Forensic Examination Research Articles

The effects of cognitive bias, examiner expertise, and stimulus material on forensic evidence analysis.

Forensic examiners have come under scrutiny due to high-profile exonerations, highlighting the consequences that contextual bias can have on investigations. Researchers have proposed solutions to reduce the effects of bias including blind testing and redacting task-irrelevant information. Practitioners have concerns over the limitations of some of this research that uses untrained students to examine complex pieces of forensic evidence (e.g., fingerprints) (1; but see 2 for studies including trained experts and/or actual casework). This study sought to (a) examine the effect of contextual bias on examiners' evaluation of forensic evidence by varying the amount of pre-comparison information available to participants, (b) compare student and expert examiners' performance and their vulnerability to contextual bias, and (c) examine the effects of contextual bias on examiners' evaluation of different types of forensic evidence. Expert fingerprint examiners and student participants were presented with varying amounts of pre-comparison case information and compared matching and non-matching fingerprint and footwear impression evidence. Results suggest no effects of blinding examiners from case information or redacting task-irrelevant information. As expected, expert fingerprint examiners were more likely to correctly identify matching fingerprints and correctly exclude non-matching fingerprints than students. However, expert fingerprint examiners were no better than student participants at comparing footwear impression evidence. These findings suggest that sample, stimulus selection, and discipline-specific training matter when investigating bias in forensic decision making. These findings suggest caution when using forensic stimuli with student samples to investigate forensic decision-making and highlight the need for more research on redaction procedures.

Harmonising tradition and child welfare: ordination of Buddhist child monks in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, where a majority follows Theravada Buddhism, there are rituals and norms related to the ordination of monks, as well as a process of certification. An 8-year-old male novice monk was presented for clinical forensic examination following an assault at a temple by several other fellow novice monks. Further investigation revealed that this recently-ordained monk did not possess proper certification of ordination and financial exploitation of the young monks’ priesthood status and the alleged assault were suspected. This case discusses several suggestions, including the legal reinforcement of a probationary period, streamlining the registration process, and setting a minimum age for ordination, to safeguard the welfare of child monks while supporting the norms and traditions of priesthood.

Особливості підготовки окремих видів судово-медичних експертиз

Abstract. The article analyzes the important aspects of conducting forensic medical examinations in the context of the investigation of criminal cases and other offenses. The author determines that according to the object of examination, forensic medical examination can be divided into the following types: forensic medical examination, forensic medical examination of living persons, forensic medical examination of material evidence. The article analyzes the processes associated with the examination of a corpse, including the extraction of various biological materials and their further analysis. The methods of determining the time of death, establishing the causes and circumstances of death, as well as identifying the corpse are also considered in detail. It has been established that the forensic medical examination of living persons is the most common type of examination. The article describes the purpose, task and procedure of forensic medical examinations for living persons, including the collection of biological samples for comparison, analysis of injuries and other signs of violence. It is emphasized that the forensic medical expert does not have the right to provide the legal qualification of the examined injuries in the report, this is the prerogative of the investigation and the court. The author demonstrates how such examinations can be used to investigate criminal offenses, establish patterns, and resolve legal issues. In addition, the article examines in detail the specifics of physical evidence examination, such as blood, saliva, semen, tissues, and other materials that may be important in the investigation of criminal offenses. Methods of collection, storage and analysis of such evidence are highlighted, as well as their role in solving criminal cases. Summarizing, the article reveals the key aspects of forensic medical examinations of a corpse, living persons and physical evidence, which are important for judicial practice and the investigation of offenses. It helps to understand the processes and methods used by experts to obtain objective and reliable information necessary for justice and the protection of public safety.

FORENSIC EXAMINATIONS DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIMINAL OFFENSES IN THE FIELD OF LAND USE, SUBSOIL PROTECTION, AND ATMOSPHERIC AIR

The study is devoted to typical forensic examinations during the investigation of criminal offenses in the field of land use, subsoil protection, atmospheric air. Taking into account the provisions of the current Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, it is possible to distinguish three procedural forms of the use of special knowledge that can be used in the investigation of criminal offenses against the environment: independent use of special knowledge by the investigator; participation in criminal proceedings of a specialist; examination. It is noted that forensic examination is the most effective means of performing investigative tasks in proceedings on criminal offenses in the field of land use, subsoil protection, atmospheric air, provided strict compliance with the requirements of criminal procedural legislation, regarding the appointment and conduct of this investigative (search) action. It is emphasized that expertise in the mentioned proceedings should be appointed only in the case when there is a real need for it, when without an expert’s answer to certain questions it is impossible to establish the circumstances of a criminal offense. The analysis of the researchers’ theoretical work and the study of investigative and judicial practice materials made it possible to identify the following main types of expertise that are carried out during investigations in the field of land use, subsoil protection, atmospheric air: ecological, forensic chemical, forensic expertise on land management, soil science, construction and technical technical, technological, toxicological, construction-technical, agro-technical, forestry, forensic-medical, medical-sanitary, forensic-veterinary. It was also concluded that during the investigation of the specified illegal acts, other types of forensic examinations may be appointed, including, in particular, engineering and technical, biological, dactyloscopic, handwriting, technical and forensic examination of documents, evaluation and land, forensic and material science examination of oil products, lubricants, fuel and lubricant materials, examination of computer equipment and software products, etc. Arguments are given that depending on the needs of the investigation, the specified types of forensic examinations can be assigned both at the initial and at the next stage of the investigation.

