Development and validation of a fast ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction procedure combined with LC-MS/MS analysis for the quantification of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like hypnotics in whole blood
In toxicology, the analysis of complex biological samples remains a challenging task. The introduction of a thorough sample clean-up step has become inevitable. Matrix components other than the analyte need to be eliminated in order to avoid possible interferences during quantification and to minimize the chance of polluting the analytical instrument. Moreover, a good sample preparation step can result in analyte enrichment and thus a final analytical method with improved sensitivity. [1 –3] To date, the solid phase extraction (SPE) technique is one of the most frequently used sample preparation techniques in the biomedi...
Source: Forensic Science International - December 25, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Marieke De Boeck, Sophie Missotten, Wim Dehaen, Jan Tytgat, Eva Cuypers Source Type: research
3-MeO-PCP intoxication in two young men: first in vivo detection in Italy
Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS), also known as “legal highs”, “designer drugs” or “bath salt”, are rapidly changing the worldwide drug scene [1]. These compounds are synthetic drugs sold as “legal alternative” to the classic ones. National and Supranational Institutions have implemented many activities to identify these substance s in order to schedule them as law controlled substances. NPS spread is mainly due to their relative inexpensiveness, easiness of purchasing (for example on the Internet market) and undetectability with routine drugs screening tests. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 25, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Elisabetta Bertol, Jennifer Pascali, Diego Palumbo, Valeria Catalani, Maria Grazia Di Milia, Alessia Fioravanti, Francesco Mari, Fabio Vaiano Source Type: research
Possible influences on bullet trajectory deflection in ballistic gelatine
In shooting incident reconstructions, assumptions must often be made about a bullet ’s deflection from its original trajectory after perforation of a victim. An incorrect estimation of such a deflection will result in an inaccurate trajectory representation. Unfortunately, there are no published data from controlled experiments available to help guide these assumptions. One possi ble way to test the made assumptions would be to conduct deflection experiments with ballistic gelatine. Ballistic gelatine is a well-established medium for studying bullet behaviour in soft human tissue [1–12]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 25, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Fabiano Riva, Wim Kerkhoff, Annabel Bolck, Erwin J.A.T. Mattijssen Source Type: research
Time since discharge of 9mm cartridges by headspace analysis, part 1: comprehensive optimisation and validation of a headspace sorptive extraction (HSSE) method
In the forensic investigation of firearms-related cases, law enforcement authorities often require evidence to link a firearm seized on a suspect to spent cartridges found at the crime scene. This generally involves mark comparisons between reference and indicial material in order to reveal common patterns between physical characteristics [1]. In some cases, however, the defence does not directly contest the source of the questioned spent cartridge, but rather its relevance, by arguing that it had been fired for legitimate reasons prior or after to the occurrence of the alleged crime [2,3]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 23, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: M. Gallidabino, F.S. Romolo, C. Weyermann Source Type: research
Development of a biometric method to estimate age on hand radiographs
With European integration, transnational migratory activity is on the rise [1]. Thus, many young individuals do not have the necessary documents for assessing their identity. Yet, individuals aged less than 18, even 21, in most European countries have particular rights and can access particular protection [2]. In criminal proceedings, the legal authority often requests expert analysis to determine whether an individual has reached the age he claims, so he can rightly benefit from a particular legal treatment according to his actual age [3]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 22, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Floriane REMY, Gabriela HOSSU, Romain CENDRE, Emilien MICARD, Laurence MAINARD-SIMARD, Jacques FELBLINGER, Laurent MARTRILLE, Lo ïc LALYS Source Type: research
High concentrations of lead and barium in hair of the rural population caused by water pollution in the Thar Jath Oilfields in South Sudan
Since 1974, exploratory drillings for crude oil were performed in the southern areas of Sudan and large deposits were discovered between 1979 and 1982 in the states Upper Nile and Unity of the later South Sudan [1]. However, caused by civil war and political instability, oil production in larger scale started only in 1999 in the Unity oilfield (Fig. 1). The Thar Jath and Mala oil fields (block 5A, Unity state) were discovered in 2001 and production began there in 2006 and 2007 respectively after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed and the political autonomy of South Sudan was granted. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 22, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Fritz Pragst, Klaus Stieglitz, Hella Runge, Klaus-Dietrich Runow, David Quig, Robert Osborne, Christian Runge, John Ariki Source Type: research
A new approach to obtain metric data from video surveillance: preliminary evaluation of a low-cost stereo-photogrammetric system
Video surveillance systems have become very diffuse in recent years and are now used to monitor a large number of urban areas and public sites. In many cases the images taken by such systems are the major, if not only, source of evidence for the identification of perpetrators. The best solution for this purpose is facial recognition, provided the images are sharp enough. If the image quality is insufficient or the people are masked, other elements must be analyzed, such as stature, gait, behavior, clothing, etc. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 22, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Paolo Russo, Emanuela Gualdi-Russo, Alberto Pellegrinelli, Juri Balboni, Alessio Furini Source Type: research
Determination of cocaine and its derivatives in hair samples by liquid phase microextraction (LPME) and gas chromatography –mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
