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Letter to the editor: “Edwards curve digital signature algorithm for video integrity verification on blockchain framework” Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-09-12 Linju Lawrence, R. Shreelekshmi
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Letter to the editor: “Edwards curve digital signature algorithm for video integrity verification on blockchain framework” Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-09-12 Nishchal Soni
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The efficacy of Diamond™ nucleic acid dye-stained cell counting techniques for forensic application Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-09-08 Mariya Goray, Mike Hartog, Heidi Monkman
Touch DNA is one of the most common types of biological material collected during criminal investigations. Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye (DD) has been shown to aid in touch sample visualisation and target sampling. It has also been used as a method of shedder categorisation that is cheaper and quicker than DNA methods. However, the DD method routinely involves manual cell counting, which can result in
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The effects of fingerprinting agents on the stable isotope ratios of polyethylene films Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-09-07 Joe Meikle, Kylie Jones, Sarah L. Cresswell, Carney Matheson, James F. Carter
Traditional forensic chemical comparisons of polymeric materials are often affected by fingerprinting agents that enhance and visualise finger-marks. This can inhibit detailed analysis used to provide an association or discrimination between two samples. In this study, we have demonstrated that the method for polymer comparisons using isotope ratio mass spectrometry analysis is not affected by fingerprinting
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The impact of accelerant facilitated fire on blood detection and the efficacy of subsequent soot removal methods Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-08-22 Anna Kozbor, Katie Davidson, Felicity Carlysle-Davies
Previous literature has established that recovering heat damaged body fluids is possible, however with little investigation into the effect of accelerants used in initiating arson fires. This study therefore aimed to determine whether presumptive blood detection was affected by heat damage resulting from accelerant facilitated fires. Another objective was to examine various techniques for removing
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A preliminary study on the stability of bare footprint linear measurements in four motion states Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-08-13 Kai Sun, Yaping Luo
In some crime scenes, there may be bare footprints. Analyzing and testing the linear measurements of bare footprints in crime scenes can play an important role in personal analysis and individual identification. However, the linear measurements of bare footprints may be influenced by different motion states, leading to changes in length and width or even significant deviations. Previous studies focused
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Organic and inorganic gunshot residues on the hands, forearms, face, and nostrils of shooters 30 min after a discharge Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-08-08 Virginie Redouté Minzière, Céline Weyermann
During the investigation of firearm-related incidents, gunshot residues (GSR) can be collected on the scene and individuals (e.g., shooters or bystanders). Their analysis can give valuable information for the reconstruction of the events. Since GSR collection on persons of interest generally occurs a few minutes to hours after discharge, knowledge is needed to understand how organic (O), and inorganic
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Improving the evidential value of low-quality face images with aggregation of deep neural network embeddings Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-08-07 Rafael Oliveira Ribeiro, João C. Neves, Arnout Ruifrok, Flavio de Barros Vidal
In forensic facial comparison, questioned-source images are usually captured in uncontrolled environments, with non-uniform lighting, and from non-cooperative subjects. The poor quality of such material usually compromises their value as evidence in legal proceedings. On the other hand, in forensic casework, multiple images of the person of interest are usually available. In this paper, we propose
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The effect of products containing high concentration corrosive substances on the recovery of fingermarks from non-porous surfaces Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-08-06 S. Bleay, H. Smart, J. Sorensen, P. Sears
Fingermark recovery plays a crucial role in investigating corrosive substance attacks, which are becoming increasingly common. Building upon previous research, this study aimed to identify effective visualization processes for recovering fingermarks from diverse substrates exposed to wide range of commercially available corrosive materials. The study investigated glass, PVC and HDPE substrates with
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The potential of human leukocyte antigen alleles to assist with multiple-contributor DNA mixtures: Proof of concept study Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-08-05 Agnieszka Kuffel, Christian Cole, Benjamin Mallinder, Niamh Nic Daeid, Alexander Gray
One of the most challenging issues still present in forensic DNA analysis is identifying individuals in samples containing DNA from multiple contributors. The introduction of novel identification markers may be a useful tool in the deconvolution of such DNA mixtures. In this study, we investigated the potential of alleles from the human leukocyte antigen system (HLA) to aid in identifying individuals
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A ruler detection method for auto-adjusting scales of shoeprint images Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-08-02 Zhijian Wen, Rian Morgan Smith, Mark Connor, J.M. Curran
