Trace isotope analysis of Ricinus communis seed core for provenance determination by Laser Ablation-ICP-MS
The castor bean plant, Ricinus communis can be found throughout America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia [1]. The morphology of R. communis ranges from a shrub ‐like appearance to trees up to ten metres in height. R. communis has alternating long-stalked palmate leaves with an inflorescence on the upper branches [1]. Historically R. communis was grown for castor oil, which accounts for up to 60% of the seed mass [2]. It is widely used industrially in lub ricants, hydraulic fluids, paint media and cosmetics [2]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 24, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Christina K. Bagas, Rachel L. Scadding, Cameron J. Scadding, R. John Watling, Warren Roberts, Simon P.B. Ovenden Source Type: research
Specific IgE levels in pericardial and cerebrospinal fluids in forensic casework
Immunoglobulins E (IgE) constitute an important regulator of allergic reactions as they bind to high and low affinity Fc εRI and FcεRII receptors respectively. These antibodies get attached on the eosinophil, platelet, mast, macrophage, monocyte and dendritic cell surface thus contributing to immunological procedures. IgE’s targets likely extend beyond these cells to contribute to immunological procedures or to in duce coronary events [1] but even to diagnostic purposes in the forensic setting. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 24, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ioanna Koniari, Nicholas G. Kounis, George Soufras, Nikolaos Koutsogiannis, George Hahalis Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research
A newly assembled human skeletal reference collection of modern and identified Filipinos
Reference collections are essential resources for research in biological anthropology, especially in developing methods for estimating the biological profile of unidentified skeletal remains. Notable reference collections such as the Hamman –Todd and Terry Collections have served extensively as the basis for standard estimation methods, but such collections do not adequately represent the wide degree of global human skeletal variation. Additionally, many of these more established collections were amassed during the 19th century, and so cannot address secular changes that have occurred since then. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 24, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Matthew C. Go, Amanda B. Lee, Jana Andrea D. Santos, Nicole Marie C. Vesagas, Rebecca Crozier Tags: Forensic Anthropology Population Data Source Type: research
A test of the citrate method of PMI estimation from skeletal remains
Accurate methods of postmortem interval (PMI) estimation continue to elude researchers and practitioners, particularly for cases where the PMI is greater than several days. Early postmortem changes such as algor mortis, livor mortis and rigor mortis can be useful in estimating PMI with considerable accuracy within the first hour and days after death. With increasing PMI, however, there is an associated decrease in the accuracy of PMI estimation. This is largely due to the numerous intrinsic and extrinsic factors that can affect the rate of postmortem changes. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 23, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Sarah J. Wilson, Angi M. Christensen Source Type: research
Stability of Smokeless Powder Compounds On Collection Devices
The detection of compounds potentially present in smokeless powders plays an important role in the investigation of events involving the suspected use of firearms or explosives [1,2]. For firearm related events, burnt smokeless powders, so called organic gunshot residues (OGSR), and unburnt powders can assist in the reconstruction of events [3] and provide valuable information such as the estimation of the time since discharge [4 –7], firing distance [8–10] or identification of a bullet hole [11]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 23, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Regina Verena Taudte, Claude Roux, Alison Beavis Tags: Rapid Communication Source Type: research
Identification and quantification of 4-methylethcathinone (4-MEC) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) in hair by LC-MS/MS after chronic administration
Designer drugs are compounds synthesized from cathinone, a naturally substance found in the leaves of khat. They have been developed in order to provide similar effects to illicit drugs of abuse like amphetamine derivatives, while circumventing existing legislative classification. They are marketed and sold as different names like “bath salts”, “legal highs” over the Internet [1]. Multiple cathinone derivatives may be present at different concentrations in a single preparation, and users do not know what they swallow. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 23, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jean Claude Alvarez, Isabelle Etting, Emuri Abe, Antoine Villa, Nicolas Fabresse Source Type: research
Combined cluster and discriminant analysis: An efficient chemometric approach in diesel fuel characterization
Middle distillate fuel oils such as diesel fuel are frequently spilled in the environment. Those cases when the source of the spills is questionable or totally unknown are providing serious challenges in environmental forensic investigations. In order to determine the liability associated with the cleanup and remediation chemical fingerprinting methods are applied. In the case of source correlation studies of unknown fuel contaminations the evaluation of similarities or dissimilarities among samples or among a sample and a possible source is the problem to be solved. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 22, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: M árton Novák, Dóra Palya, Zsolt Bodai, Zoltán Nyiri, Norbert Magyar, József Kovács, Zsuzsanna Eke Source Type: research
Gunshot Residue and Brakepads: Compositional and Morphological Considerations for Forensic Casework
Gunshot residue is the term used to refer to the substances that form as a result of the discharge of a firearm and remain to be collected during the investigation of a shooting incident. These residues originate from the primer and propellant and may incorporate traces of the projectile, cartridge casing, or barrel of the firearm [1,2]. The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) has established guidelines for the analysis of GSR and defines a hierarchy of particles. Particles considered characteristic of GSR (most likely to be associated with the discharge of an explosive cartridge or firearm), are spheroidal, n...
