A review of the historical use and criticisms of gait analysis evidence
The use of gait analysis is a well-established facet of practice for many professions and a fundamental aspect of clinical practice. In recent times, gait analysis evidence has emerged as a new area of forensic practice. As its use has continued to spread and develop, the area of work has come under close scrutiny and subsequent criticism. The purpose of this paper is to examine the historical use of gait analysis evidence and consider the criticisms of this work. Through the use of the historical records of cases within the public domain it has been determined that gait analysis as evidence was first presented in court ov...
Source: Science and Justice - March 14, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Michael Nirenberg, Wesley Vernon, Ivan Birch Tags: Review Source Type: research
The influence of alcohol content variation in UK packaged beers on the uncertainty of calculations using the Widmark equation
It is common for forensic practitioners to calculate an individual's likely blood alcohol concentration following the consumption of alcoholic beverage(s) for legal purposes, such as in driving under the influence (DUI) cases. It is important in these cases to be able to give the uncertainty of measurement on any calculated result, for this reason uncertainty data for the variables used for any calculation are required. In order to determine the uncertainty associated with the alcohol concentration of beer in the UK the alcohol concentration (%v/v) of 218 packaged beers (112 with an alcohol concentration of ≤5.5%v/v and ...
Source: Science and Justice - March 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Peter D. Maskell, Calum Holmes, Margaux Huismann, Struan Reid, Martin Carr, Benjamin J. Jones, Dawn L. Maskell Source Type: research
IFC: Editorial Board
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM1: Events Guide
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM2: Council Information
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - March 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
A new method for the recovery and evidential comparison of footwear impressions using 3D structured light scanning
Footwear impressions are one of the most common forms of evidence to be found at a crime scene, and can potentially offer the investigator a wealth of intelligence. Our aim is to highlight a new and improved technique for the recovery of footwear impressions, using three-dimensional structured light scanning. Results from this preliminary study demonstrate that this new approach is non-destructive, safe to use and is fast, reliable and accurate. Further, since this is a digital method, there is also the option of digital comparison between items of footwear and footwear impressions, and an increased ability to share recove...
Source: Science and Justice - February 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: T.J.U. Thompson, P. Norris Tags: Technical note Source Type: research
The use of the M-Vac ® wet-vacuum system as a method for DNA recovery
Collecting sufficient template DNA from a crime scene sample is often challenging, especially with low quantity samples such as touch DNA (tDNA). Traditional DNA collection methods such as double swabbing have limitations, in particular when used on certain substrates which can be found at crime scenes, thus a better collection method is advantageous. Here, the effectiveness of the M-Vac ® Wet-Vacuum System is evaluated as a method for DNA recovery on tiles and bricks. It was found that the M-Vac® recovered 75% more DNA than double swabbing on bricks. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - February 3, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Toby Vickar, Katherine Bache, Barbara Daniel, Nunzianda Frascione Source Type: research
Contextual information management: An example of independent-checking in the review of laboratory-based bloodstain pattern analysis
This article describes a New Zealand forensic agency's contextual information management protocol for bloodstain pattern evidence examined in the laboratory. In an effort to create a protocol that would have minimal impact on current work-flow, while still effectively removing task-irrelevant contextual information, the protocol was designed following an in-depth consultation with management and forensic staff. The resulting design was for a protocol of independent-checking (i.e. blind peer-review) where the checker's interpretation of the evidence is conducted in the absence of case information and the original examiner's...
Source: Science and Justice - February 2, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nikola K.P. Osborne, Michael C. Taylor Source Type: research
The effect of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) on the survival and the life cycle of two species of necrophagous blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae)
Entomotoxicology involves the analysis of the presence and the effects of toxicological substances in necrophagous insects. Results obtained by entomotoxicological studies may assist in the investigation of both the causes and the time of death of humans and animals. Ethylene glycol (EG) is easy to purchase, sweet and extremely toxic. It may be consumed accidentally or purposefully, in an attempt to cause death for suicidal or homicidal intent. Several cases report fatalities of humans and animals. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - February 2, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Abrar Essarras, Marco Pazzi, Ian R. Dadour, Paola A. Magni Source Type: research
Contextual information management: An example of independent-checking in the review of laboratory-based bloodstain pattern analysis
This article describes a New Zealand forensic agency's contextual information management protocol for bloodstain pattern evidence examined in the laboratory. In an effort to create a protocol that would have minimal impact on current work-flow, while still effectively removing task-irrelevant contextual information, the protocol was designed following an in-depth consultation with management and forensic staff. The resulting design was for a protocol of independent-checking (i.e. blind peer-review) where the checker's interpretation of the evidence is conducted in the absence of case information and the original examiner's...
Source: Science and Justice - February 2, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nikola K.P. Osborne, Michael C. Taylor Source Type: research
Biological sex variation in bone mineral density in the cranium and femur
In this study, BMD of the cranium and femur measured by DXA were examined to establish their applicability for age estimation in older adults. BMD as measured by DXA, is most commonly used clinically for prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk. We hypothesized that weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing bones, the femur and cranium, respectively, would provide valuable insights for aging. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - January 19, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Anna Paschall, Ann H. Ross Source Type: research
