IFC: Editorial Board
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 21, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM1: Events Guide
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 21, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM2: Council Information
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 21, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Questions, propositions and assessing different levels of evidence: Forensic voice comparison in practice
This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion about the distinction between observations and propositions in forensic inference, with a specific focus on forensic voice comparison casework conducted in the UK. We outline both linguistic and legal issues which make the evaluation of voice evidence and the refinement of propositions problematic in practice, and illustrate these using case examples. We will argue that group-level observations from the offender sample will always be evidential and that the value of this evidence must be determined by the expert. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 7, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Vincent Hughes, Richard Rhodes Tags: Professional practice Source Type: research
A novel FTA ™ elute card collection method that improves direct DNA amplification from bloodstained concrete
Concrete is a common construction material found in residential and commercial buildings, bridges and parking lots that is a composite matrix containing aggregate held together with cement. The porous nature of concrete can make the collection and genotyping of biological fluids, such as blood, challenging. Forensic evidence can become embedded within the matrix, potentially reducing the amount of DNA available for analysis. In forensic science, “direct” amplification refers to a genotyping method that amplifies a DNA profile directly from a sample without DNA extraction, saving time and money. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 7, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Stephen G. Lipic, Lucille M. Giordullo, Jamie D. Fredericks Source Type: research
Questions, propositions and assessing different levels of evidence: Forensic voice comparison in practice
This paper contributes to the ongoing discussion about the distinction between observations and propositions in forensic inference, with a specific focus on forensic voice comparison casework conducted in the UK. We outline both linguistic and legal issues which make the evaluation of voice evidence and the refinement of propositions problematic in practice, and illustrate these using case examples. We will argue that group-level observations from the offender sample will always be evidential and that the value of this evidence must be determined by the expert. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 7, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Vincent Hughes, Richard Rhodes Tags: Professional practice Source Type: research
A novel FTA ™ elute card collection method that improves direct DNA amplification from bloodstained concrete
Concrete is a common construction material found in residential and commercial buildings, bridges and parking lots that is a composite matrix containing aggregate held together with cement. The porous nature of concrete can make the collection and genotyping of biological fluids, such as blood, challenging. Forensic evidence can become embedded within the matrix, potentially reducing the amount of DNA available for analysis. In forensic science, “direct” amplification refers to a genotyping method that amplifies a DNA profile directly from a sample without DNA extraction, saving time and money. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 7, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Stephen G. Lipic, Lucille M. Giordullo, Jamie D. Fredericks Source Type: research
A part-declared blind testing program in firearms examination
In 2015 and 2016 the Central Unit of the Dutch National Police created and submitted 21 cartridge case comparison tests as real cases to the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), under supervision of the University of Twente (UT). A total of 53 conclusions were drawn in these 21 tests. For 31 conclusions the underlying ground truth was “positive”, in the sense that it addressed a cluster of cartridge cases that was fired from the same firearm. For 22 conclusions the ground truth was “negative”, in the sense that the cartridge cases were fired from different firearms. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - April 4, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: W. Kerkhoff, R.D. Stoel, E.J.A.T. Mattijssen, C.E.H. Berger, F.W. Didden, J.H. Kerstholt Source Type: research
Application of mesocellular siliceous foams (MCF) for surface-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) Analysis of fingermarks
Recent advances in nanotechnology applied in forensic sciences have contributed to consider new approaches including chemical evaluation of latent fingermarks. Significant improvement to the detection of small organic molecules has been reached with matrix-free methods associated to laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The present study investigated the application of mesocellular siliceous foam (MCF) as an ionizing agent for laser desorption/ionization (LDI-MS) analysis of fingermarks as a proof of concept research. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 27, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: R.M. Barros, M.C.H. Clemente, G.A.V. Martins, L.P. Silva Source Type: research
Persistence of spermatozoa: lessons learned from going to the sources
The forensic science literature is permeated with various studies that attempt to determine how long spermatozoa can persist in the vaginal cavity and cervix. Forensic practitioners, nurses, investigators, and attorneys need accurate information generated from reliable studies in order to assess the timing of a sexual encounter and the likelihood of obtaining interpretable DNA results. During the investigation of a sexual assault, questions often arise about how long after initial deposition spermatozoa can be detected on vaginal and cervical swabs and at what point the samples are no longer worth testing. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 22, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: James DiFrancesco, Elizabeth Richards Tags: Review Source Type: research
Background survey of polyethylene in the Australian Capital Territory – A demonstration of variability in isotopic abundance values and their application to forensic casework
Plastics including adhesive tapes, cable ties, and packaging are common evidence types encountered in forensic investigations and casework. Traditional examination techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy lack specificity and are unable to discern differences within the same polymer structures leaving the analyst with a generic identification. High quality manufacturing methods further amplify the limitations in detecting variability between samples. Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) has been shown to be a valuable technique in further discriminating plastics. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 22, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Kylie Jones, Felicity Koens, Timothy Simpson Source Type: research
Persistence of spermatozoa: lessons learned from going to the sources
The forensic science literature is permeated with various studies that attempt to determine how long spermatozoa can persist in the vaginal cavity and cervix. Forensic practitioners, nurses, investigators, and attorneys need accurate information generated from reliable studies in order to assess the timing of a sexual encounter and the likelihood of obtaining interpretable DNA results. During the investigation of a sexual assault, questions often arise about how long after initial deposition spermatozoa can be detected on vaginal and cervical swabs and at what point the samples are no longer worth testing. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 22, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: James DiFrancesco, Elizabeth Richards Tags: Review Source Type: research
Background survey of polyethylene in the Australian Capital Territory – A demonstration of variability in isotopic abundance values and their application to forensic casework
Plastics including adhesive tapes, cable ties, and packaging are common evidence types encountered in forensic investigations and casework. Traditional examination techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy lack specificity and are unable to discern differences within the same polymer structures leaving the analyst with a generic identification. High quality manufacturing methods further amplify the limitations in detecting variability between samples. Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) has been shown to be a valuable technique in further discriminating plastics. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 22, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Kylie Jones, Felicity Koens, Timothy Simpson Source Type: research