Source: Forensic Science International - November 22, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: William Tucker, Nick Lucas, Kelsey E. Seyfang, K.Paul Kirkbride, Rachel S. Popelka-Filcoff Source Type: research
Combined Cluster and Discriminant Analysis an efficient Chemometric Approach in Diesel Fuel Characterization
Middle distillate fuel oils such as diesel fuel are frequently spilled in the environment. Those cases when the source of the spills is questionable or totally unknown are providing serious challenges in environmental forensic investigations. In order to determine the liability associated with the cleanup and remediation chemical fingerprinting methods are applied. In the case of source correlation studies of unknown fuel contaminations the evaluation of similarities or dissimilarities among samples or among a sample and a possible source is the problem to be solved. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 22, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: M árton Novák, Dóra Palya, Zsolt Bodai, Zoltán Nyiri, Norbert Magyar, József Kovács, Zsuzsanna Eke Source Type: research
Author ’s response—Letter to the Editor (FSI-D-16-00737)
We appreciate the opinions of the commentator to what might be an important paradox in regards to the composition of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) particles, which we mentioned in our recent article. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: N. Lucas, M. Cook, J. Wallace, K.P. Kirkbride, H. Kobus Source Type: research
Statistical Comparison of Mass Spectra for Identification of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants
The identification of controlled substances is considered by the National Academy of Sciences to be a mature forensic science discipline with strong scientific underpinning [1]. To achieve this identification, samples submitted to forensic laboratories are typically analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the mass spectrum is compared to a suitable reference spectrum. The latter spectrum may be a known standard analyzed on the same instrument as the submitted sample or it may be the top result from a library database search. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Melissa A. Bodnar Willard, Victoria L. McGuffin, Ruth Waddell Smith Source Type: research
Author ’s Response - Letter to the Editor (FSI-D-16-00737)
We appreciate the opinions of the commentator to what might be an important paradox in regards to the composition of inorganic gunshot residue (IGSR) particles, which we mentioned in our recent article. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - November 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nick Lucas Source Type: research
Poisoning suicide with ingestion of the pyrethroids alpha-cypermethrin and deltamethrin and the antidepressant mirtazapine: a case report
This case report describes a death attributed to the intake of the pyrethroid insecticides, alpha-cypermethrin and deltamethrin, and the antidepressant mirtazapine. The autopsy findings showed absence of external traumatic injuries and internal generalized visceral congestion, edema and cyanosis.The toxicological results revealed the presence of a toxic concentration of mirtazapine (12.5mg/L and 10.7mg/L in blood and urine, respectively) and high concentrations of pyrethroids (2.46mg/L alpha-cypermethrin and 2.40mg/L deltamethrin in blood, and 0.41mg/L alpha-cypermethrin and 0.46mg/L deltamethrin in urine, respectively). (...
Source: Forensic Science International - November 21, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Vassiliki A. Boumba, Georgios N. Rallis, Theodore Vougiouklakis Source Type: research
Toxicology in international drug control —Prioritizing the most harmful, persistent and prevalent substances
The nature of the global drugs market has evolved rapidly and become more complex with the emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS), some of which have been associated with increased abuse, hospital emergency admissions and sometimes fatalities. NPS are characterised by geographic heterogeneity, with some only transient in nature and others not satisfying the criteria for harm required for international control. Consequently, a pragmatic response of the international community is to prioritise the most harmful, persistent and prevalent substances for action − an objective, which is hampered by the paucity of data o...
Source: Forensic Science International - November 18, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Susan C. Ifeagwu, Martin Raithelhuber, Conor Crean, Dimitri Gerostamoulos, Heesun Cheung, Justice N. Tettey Source Type: research
Euclidean Distances as measures of speaker similarity including identical twin pairs: A forensic investigation using source and filter voice characteristics
The human vocal apparatus is a sophisticated system relying on the accurate synchronization of multiple organic structures (e.g. lungs, vocal folds, vocal tract) in order to produce speech. Researchers from diverse disciplines have approached this field from very different angles, and continue contributing to the understanding of this immensely complicated process. Traditionally, the structures involved in speech production have been separated into the systemic view of the source-filter model due to Gunnar Fant [1], where the laryngeal structures are credited for the production of phonation, and the supralaryngeal structur...
Source: Forensic Science International - November 16, 2016 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Eugenia San Segundo, Athanasios Tsanas, Pedro G ómez-Vilda Source Type: research
