Reply to Morrison et al. (2016) Refining the relevant population in forensic voice comparison – A response to Hicks et alii (2015) The importance of distinguishing information from evidence/observations when formulating propositions
In their letter to the Editor, Morrison et al. [1] react to our paper [2] on the importance of distinguishing information from evidence when formulating propositions. We wish to thank the authors for this discussion, as it is essential for readers to understand that our paper [2] is not meant to be prescriptive. The aim of our article is to underline the importance of taking sufficient time to define precisely what is the evidence the forensic scientist is asked to assess and what are the information and the propositions, the latter being assessed by the Court. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 19, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: T. Hicks, A. Biedermann, J.A. de Koeijer, F. Taroni, C. Champod, I.W. Evett Tags: Reply to letter to the editor Source Type: research
The adaptation of a 360 ° camera utilising an alternate light source (ALS) for the detection of biological fluids at crime scenes
One of the most important and commonly encountered evidence types that can be recovered at crime scenes are biological fluids. Due to the ephemeral nature of biological fluids and the valuable DNA that they can contain, it is fundamental that these are documented extensively and recovered rapidly. Locating and identifying biological fluids can prove a challenging task but can aid in reconstructing a sequence of events. Alternate light sources (ALS) offer powerful non-invasive methods for locating and enhancing biological fluids utilising different wavelengths of light. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 14, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Kayleigh Sheppard, John P. Cassella, Sarah Fieldhouse, Roberto King Source Type: research
Three-dimensional analysis of third molar development to estimate age of majority
Third molars are one of the few biological markers available for age estimation in undocumented juveniles close the legal age of majority, assuming an age of 18years as the most frequent legal demarcation between child and adult status. To obtain more accurate visualization and evaluation of third molar mineralization patterns from computed tomography images, a new software application, DentaVol ©, was developed. Third molar mineralization according to qualitative (Demirjian's maturational stage) and quantitative parameters (third molar volume) of dental development was assessed in multi-slice helical computed tomography ...
Source: Science and Justice - April 13, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ana Bel én Márquez-Ruiz, María Concepción Treviño-Tijerina, Lucas González-Herrera, Belén Sánchez, Amanda Rocío González-Ramírez, Aurora Valenzuela Source Type: research
Forensic intelligence applied to questioned document analysis: A model and its application against organized crime
The capability of forensic sciences to fight crime, especially against organized criminal groups, becomes relevant in the recent economic downturn and the war on terrorism. In view of these societal challenges, the methods of combating crime should experience critical changes in order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the current resources available.It is obvious that authorities have serious difficulties combating criminal groups of transnational nature. These are characterized as well structured organizations with international connections, abundant financial resources and comprised of members with significa...
Source: Science and Justice - April 13, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul, Katherine A. Roberts Source Type: research
Identification at the crime scene: The sooner, the better? The interpretation of rapid identification information by CSIs at the crime scene
New technologies will allow Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs) in the near future to analyse traces at the crime scene and receive identification information while still conducting the investigation. These developments could have considerable effects on the way an investigation is conducted. CSIs may start reasoning based on possible database-matches which could influence scenario formation (i.e. the construction of narratives that explain the observed traces) during very early phases of the investigation. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 11, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Madeleine de Gruijter, Claire Nee, Christianne J. de Poot Source Type: research
Patterns of exchange of forensic DNA data in the European Union through the Pr üm system
This paper presents a study of the 5-year operation (2011 –2015) of the transnational exchange of forensic DNA data between Member States of the European Union (EU) for the purpose of combating cross-border crime and terrorism within the so-called Prüm system. This first systematisation of the full official statistical dataset provides an overall assess ment of the match figures and patterns of operation of the Prüm system for DNA exchange. These figures and patterns are analysed in terms of the differentiated contributions by participating EU Member States. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 11, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Filipe Santos, Helena Machado Source Type: research
An investigation into the cause of the inner dark areas and outer lighter areas (ghosting) seen in dynamically-created two-dimensional bare footprints
Dynamic bare footprints differ from static bare footprints through the presence of additional, lighter markings around the rear of the heel print and apices of the toe print areas. These images can appropriately be described as inner dark and outer ghosting features. To date, the functional cause of both features has not been understood. To gain such an understanding could potentially allow the further development and use of these features in forensic identification.The aim of this project was to investigate the causes of the inner dark and outer ghosting features seen in dynamic bare footprints through an observational, p...