Measuring Line Length: A New Signature Feature in Forensic Examination

Measuring Line Length: A New Signature Feature in Forensic Examination

Forensic Analysis of WhatsApp: A Review of Techniques, Challenges, and Future Directions

WhatsApp, a widely used instant messaging application, has become a valuable source of digital evidence in forensic investigations. This review article explores the forensic analysis techniques, challenges, and future directions associated with WhatsApp. It covers the extraction and analysis of data from various sources, including mobile devices, cloud backups, and network traffic. The article discusses the challenges faced by forensic examiners, such as encryption, data volatility, and the need for proper validation of tools. It also highlights the importance of keeping up with the latest updates and changes in WhatsApp’s features and security measures. The future directions for WhatsApp forensics are explored, focusing on the development of more advanced and efficient analysis techniques, the need for standardization, and the importance of international cooperation in addressing cross-border investigations. This review provides insights for forensic examiners, researchers, and legal professionals involved in cases requiring WhatsApp evidence.

Solvent bar microextraction based on using deep eutectic solvent and multivariate optimization for simultaneous determination of antidepressant and antiepileptic drugs in biological fluids

AbstractMonitoring medications in biological fluids is an essential aspect of patient care, particularly in cases of altered mental status where accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and even forensic examinations are crucial. In this study, a new approach combining hydrophobic-deep-eutectic and solvent-bar-microextraction (HDE-SBME) followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) was developed for the simultaneous determination of desipramine, clomipramine, as antidepressant and carbamazepine as antiepileptic agents in untreated human urine and plasma samples. The HDE solvents, synthesized using various ratios of menthol and fatty acids, were utilized in the SBME setups. Computational methods were employed to predict the structure and modes of interaction between HDE and the chosen analytes. Central composite design methodology (CCD) was used for multivariate optimization of the effects of different parameters influencing the extraction efficiency of the proposed method. Under optimized experimental conditions, the calibration graph of the spiked selected drugs in urine and plasma samples demonstrated excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.994), with limits of detection/quantification below 0.60/2.02 μg L−1. The extraction recoveries achieved were 88–97%, and the repeatability/reproducibility (RSD%, n = 5) was less than 6.12/7.57. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine selected drugs in patients' urine and plasma samples. The proposed method detects three drugs in patients' urine and plasma samples without using toxic volatile organic solvents. The proposed microextraction technique exhibited a confident sensitivity, feasible operation, and simplicity compared with other published methods. Thus, it can be considered a promising method for monitoring the therapeutic levels of specific antidepressant and antiepileptic drugs in urine and plasma samples.

Development of a Human Trafficking Flowsheet for Clinical Forensic Examiners.

When trafficked patients are identified in the healthcare setting, clinical forensic examiners, including sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs), may be consulted to provide medical care and to collect forensic evidence. However, using a standard sexual assault protocol and documentation form may not completely identify or address the unique needs of these patients. Our SANE program sought to improve the healthcare approach to trafficked patients by developing a trafficking-specific documentation flowsheet. The goal of this quality improvement project was to guide a clinical forensic examiner through a comprehensive examination while addressing specific patient needs and optimizing trauma-informed service delivery. We gathered several local multidisciplinary human trafficking specialists together to provide expert recommendations and feedback during the creation process. Both paper and electronic forms of the flowsheet were designed. SANEs completed the flowsheet on 22 patient encounters and filled out a utilization review survey describing their experience. Feedback data collected through the utilization review process guided further modifications to the flowsheet, which were then implemented into clinical practice guidelines. We found that engaging multidisciplinary specialists and community partners both enhanced the effectiveness of the flowsheet and supported the learning needs of our SANEs. We recommend that clinical forensic programs that wish to develop a similar flowsheet collaborate with local professional agencies to meet the unique needs of the populations within their catchment area and use examiner feedback to maximize the usefulness of the flowsheet.

