DNA recovery from latent fingermarks treated with an infrared fluorescent fingerprint powder
Fingermarks have been used for over 100 years as a means of identifying individuals involved in crime, by virtue of the patterns deposited at crime scenes or on items of evidential value [1]. In 1997, van Oorschot et al. [2] demonstrated that fingermark residues also provide enough DNA for the generation of DNA profiles. Technological and scientific advances have improved the ability to obtain at least partial DNA profiles from evidence handled by an individual, primarily through the increased sensitivity in DNA typing procedures. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 18, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Abdulrahman al Oleiwi, Imtiaz Hussain, Allyce McWhorter, Raul Sutton, Roberto S.P. King Tags: Rapid Communication Source Type: research
On the integral use of foundational concepts in verifying validity during skull-photo superimposition
Transitions from the concepts recommended as foundational for video superimposition method have been noted in the methods described by authors using computer assisted superimposition processes (Table 3 in Jayaprakash [1]) including Gordon and Steyn [2] and the impact of such differences on the method reliability is a matter of current debate [3]. Gordon and Steyn [2] cite the traditional video superimposition method described by Austin-Smith and Maples [4] as the basis for their methodology. Austin-Smith and Maples [4] used face-images, although at lesser than ‘life-size’, but filled the monitor screen and then overlai...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Paul T. Jayaprakash Tags: Forensic Anthropology Population Data Source Type: research
Empirical test of the performance of an acoustic-phonetic approach to forensic voice comparison under conditions similar to those of a real case
In a New South Wales, Australia, case that went to trial in 2012, the defendant was accused of lodging fraudulent tax returns via the Australian Tax Office ’s automated telephone system. The system verbally asked the caller questions using a synthesized or pre-recorded voice, and used automatic speech recognition to interpret the caller’s spoken responses. The system also recorded the outgoing and incoming audio. A suspect was questioned in a polic e interview room, and that interview was recorded. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ewald Enzinger, Geoffrey Stewart Morrison Source Type: research
Can cadaverous pollution from environmental lead misguide to false positive results in the histochemical determination of gunshot residues? study on cadaveric skin samples
The histochemical Sodium Rhodizonate Test (Na-R) and 5% HCl Sodium Rhodizonate Test (Na-R-HCl), are techniques used in Italy and considered very useful in the study of gunshot wounds, in the determination of the shot distance [1,2] and in the differential diagnosis between the entry and exit hole [3]. These techniques are considered fundamental since energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) has high costs and is not available in all laboratories. The features of gunshot wounds are macroscopically appreciable when the body is well preserved, but if the bad cadaveric conditions do not allow to understand the nature of ...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 13, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Michele Boracchi, Salvatore Andreola, Federica Collini, Guendalina Gentile, Francesca Maciocco, Francesca Maghin, Riccardo Zoja Source Type: research
Forensic Age Estimation by Morphometric Analysis of the Manubrium from 3D MR Images
Forensic age estimation is an important tool in anthropology for identification of human remains [1], however, recently it has gained a lot of interest especially for age estimation of living adolescents and young adults to verify chronological age (CA) in legal proceedings [2–4] or sports applications [5,6]. For this purpose, skeletal, sexual and dental maturity indicators are the mos t frequently used biological features for estimating CA [7], with skeletal and dental development predominantly being investigated by radiographic imaging methods [8–10]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 12, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Naira P. Mart ínez Vera, Johannes Höller, Thomas Widek, Bernhard Neumayer, Thomas Ehammer, Martin Urschler Source Type: research
Tooth Coronal Index and Pulp/Tooth Ratio in Dental Age Estimation on Digital Panoramic Radiographs − A Comparative Study
Assessment of age through teeth is an important aspect of a new emerging science Forensic Odontology. Accurate estimation of age is required for pediatric issues, orthodontic treatments to legal matters [1]. Although skeletal methods could be used for age estimation, but variability of bone maturation is influenced by several environmental factors. Tooth development shows less variability than other developmental features and shows low variability in relation to chronological age [2]. Moreover, dental tissues are more resistant to thermal, chemical and mechanical stimuli and are less affected by endocrine diseases or nutri...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 12, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Supreet Jain, Ravleen Nagi, Minal Daga, Ashutosh Shandilya, Aastha Shukla, Abhinav Parakh, Afshan Laheji, Rahul singh Source Type: research
Senior Driving Under the Influence
In recent years, demographic trends in the Federal Republic of Germany led to a steady increase in the proportion of seniors among the population. According to the Federal Statistical Office, in 2013 16% of the German citizens were aged 70 years or older. Looking at current calculations, this share is expected to increase to 20% by the year 2030 [1]; therefore, also the share of the older road-users is steadily growing. In this respect, there is a large public interest in the driving suitability of elderly people, since perception and responsiveness can be influenced by an age-related increase of morbidity. (Source: Forens...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 10, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Benjamin Kirsch, Christoph G. Birngruber, Reinhard Dettmeyer Source Type: research
First records of Synthesiomyia nudiseta (Diptera: Muscidae) from forensic cases in Italy
