Sang-Yoon Lee, Yeon-Soo Jo, Hwa-Seon Lim, Ki-Jong Rhee
{"title":"Development of forensic blood substitute: Focusing on luminol reaction functionality.","authors":"Sang-Yoon Lee, Yeon-Soo Jo, Hwa-Seon Lim, Ki-Jong Rhee","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is essential for reconstructing crime scenes using the shape and distribution of bloodstains. Luminol, which emits blue light in a chemiluminescent reaction with hemoglobin, is commonly used to detect latent blood. Artificial blood substitutes, designed for luminol reactivity or bloodstain pattern reproduction, are widely used in forensic experiments. These artificial blood substitutes, including synthetic and spatter blood, are commercialized with distinct functionalities: luminol reactivity and bloodstain pattern reproduction, respectively. This study introduces a new blood substitute that combines both functionalities. In this study, we verified the luminol reaction functionality of a newly developed forensic blood substitute, which also demonstrates bloodstain pattern reproduction capabilities. Additionally, we assessed its morphological features by analyzing the coordinate characteristics of the area of origin in impact spatter patterns. The visual inspection, without the use of supplementary equipment, revealed that there was no noticeable difference in the luminol fluorescence reaction between the developed blood substitute and the four types of commercial synthetic blood. Furthermore, the developed blood substitute exhibited the smallest standard deviation, confirming it to be the most homogeneous and stable artificial blood substitute. Morphological analysis revealed that the new substitute closely mimics human blood, particularly in z-axis coordinates. These findings establish the substitute as a versatile tool for forensic analysis, enhancing both luminol detection and bloodstain pattern reproduction.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143627137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paolo Morandini, Lucie Biehler-Gomez, Cristina Cattaneo
{"title":"Applicability, reliability, and accuracy of age-at-death estimation methods on a contemporary Italian population.","authors":"Paolo Morandini, Lucie Biehler-Gomez, Cristina Cattaneo","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70011","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This research tested the applicability, intra- and inter-observer reliability, and accuracy of nine macroscopic methods for estimating age-at-death from skeletal elements. The sample included 400 individuals from the contemporary CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection, equally divided by sex assigned at birth and with age-at-death ranging from 20 to 104 years. Statistical analyses used standard measures of reliability and validity. The most applicable methods assessed the auricular surface of the ilium (92%), whereas the preservation and/or identification of the fourth rib was rare (16%). All methods proved repeatable, except for the assessment of the obliteration of palatine sutures, which showed greater subjectivity to the observer's experience. The Rougé-Maillart (2009) method exhibited low bias and inaccuracy across all age groups in both sexes and the strongest correlation with chronological age in males. In females, the Buckberry and Chamberlain 2002 method showed the strongest correlation, but it tended to overestimate the age of younger individuals in both sexes. Age-at-death estimation methods revealed varying accuracy across age groups. The Suchey-Brooks 1990 method was effective for younger individuals, while the Rougé-Maillart (2009) and Falys and Prangle 2015 methods showed potential for the estimation of older adults, with lower bias and better precision. However, no approach was entirely satisfactory for older adults. The increasing life expectancy and the likelihood of encountering older adults' remains highlight the need for refined techniques that better address age diversity in contemporary and ancient populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143627135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diane M Moore, Alexander D Giachetti, M Elizabeth Zaney, Rocio B Potoukian, Kenneth D Hutchins
{"title":"Tusi but not 2C: A Miami-Dade medical examiner case series highlighting the variable drug composition in colored powder paraphernalia.","authors":"Diane M Moore, Alexander D Giachetti, M Elizabeth Zaney, Rocio B Potoukian, Kenneth D Hutchins","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Eight fatalities between September 2020 and July 2024 in Miami-Dade County involving the ingestion of colored powders, referred to as \"tusi,\" \"tucibi,\" or \"pink cocaine,\" are reported. For each case, a description of the terminal event, the postmortem toxicology findings, the cause and manner of death, and the chemical composition of the \"tusi\" powder(s) found on or near the decedent are summarized. Fourteen powders, mostly pink with a sweet or fruity aroma, were submitted for analysis. Ketamine was identified in all submissions, with the majority also containing methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Other substances identified in the powders include stimulants (cocaine, methylenedioxyamphetamine [MDA], and methamphetamine), opioids (oxycodone), benzodiazepines (alprazolam), synthetic cathinones (eutylone), and over-the-counter medications (diphenhydramine and loratadine). Five of the powders contained cocaine; however, none contained fentanyl or 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B). Five deaths were ruled as accidents, with four attributed to a drug overdose and one attributed to a fall from height. The remaining cases were classified as suicides (one fall from height, one hanging, and one self-inflicted gunshot wound). All cases reported multiple drugs in the decedent's postmortem blood in addition to ketamine and MDMA. The peripheral blood concentrations of ketamine and its metabolite, norketamine, ranged from 0.38-8.8 and 0.16-3.0 mg/L, respectively, and the concentration of MDMA and its metabolite, MDA, ranged from 