Forensic Research Articles

Exploring sexual dimorphism through palatal rugae analysis in the Javanese population of Surabaya, Indonesia

This study investigates the potential of palatal rugae patterns as a tool for sex estimation in the Javanese population of Surabaya, Indonesia. Palatal rugae on the anterior part of the maxillary mucosa exhibit unique characteristics that make them valuable for forensic identification. Through a cross-sectional study involving 60 Javanese individuals, the research examines the prevalence of various palatal rugae patterns and their correlation with sex. Results indicate significant distinctions in rugae patterns between males and females, particularly in diverging, converging, and circular patterns. A discriminant function analysis is employed to establish an equation for sex estimation using palatal rugae patterns specific to the Javanese population. Overall, the study suggests that palatal rugae patterns hold promise as a supplementary method for sex estimation in forensic science, though further research with larger sample sizes is recommended for conclusive results.

Split Probe-Induced Protein Translational Amplification for Nucleic Acid Detection.

Nucleic acid detection is important in a wide range of applications, including disease diagnosis, genetic testing, biotechnological research, environmental monitoring, and forensic science. However, the application of nucleic acid detection in various fields is hindered by the lack of sensitive, accurate, and inexpensive methods. This study introduces a simple approach to enhance the sensitivity for the accurate detection of nucleic acids. Our approach combined a split-probe strategy with in vitro translational amplification of reporter protein for signal generation to detect nucleic acids with high sensitivity and selectivity. This approach enables target-mediated translational amplification of reporter proteins by linking split probes in the presence of a target microRNA (miRNA). In particular, the fluorescence split-probe sensor adopts a reporter protein with various fluorescence wavelength regions, enabling the simultaneous detection of multiple target miRNAs. Moreover, luminescence detection by merely altering the reporter protein sequence can substantially enhance the sensitivity of detection of target miRNAs. Using this system, we analyzed and quantified target miRNAs in the total RNA extracted from cell lines and cell-derived extracellular vesicles with high specificity and accuracy. This split-probe sensor has potential as a powerful tool for the simple, sensitive, and specific detection of various target nucleic acids.

The mouse gingiva and HIF-1α, a key gene of hypoxic environment, as tools for post-mortem time estimation.

The post-mortem interval (PMI) is the time elapsed between the death of an individual and its forensic examination. It is a crucial information for judicial authorities, but current techniques still cannot establish a precise time interval. Novel approaches are therefore required. Recently, gingival tissue has emerged as interesting for forensic analysis thanks to the protection offered by lips to this tissue, limiting the influence of environmental factors. It is also easily accessible, and its sampling is minimally invasive even in the presence of rigor mortis. Moreover, the expression of HIF-1α, a master mediator of the hypoxic environment, has been described in gingival samples at different post-mortem (PM) times. We have hypothesized that the time-dependent post-mortem expression of HIF-1α could serve as a biomarker to more accurately predict the PMI. Our analyses were performed in an animal model, the mouse, where environment can be precisely controlled. Therewith, gingival tissue morphology was evaluated through histochemical staining and HIF-1α expression was analyzed by qPCR, western blots and immunofluorescence at different post-mortem times (0h to 100h). Our results showed (a) a global post-mortem stability of gingival tissue (b) a rapid increase in HIF-1α mRNA expression in the short post-mortem times followed by a slow decrease in transcript expression until 100h PM (c) an expression of the HIF- 1α protein and its degradation products, that follows the mRNA pattern (d) the presence of HIF-1α protein in the epithelial and connective layers of the tissue, with signal accumulation in both gingival strata until at least 32h post-mortem. This pilot study thus validated the mouse and the gingival tissue as models for post-mortem analyses, as well as for studying the fate of proteins such as HIF-1α. Transferring these approaches to human subjects may provide a more accurate estimate of PMI.

The regulatory effects of mitragynine on P-glycoprotein transporter.

Kratom preparation containing Mitragyna speciosa Korth plant is frequently used as a recreational drug. Mitragynine, a major alkaloid isolated from M. speciosa, is often detected concurrently with other drugs during forensic analysis, indicating a safety concern. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a multidrug transporter. Modulation of P-gp transport activity by drugs or herbal compounds in the brain may lead to drug-herb interactions, resulting in neurotoxicity. We aim to determine the effects of mitragynine on the P-gp regulation and possible neurotoxicity. The effects of mitragynine on the P-gp regulation were investigated in human brain capillary endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3) using molecular docking and dynamic simulation and an optimized bidirectional transport assay, respectively. Repeated-dose treatment and neurotoxicity assessment were carried out using a blood-brain barrier model and polimerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Mitragynine inhibits the P-gp transport activity via binding onto the nucleotide-binding domain site and forms a stable interaction with the P-gp protein complex. Nontoxic concentrations of mitragynine (<4 μM) and substrate drugs (0.001 μM) in the cells significantly enhanced endothelial cell permeability and elicited signs of neurotoxicity in PC-12 cells. Mitragynine is likely a P-gp inhibitor, hence concurrent administration of kratom products with P-gp substrates may lead to clinically significant interactions and neurotoxicity.