Digital shoeprint comparison often requires the calibration of the image resolution so that features, such as patterns in shoeprints, can be compared on the same scale. To enable scaling, a shoeprint photograph can be taken with a forensic ruler in the same frame to obtain the pixel distance between two nearby graduations. However, manually measuring the number of pixels is a time-consuming process
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Evaluating the efficacy of three Y-STRs commercial kits in degraded skeletal remains Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-07-31 Christian Haarkötter, María Isabel Medina-Lozano, Diana C. Vinueza-Espinosa, María Saiz, Xiomara Gálvez, Juan Carlos Álvarez, José Antonio Lorente
Y chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) typing is a useful tool in scenarios such as mass graves analysis or disaster victim identification and has become a routine analysis in many laboratories. Not many comparisons have been performed with the currently available commercial kits, much less with degraded skeletal remains. This research aims to evaluate the performance of three commercial Y-STR
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Discrimination of slight thermal damage to hair for arson investigation Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-07-18 Peibin Wang, Jing Jin, Zhengzhe Zang, Zixin Li, Chunyu Zhang, Jinzhuan Zhang
To determine whether a suspect was in close contact with the fire source at a fire site through slight thermal damage to hair, a cone calorimeter was employed to simulate fire scene conditions as a standard radiant source. The research focused on analyzing the thermal behavior of black hair and delving into the morphological characteristics of hair exhibiting slight thermal damage. At temperatures
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Impact evidence and post-ricochet behaviour of shotgun pellets ricocheting off standard floor tiles Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-07-15 Bandula Nishshanka, Chris Shepherd, Damith Mohotti, Randika Ariyarathna
Compared to popular handguns and rifle bullets, quantitative and empirical-based ricochet studies using shotgun pellet ricochets are observed to be far fewer. This empirical study examines the ricochet behaviour and impact evidence when shotgun pellets (Buckshot) ricochet off standard floor tiles, providing a series of novel findings related to the resultant ricochet marks. Among these findings, a
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Fusing linguistic and acoustic information for automated forensic speaker comparison Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-07-09 E.K. Sergidou, Rolf Ypma, Johan Rohdin, Marcel Worring, Zeno Geradts, Wauter Bosma
Verifying the speaker of a speech fragment can be crucial in attributing a crime to a suspect. The question can be addressed given disputed and reference speech material, adopting the recommended and scientifically accepted likelihood ratio framework for reporting evidential strength in court. In forensic practice, usually, auditory and acoustic analyses are performed to carry out such a verification
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Evaluation of the effect of clonazepam and its metabolites on the life cycle of Megaselia scalaris (Loew) (Diptera: Phoridae) Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-07-08 Alejandra Quijano-Mateos, Alejandra Castillo-Alanis, Carlos Salvador Pedraza-Lara, María Elena Bravo-Gómez
Fly colonization patterns and development are crucial in estimating the post-mortem interval (PMI) of decomposing corpses. Understanding the potential effects of xenobiotics on species development in cadaveric entomofauna is essential for accurate PMI estimation, given their presence in decomposing bodies. Benzodiazepines, commonly prescribed for their anxiolytic, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant effects
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Back to the future: Retrograde alcohol calculations an uncertain science Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-06-25 Lili Saskőy, Luke Taylor, Brian Rooney, Gavin Trotter
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
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The forensic potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) in freshwater wildlife crime investigations: From research to application Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-06-24 Matthew Lewis, Katie Lainé, Louise Dawnay, David Lamont, Kirstie Scott, Stefano Mariani, Bernd Hӓnfling, Nick Dawnay
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
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Bloodstain classification methods: A critical review and a look to the future Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-06-21 Emma Hook, Sarah Fieldhouse, David Flatman-Fairs, Graham Williams
Classifying bloodstains is an essential part of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Various experts have developed methods. Each method considers the same basic bloodstain pattern types. These use either terminology based on the observable characteristics or the mechanistic cause of the bloodstain patterns as part of the classification process. This review paper considers ten classification methods from fourteen
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Optimization and standardization of procedures in Forensic Identification: A methodology for description and coding of tattoos in Mexico Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-06-21 Laura Corrales Blanco, Jorge Alfredo Gómez Valdés
Tattoos serve as a valuable tool for identification. In the forensic context, it is vital to establish a systematic approach for documenting tattoo-related information to facilitate efficient and fast comparisons, especially in postmortem cases. Despite some countries failing to recognize the potential significance of tattoos, this study presents a methodological framework for gathering comprehensive
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Head poses and grimaces: Challenges for automated face identification algorithms? Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-06-18 Petra Urbanova, Tomas Goldmann, Dominik Cerny, Martin Drahansky
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