Source: Science and Justice - April 7, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Wesley Vernon OBE, Neil Simmonite, Sarah Reel, Selina Reidy Source Type: research
Recognition of children on age-different images: Facial morphology and age-stable features
The situation of missing children is one of the most emotional social issues worldwide. The search for and identification of missing children is often hampered, among others, by the fact that the facial morphology of long-term missing children changes as they grow. Nowadays, the wide coverage by surveillance systems potentially provides image material for comparisons with images of missing children that may facilitate identification. The aim of study was to identify whether facial features are stable in time and can be utilized for facial recognition by comparing facial images of children at different ages as well as to te...
Source: Science and Justice - April 5, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Zuzana Caplova, Valentina Compassi, Silvio Giancola, Daniele M. Gibelli, Zuzana Obertov á, Pasquale Poppa, Remo Sala, Chiarella Sforza, Cristina Cattaneo Tags: Technical note Source Type: research
Sample-specific odontometric sex estimation: A method with potential application to burned remains
Metric features are often the only preserved sexually dimorphic features to allow sex estimation in burned human remains, but this is complicated by heat-induced dimensional changes. The potential of odontometry for sex estimation was investigated. A sample of permanent lower second pre-molars from 20 males and 20 females was experimentally burned at 900 °C to assess heat-induced changes in the sexual dimorphism of seven dimensions of the cementum-enamel junction and the root. Four of them, cementum-enamel junction perimeter; mesiodistal, buccolingual and perimeter at the mid-root level, were investigated for the first ti...
Source: Science and Justice - April 4, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Marcia Filipa Gouveia, In ês Oliveira Santos, Ana Luísa Santos, David Gonçalves Source Type: research
Implementation and assessment of a likelihood ratio approach for the evaluation of LA-ICP-MS evidence in forensic glass analysis
For the comparative analysis of glass fragments, a method using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is in use at the NFI, giving measurements of the concentration of 18 elements. An important question is how to evaluate the results as evidence that a glass sample originates from a known glass source or from an arbitrary different glass source. One approach is the use of matching criteria e.g. based on a t-test or overlap of confidence intervals. An important drawback of this method is the fact that the rarity of the glass composition is not taken into account. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 31, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Andrew van Es, Wim Wiarda, Maarten Hordijk, Ivo Alberink, Peter Vergeer Tags: Research paper Source Type: research
The chronology of the radiographic visibility of the periodontal ligament and the root pulp in the lower third molars
Eruption and mineralization of third molars are the main criteria for dental age estimation in living adolescents. As the validation of completion of the 18th year of life appears not to be possible with the forensically necessary probability even if all the third molars of a person are completely mineralized, degenerative dental characteristics might be used for this purpose. In previous publications by Olze et al. (2010a,b) the radiographic visibility of the periodontal ligament and the root pulp in lower third molars were suggested as methods for this purpose. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 31, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: M. Timme, W.H. Timme, A. Olze, C. Ottow, S. Ribbecke, H. Pfeiffer, R. Dettmeyer, A. Schmeling Tags: Emerging Researcher Article Source Type: research
Accessible biometrics: A frustrated total internal reflection approach to imaging fingerprints
Fingerprints are widely used as a means of identifying persons of interest because of the highly individual nature of the spatial distribution and types of features (or minuta) found on the surface of a finger. This individuality has led to their wide application in the comparison of fingerprints found at crime scenes with those taken from known offenders and suspects in custody. However, despite recent advances in machine vision technology and image processing techniques, fingerprint evidence is still widely being collected using outdated practices involving ink and paper – a process that can be both time consuming and ...
Source: Science and Justice - March 24, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nathan D. Smith, James S. Sharp Tags: Emerging researcher article Source Type: research
Editorial Board
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Source: Science and Justice - February 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Events Guide
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Source: Science and Justice - February 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Council Information
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Source: Science and Justice - February 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