Designing a Water Pipeline to Last 100 Years or More

Key TakeawaysAlthough superior materials and advanced techniques are available, designing a pipeline to supply water for 100 years or more is not necessarily the optimal choice for a utility.Numerous factors come into play when planning for pipe design, installation, monitoring, and maintenance, not the least of which is uncertainty about the future.Tools such as computational modeling, life‐cycle cost analysis, forensic analysis, and scenario planning through digital design can help a utility create a cost‐effective pipeline plan.

Bad-Mad-Female. Scientific Analyses of Female Violent Crime from the 1960s to the 1990s

While female capital offences have repeatedly caused astir since the beginning of the modern era at the latest, female violent crime has remained amarginal phenomenon in statistical observations for along time. Forensics, with its traditional core disciplines of psychiatry and law, also remained focused on the dangerous male perpetrator for along time in its analysis and theory development beyond infanticide: male forensic scientists analysed male perpetrators of violence.Since the 1960s, there has been an increasing number of scientific contributions on female criminality and its causes in West Germany. Women were now also analysing female criminality from aprofessional as well as from asocially critical perspective; adevelopment that gained significant momentum with the New Women's Movement and Critical Criminology.The article puts an emphasis on the discourse on female violent crime in the "old" Federal Republic of Germany. It starts out by framing the issue of women's violent crime in criminological discourse. Against this background, it examines how gender-specific constructions of criminality developed, especially in the discussion of the "dangerous mentally ill" in forensic discussion forums, how and to what extent which topoi were perpetuated and which were subject to changes. Did the analyses of female scientists differ from those of their male colleagues? What significance did critical or feminist currents or actors have?In view of social change processes (emancipation, psychiatric reform, criminal law reform), the article examines the interpretation of female violence and the connection between gender, dangerousness and mental illness. It focuses on the question of persistence, dynamisation or diversification of gender-specific constructions and normative concepts of normal/crazy in the forensic conflation of "bad and mad".

Multisample motif discovery and visualization for tandem repeats.

Tandem Repeats (TR) occupy a significant portion of the human genome and are the source of polymorphism due to variations in sizes and motif compositions. Some of these variations have been associated with various neuropathological disorders, highlighting the clinical importance of assessing the motif structure of TRs. Moreover, assessing the TR motif variation can offer valuable insights into evolutionary dynamics and population structure. Previously, characterizations of TRs have been limited by short-read sequencing technology, which lacks the ability to accurately capture the full TR sequences. As long-read sequencing becomes more accessible and can capture the full complexity of TRs, there is now also a need for tools to characterize and analyze TRs using long-read data across multiple samples. In this study, we present MotifScope, a novel algorithm for characterization and visualization of TRs based on a de novo k-mer approach for motif discovery. Comparative analysis against established tools reveals that MotifScope can identify a greater number of motifs and more accurately represent the underlying repeat sequence. Moreover, MotifScope has been specifically designed to enable motif composition comparisons across assemblies of different individuals, as well as across long-read sequencing reads within an individual, through combined motif discovery and sequence alignment. We showcase potential applications of MotifScope in diverse fields, including population genetics, clinical settings, and forensic analyses.

An Ensemble Approach for Speaker Identification from Audio Files in Noisy Environments

Automatic noise-robust speaker identification is essential in various applications, including forensic analysis, e-commerce, smartphones, and security systems. Audio files containing suspect speech often include background noise, as they are typically not recorded in soundproof environments. To this end, we address the challenges of noise robustness and accuracy in speaker identification systems. An ensemble approach is proposed combining two different neural network architectures including an RNN and DNN using softmax. This approach enhances the system’s ability to identify speakers even in noisy environments accurately. Using softmax, we combine voice activity detection (VAD) with a multilayer perceptron (MLP). The VAD component aims to remove noisy frames from the recording. The softmax function addresses these residual traces by assigning a higher probability to the speaker’s voice compared to the noise. We tested our proposed solution on the Kaggle speaker recognition dataset and compared it to two baseline systems. Experimental results show that our approach outperforms the baseline systems, achieving a 3.6% and 5.8% increase in test accuracy. Additionally, we compared the proposed MLP system with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM) classifiers. The results demonstrate that the MLP with VAD and softmax outperforms the LSTM by 23.2% and the BiLSTM by 6.6% in test accuracy.