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DNA profiling in India: Addressing issues of sample preservation, databasing, marker selection, & statistical approaches Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-05-23 Vivek Sahajpal, Deepika Bhandari
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Edwards curve digital signature algorithm for video integrity verification on blockchain framework Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-05-13 Linju Lawrence, R. Shreelekshmi
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
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New developmental data for Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) from the Yangtze River Delta region of China under different constant temperatures Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-05-11 Gengwang Hu, Yanan Zhang, Liangliang Li, Yinghui Wang, Yi Guo, Shipeng Shao, Yundi Gao, Ruonan Zhang, Yu Wang, Luyang Tao
Necrophagous beetles are sometimes used to estimate the minimum postmortem interval (PMI) 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 de Geer, 1774, were recorded at six constant temperatures, and isomorphen diagrams were established
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Contextual bias by Forensic Document Examination trainees: An empirical study from China Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-05-11 Ning He, Hongxia Hao
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
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A global survey of the attitudes and perspectives of cognitive bias in forensic anthropology Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-04-26 Kiu Nga Leung, Sherry Nakhaeizadeh, Ruth M. Morgan
It is now well established that decision making can be susceptible to cognitive bias in a broad range of fields, with forensic science being no exception. Previously published research has revealed a bias blind spot in forensic science where examiners do not recognise bias within their own domain. A survey of 101 forensic anthropology practitioners (n = 52) and students (n = 38) was undertaken to assess
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Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae): A potentially forgotten forensically important species in Malaysia Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-04-24 Abby K. Jones, Nur Hidayah Shamsuddin, Chong Chin Heo
(Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has been collected in human forensic case work. This species is endemic in Malaysia but is not one of the most common species and is often found in outdoor cases. However, it is hypothesized that the presence of larvae may provide useful information in forensic case studies in Malaysia where this species has previously been ignored. This review will discuss the
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3D scanning a crime scene to enhance juror understanding of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis evidence Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-04-23 Patrick H. Home, Danielle G. Norman, Kimberley Wade, Emily Spearing, Mark A. Williams
There are numerous crime scene investigation applications of 3D scanning that have been previously documented. This paper documents the application of a 3D point cloud in the presentation of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis evidence to mock jurors. 150 mock jurors viewed a presentation of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis evidence from a murder trial in the UK. After viewing the evidence, the participants were
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XRF identification of sharp-force trauma in fresh and dry human bone under varied experimental heat conditions Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-04-21 Joana Rosa, Luís A.E. Batista de Carvalho, Maria Paula M. Marques, Maria Teresa Ferreira, David Gonçalves, Francisco P.S.C. Gil
Heat-induced fractures can be hard to distinguish from sharp force traumas. This challenge can negatively impact medico-legal analysis. The present study aimed to experimentally assess if X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can be used to detect chemical traces transferred from the blade of a sharp instrument onto both fresh and dry human bones. This was performed by inducing sharp force traumas with five different
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Species discrimination from hair using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy: Application in wildlife forensics Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-04-20 Dimple Bhatia, Chandra Prakash Sharma, Sweety Sharma, Rajinder Singh
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The importance of assessing the ghosting phenomenon in dynamic footprints when estimating stature – Forensic implications Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-04-19 Petra Švábová, Katarína Hanzelyová, Mária Chovancová, Soňa Masnicová, Radoslav Beňuš
In cases where multiple footprints are found at a crime scene, it is unusual that all are static, and some are likely dynamic. Depending on how the footprint was made, we distinguish between dynamic and static footprints. A distinguishing feature that has only recently been associated with dynamic footprints is the fact that dynamic footprints differ from static footprints by the presence of additional
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Micro-CT in a forensic examination of a fatal child abuse case: A case report Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-04-04 Charlotte Primeau, Danielle G. Norman, Waltraud Baier, Sofia Goia, Stuart Blaik, Mark A. Williams
Child abuse is a serious concern that can cause the death of a child. In such cases the medico-legal evidence is often pivotal but complex, drawing across multiple medical disciplines and techniques. One key specialism is histopathology, which is considered the gold standard for estimating the age of individual fractures. Another is micro-CT imaging, which can visualise the location of trauma across
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Enhancing the student learning experience through memes Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-30 Helen Tidy, Rachel S. Bolton-King, Ruth Croxton, Carrie Mullen, Leisa Nichols-Drew, Felicity Carlysle-Davies, Kimberlee S. Moran, Joanne Irving-Walton
