Rapid identification information and its influence on the perceived clues at a crime scene: An experimental study
Crime scenes can always be explained in multiple ways. Traces alone do not provide enough information to infer a whole series of events that has taken place; they only provide clues for these inferences. CSIs need additional information to be able to interpret observed traces. In the near future, a new source of information that could help to interpret a crime scene and testing hypotheses will become available with the advent of rapid identification techniques. A previous study with CSIs demonstrated that this information had an influence on the interpretation of the crime scene, yet it is still unknown what exact informat...
Source: Science and Justice - June 2, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Madeleine de Gruijter, Claire Nee, Christianne J. de Poot Source Type: research
Improving uncertainty in Widmark equation calculations: Alcohol volume, strength and density
The Widmark equation is probably the most commonly used calculation for medicolegal purposes. Recently the National Research Council (USA) and the Forensic Science Regulator (UK) have called for the uncertainty of all results to be given with all forensic measurements and calculations. To improve the uncertainty of measurement of results from Widmark calculations we have concentrated on the uncertainties of measurement involved in the calculation of amount of alcohol, that of the volume of alcohol, the concentration of alcohol and the density of alcohol as previous studies have investigated some of the other factors involv...
Source: Science and Justice - May 24, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Peter D. Maskell, R. Alex Speers, Dawn L. Maskell Tags: Case Review Source Type: research
The use of handwriting examinations beyond the traditional court purpose
Traditionally, forensic science has predominantly focused its resources and objectives on addressing court related questions. However, this view restricts the contribution of forensic science to one function and results in lost opportunities as investigative and intelligence roles are often overlooked.A change of perspective and expansion of the contributions of forensic science is required to take advantage of the benefits of abductive and inductive thought processes throughout the investigative and intelligence functions. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - May 23, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Anna Agius, Kylie Jones, Rochelle Epple, Marie Morelato, S ébastien Moret, Scott Chadwick, Claude Roux Tags: Review Source Type: research
The transfer of diatoms from freshwater to footwear materials: An experimental study assessing transfer, persistence, and extraction methods for forensic reconstruction
In recent years there has been growing interest in environmental forms of trace evidence, and ecological trace evidence collected from footwear has proved valuable within casework. Simultaneously, there has been growing awareness of the need for empirical experimentation to underpin forensic inferences. Diatoms are unicellular algae, and each cell (or ‘frustule’) consists of two valves which are made of silica, a robust material that favours their preservation both in sediments and within forensic scenarios. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - May 23, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: E.A. Levin, R.M. Morgan, V.J. Jones Source Type: research
An investigation into the effect of surveillance drones on textile evidence at crime scenes
With increasing numbers of Police forces using drones for crime scene surveillance, the effect of the drones on trace evidence present needs evaluation. In this investigation the effect of flying a quadcopter drone at different heights over a controlled scene and taking off at different distances from the scene were measured. Yarn was placed on a range of floor surfaces and the number lost or moved from their original position was recorded.It was possible to estimate “safe” distances above and take off distance from the bath mat (2m and 1m respectively), and carpet tile (3m and 1m) which were the roughest surfaces. (So...
Source: Science and Justice - May 20, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Alistair Bucknell, Tom Bassindale Source Type: research
The persistence of human DNA in soil following surface decomposition
Though recent decades have seen a marked increase in research concerning the impact of human decomposition on the grave soil environment, the fate of human DNA in grave soil has been relatively understudied. With the purpose of supplementing the growing body of literature in forensic soil taphonomy, this study assessed the relative persistence of human DNA in soil over the course of decomposition. Endpoint PCR was used to assess the presence or absence of human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, while qPCR was used to evaluate the quantity of human DNA recovered from the soil beneath four cadavers at the University of Tennesse...