A crustal Pb isotope map of southeastern Australia.

Lead isotopes are a powerful geochemical tracer and a popular tool applied across a broad range of scientific fields, e.g., earth sciences, archaeology, and forensic sciences. Here we present a Pb isotope dataset collected from 232 igneous samples, spanning a ca. 2.3 million km2 area in southeastern Australia, and over 3 billion years of Earth history. This contribution provides a range of isotopic maps showing the spatial variability of Pb isotopes (206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 208Pb/204Pb), magma source U/Pb and Th/U, and model ages. The samples selected for this study encompass U- and Th-poor media (i.e., K-feldspar), and U- and Th-bearing sampling media (i.e., whole-rock), providing a temporally and spatially resolved image of U and Th distribution in the crust, and their influence on crustal Pb through radiogenic ingrowth. This dataset has the potential to benefit a wide variety of different disciplines and is an important resource for addressing earth science questions ranging from unravelling crustal differentiation and architecture, through tracing magma source U- and Th-enrichment, to mineral deposit genesis.

Determination of Twin Zygosity in Brazil: A DNA Validation of Two Short Questionnaires

Twin research in Brazil is expanding and should be built upon solid foundations using zygosity questionnaires validated through DNA. Our goals were to adapt and validate two short zygosity questionnaires to Brazilian Portuguese using DNA testing in Brazilian twins. One hundred same-sex twin pairs (27 males and 73 females; M age = 30.92, SD = 12.87) answered socio-demographic and two short zygosity questionnaires. Blood samples were collected for DNA extraction, followed by a forensic analysis on 22 autosomic short tandem repeat plus amelogenin and DYS391 markers to obtain an individual genetic profile. According to DNA tests, 17% of twin pairs were classified as dizygotic and 83% as monozygotic. Both questionnaires correctly distinguished the zygosity with 96.7% accuracy, with a high Kappa index, comparable with each original validation. These DNA validated zygosity questionnaires may foster twin research in Brazil with stronger methodology.

How engaged are you? A forensic analysis of the Oura Ring Gen 3 application across iOS, Android, and Cloud platforms

How engaged are you? A forensic analysis of the Oura Ring Gen 3 application across iOS, Android, and Cloud platforms

Unilateral double fenestration of the same posterior cerebral artery at P1 segment: first cadaveric case report and literature review.

Arterial fenestration involves an artery emerging from the same embryological origin, with its lumen divided into two channels that subsequently rejoin. This kind of vascular variant has consequences, such as focal defects in the histologic layers of the arteries, hemodynamic stress, and challenges for endovascular procedures in the management of vascular pathologies. The main objective of this work is to present a rare vascular variant, a double fenestration of the same P1 segment of a cadaveric specimen, and a literature review of these kind of vascular variants. A cadaveric study was performed in which 20 central nervous system specimens, from patients without neurological pathology obtained as a donation from the National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, were dissected for educational and research purposes. In one specimen it was found a double fenestration of the right P1 segment, associated with a single fenestration of the right superior cerebellar artery. Few cases of posterior circulation fenestration, beyond the vertebrobasilar trunk are reported in the literature, with limited understanding of the potential hemodynamic consequences thereof. In all the literature available, only eight cadaveric cases of P1 segment fenestration are documented, often linked with other central nervous system vascular abnormalities such as aneurysms or duplications. There is a single report of unilateral double P1 segment fenestration in a living patient. To our knowledge, this is the second case reported in the literature on this specific anatomical anomaly, and the first such report in a cadaver.

The Role of Forensic Medicine in Modern Criminal Justice: A Review of Current Practices and Innovations

Forensic medicine plays a pivotal role in modern criminal justice by providing scientific insights that aid in solving crimes, identifying victims, and ensuring the accurate administration of justice. This review examines the current practices in forensic medicine, including autopsies, toxicology, DNA analysis, and forensic anthropology, highlighting their applications in various criminal cases. Technological innovations, such as advanced DNA technologies, digital forensics, and forensic imaging, have significantly enhanced the field, improving accuracy and efficiency in investigations. The review also addresses challenges faced by forensic medicine, including issues of accuracy, resource constraints, and ethical considerations surrounding privacy and consent. The integration of artificial intelligence and portable forensic devices is explored as part of the ongoing evolution within the field. By analyzing the impact of these advancements on case resolutions, exonerations, and crime prevention, this article underscores the critical role of forensic medicine in the justice system and discusses future directions for research and practice. The insights presented aim to inform ongoing improvements in forensic methodologies and to foster a justice system that is both scientifically rigorous and ethically responsible.

