Toolmarks Made by Lathe Chuck Jaws
Recent years have seen a rapid increase in use of improvised, homemade, re-activated, and converted firearms among criminals and terrorists [1 –4]. One may find improvised pen-guns, mole-guns, pistols, revolvers, shot-guns, rifles, and even submachine-guns and machine-guns [5–9]. Most available studies by law-enforcement authorities and forensic laboratories address changing trends, increase in quantity, improvised firearm properties a nd features, and traditional firearms examination (comparing bullets and cartridge cases to the suspected weapon) [2,4,5,11]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 17, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nir Finkelstein, Ayal Aronson, Tsadok Tsach Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Analysis of different materials subjected to open-air explosions in search of explosive traces by Raman microscopy
Amongst the large variety of explosive compositions, explosive mixtures based on oxidizing energetic salts are certainly the explosives most frequently used by civilians (non-militaries) to carry out, not only legitimate commercial purposes such as demolitions and pyrotechnics, but also to commit criminal actions [1 –5]. As a result of the wide availability, easy acquisition and lax control of these explosives precursors, oxidizing energetic salts are usually employed by dissidents, extremists and terrorists in the elaboration of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 15, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: F élix Zapata, Carmen García-Ruiz Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Effects of environmental temperature on oviposition behavior in three blow fly species of forensic importance
Developmental stages of key insect species found on corpses can be used to estimate the minimum post-mortem interval (mPMI). As primary colonizers of human remains, blow flies are frequently used in these forensic calculations [1,2]. The developmental stages of colonizing insects reached at the time of the discovery of human remains will be the result of two main components: the time between death and the arrival of the colonizers, and the developmental rates of resulting larvae and pupae. Both of these components will vary, depending on habitat and environmental conditions. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 15, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Helen Ody, Mark T. Bulling, Kate M. Barnes Source Type: research
GHB-involved crimes among intoxicated patients
GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) was first synthesized by Laborit et al. in 1960 [1], however, it is also a naturally occuring compound of mammalian central nervous system and peripheral tissue [2,3]. The recreational use and abuse of this substance began in the 1990 ’s [4], resulting in increasing numbers of intoxicated patients who needed urgent toxicological care. Dose-dependent effects of GHB can mainly be explained by its affinity for two receptors in the brain. At low doses, GHB might bind to the GHB-specific receptor [5] and by doing so, it inhibits pre synaptic dopamine release and evokes stimulant-like effects [6]. (...
Source: Forensic Science International - March 9, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: M áté Kapitány-Fövény, Gábor Zacher, János Posta, Zsolt Demetrovics Source Type: research
Recording skeletal completeness: A standardised approach
Recording the preservation of human skeletal remains from forensic and archaeological contexts is a primary component of osteological analyses. Documenting the preservation is essential because the level of skeletal preservation dictates the extent to which conclusions can be drawn about the individual ’s ancestry, sex, age and stature (that is, a biological profile), trauma, pathology and/or unique osteological characteristics. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 8, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Samantha K. Rowbotham, Soren Blau, Jacqueline Hislop-Jambrich Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Analysis of Synthetic Phenethylamine Street Drugs Using Direct Sample Analysis Coupled to Accurate Mass Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry
DSA-TOFMS Mass Spectrum of Street Sample Superimposed with Identified Structures and Blotter Papers. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 7, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Maura K. McGonigal, Joshua A. Wilhide, Philip B. Smith, Noelle M. Elliott, Frank L. Dorman Source Type: research
Sex estimation with the total area of the proximal femur: a densitometric approach
The assessment of biological sex constitutes a focal research demand in the forensic examination of human skeletal remains, with additional parameters of the biological profile (e.g., stature or age) typically estimated as sex-specific [1,2]. Superlative approaches for the sexual estimation of unknown skeletal individuals usually depend on the recovery and analysis of well-preserved pelvic bones [1 –3]. Likewise, the cranium and long bones have been employed to accurately assess sex in human skeletal remains [3–6]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 7, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Francisco Curate, Anabela Albuquerque, Izilda Ferreira, Eug énia Cunha Source Type: research
Recording skeletal completeness: a standardized approach
Recording the preservation of human skeletal remains from forensic and archaeological contexts is a primary component of osteological analyses. Documenting the preservation is essential because the level of skeletal preservation dictates the extent to which conclusions can be drawn about the individual ’s ancestry, sex, age and stature (that is, a biological profile), trauma, pathology and/or unique osteological characteristics. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 7, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Samantha K Rowbotham, Soren Blau, Jacqueline Hislop-Jambrich Tags: Technical Note Source Type: research