HEPATOTOXIC EFFECTS DUE TO THE COMBINED CONSUMPTION OF OPIOID DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Introduction. Over the past 20 years, opioid consumption in the world has reached epidemic proportions, which has led to an increase in premature mortality and significantly changed the epidemiology of liver diseases. Aim. The study of features of liver injury with combined consumption of opioid drugs and alcohol. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the medical data of 1,540 patients with the diagnoses of "Acute narcotic poisoning" and "Acute methadone poisoning" (ICD-10:Т40.0-Т40.3); 42 acts of forensic medical and forensic histological examination of death cases associated with illegal methadone and alcohol were considered. Clinical, biochemical, and pathohistological studies were used. Histological samples were examined using an Olympus CX 41 microscope in transmitted light, at magnifications of 100, 200, and 400 times. The SPSS Statistics 29.0.0.0 program was used, Pearson's correlation analysis was used, p≤0.05. Results. According to the results of forensic and histological studies, pronounced infiltration of the liver tissue by small lymphocytes (r=0.471, р=0.002) was found in persons with a long history of illegal methadone and alcohol consumption, which was combined with portal fibrosis (r=0.333, р=0.021) and, in some cases, moderate proliferation of bile ducts (r=0.203, p=0.047). Morphometric analysis of liver biopsies revealed sinusoidal dilatation, inflammatory and fibrotic changes of the terminal hepatic venules (r=0.501, p=0.017); sclerotic changes were noted from the expansion of the portal tracts due to fibrosis and to the initial signs of a partial structure violation, which indicates the transition to cirrhosis. Conclusions. The progressive spread of the practice of combined consumption of opioid drugs on the example of methadone and alcohol increases the risk of hepatotoxic effects, in particular, accelerating the development of fibrosis and cirrhosis.

Children’s Experiences of Undergoing Forensic Interviews and Forensic Medical Examinations in a Danish Child Advocacy Center

Child abuse is a severe global problem associated with various negative consequences. It is therefore important that the services received at Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) are perceived as positive as possible by children affected by abuse. Preliminary research indicates that CACs are successful in terms of providing coordinated, professional services. However, existing research has primarily focused on service and criminal justice system outputs, rather than documenting the experiences of the target group: i.e., children undergoing the CAC proceedings. The present study seeks to investigate the children’s experiences of the forensic procedures in a CAC. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 children undergoing case proceedings at a Danish CAC. The overall experiences of the children of the forensic interview and forensic medical examination were documented. Additionally, five overall themes were constructed using Thematic Analysis: Localities and surroundings, Relational and communicative work, Ambivalent experiences, Need of information and overview, and Missing out on everyday life. The findings of the current study underline the importance of the physical environment of the CAC, the need of information and overview as well as strong relational and communicative skills among professional as core elements in establishing positive encounters with the CAC. Furthermore, the results indicate how negative experiences of visiting a CAC are not necessarily directly linked to the CAC but may be a result of the children experiencing missing out on well-liked everyday activities. Altogether these results are important to consider when planning future CAC visits to support the well-being of the child.

Contextual analysis strategy leads to rise in conviction rate for sexual assault cases

Sexual assault cases typically involve intense physical contact between victim and perpetrator, resulting in a high chance of trace transfer. In addition the victim’s, and sometimes the suspect’s, declaration is available, and can help direct the forensic investigation. However, many cases are still closed because of insufficient proof or an unknown perpetrator.Previously in Belgium, the forensic analysis strategy was often limited to the detection of human sperm fluid and if not found, the forensic part of the case was closed.Therefore, the Forensic Advice service from the Belgian National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC) together with the public prosecutor’s office of the Judicial district Antwerp, department Antwerp started “Project code 37”. In Belgium every type of crime receives a code and sexual assault cases are categorized under code 37. Because a forensic advisor focuses on the potential of forensic examination on physical objects, the project focused on cases with samples taken on the victim or clothing available.The goal of the project was to perform a contextual analysis in order to go beyond the standard sperm fluid-orientated approach and evaluate if this had a positive impact on the conviction rate. The project also aimed to evaluate the impact of the consistent use of toxicological analyses on conviction rates. Through this systematic contextual analysis, it became clear that four clear categories could be defined: (1) cases with an unknown perpetrator, (2) cases where the suspect denies all contact, (3) cases where the suspect denies (part of) the sexual contact, and (4) cases where only the consent of the victim is disputed. These categories all assumed one female victim and one male perpetrator. Together with the NICC’s DNA, trace evidence and toxicology lab, an analysis strategy was drafted for the four categories. All cases that do not fit this description were gathered in a fifth category (custom-made cases), as the victim’s/perpetrator’s sex has a significant effect on the forensic analysis strategy. At the end of the project, a comparison was made with the same set of cases from another judicial year where the standard analysis strategy was used. For all the categories for which data was available, there was a rise of the conviction rate and a decrease in the number of dismissed cases.

