RMFs for shoes exhibiting at least one forensically-reliable RAC at a more frequent rate than any estimates previously reported.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136127772","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":"A proof-of-concept study: Determining the geographical origin of Brazilwood, (Paubrasilia echinata) with the use of strontium isotopic fingerprinting","authors":"Camilla Vasconcelos Kafino ,&nbsp;Isabela Moreno Cordeiro de Sousa ,&nbsp;Cristina Barazetti Barbieri ,&nbsp;Artur Moraes de Amorim ,&nbsp;Roberto Ventura Santos","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The illicit exploitation of Brazilwood (<em>Paubrasilia echinata</em>) presents a significant challenge in Brazil, given its substantial value in the global production of bows for musical instruments. To address timber provenance, the use of strontium (Sr) isotope ratios as indicators of bedrock signatures has emerged as a robust tool in forensic investigations. In this study, we critically evaluate the efficacy of this approach using Sr isotope data derived from bulk soils and trees collected at two distinct sites in Brazil. Despite the statistically indistinguishable ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios observed in the investigated tree species, the compiled ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotope ratios of Brazilwood from Brazilwood National Park (PNPB) and the ES Group provide valuable insights into the potential application of this method for tracing forensic timber seizures. This pilot study also addresses crucial sampling considerations.</p><p>While the regional signatures exhibit clear distinctions, the limited sample sizes underscore the necessity for supplementary methods to confidently attribute timber to a specific source forest. In isolation, this method proves most effective in refuting presumed timber provenances rather than definitively confirming them. The discussion delves into the nuances of the Sr isotope data, emphasizing the importance of increasing the number of samples and exploring complementary techniques for a more comprehensive and reliable assessment of timber origin.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139065221","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":"Evaluation of the effect of ozone disinfection on forensic identification of blood, saliva, and semen stains","authors":"Vivien Fejes ,&nbsp;Gábor Simon ,&nbsp;Lilla Makszin ,&nbsp;Katalin Sipos ,&nbsp;Viktor S. Poor","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Good laboratory practice minimizes the biological hazard posed by potentially infectious casework samples. In certain scenarios, when the casework sample is contaminated with highly contagious pathogens, additional safety procedures such as disinfection might be advised. It was previously proven that ozone gas treatment does not hamper STR analysis, but there is no data on how the disinfection affects other steps of the forensic analysis.</p><p>In this study, we aimed to assess the interference of ozone disinfection with forensic tests used to identify biological stains.</p><p>A dilution series of blood, saliva, and semen samples were pipetted onto cotton fabric and let completely dry. Half of the samples were subjected to ozone treatment, while the rest served as controls. All the samples were tested with specific lateral flow immunochromatographic assays and for specific RNA markers with quantitative real-time PCR. Additionally, luminol test was carried out on blood spots, Phadebas® Amylase Test on saliva stains, and semen stains were examined with STK Lab kit and light microscope following Christmas Tree or Hematoxylin-Eosin staining.</p><p>Ozone treatment had no detrimental effect on the microscopic identification of sperm cells. Undiluted blood samples were detected with luminol and immunoassay, but at higher dilution, the sensitivity of the test decreased after disinfection. The same decrease in sensitivity was observed in the detection of semen stains using STK Lab kit from STK® Sperm Tracker, and in the case of the immunoassay specific for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Ozone treatment almost completely inhibited the enzymatic activity of amylase. The sensitivity of antibody-based detection of amylase was also greatly reduced. RNA markers showed degradation but remained detectable in blood and semen samples after incubation in the presence of ozone. In saliva, the higher Ct values of the mRNA markers were close to the detection limit, even before ozone treatment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-12-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623001338/pdfft?md5=c007eec913af3ef2d2a976daf2286168&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030623001338-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138991804","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 anthropologists and estimates of skeletal completeness: The impacts of training and experience","authors":"A. Palmiotto ,&nbsp;A.P. Winburn ,&nbsp;C. Pink ,&nbsp;C.A. Brown ,&nbsp;C.B. LeGarde","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Forensic anthropologists engage with numerous and diverse stakeholders in their casework. Regarding the recovery of human remains, these stakeholders may be interested in quantifying or qualifying the amount of remains recovered. How forensic anthropologists respond to such questions, whether verbally or in written reporting, has the potential to impact the trajectory of a case. However, communications about skeletal completeness are rarely discussed within the field. Current data-collection procedures recommend the use of inventories. This approach may be less feasible for complicated assemblages involving commingling or high degrees of fragmentation. Numerous methods exist to quantify the amount of skeletal remains present in complex or larger assemblages, but it remains unclear to what extent forensic anthropologists utilize these methods and whether factors like degree of expertise influence analysts’ ability to report skeletal completeness consistently and precisely.</p><p>A study was designed to examine differences between public and professional perceptions of skeletal completeness, presenting images of incomplete bones and skeletal remains. Survey participants were asked to assess the completeness of the remains in each image. Few patterns were observed regarding photographs<span> of skeletal assemblages, but distinct differences were observed among individual bones between respondents with different degrees of expertise. These responses reflect potentially unexamined assumptions underlying assessments of incomplete bones and skeletal assemblages. This highlights the necessity of standardizing how we report estimates of completeness within the forensic anthropology community and how we discuss these results with external stakeholders. Completeness estimates must be either removed from reports and bench notes or annotated and cited clearly, as is standard with other aspects of forensic anthropological analysis. Several methods are summarized, with recommendations for integrating them into casework.