The Determinants of Graduate Students on Satisfaction: The Case of Graduate School at University of Internal Affairs, Mongolia

The present article aims to study the level of satisfaction of the graduate students’ satisfaction on Graduate school in University Internal Affairs, Mongolia /UIAM/. We try and understand the factors which influence graduate student satisfaction in higher education, as well as the consequences of it. We collected and analyzed data from descriptive research can help understand factors on graduate students’ satisfaction. The data were collected from 98 graduate students who study graduate school of the curriculum on Disaster Studies, Border Studies, Law, Crime Studies Law, Police Studies, Forensic science, Information Security, and Economic Security in UIAM. The results, there were indicated positive graduate students' satisfaction of the hypothesis 1 and hypothesis 2. Actually, the results indicated the dissatisfaction of the hypothesis-3. Therefore, it is recommended that the curriculum activities take the necessary measures in order to increase the students’ satisfaction and the level of training activities. Our study is significant in considering both theoretical and practical issues and for practices in graduate school. Data were estimated by Smart PLS 3.0 and SPSS software and Cronbach's alpha index have been used for data analysis and reliability analysis of the questionnaire, respectively.

Altitudinal variations in forensically relevant dipterans in Trentino Region (Italy): implications for PMI estimation and forensic ecology.

This study investigates the populations of dipterans in the southeastern Prealps of Trentino, Italy, along an altitudinal gradient that exceeds 1000m. The study is important because dipterans play a significant role in crime scene analysis by helping to determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) and understand corpse relocation dynamics. Nine aerial traps were used across three sites from May to November 2023, and a total of 17,876 individuals from diverse species were captured. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in dipteran populations across sites and exposure levels. The study identified relationships between species and environmental factors such as altitude, temperature, and sunlight exposure using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Results demonstrated that species composition varied with environmental conditions, offering insights into potential shifts due to climate change. The presence of specific species was notably affected by temperature fluctuations, which could impact their usefulness in PMI estimation. Continuous monitoring is crucial to track dipteran population dynamics amidst changing environmental conditions. Such knowledge is important for improving accuracy in PMI estimations and enhancing forensic investigations. In conclusion, ongoing research is pivotal in adapting forensic entomological analyses to evolving ecological contexts, ensuring their reliability in forensic science applications. This study highlights the dynamic nature of dipteran ecology within forensic contexts and emphasises the need for further investigation to observe shifting population dynamics under climate change impacts.

Estimating Morphological Nose Features for Craniofacial Reconstruction: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Background: Craniofacial reconstruction is one of the techniques used in forensic sciences to rebuild the probable antemortem face of unknown human skulls. Considering the soft-tissue thickness, the skull is covered with clay or similar material. After covering, facial features such as lips, ears, eyes, and nose should be added. The nose has considerable diversity. This variety makes it have substantial importance for facial recognition. Aims and Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the morphology of the nose of the Anatolian population and develop regression formulas to estimate the nose shape using the measurements of the skull. Materials and Methods: The current study was conducted on three-dimensional computed tomography cranial images. The images belonging to 50 adult patients (25 males, 25 females) were taken from the Radiology Department of Bursa Uludag University Medical Faculty Hospital. Eighteen parameters on bony structure and twenty-four parameters on soft tissue were measured using ImageJ software. SPSS 22.0 was performed for statistical analyses. Results: The regression formulas were developed to estimate the nose morphology belonging to the skull using the correlated parameters between the bony structure of the skull and soft tissue. Conclusion: Accurate nasal shape prediction means increasing the identification of the unknown skull. We believe that the regression formulas, developed with this idea could be helpful in craniofacial reconstruction.