Meme-making is an effective method for engaging students and enhancing the learning environment. Memes are a social media cultural phenomenon that the majority of those in Higher Education are exposed to on an almost daily occurrence. This research examined the use of meme-making within the forensic sciences to allow students to reflect on their knowledge. Students studying modules in forensic science
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Application of augmented reality for crime scene investigation training and education Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-28 Holly Vanessa Wilkins, Val Spikmans, Robert Ebeyan, Brenden Riley
The role of the crime scene investigator is complex, and investigators need to be able to conduct multiple frequently performed tasks. Appropriate training and education are critical to impart the crime scene investigator with the necessary capabilities. For a range of reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for multi-disciplinary capabilities, training and education requirements have
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Introduction to the Special Issue of work presented at the 8th meeting of the Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (FIRMS) Network (2022) Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-08 Helen Salouros, Jim Carter
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Forensic measurement comparison of foot insole impressions Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Michael S. Nirenberg, Elizabeth Ansert, T.J. Minetola, Abbey Marie Esbenson, Annie L. Samuel, Jackie Campbell
In forensic podiatry, footprints have been shown to provide a valuable source of discriminatory information. Footprints may be found in various forms, such as bare footprints, sock-clad footprints, or as impressions on insoles within footwear. This study utilized quantitative measures of foot impressions on pairs of insoles from shoes worn by the same person from a population of 31 adults. The measurements
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Inkjet printer prediction under complicated printing conditions based on microscopic image features Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-03-07 Yan-ling Liu, Zi-feng Jiang, Guang-lei Zhou, Ya-wen Zhao, Yu-yu Hao, Jing-yuan Xu, Xu Yang, Xiao-hong Chen
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Martian microbes research and lessons learnt for forensic science Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-21 Max Coleman
A new method for looking for life outside the Earth is used as an example to demonstrate how ways of presenting complex scientific concepts to the general public, used in planetary science, could be used in forensic science. The work led to a pared down, practical definition of detectable Life for planetary exploration, For nearly three quarters of Earth’s history the only lifeforms were microbes,
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Interpretation of a paint cross-transfer on a burglary scene – A case report Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-18 Florian Vanneste, Yu Chen Lim-Hitchings, Geneviève Massonnet, Kyra Lunstroot
In forensic paint examination, paint traces retrieved on a crime scene are regularly compared to painted objects seized from a suspect. Less often, traces are only observed on the seized objects and compared to a damaged painted object on the crime scene. In some specific cases, paint traces may be found both on the crime scene and on one or multiple seized painted objects. The latter may be the result
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Exploring the ethical dimensions in forensic entomology: From codes of conduct to professional accountability Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-13 Ashraf Mashaly, Mohammed S. Al-Khalifa
This article investigates a critical part of professional careers: adhering to a code of ethics that defines proper behavior within the context of one's specialized practice. It aims to improve the setting of forensic entomology work by highlighting the ethical issues that frequently emerge. The primary goal is to uncover common ethical issues involved in this field's everyday activities and provide
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The forensic imaging technique of age progression used within missing people cases: The Italian Missing Children association realizing age progression for Missing Child Kenya Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-12 Laura Donato, Douglas H. Ubelaker, Luigi Marsella, Maryana Munyendo, Michele Treglia, Jessika Camatti, Sara Dagoli, Rossana Cecchi
The age progression technique allows to update identification photos of individuals who have been missing for years. This method is based on the study of the facial variation and on the dynamics of facial growth. Knowledge about changes in the distribution of facial fat and the tone of the cartilage allows realistic predictions of the facial appearance after many years. Beside these elements, age progression
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Comparison of DNA recovery methods and locations from regularly-worn hooded jumpers before and after use by a second wearer Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-10 Georgina E. Meakin, Guilherme S. Jacques, Ruth M. Morgan
Items of worn clothing are routinely examined for DNA in forensic casework, commonly with the expectation that at least some of the DNA will come from a wearer of the item, so-called ‘wearer DNA’. This study investigated DNA recovered from hooded jumpers that were regularly worn and laundered for four weeks and then subsequently worn by a different individual for four hours. This study also systematically
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Study of the fingerprints of a Spanish sample for the determination of the hand and finger Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-06 Noemí Rivaldería, Ariadna Moreno-Piedra, Ainhoa Álvarez, Esperanza Gutiérrez-Redomero
