A fully synthetic lung model for wound-ballistic experiments − first results
Due to the complexity of bullet-tissue interaction, the field of wound-ballistics still strongly relies on experiments in order to understand the injuring capacity of a certain ammunition type, e.g. the wound profile. The wound profile refers to the penetration depth, the bullet deformation/fragmentation, the diameter of the permanent and the temporary wound cavity. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - April 3, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: S.A. Bolliger, S.A. Poschmann, M.J. Thali, S. Eggert Source Type: research
The occurrence of alcohol/drugs by toxicological examination of selected drivers in Hong Kong
Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is considered to be one of the major problems worldwide that contribute to traffic accidents, causing injury and fatality to many people [1]. While alcohol is still the main psychoactive substance endangering lives on the roads today, many other psychoactive substances, in particular abused drugs, are known to affect some important skills necessary for the safe operation of a vehicle, such as coordination, judgment, perception, tracking and reaction time [2]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - April 2, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Wing-Chi Cheng, Kwok-Leung Dao Source Type: research
The application of silicon sol –gel technology to forensic blood substitute development: Investigation of the spreading dynamics onto a paper surface
The Organization of Scientific Areas Committee ’s (OSAC) bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) subcommittee has recently reported a call to determine the differences between fresh, whole human blood and various blood substitutes for use in research, training and case experimentation [1]. The subcommittee suggests that further research can help wit h understanding the relationship between the physical characteristics of blood and other fluids and the mechanisms that cause pattern formation [1]. This work complements this idea by exploring the contributions of surface tension, density and viscosity to droplet spread and passiv...
Source: Forensic Science International - April 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Theresa Stotesbury, Mike Illes, Paul Wilson, Andrew J. Vreugdenhil Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
The application of silicon sol-gel technology to forensic blood substitute development: investigation of the spreading dynamics onto a paper surface
The Organization of Scientific Areas Committee ’s (OSAC) bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) subcommittee has recently reported a call to determine the differences between fresh, whole human blood and various blood substitutes for use in research, training and case experimentation [1]. The subcommittee suggests that further research can help wit h understanding the relationship between the physical characteristics of blood and other fluids and the mechanisms that cause pattern formation [1]. This work complements this idea by exploring the contributions of surface tension, density and viscosity to droplet spread and passiv...
Source: Forensic Science International - April 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Theresa Stotesbury, Mike Illes, Paul Wilson, Andrew J. Vreugdenhil Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Work place drug testing of police officers after THC exposure during large volume cannabis seizures
In Australia, illegal plantations of marijuana or cannabis is traditionally grown in isolated, open-air environments, such as forest clearings, farms and backyards. In more recent years, an expansion of cannabis production of using indoor systems (hydroponic or potted soil) has occurred [1], as it offers many advantages to improve crop yield and quality, including the ability to extend the growing day, no seasonal limitations, faster production time, reduction of pathogens, higher density planting, the ability to meet optimal nutrient and water demands of plants, suburban rather than rural production, and most importantly,...
Source: Forensic Science International - April 1, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Gregory S. Doran, Ralph Deans, Carlo De Filippis, Chris Kostakis, Julia A. Howitt Source Type: research
Computerized Reconstruction of Fragmentary Skeletal Remains
In forensic contexts, a biological profile constructed from unidentified skeletal remains assists in the search for missing persons and is necessary for sorting commingled remains and identifying victims in mass graves. The reliability of information extracted from the skeletal remains is highly dependent on the degree of integrity and preservation of the specimens. In cases of sub-optimal conditions or partial bones, the missing elements may limit the amount of information that can be derived from the skeleton [1]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 31, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Mohamed R. Mahfouz, Ali Mustafa, Emam ElHak Abdel Fatah, Nicholas P. Herrmann, Natalie R. Langley Source Type: research
Why is it so difficult to determine the yield of indoor cannabis plantations? A case study from the Netherlands
With an annual production of between 323 and 766tonnes of dried cannabis (Cannabis spp. L.) flower buds [1,2], the Netherlands seems to be one of the largest commercial illicit cannabis producers in Europe [3]. The latter is also reflected in the number of illegal indoor cannabis plantation seizures which, in The Netherlands, lies around 5,000 plantations per year. Only in the UK similar absolute levels of annual seizures are registered [3]. As a result of increasing international pressure on the Netherlands to contain cannabis production, the country stepped up criminal investigation and subsequent legal prosecution of il...
Source: Forensic Science International - March 31, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Wouter Vanhove, Nicole Maalst é, Patrick Van Damme Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
Critical Issues in the Historical and Contemporary Development of Forensic Anthropology in Australia: An international comparison
The aim of this brief critical qualitative analysis is to examine the development of forensic anthropology in Australia, at a time of significant change in the discipline. It will briefly summarise its historical establishment, making comparative reference to other regions —particularly the United Kingdom and United States, and the influence of the Bali Bombings of 2002, Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of 2004 and Black Saturday Bushfires of 2009. The analysis goes on to consider key factors in research in forensic anthropology in the United States, and the deve lopment of standards and regulation in the US and UK. (...