Cocaine (COC) abuse is an overwhelming worldwide problem capable of initiating a series of indirect public health issues. The latest estimates show that there are about 18.8 million COC users in the whole world and Brazil contributes to this number with an astonishing 4.4 million COC users in the country [1]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 22, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: A.M.F. Pego, F.L. Roveri, R.Y. Kuninari, V. Leyton, I.D. Miziara, M. Yonamine Source Type: research
Guidelines for reproducing geometrical aspects of intra-oral radiographs images on cone-beam computed tomography
Human identification requires procedures to individualize a person, which is an important task for legal, social, and personal matters [1]. In this context, dentistry can contribute with reliable and specialized techniques. Comparison of dental records aims to collate the particular anatomical and dental details from antemortem information, which is frequently presented by relatives, to postmortem records and images produced during the forensic examination [2]. This method is well accepted in court and has extensive scientific data available to support its usage [3,4]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Janaina Paiva Curi, Thiago Leite Beaini, Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva, Rodolfo Francisco Haltenhoff Melani, Israel Chilvarquer, Edgard Michel Crosato Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Technical Note-guidelines for reproducing geometrical aspects of intra-oral radiographs images on cone-beam computed tomography
Human identification requires procedures to individualize a person, which an important task for legal, social, and personal matters [1]. In this context, dentistry can contribute with reliable and specialized techniques. Comparison of dental records aims to collate the particular anatomical and dental details from antemortem information, which is frequently presented by relatives, to postmortem records and images produced during the forensic examination [2]. This method is well accepted in court and has extensive scientific data available to support its usage [3,4]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Janaina Paiva Curi, Thiago Leite Beaini, Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva, Rodolfo Francisco Haltenhoff Melani, Israel Chilvarquer, Edgard Michel Crosato Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Mitragynine concentrations in two fatalities
An ongoing emergence of psychoactive substances is taking place and over the last few years even the worldwide distribution of so-called “legal highs” over the internet has become more common. An example of such substances that remain uncontrolled in most countries and of which the use continues to increase, is the naturally occurring indole alkaloid, mitragynine [1–4]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - December 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Olwen Domingo, Gabriele Roider, Andreas St över, Matthias Graw, Frank Musshoff, Hans Sachs, Wolfgang Bicker Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
Applying 3D measurements and computer matching algorithms to two firearm examination proficiency tests.
The practice of tool mark comparison has a long history in the criminal justice system [1]. The goal of these examinations is to answer the question of common origin between a mark found at a crime scene (questioned mark) and a mark known to be produced by a suspected tool (reference mark). Such comparisons are a part of the broader field of pattern recognition and comparison which includes fingerprint, shoe print, tire tread, tool marks, and firearms identification. Until recently most of these disciplines have been practiced by conducting visual inspections (with the aid of a comparison microscope for firearms and tool m...
Source: Forensic Science International - December 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Daniel Ott, Robert Thompson, Junfeng Song Source Type: research
Characterization of Smokeless Powders using Multiplexed Collision-Induced Dissociation Mass Spectrometry and Chemometric Procedures
Smokeless powders are low explosives that constitute the propellant in ammunition cartridges [1,2]. Powders consist of the explosive material, which is typically nitrocellulose (single base) or nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin (double base), along with a series of additives that impart specific properties [2]. Among these additives are stabilizers such as diphenylamine, methyl centralite, and ethyl centralite, plasticizers such as dibutyl phthalate, and deterrents such as dinitrotoluene [2]. In terms of forensic analysis, smokeless powders may be analyzed in the form of the unburned powder or as a residue after a firearm h...
Source: Forensic Science International - December 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Kristen L. Reese, A. Daniel Jones, Ruth Waddell Smith Source Type: research
Deciduous neonatal line: width is associated with duration of delivery
Embryonal tooth enamel development starts in about the 10th week of pregnancy. In a circadian rhythm, appositional layers of organic enamel matrix are formed. Mineralization of the matrix, where hydroxyapatite units form alongside, wavely running enamel prisms, is initiated soon after matrix secretion giving mature enamel an ‘onion-liké appearance [1]. At birth, a particularly well discernible layer, called neonatal line (NNL), is formed. NNL was first named in 1936 by Schour [2] who described it as”a distinctive incremental line in the enamel and a corresponding incremental line in the dentin”. (Source: Forensic S...
Source: Forensic Science International - December 20, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jaana Hurnanen, Vivian Visnapuu, Matti Sillanp ää, Eliisa Löyttyniemi, Jaana Rautava Source Type: research
Variation in elemental composition of human teeth and its application for feasible species identification
Studies of the elemental analysis of a variety of body tissues (i.e. internal organs, body fluid, hair, bone or teeth) have been widely applied for many purposes, such as biology [1,2], physiology [3,4] or contamination by environmental pollutants [5,6]. Recently, the use of an elemental profile, or ‘fingerprint’, has been of increasing interest in forensic science, and there have been an increasing number of investigations: for example, distinguishing between osseous and non-osseous materials using the Ca/P ratio and the amount of other elements [7–9], estimating the origin of elephant t usks, determining the sex of...
Source: Forensic Science International - December 20, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Korakot Nganvongpanit, Kittisak Buddhachat, Promporn Piboon, Thippaporn Euppayo, Pasuk Mahakkanukrauh Source Type: research
