Simultaneous detection and image capture of biological evidence using a combined 360 ° camera system with single wavelength laser illumination
Forensic investigators frequently utilise light sources to detect and presumptively identify biological evidence. The instrumentation typically deploys single or multiple wavelength exposures at various intensities, which interact with constituents of biological material, initiating fluorescence or improving contrast between the material and substrate. Documentation using sketches and/or photographic approaches follows detection, which are essential for scene reconstruction. Recent research has demonstrated the simultaneous detection and capture of biological evidence using a 360 ° camera system combined with an alternate...
Source: Science and Justice - August 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: K. Sheppard, S.J. Fieldhouse, J.P. Cassella Source Type: research
Characterization and differentiation of cyclopropylfentanyl from E-crotonylfentanyl, Z-crotonylfentanyl, and 3-butenylfentanyl
Recently, a sample containing cyclopropylfentanyl was analyzed at this laboratory. Cyclopropylfentanyl began to appear in the United States' illicit drug markets in 2017. Unfortunately, cyclopropylfentanyl presents an analytical challenge due to its mass spectrum being almost identical to that of crotonylfentanyl. There are two possible isomers of crotonylfentanyl, Z- and E- crotonylfentanyl. In order to provide sufficient analytical data to distinguish the two isomers of crotonylfentanyl and cyclopropylfentanyl, crotonylfentanyl was synthesized and fully characterized. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - July 26, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Jennifer R. Mallette, John F. Casale, Patrick A. Hays Source Type: research
Isolation and characterisation of a novel sildenafil analogue adulterant, desmethylpiperazinyl propoxysildenafil, in a dietary supplement
A new sildenafil analogue was detected during routine screening of dietary supplements suspected to be adulterated with an erectile dysfunction drug(s) using HPLC-DAD. The UV spectrum of this compound was highly similar to that of sildenafil and almost identical to that of desmethylpiperazinyl sildenafil. The analogue was purified by using semi-preparative HPLC and structurally elucidated by performing mass spectrometric and NMR spectroscopic experiments. The spectral data revealed that this sildenafil analogue bears an n-propoxy group instead of an ethoxy group and possesses no methylpiperazinyl moiety. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - July 18, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ji Hyun Lee, Han Na Park, Aeran Jung, Suresh Mandava, Seong Soo Park, Jongkook Lee, Hoil Kang Source Type: research
Investigation of infinite focus microscopy for the determination of the association of blood with fingermarks
The determination of the type of deposition mechanism of blood within fingermarks at the scene of violent crimes is of great importance for the reconstruction of the bloodshed dynamics. However, to date, evaluation still relies on the subjective visual examination of experts. Practitioners encounter three types of scenarios in which blood may be found in fingermarks and they refer to the following three deposition mechanisms: (i) blood marks, originating from a bloodied fingertip; (ii) marks in blood, originating from a clean fingertip contacting a blood contaminated surface; (iii) coincidental deposition mechanisms, origi...
Source: Science and Justice - July 15, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: L. Deininger, S. Francese, M.R. Clench, G. Langenburg, V. Sears, C. Sammon Source Type: research
Study of the adhesion of explosive residues to the finger and transfer to clothing and luggage
It is important to understand the extent of transfer of explosive particles to different surfaces in order to better evaluate potential cross-contamination by explosives in crowded security controls such as those at airports. This work investigated the transfer of nine explosive residues (ANFO, dynamite, black powder, TNT, HMTD, PETN, NH4NO3, KNO3, NaClO3) through fingerprints from one surface to another. First, the extent of adhesion of explosive residues from different surfaces to the bare finger, nitrile and latex gloves was studied. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - July 15, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Heidi Lees, F élix Zapata, Merike Vaher, Carmen García-Ruiz Source Type: research
Corrigendum to ‘Questions, propositions and assessing different levels of evidence: Forensic voice comparison in practice’
The authors wish to correct a mistake in the original article. An example set of propositions is given in section 4.2 on page 255: (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - July 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Vincent Hughes, Richard Rhodes Tags: Corrigendum Source Type: research
The effect of mark enhancement techniques on the presumptive and confirmatory tests for blood
An investigation into the effects of physical and chemical enhancement on subsequent presumptive and confirmatory tests for human blood is presented. Human blood was deposited onto porous (white 80 gsm paper and brown envelope) and non-porous (tile and linoleum) substrates in a depletion series (30 depletions on non-porous and 20 on porous) and subjected to three ageing periods; 1, 7 and 28 days. A number of enhancement techniques were tested [fluorescence, black magnetic powder (BMP), iron-oxide black powder suspension (PS), cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming, acid violet 17 (AV17), acid yellow 7 (AY7), ninhydrin, DFO and Blues...