Stature estimation in a contemporary Japanese population based on clavicular measurements using multidetector computed tomography
Identification of unknown remains is one of the most important aspects of medicolegal practice [1]. Along with ancestry, sex, and age, stature is a crucial biological characteristic in the identification of an individual [2,3]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 7, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Suguru Torimitsu, Yohsuke Makino, Hisako Saitoh, Ayaka Sakuma, Namiko Ishii, Daisuke Yajima, Go Inokuchi, Ayumi Motomura, Fumiko Chiba, Rutsuko Yamaguchi, Mari Hashimoto, Yumi Hoshioka, Hirotaro Iwase Tags: Forensic Anthropology Population Data Source Type: research
The effects of synthetic cannabinoid UR-144 on the human body —A review of 39 cases
Recreational use of synthetic cannabinoids has become increasingly popular during the last few years. This is primarily because these compounds produce psychoactive effects similar to cannabis, and often are not controlled. One of the most popular synthetic cannabinoids in recent years has been UR-144 [IUPAC name: (1-pentyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)-methanone]. Alternative abbreviations for this substance include TMCP-018, KM-X1, MN-001 and YX-17. UR-144 was invented in 2006 by Abbott Laboratories [1] and was first reported in herbal incenses seized in June 2012 in Korea [2]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 6, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Piotr Adamowicz, Joanna Giero ń, Dominika Gil, Wojciech Lechowicz, Agnieszka Skulska, Bogdan Tokarczyk Tags: Rapid Communication Source Type: research
A non-fatal intoxication and seven deaths involving the dissociative drug 3-MeO-PCP
The arylcyclohexylamine 3-methoxyphencyclidine (3-MeO-PCP) is an analogue of the dissociative anesthetic phencyclidine (PCP); also known as “Angel dust” (Fig. 1) [1]. PCP was withdrawn from the market in 1965 due to adverse psychological effects in patients post-operatively, including agitation, violent behavior, paranoid delusions, disorientation, delirium and hallucinations [1,2]. However, it soon became a popular recreational dru g in the US and Canada. Usage declined in the early 80s but is now rising again [1,3]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 6, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Anna Johansson, Daniel Lindstedt, Markus Roman, Gunilla Thelander, Elisabet I Nielsen, Ulrica Lennborn, H åkan Sandler, Sten Rubertsson, Johan Ahlner, Robert Kronstrand, Fredrik C. Kugelberg Source Type: research
Migration of latent fingermarks on non-porous surfaces: Observation technique and nanoscale variations
Freshly deposited latent fingermarks consist of multiple components from eccrine and sebaceous secretions such as water, fatty acids, sterol esters, wax esters, amino acids and inorganic compounds [1 –4]. Estimates of water concentration vary from less than 20% [1] to 99% [2,3]. The composition of deposited latent fingermarks may vary as a result of many factors such as: age [5–10], gender [4,6,11,12–14,15], race [16] and diet [11] of the donor as well as the deposition action, contact tim e, angle, pressure, and substrate nature which includes porosity, curvature, and texture [4,5]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 4, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: K.T. Popov, V.G. Sears, B.J. Jones Source Type: research
Identification of ANFO: Use of luminescent taggants in post-blast residues
New technologies for monitoring the use of explosives in criminal and terrorist attacks are currently one of a most relevant forensic issue in the world. Explosives are analyzed in pre- or post-blast stages. The pre-blast analyses focus on detecting hidden explosive materials, thus, preventing a criminal act from happening. Post-blast analyses are used to identify explosive traces after the criminal act and, therefore, associate suspects to a crime scene by connecting the detonated explosives to its origin [1 –5]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 4, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: F.G.M. Mauricio, A.Z. Pralon, M. Talhavini, M.O. Rodrigues, I.T. Weber Source Type: research
Determination of specific IgE in pericardial fluid
Koniari, Kounis and co-workers [1] have recently commented on an article published in Forensic Science International [2], which focused on the determination of total and specific IgE in the pericardial and cerebrospinal fluid for diagnostic purposes in the forensic setting. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 4, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Cristian Palmiere Source Type: research
Fingermark visualisation on uncirculated £5 (Bank of England) polymer notes: initial process comparison studies
The introduction of polymer banknotes dates back to 1988 when they first entered circulation in Australia [1,2]. The next three decades saw many other countries transition from the traditional cotton paper banknote to a polymer variant, and now polymer banknotes are in circulation across more than 30 countries [1]. In September 2016, the Bank of England (BoE) released a polymer £5 banknote in the United Kingdom, following the launch of the Scottish £5 polymer banknote by the Clydesdale Bank in 2015 [3]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - March 3, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Rory P. Downham, Eleigh R. Brewer, Roberto S.P. King, Aoife M. Luscombe, Vaughn G. Sears Source Type: research