Source: Science and Justice - May 19, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Alexandra L. Emmons, Jennifer M. DeBruyn, Amy Z. Mundorff, Kelly L. Cobaugh, Graciela S. Cabana Source Type: research
Genetic DNA profile in urine and hair follicles from patients who have undergone allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
In this study we analyzed the genetic profiles (by the amplification of 15 autosomic STRs) of HSCT patients found in different types of samples (blood, hair and urine) that may be the source of DNA in civil or criminal forensic cases. Our results show that while in hair follicles the donor component was not detected in any patient, thus being a reliable source of biological material for forensic identification, mixed chimerism was detected in urine samples from all patient, and no correlation was found between the time elapsed from the transplant and the percentage of chimerism. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - May 16, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ana Santurt ún, José A. Riancho, Maite Santurtún, Carlos Richard, M. Mercedes Colorado, Mayte García Unzueta, María T. Zarrabeitia Source Type: research
The sharing of ballistics data across Europe and neighbouring territories
The current study explored the use of ballistic examinations and cross-border information sharing across 14 European countries. The presented data were collected using a mixed methods technique consisting of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires that were completed by participants. The results painted a very heterogeneous picture of the use of automated ballistic systems across these countries, as well as how ballistic analyses are integrated in the fight against gun-enabled crime. Three super-ordinates themes emerged from the thematic analysis: use of automated ballistic systems; Ballistic evidence recovery and an...
Source: Science and Justice - May 2, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: F. Jeane Gerard, Rebecca L. Crookes, Susan Elliott, Michael Hellenbach, Athanasios Stamos, Helen Poole, Erica Bowen Tags: Emerging researcher article Source Type: research
ATR-FTIR characterization of generic brand-named and counterfeit sildenafil- and tadalafil-based tablets found on the Brazilian market
In this study, we present our findings in exploring ATR-FTIR spectral profiles for characterizing both genuine and questioned samples of several generic and brand-name sildenafil- and tadalafil-based tablets available on the Brazilian market, including Viagra and Cialis. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jos é Coelho Neto, Fernanda L.C. Lisboa Source Type: research
Basic research and applied science in forensic entomology
Forensic entomology (FE) focuses mainly on human cadavers colonized by insects [1]. The use of arthropods as a tool in criminal investigations is essentially related to the estimation of the minimum time elapsed since death (also referred as minimum post-mortem interval or minPMI) based on the assumption that insects arrive on the body shortly after death [2]. However, the techniques devised recently in FE can allow experts in the field to collect strong entomological evidence in legal proceedings not strictly related to PMI [3]. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Valentina Bugelli, Carlo Pietro Campobasso Tags: Preface Source Type: research
Editorial Board
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Source: Science and Justice - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Events Guide
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Source: Science and Justice - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Council Information
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Source: Science and Justice - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Helicopter thermal imaging for detecting insect infested cadavers
One of the most common techniques applied for searching living and even dead persons is the FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) system fixed on an aircraft like e.g. a helicopter, visualizing the thermal patterns emitted from objects in the long-infrared spectrum. However, as body temperature cools down to ambient values within approximately 24h after death, it is common sense that searching for deceased persons can be just applied the first day post-mortem. We postulated that the insect larval masses on a decomposing body generate a heat which can be considerably higher than ambient temperatures for a period of several weeks ...
Source: Science and Justice - April 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jens Amendt, Sandra Rodner, Claus-Peter Schuch, Heinz Sprenger, Lars Weidlich, Frank Reckel Source Type: research
Estimating the age of the adult stages of the blow flies Lucilia sericata and Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) by means of the cuticular hydrocarbon n-pentacosane
Age estimation of insects like blow flies plays an important role in forensic entomology and can answer questions in regard to time of death. So far the focus is on the immature stages of these insects, but recently the adult fly became a target of interest. It has been established that the profile of specific cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) changes in a consistent pattern as adult insects age; thus, their analysis could be a promising tool for the age estimation of adult insects.We investigated the CHC n-pentacosane (nC25) on the legs of the adult blow flies Lucilia sericata and Calliphora vicina with gas chromatography –...
Source: Science and Justice - April 25, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Victoria Bernhardt, Werner Pogoda, Marcel A. Verhoff, Stefan W. Toennes, Jens Amendt Source Type: research