The Anthropological Process of Identifying Missing Persons as a Teaching Method for Increasing Awareness in Legal and Forensic Dentistry in the Republic of Cyprus

Forensic Odontology is a critical field within forensic science, with significant importance in legal contexts and the identification of victims in mass disasters or cases of abuse. This article focuses on the efforts made by the European University Cyprus (EUC) School of Dentistry to raise awareness among dental students regarding legal and forensic dentistry practices. Through voluntary visits to the Anthropological Laboratory of the Committee on Missing Persons (CMP) in Cyprus, students gain firsthand experience and insights into anthropological analysis for identifying missing individuals. These visits provide students with practical application opportunities, emphasizing record-keeping practices, oral tissue morphology analysis, and unique aspects of restorative work during identification processes. Feedback from participating students highlights the value of experiential learning in increasing awareness about forensic odontology’s importance and relevance in real-world scenarios. The initiatives undertaken by the EUC School of Dentistry contribute to enhancing legal and forensic dentistry awareness among future dental professionals in Cyprus.

Impact of population size on population genetic analysis of Short Tandem Repeat (STR) allelic data, forensic and paternity parameters and its effect on forensic DNA analysis.

The selection of an appropriate STR allelic frequency database is the prerequisite for assessing the evidentiary value of DNA evidence. Four data sets comprising 50, 100, 200, and 500 samples were evaluated in 21 autosomal STR markers in the Indian and the Bahrain population. Allelic richness showed an increasing trend with the increase in sample size i.e., 193 and 201 (50 samples), 217 and 221 (100 samples), 255 and 238 (200 samples), and 292 and 285 (500 samples) in both the populations. TPOX and D13S317 markers did not show any increase in allele number, whereas SE33 markers showed the highest increase in both populations. With the increase in sample size, 70 (Bahrain population) and 100 (Indian population) alleles having < MAF were detected. Similarly, 37 and 47 previously undetected alleles could be detected when the sample size was increased from 50 to 500 in the Indian and Bahrain populations respectively. In the Indian population, Match probability, decreased with a 500-sample size, whereas, the PIC, PE, Heterozygosity, and PI increased with the increase in sample size. Further, database size did not show any statistical difference in the outcome of the Paternity Index value in the 50 paternity trio cases studied.

Patellae as a source of DNA in forensic and archaeological analysis.

Analysing genetic material from skeletonised human remains has become valuable in forensic and archaeological contexts. While the petrous bone is often preferred for DNA extraction, its availability is not guaranteed, and because of destructive sampling, it is not frequently used in forensic cases. This study explores the potential of patellae as an alternative source of bone material for genetic investigations. Forty-five patellae were sampled from a post-World War II mass grave and an archaeological Christian cemetery dated from the 13th to 19th centuries. A full demineralisation extraction method was used to obtain the DNA, and real-time PCR quantification was used to determine the quantity and quality of DNA. To evaluate the suitability of patellae for forensic and archaeological analyses, short tandem repeat (STR) typing was performed using the ESI17 Fast PCR amplification kit (Promega). To explore the difference in DNA yield, DNA degradation and STR typing success between the post-World War II and archaeological patellae, statistical analysis was performed. The results revealed significantly higher DNA yield and STR typing success in WWII patellae and higher degradation of DNA in archaeological patellae, highlighting the impact of environmental exposure time on genetic material preservation. Almost all WWII patellae achieved a high success rate in STR typing with full profiles generated. More than half of the archaeological patellae showed high STR typing performance and highly informative partial profiles were obtained, indicating the suitability of patellae not only for forensic purposes but also for archaeological genetic analyses.

Evaluation of interferents in sampling materials for analysis of post-explosion residues (explosive emulsion/ANFO) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS).

Chemical analysis aimed at identifying post-explosion residues is critical for investigating crimes or accidents involving explosives, establishing it as a vital area of forensic chemistry. In general, only trace amounts remain in samples analyzed for this purpose, making the presence of interferents a constant concern. Therefore, understanding the materials used from collection to sample preparation is essential for this type of analysis. This study focuses on organic contaminants in collection and laboratory materials analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), complementing a previous study by Mauricio etal. (2020), which addressed inorganic contaminants in materials used for similar purposes in ion chromatography (IC). No prior studies have specifically investigated the potential organic interferences introduced by various materials commonly used in forensic laboratories for sample pre-processing, storage, and evidence collection in this context. Plastic films, bottle caps, disposable gloves, syringes, swabs, disposable cups, plastic tubes, and plastic pipettes were examined. GC/MS analyses revealed that certain materials, particularly syringe plungers, gloves, and plastic films, can interfere with the detection of post-explosion residues from explosive emulsions and ANFO (ammonium nitrate-fuel oil). These findings emphasize the importance of evaluating materials for potential interferences prior to sample collection and processing to minimize contamination risks. This study provides significant insights into how commonly used laboratory materials can impact forensic analysis, thereby enhancing the reliability of post-explosion residue analysis and supporting more accurate forensic investigations.