0.10-3.0 and <0.01-0.27 mg/L, respectively. The medical examiner cases reported are the first to illustrate, through analytical testing, the variable drug composition of \"tusi\" powders and the impact its use may have in medicolegal death investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143627085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"False negative ELISA screen for benzoylecgonine in blood using the Neogen® assay.","authors":"Jennifer F Limoges, Seth J Tracy, Heidi E Grieger","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a common analytical tool for screening samples in forensic toxicology laboratories, but it can be susceptible to interferences. The analysis of paired blood and oral fluid samples from the same subject led to the identification of a false negative ELISA screen for benzoylecgonine (BE) in blood. Investigation demonstrated that the issue was only with the Neogen® BE assay, and sample dilution did not remedy the problem. Based on subsequent monitoring of ELISA screens in blood, the false negative anomaly has only been identified in one specimen, and the cause remains undetermined.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143607392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"RETRACTION: Evaluating Cardiac Risks of TASER: An In-Depth Case Study Through Probable Current Analysis.","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Retraction: </strong>H. Seo, S. Park, S. Kim, S. Lee, and C. Choi, \"Evaluating Cardiac Risks of TASER: An In-Depth Case Study Through Probable Current Analysis,\" Journal of Forensic Sciences (Early View): https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.15614. The above article, published online on 11 September 2024 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors; the journal Editor-in-Chief, Michael Peat; the American Academy of Forensic Sciences; and Wiley Periodicals LLC. The retraction has been agreed upon following an investigation into concerns raised by a third party, which revealed incorrect analysis method and sampling rate applied in the article. The explanation provided by the authors could not address these concerns. Thus, the editors have lost confidence in the presented data and consider the results and conclusions of this manuscript insufficiently supported.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143598172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Osnat Israelsohn Azulay, Yigal Zidon, Esti Kohalsky
{"title":"Investigation of the impact of a sound suppressor on the weapon's memory effect and gunshot residue formation.","authors":"Osnat Israelsohn Azulay, Yigal Zidon, Esti Kohalsky","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The firearm's memory effect describes circumstances where particles from previous firing cycles are deposited with or incorporated in the new ammunition debris. Even though this phenomenon is well studied, the influence of a sound suppressor on the strength of the memory effect and its extent has not yet been investigated. In this study, the SINOXID-type ammunition barium, antimony lead with added aluminum (BaSbPbAl) primer mixture, was initially fired, followed by firing ammunition with classic SINOXID primer composition BaSbPb. Thirty bullets were test fired with and without a suppressor, accompanied by sample collection in predetermined shooting intervals. The results of the present study demonstrate that the memory effect was significant even after 30 shots of the latter classic SINOXID ammunition, both with a suppressed pistol or unsuppressed pistol, and that the proportion of the particles not compatible with the primer composition was unequivocally pronounced when using a suppressed pistol. Moreover, shooting a suppressed pistol affects the total amount of gunshot residue found on the shooter's hands; thus, it should always be considered in reconstructions of shooting incidents. Explanations for this phenomenon are offered.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-03-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143545441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xin Zhao, Zhiming Chen, Bo Wang, Hongyang Li, Liyao Yang, Lijun Wang, Hao Zhang, Guanglong He
{"title":"Combining virtual endoscopy and postmortem computed tomography to identify airway obstruction by a peritonsillar abscess as the cause of an asphyxia death.","authors":"Xin Zhao, Zhiming Chen, Bo Wang, Hongyang Li, Liyao Yang, Lijun Wang, Hao Zhang, Guanglong He","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is the most common deep neck infection, with well-known complications such as airway stenosis and aspiration pneumonia. However, death due to asphyxia caused by PTA is extremely rare in forensic research reports. Traditionally, the autopsy is the standard diagnostic method for pharyngeal lesions in forensic practice. The incorporation of postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) into the medicolegal death investigation has demonstrated unique diagnostic advantages for specific findings. In addition, virtual endoscopy (VE) shows great potential for supporting hollow organ assessment and postmortem diagnosis. Here, we report a case of asphyxial death due to airway obstruction caused by PTA. While autopsy, histopathological examination, and bacterial culture of fluid collected from the abscess effectively diagnosed PTA as the cause of airway obstruction leading to death, this case illustrates that PMCT combined with VE can be a valuable adjunct for in situ diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143494910","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A retrospective search of postmortem examination reports indicates that death following chiropractic neck manipulation in Australia appears to be a rare event.","authors":"Jose D Chong, Neil E I Langlois, Roger W Byard","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to review the deaths associated with chiropractic treatment in Australia. The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) was searched for cases in Australia for which chiropractic treatment was determined to