The individuality and permanence of fingerprints make of them a very useful feature in the identification of individuals. There are now automated computer programmes that allow a quick comparison between a fingermark and a database. However, in order to assess the strength of evidence in fingerprint identification, complementary information on the frequencies of the different morphological features
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Effects of particle size, storage conditions, and chemical pretreatments on carbon and oxygen isotopic measurements of modern tooth enamel Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-02 Francesca Spencer, Kirsten Verostick, Alejandro Serna, Chris Stantis, Gabriel J. Bowen
Isotopic analysis of human tooth enamel can provide life history information useful in forensic identification. These applications depend on the availability of reference data documenting isotopic values for individuals with known life history and on the comparability of data from reference and case work samples. Here we build on previous methodological research, which has largely focused on paleontological
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Cross-border forensic profiling of fraudulent identity and travel documents: A pilot project between France and Switzerland Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-02-01 Solène Lugon Moulin, Emre Ertan, Didier Martin, Simon Baechler
The serial character of document fraud and its connection to organised crime groups who produce, sell and/or use fraudulent documents is a challenge for security and crime fighting. As a response, the added value of forensic intelligence is increasingly recognised. Using a forensic profiling method and a dedicated system deployed in Switzerland, document examiners can detect series (i.e., documents
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Horizontal fire spread by foam-backed, polypropylene carpet Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-19 M, , J, o, n, e, s
An eight year old boy was badly injured by a fire in his bedroom in May 2005. He spent his ninth birthday in intensive care and died a month later. This case study discusses a missing link into the pattern of fire development which made it difficult to identify the point of ignition. An absence of burning to the floor and isolated areas of burning seemed incongruous with the general pattern of fire
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Considerations on the application of a mutation model for Y-STR interpretation Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2024-01-17 Roberto Puch-Solis, Susan Pope, Gillian Tully
If Y-STR profiling is to be more effective in criminal casework, the methods used to evaluate evidential weight require improvement. Many forensic scientists assign an evidential weight by estimating the number of times a Y-STR profile obtained from a questioned sample has been observed in YHRD datasets. More sophisticated models have been suggested but not yet implemented into routine casework, e
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A proof-of-concept study: Determining the geographical origin of Brazilwood, (Paubrasilia echinata) with the use of strontium isotopic fingerprinting Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-30 Camilla Vasconcelos Kafino, Isabela Moreno Cordeiro de Sousa, Cristina Barazetti Barbieri, Artur Moraes de Amorim, Roberto Ventura Santos
The illicit exploitation of Brazilwood () 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
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Forensic anthropologists and estimates of skeletal completeness: The impacts of training and experience Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-18 A. Palmiotto, A.P. Winburn, C. Pink, C.A. Brown, C.B. LeGarde
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Evaluation of the effect of ozone disinfection on forensic identification of blood, saliva, and semen stains Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-22 Vivien Fejes, Gábor Simon, Lilla Makszin, Katalin Sipos, Viktor S. Poor
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
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Alterations in microbiome of COVID-19 patients and its impact on forensic investigations Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-12 Tahir ul Gani Mir, Sakshi Manhas, Atif Khurshid Wani, Nahid Akhtar, Saurabh Shukla, Ajit Prakash
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
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Evaluation of indirect transfer mechanisms of semen under varying test conditions Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-12 Jonathan Finnis, Geraldine Davidson, Karen Alexander, Jennie Lewis, Maggie Boyce, Finlay Kennedy, David Casey, Nicola Clayson, Isla Fraser, Charlotte Murphy, Charlotte Hargreaves, Nighean Stevenson, Sharon Doole, Carol Rogers
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
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Can criminal justice be predicted? Using regression analysis to predict judges’ decisions on petitions for new criminal trials Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-03 Moa Lidén
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 merits 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
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CSI-CSI: Comparing several investigative approaches toward crime scene improvement Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-05 Anna S. Knes, Madeleine de Gruijter, Matthijs C. Zuidberg, Christianne J. de Poot
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
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Use of pollen assemblages as forensic evidence in non-seasonal high-altitude soils Sci. Justice (IF 1.9) Pub Date : 2023-12-01 Vanesa Serrudo Gonzáles, Teresa Ortuño Limarino, Pablo Duchen
Forensic palynology is a tool in criminalistics that uses spores and pollen grains to link a certain geographical location with a crime scene. The comparison of the pollen assemblage of a crime-scene soil and that of footwear of suspects and victims proved to be very useful as judicial evidence in multiple environments with marked seasonality. However, its usefulness in non-seasonal high-altitude soils
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