</span></p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138820053","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":"Evaluation of indirect transfer mechanisms of semen under varying test conditions","authors":"Jonathan Finnis ,&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 Murphy ,&nbsp;Charlotte Hargreaves ,&nbsp;Nighean Stevenson ,&nbsp;Sharon Doole ,&nbsp;Carol Rogers","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>There is limited data available on the subject of indirect transfer of non-visible body fluids, particularly semen, and often forensic science practitioner experience alone must be used to guide expectations. It can be difficult to assess the likelihood of proposed transfer scenarios without knowledge of how different variables can affect a transfer. The following work carried out by the Association of Forensic Service Providers UK and Ireland Body Fluid Forum explores how the features of transferred semen change with differences in the primary and secondary surface (porous and non– porous), different contact types (passive, pressure and pressure+) and with wet and dry primary stains. It was concluded that the primary surface type and whether the stain was wet or dry when contact occurred had the most significant effect on the transfer of semen, with wet transfers and transfers from the tested non-porous surface producing significantly more, and larger, visible stains under white light, stains with stronger fluorescence as viewed using Crime-lite® ML2, stains with stronger and faster acid phosphatase reactions and greater numbers of spermatozoa viewed using high power microscopy, compared to dry transfers and transfers from the tested porous surface. Pressure with movement transfers resulted in significantly more visible stains under white light and greater numbers of spermatozoa viewed using high power microscopy compared to passive transfers, however this only occurred when transfers were from a porous primary surface. The secondary surface type was not found to have a significant effect on the numbers of spermatozoa viewed using high power microscopy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138580627","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":"Alterations in microbiome of COVID-19 patients and its impact on forensic investigations","authors":"Tahir ul Gani Mir ,&nbsp;Sakshi Manhas ,&nbsp;Atif Khurshid Wani ,&nbsp;Nahid Akhtar ,&nbsp;Saurabh Shukla ,&nbsp;Ajit Prakash","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The human microbiome is vital for maintaining human health and has garnered substantial attention in recent years, particularly in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Studies have underscored significant alterations in the microbiome of COVID-19 patients across various body niches, including the gut, respiratory tract, oral cavity, skin, and vagina. These changes manifest as shifts in microbiota composition, characterized by an increase in opportunistic pathogens and a decrease in beneficial commensal bacteria. Such microbiome transformations may play a pivotal role in influencing the course and severity of COVID-19, potentially contributing to the inflammatory response. This ongoing relationship between COVID-19 and the human microbiome serves as a compelling subject of research, underscoring the necessity for further investigations into the underlying mechanisms and their implications for patient health. Additionally, these alterations in the microbiome may have significant ramifications for forensic investigations, given the microbiome's potential in establishing individual characteristics. Consequently, changes in the microbiome could introduce a level of complexity into forensic determinations. As research progresses, a more profound understanding of the human microbiome within the context of COVID-19 may offer valuable insights into disease prevention, treatment strategies, and its potential applications in forensic science. Consequently, this paper aims to provide an overarching review of microbiome alterations due to COVID-19 and the associated impact on forensic applications, bridging the gap between the altered microbiome of COVID-19 patients and the challenges forensic investigations may encounter when analyzing this microbiome as a forensic biomarker.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138716256","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":"CSI-CSI: Comparing several investigative approaches toward crime scene improvement","authors":"Anna S. Knes ,&nbsp;Madeleine de Gruijter ,&nbsp;Matthijs C. Zuidberg ,&nbsp;Christianne J. de Poot","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.11.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.11.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Crime scene investigations are highly complex environments that require the CSI to engage in complex decision-making. CSIs must rely on personal experience, context information, and scientific knowledge about the fundamental principles of forensic science to both find and correctly interpret ambiguous traces and accurately reconstruct a scene. Differences in CSI decision making can arise in multiple stages of a crime scene investigation. Given its crucial role in forensic investigation, CSI decision-making must be further studied to understand how differences may arise during the stages of a crime scene investigation. The following exploratory research project is a first step at comparing how crime scene investigations of violent robberies are conducted between 25 crime scene investigators from nine countries across the world.</p><p>Through a mock crime scene and semi-structured interview, we observed that CSIs have adopted a variety of investigation approaches. The results show that CSIs have different working strategies and make different decisions when it comes to the construction of relevant hypotheses, their search strategy, and the collection of traces. These different decisions may, amongst other factors, be due to the use of prior information, a CSI’s knowledge and experience, and the perceived goal of their investigation. We suggest the development of more practical guidelines to aid CSIs through a hypothetico-deductive reasoning process, where (a) CSIs are supported in the correct use of contextual information, (b) outside knowledge and expertise are integrated into this process, and (c) CSIs are guided in the evaluation of the utility of their traces.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623001284/pdfft?md5=05b28bcdd885ab713e9d9383afc047ef&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030623001284-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138549476","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":"Can criminal justice be predicted? Using regression analysis to predict judges’ decisions on petitions for new criminal trials","authors":"Moa Lidén","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2023.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Predictability of legal decisions is usually considered a prerequisite for the rule of law, following the maxim ‘like cases should be treated alike’. Yet, this presupposes that the case outcome can be predicted based on the <em>merits</em> of the case, rather than other factors. The purpose of this study was to test whether and to what extent legal decisions on petitions for new criminal trials can be predicted on the basis of other fairly superficial criteria that one could access without even reading the case file, e.g. which Court decided, whether the applicant had legal representation etc. To this end, all petitions for new criminal trials submitted to the Swedish Supreme Court and the six Courts of Appeal in the time period 2010–2020 (n = 3915) were reviewed. This data formed the basis of a regression model which was then used to predict decisions regarding petitions in 2021. On the basis of access to legal representation and crime type, the regression model predicted accurately 100 % of the decisions made in 2021. This raises questions about the evidentiary basis for the decisions and also the role of judges in situations where their decisions are fully predictable.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2023-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030623001296/pdfft?md5=0c812f8727ec4eda645080cd6066114f&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030623001296-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138490975","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}