In 2004 and 2010 Turchetto and Vanin [1 –3] highlighted the effects of global warming and globalisation on the distribution and phenology of forensically important species, underlying the need of updated species lists on a regional scale. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 10, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: S. Lo Pinto, G. Giordani, F. Tuccia, F. Ventura, S. Vanin Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
Acetone facilitated DNA sampling from electrical tapes improves DNA recovery and enables latent fingerprints development
Various forms of adhesive tapes are used by criminals and terrorists for different purposes [1] and are commonly collected in crime scenes for DNA extraction and latent fingerprint development [2 –4]. Adhesive tapes are also used by forensic examiners as an efficient means for DNA collection, namely when processing clothing items [5,6]. Electrical tape (ET, or insulating tape) is a type of adhesive used to insulate wires or other conductive components and is also frequently used for other general applications. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 8, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ilan Feine, Moshe Shpitzen, Boris Geller, Eran Salmon, Tsach Peleg, Jonathan Roth, Ron Gafny Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Technical note: Acetone facilitated DNA sampling from electrical tapes improves DNA recovery and enables latent fingerprints development
Various forms of adhesive tapes are used by criminals and terrorists for different purposes [1] and are commonly collected in crime scenes for DNA extraction and latent fingerprint development [2 –4]. Adhesive tapes are also used by forensic examiners as an efficient means for DNA collection, namely when processing clothing items [5,6]. Electrical tape (ET, or insulating tape) is a type of adhesive used to insulate wires or other conductive components and is also frequently used for other general applications. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 8, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ilan Feine, Moshe Shpitzen, Boris Geller, Eran Salmon, Tsach Peleg, Jonathan Roth, Ron Gafny Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Mirtazapine fatal poisoning
Mirtazapine is a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) which has been evaluated in the treatment of major depression. Mirtazapine has a unique mode of biochemical action: it affects both the serotonin and norepinephrine systems in the central nervous system, but it lacks the anticholinergic and cardiovascular effects of other antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants. Mirtazapine, due to its characteristic pharmacological action (enhancement of central noradrenergic and serotonergic activity), is able to neutralize or reverse some side effects that are likely to occur when other classes of...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 8, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Claudia Vignali, Angelo Groppi, Francesca Brandolini, Francesco Maria Avato, Anna Talarico, Rosa Maria Gaudio, Luca Morini Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
Worldwide Population Variation in Pelvic Sexual Dimorphism: A Validation and Recalibration of the Klales et al. Method
Sex estimation is an integral aspect of biological anthropology. Correctly estimating sex is the first step to many subsequent analyses, such as estimating living stature or age-at-death. Klales et al. (2012) provided a revised version of the Phenice (1969) method that expanded the original three traits (ventral arc, subpubic concavity/contour, and medial aspect of the ischio-pubic ramus) into five character states to capture varying degrees of expression within each trait. The Klales et al. (2012) method also provided associated probabilities with each sex classification, which is of particular importance in forensic anth...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 8, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Michael W. Kenyhercz, Alexandra R. Klales, Kyra E. Stull, Kyle A. McCormick, Stephanie J. Cole Tags: Forensic Anthropology Population Data Source Type: research
A comparative in situ decomposition study using still born piglets and leaf litter from a deciduous forest
A cadaver is an energy resource, which plays a role in nutrient cycling with the release of numerous compounds such as acetic acid, amino acids and propionic acid, into the surrounding soil [1,2]. In particular, its decomposition is often described as a complex process that is attributed to microbial, vertebrate and invertebrate scavenger metabolic activities, which impacts the surrounding environmental microbiota [1,3]. Advancements in molecular microbial ecology techniques have enabled researchers to study the epinecrotic, necrobiome and thanatomicrobiome communities in these complex interactions within the novel forensi...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 6, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ayodeji O. Olakanye, Andrew Nelson, T. Komang Ralebitso-Senior Source Type: research
Analysis of PEG Oligomers in Black Gel Inks: Discrimination and Ink Dating
The gel ink pen was first on the market of Japan in the mid 1980s [1]. Due to its smooth writing, quick drying, good color fastness and low cost, it has become a popular modern writing instrument [1 –4]. Black gel inks that use carbon black as colorant, have such good color fastness that they can be written on important contracts, loan receipts or other credentials. In China, ink entries written by carbon-based black gel ink are common samples in forensic practice of questioned document exami nation. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 4, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Qiran Sun, Yiwen Luo, Ping Xiang, Xu Yang, Min Shen Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Determining the number of test fires needed to represent the variability present within 9mm Luger firearms
Firearm examiners are often asked to determine whether or not a cartridge case recovered at a crime scene had been fired by a firearm found in possession of a suspect. Comparisons are performed by comparing the impressions left on the cartridge cases by use of a comparison microscope, allowing for the similarities and differences to be noted. Finally, conclusions are made based on the opinion of the examiner, taking into account observations and automated database results if performed. For the purposes of this study, only the breech face and firing pin impressions will be compared. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 3, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Eric F. Law, Keith B. Morris, Casey M. Jelsema Source Type: research