have contributed to death. Closed, completed Australian cases between 1 July 2000 and 31 December 2019 were evaluated (approximately 356,000 cases). This revealed only one case in which chiropractic treatment was considered to have contributed to death. The case was that of an adult male who died from a dissected left vertebral artery following chiropractic manipulation for neck pain. In addition, postmortem records at Forensic Science SA (FSSA) were searched for similar cases over the same time period (approximately 30,000 cases). No cases definitely attributable to chiropractic manipulation of the neck were found, but a case with thrombus in the left vertebral artery would not be entirely excluded as being related to chiropractic treatment. Deaths associated with chiropractic manipulation in Australia therefore appear rare. Although there is a reported incidence of stroke associated with vertebrobasilar artery system occlusion following chiropractic manipulation, stroke associated with vertebrobasilar artery occlusion has also been observed following a visit to a primary care physician. This could be explained by vertebrobasilar artery pathology causing neck pain that initiated consultation. Thus, the present study only demonstrates a rare temporal, but not causal, relationship between attending a chiropractor and vertebral artery dissection causing death. Non-lethal injuries were not assessed.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143485088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marco Ballotari, Michael T Truver, Devin C Baer, Sara C Brogan, Jennifer L Hoyer, Michele M Crosby, Bruce A Goldberger, Chris W Chronister
{"title":"Identifying bromazolam, etizolam, and flualprazolam in blood using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.","authors":"Marco Ballotari, Michael T Truver, Devin C Baer, Sara C Brogan, Jennifer L Hoyer, Michele M Crosby, Bruce A Goldberger, Chris W Chronister","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Designer benzodiazepines are a commonly misused class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that present challenges for forensic toxicology laboratories and public health. Due to the difficulty in detection by routine toxicology methods, it is important to enhance the analytical methods for the identification and quantitation of designer benzodiazepines. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify designer benzodiazepines using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in postmortem blood specimens. A method originally validated to identify and quantitate alprazolam was modified to quantitate flualprazolam, etizolam, and bromazolam, as well as identify adinazolam and 4'-chloro-deschloroalprazolam. The method was subsequently used to analyze postmortem specimens (n = 35) from Medical Examiner Districts (n = 4) in Florida that screened positive for one or more designer benzodiazepines from February 2022 to December 2023. Among the screened samples, 21 tested positive for one or more designer benzodiazepines in the postmortem blood; 1 was positive for etizolam (90 ng/mL) and flualprazolam (<5.0 ng/mL), while 20 were positive for bromazolam. Bromazolam was the most frequently detected designer benzodiazepine, with a concentration range of 5.9-352 ng/mL (mean: 59.1 ng/mL; median: 28.5 ng/mL) for 18 decedents and <5.0 ng/mL for two decedents. Polydrug use was confirmed in all decedents. The most prevalent drugs found with bromazolam in the blood were fentanyl, methamphetamine and/or amphetamine, and cocaine. The optimized GC-MS method provides a way to identify and quantitate designer benzodiazepines in postmortem blood and to also qualitatively monitor two newer designer benzodiazepines: 4'-chloro-deschloroalprazolam and adinazolam.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143443065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Latent fingermark degradation processes by 3D imaging: The impact of substrate type and natural light on ridge height.","authors":"Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul, Michelle V Mancenido","doi":"10.1111/1556-4029.70000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.70000","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Friction ridge patterns, including those from latent fingermarks, are valuable physical evidence in the identification of individuals in criminal and humanitarian investigations. Although latent fingermarks may persist over extended periods, their time-dependent degradation remains poorly understood. Traditionally, aging studies have focused on two-dimensional (2D) ridge topography instead of more comprehensive three-dimensional (3D) examinations; but recent technological advancements have enabled the analysis of ridge height (z-dimension) and its modifications over time as a morphometric to describe aging patterns. This study assessed a 3D metric, Sa (i.e., average surface height), to monitor the natural degradation process of fingermarks from six donors (three males and three females) over 3 months. These were deposited on glass and plastic substrates and exposed to either natural light or complete darkness indoors, with temperature and humidity monitored but not controlled. Results revealed a \"substrate effect\" with a faster ridge height decrease on plastic under both lighting conditions. Interestingly, a \"light effect\" was less noticeable, and mostly for the plastic substrate. Although not the main focus of this analysis, a \"biological sex effect\" was also noticed, where female fingermarks degraded more slowly compared with males. This study showed the potential of the Sa metric to characterize the loss of ridge height under various indoor conditions. However, due to limitations such as a relatively small sample size, a standardized and accurate age determination of fingermarks is not yet feasible. Further research is necessary to refine 3D examinations and develop reliable models for estimating fingermark degradation.</p>","PeriodicalId":94080,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143443068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}