Source: Science and Justice - July 6, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Vanessa Stewart, Paul Deacon, Nathalie Zahra, Mari L. Uchimoto, Kevin J. Farrugia Source Type: research
Extraction and isolation of cannabinoids from marijuana seizures and characterization by 1H NMR allied to chemometric tools
Marijuana, a drug derived from the Cannabis sativa L. plant, is the world's most consumed illicit drug. In this paper, a total of 156 marijuana samples seized in the state of Esp írito Santo (ES), Brazil were studied and analysed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy to identify the major cannabinoids present. A crude extract of all samples was purified using high performance liquid chromatography so that these compounds could serve as reference substan ces. Nine fractions were obtained and analysed by 1H NMR and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), with five presented cannabinoids. (Sour...
Source: Science and Justice - June 27, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: J úlia de A. Leite, Marcos V.L. de Oliveira, Raphael Conti, Warley de S. Borges, Thalles R. Rosa, Paulo R. Filgueiras, Valdemar Lacerda, Wanderson Romão, Álvaro C. Neto Source Type: research
A comparative study of standing fleshed foot and walking and jumping bare footprint measurements
Measurement of crime scene footprints can support the process of forensic biological profiling and the identification of unknown perpetrators [1]. This is important when epidermal ridge patterns, such as those seen in fingerprints are absent [2]. Previous research has investigated uniqueness of footprints. Kennedy et al. [3] suggested high levels of individuality with the odds of a chance match reported as one in 1.27 billion. Barker and Scheuer [2] suggested variations in footprint morphology result from three main factors: individual foot shape, method of locomotion and the substrate which the foot impacts on. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - June 18, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nicolas Howsam, Andrew Bridgen Source Type: research
Post-mortem interval estimation based on insect evidence in a quasi-indoor habitat
This article reports the PMI oriented analyses of insect evidence sampled from the human cadaver in the atypical indoor habitat. The body was found in the uninhabited house, on the floor covered with rubbish, in the room with no doors and windows. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - June 15, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Szymon Matuszewski, Anna M ądra-Bielewicz Tags: Case review Source Type: research
Better science for better justice: A proposal for joint experts
Science has a very important role to play in administering fair justice, both in its own right and even more so because of weaknesses in eyewitness and other types of evidence. The adversarial system, however, may muddle science and result in science being misused and abused in court. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - June 13, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Itiel Dror, Bridget McCormack, Jules Epstein Source Type: research
Editorial
Welcome to this year ’s fourth issue of Science and Justice. Given the wide range of disciplines contributing to forensic science research and practice, it is no wonder that Science and Justice continues to be a proudly multidisciplinary journal accepting submissions from all aspects of forensic science. We also invit e submissions across a range of article types including scientific and technical articles, review and discussion articles, case studies and letters. I think this variety offers an opportunity for authors to share their research findings in the most appropriate format, and provides the forensic scien ce comm...
Source: Science and Justice - June 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Lisa Smith Source Type: research
IFC: Editorial Board
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Source: Science and Justice - June 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM1: Events Guide
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Source: Science and Justice - June 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM2: Council Information
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Source: Science and Justice - June 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
