Determining the Number of Test Fires Needed to Represent the Variability Present within 9 mm 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 Law, Keith Morris, Casey Jelsema Source Type: research
Determining the effect of cartridge case coatings on GSR using post-fire priming cup residue
When a weapon is discharged a plume of residue originating from the ammunition settles on the shooter, the victim, and that which is in the vicinity during the shooting. This residue, more commonly referred to as gunshot residue (GSR), is traditionally identified based on the presence of lead (Pb), barium (Ba), and antimony (Sb). It is often used in criminal cases as a method of identifying a shooter or estimating a shooting distance, which may assist in the discrimination between hypotheses (i.e. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Molly Terry, Barry Fookes, Candice M. Bridge Source Type: research
A biased opinion: Demonstration of cognitive bias on a fingerprint matching task through knowledge of DNA test results
Fingerprint analysis has been used for over a century as a means of comparing a suspect and a perpetrator within a police investigation. A ‘match’ or ‘identification’ decision means that the suspect may remain a ‘person of interest’ in a case. In contrast, a ‘no-match’ or ‘exclusion’ decision means that an innocent party may be cleared of charges or released from custody. Finally an ‘inconclusive’ decision means that the analyst does not have sufficient information to draw a definitive conclusion, and any charge or conviction would need to rest on alternative evidence. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Sarah V Stevenage, Alice Bennett Source Type: research
Differentiation of Lead-Free and Lead-Based Primers using Post-Fire Priming Cup Residue
When a weapon is discharged a plume of residue originating from the ammunition settles on the shooter, the victim, and that which is in the vicinity during the shooting. This residue, more commonly referred to as gunshot residue (GSR), is traditionally identified based on the presence of lead (Pb), barium (Ba), and antimony (Sb). It is often used in criminal cases as a method of identifying a shooter or estimating a shooting distance, which may assist in the discrimination between hypotheses (i.e. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Molly Terry, Barry Fookes, Candice Bridge Source Type: research
High-Speed Video Analysis of Forward and Backward Spattered Blood Droplets
Working for project No. 06-S-02 for the Midwest Forensics Resource Center (MFRC), T.L. Laber, B.P. Epstein, and M.C. Taylor took a series of over 500 high-speed videos of common bloodletting mechanisms [2]. The set of videos include blood spatter formation due to a gunshot, blood spatter due to a blunt object such as a hammer, or blood drop formation from a single droplet and are located on the MFRC website [1]. In literature, the videos have been referred to before [3 –5], and are routinely used in bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) presentation and training classes. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: P.M. Comiskey, A.L. Yarin, D. Attinger Source Type: research
Post-autopsy computed tomography. Pros and cons in a firearm death
Many studies have focused on the importance of post-mortem computed tomography (PMCT) prior to or in substitution of standard forensic autopsies in case of firearm death. However, due to the fact that PMCT is not routinely performed in all countries, in cases of death abroad it can happen that a CT scan is performed only after a first autopsy.A case of post-mortem re-examination, including the external examination and a post-autopsy computed tomography (PACT), of a gunshot victim of homicide in a foreign country is presented, and the pros and cons of imaging in post-autopsy setting are discussed. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Sindi Visentin, Guido Pelletti, Caterina Dengo, Maria De Matteis, Massimo Montisci Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
An autopsy case of fatal acute peritonitis complicated by illegal acupuncture therapy
Acupuncture is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine involving inserting thin needles into the body at acupuncture points. Recently, the use of acupuncture has increased in Eastern and Western countries, which is commonly used for pain relief [1]. It is generally accepted as a safe intervention when practiced by well educated and appropriately trained practitioner using clean technique and disposable single-use needles. Most reported adverse effects are minor without serious events. We experienced a rare autopsy case, who died from fatal acute peritonitis after receiving acupuncture by an illegal practitioner. (S...