Source: Forensic Science International - March 31, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Xanth é Mallett, Martin P. Evison Tags: Forensic Anthropology Population Data Source Type: research
An unusual exit wound as a result of a shotgun suicide to the head
The assessment of fatal gunshot wounds to the head is a common task for the forensic pathologist. The identification and interpretation of typical and sometimes unusual pathomorphological findings at the entrance and exit wound as well the wound path trajectory play an important part in reconstructing the position of the shooting hand and the firearm [1]. In most cases characteristic autopsy features reveal typical skin lacerations that can be defined as a gunshot entrance or exit wound [2]. Due to the high velocity of the projectile, its rotational spin and thus its interaction with the highly elastic skin, the entrance w...
Source: Forensic Science International - March 29, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: S.N. Kunz Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
Genital and anal injuries: a cross-sectional Australian study of 1266 women alleging recent sexual assault
The presence of general body injuries has been associated with higher rates of laying charges [1] and prosecution of sexual assault [2 –5]. Conviction rates are also higher in women who sustain genital injuries following sexual assault. In a large 2009 South African study [6] both general and genital injury were strongly associated with conviction. Although historically some courts have relied upon the presence of genital injury to “prove” sexual assaults [7], it is well recognised that genital injury is not seen in the majority of women following sexual assault. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Renate R. Zilkens, Debbie A. Smith, Maureen A. Phillips, S. Aqif Mukhtar, James B. Semmens, Maire C. Kelly Source Type: research
Sharp and blunt force trauma concealment by thermal alteration in homicides: an in-vitro experiment for methodology and protocol development in forensic anthropological analysis of burnt bones.
Deaths from sharp and blunt force trauma are common in homicide cases [1 –5], particularly in countries where civilian use of firearms is strictly regulated. In England and Wales for instance, 2011-12 homicide data shows that out of 550 homicides, 200 resulted from sharp instruments and more than 100 from blunt trauma [6]. Homicides, whether by sharp, blunt or other ty pe of trauma, are often concealed through burning [7]. In such circumstances, where expertise in burn patterns and differential bone fracture propagation is required, the presence of the forensic anthropologist is advisable [8–11]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ioana Macoveciuc, Nicholas M árquez-Grant, Ian Horsfall, Peter Zioupos Source Type: research
Contribution by CGG Aitken to discussion of Meuwly et al. (2016)
The authors are to be congratulated for their clear exposition of the problems concerning the validation of likelihood ratio (LR) methods used for forensic evidence evaluation and their discussion of possible approaches to the solutions. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Colin Aitken Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
Recovery of deceased scuba divers from within flooded subterranean caves
Recreational scuba divers enter flooded caves for a number of reasons including exploration, adventure tourism, citizen science and/or photography. Each year in the US three divers, on average, perish inside flooded caves and their remains require recovery [1]. This number is far lower than in previous decades [2]. Nonetheless, recovery is a hazardous undertaking often performed by members of the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery (IUCRR) team, in collaboration with local law enforcement and medical examiners/coroners. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Peter Buzzacott, Craig Nelson, Ken Hill, Lamar Hires Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Technical Note: Recovery of deceased scuba divers from within flooded subterranean caves
Recreational scuba divers enter flooded caves for a number of reasons including exploration, adventure tourism, citizen science and/or photography. Each year in the US three divers, on average, perish inside flooded caves and their remains require recovery [1]. This number is far lower than in previous decades [2]. Nonetheless, recovery is a hazardous undertaking often performed by members of the International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery (IUCRR) team, in collaboration with local law enforcement and medical examiners/coroners. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Peter Buzzacott, Craig Nelson, Ken Hill, Lamar Hires Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
ENFSI collaborative testing programme for fingermarks: past experiences and future perspectives
As early as 2004 the Fingerprint Working Group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) has organised proficiency tests (PT ’s) as well as collaborative exercises (CE’s) as a way of raising standards within the fingerprint profession.Participation in PT’s and CE’s are a key element in the ISO/IEC accreditation process as they enable laboratories to monitor the quality of their analytical results. On the basis of the EuropeanCouncil Framework Decision 2009/905/JHA, of 30 November 2009, on Accreditation of forensic service providers carrying out laboratory activities [1], from November 15th of 2...
Source: Forensic Science International - March 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: A. Mattei, J. Fish, M. Hilgert, T. L övby, M. Svensson, J. Vaughan, F. Zampa, ENFSI Fingerprint Working Group Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