Source: Forensic Science International - May 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: DongJa Kim, SangHan Lee Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
The “80 Joule Criterion” reconsidered today
Reviewing the literature for injury to man caused by bullets or fragments reveals that the 80 Joule injury criterion is referenced in nearly every technical report [8,5,6] or textbook [7]. The 80 Joule (precisely 78.453J) or 58 ft-lb criterion as named today was derived from the 8 mkg value first mentioned 1896 by the Prussian artillery lieutenant general Heinrich Wilhelm Rohne in his textbook [1] “Schießlehre für Infanterie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Gewehr 88 und der Schießvorschrift für die Infanterie“. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - May 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: G ünter Rettinger Source Type: research
Profiling of Illicit Cocaine Seized in China by ICP-MS Analysis of Inorganic Elements
Throughout the world, characterization and impurity profiling of seized drugs are increasingly being used to complement routine investigative work by law enforcement authorities. Chemical links between samples may be established, material from different seizures may be classified into groups of related samples and the origin of samples may be identified. That information may be used for evidential purposes or it may be used as a source of more general intelligence to identify drug trafficking patterns and distribution networks [1 –3]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - April 29, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Cuimei Liu, Zhendong Hua, Xin Meng Source Type: research
Cow Urine, Indian Yellow, and Art Forgeries: An Update
In a recent technical note in this Journal, de Faria et al. [1] reported the Raman spectrum of authentic Indian yellow artists ’ pigment, correcting a decades old reference spectrum that has led to the misidentification of this pigment in artworks that actually contained tartrazine yellow. The present communication provides additional information and corrects important experimental details mentioned by de Faria and cowork ers that should lead to further identifications of the authentic pigment in artworks. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - April 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Gregory Dale Smith Tags: Rapid Communication Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Effect of Yarn Structure on Wicking and Its Impact on Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) on Woven Cotton Fabrics
In 1895, Piotrowski ’s pioneering studies created a new forensic science, bloodstain pattern analysis BPA [1]. Today, BPA incorporates mathematics, physics and fluid mechanics and has had good success in describing the formation of bloodstains on hard, non-porous surfaces [2]. Balthazard et al. in 1939 were the first to report studies of bloodstains on textiles showing that textiles can alter the stain shape [3]. In 1986, White published his results on drip bloodstains on several different fabrics and for several different heights. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Xingyu Li, Jingyao Li, Stephen Michielsen Source Type: research
Sunlight-activated near-infrared phosphorescence as a viable means of latent fingermark visualisation
Latent fingermark enhancement has remained a pivotal tool within forensic science casework for over 100 years, serving as a fundamental and crucial method of attributing contact between an individual and an item of evidential value [1 –3]. Despite the relative maturity of the discipline and the multitude of visualisation processes that have been documented and implemented over the years, significant challenges remain within the fingermark enhancement community. The evolution of novel material types and compositions that are use d during the manufacture of commonly encountered everyday items (recycled plastics, for exampl...
Source: Forensic Science International - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Roberto S.P. King, Daniel A. Skros Tags: Rapid Communication Source Type: research
The Ebola epidemic in Liberia and managing the dead —A future role for Humanitarian Forensic Action?
“The Ebola virus disease outbreak in west Africa affected impoverished post-conflict countries with weak health systems and no experience with Ebola” [1] (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - April 25, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Stephen Cordner, Heinrich Bouwer, Morris Tidball-Binz Source Type: research
The ebola epidemic in liberia and managing the dead − a future role for humanitarian forensic action?
With some of their economies, communities and health systems weakened by decades of war and poor governance, it was no accident that an epidemic of Ebola virus disease broke out in west Africa. Being spread in part by contact with body fluids of those who had died from the disease, funerary rites and the way dead bodies were managed were important modes of transmission. The Liberian Red Cross, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, undertook the challenging task of managing the dead bodies in Monrovia during the epidemic. (Source: ...
Source: Forensic Science International - April 25, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Stephen Cordner, Heinrich Bouwer, Morris Tidball-Binz Source Type: research