Trends and implications of ENT cases in emergency medicine: insights from a tertiary hospital study

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiologic data of patients presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with complaints of ear, nose and throat diseases. Methods: The study was conducted retrospectively by screening patients who presented to the emergency department with complaints of ear, nose and throat diseases between 01.04.2015 and 01.10.2015. Age, gender, presence of a diagnosed ear, nose and throat disease, mode of presentation (referral/primary presentation), diagnosis in the emergency department, consultation status, forensic case status, examination status, and discharge status were analyzed. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage distribution) were used for statistical analysis. Results were presented as mean ± SD or frequency (percentage). Results: The study included 2425 patients. 51.5% of the patients were female. The mean age was 35.27±15.6 years (0-88). The highest number of patient admissions was in the 21-30 age range (38.4%). 98.1% of the patients presented to the emergency department as outpatients. It was observed that 2.4% of the applicants had a known previous ear, nose and throat disease. Computed tomography was the most requested test. The most common diagnoses were acute tonsillopharyngitis (60.1%) and vertigo (25.1%). 3.5% of the patients were evaluated as forensic cases. 4.5% of the patients were consulted to the ear, nose and throat clinic and 3.6% to the plastic and reconstructive surgery clinic. The discharge rate was 97.5%. Conclusion: In conclusion, it was seen that the number of outpatient admissions to the emergency department (98.1%) was quite high, 95.5% of the patients were not consulted by the ear, nose and throat clinic and 97% were discharged with an outpatient prescription.

Decentralized edge computing approach for secure and efficient preservation of short-term electronic forensic evidence through consensus

With the burgeoning prevalence of edge computing, there has been a significant surge in the utilization of content caching across the digital landscape, significantly streamlining and expediting short-term electronic forensic operations. This study pioneers an innovative caching model tailored specifically for short-lived electronic forensic evidence within edge computing environments. The novel framework integrates blockchain technology to ensure the secure storage of evidentiary data, bolstered by an advanced consensus mechanism rooted in the MerkleTree architecture. This design safeguards the consistency and immutability of stored information. By decentralizing the process, this approach empowers real-time, on-the-edge electronic forensic investigations, effectively mitigating any risk of tampering from all parties involved, such as forensic examiners, cloud service providers, and end-users. Empirical findings robustly substantiate the efficacy of this proposed model in safeguarding and maintaining the fidelity of electronic evidence records, thus guaranteeing both the integrity and promptness of forensic materials. This groundbreaking solution sets a new standard for trustworthy and expedient handling of digital forensics at the edge of networks.

Особенности правового регулирования ответственности в процессе реализации требований законодательства в сфере оборота прекурсоров

The purpose of the study is to analyze the specifics of the rules for the production, storage, acquisition, use, transportation and destruction of precursors of narcotic and psychotropic substances, as well as reporting to authorized bodies. Methodology: general scientific and private scientific methods (comparative legal, formal legal, statistical) of scientific cognition of social processes and phenomena. Conclusions: taking into account many innovations of the authorized bodies affects the prevention of drug addiction and makes it possible to identify illegal transactions with these chemicals, as well as determine ways to successfully implement the powers of control and supervision in the field of precursor trafficking. In particular, attention is drawn to the need to study possible ways to improve the legislation of the Russian Federation in connection with the expansion of activities in the field of precursor trafficking. Scientific and practical significance: the study revealed the conditions for conducting forensic examinations during the preliminary investigation, the effectiveness of control and supervisory measures in the field of precursor trafficking, as well as bringing legal entities and individual entrepreneurs to administrative responsibility.

A Self-Assessment Tool for Helping Identify Police Burnout Among Investigators of Child Sexual Abuse Material

IntroductionLaw enforcement professionals who investigate child sexual abuse material face increased risk of mental health challenges, including burnout. This study aims to develop a data-driven self-assessment tool for law enforcement personnel exposed to child sexual abuse material. The tool assesses burnout symptoms and related mental health issues, offering a proactive approach to identifying and supporting individuals at risk. MethodsA mixed-methods investigation involved 500 police investigators and forensic examiners from the United States. The study utilized a convenience sample recruited through various channels connected with the National Criminal Justice Training Center. ResultsTwenty percent of participants exhibited high burnout. The BURNT demonstrated a sensitivity of 69.6% and specificity of 74.6% at a cutoff point of ≥2; correctly classifying 73.6% of the sample. Individuals with scores of 2 or more were 3.47 times more likely to be experiencing high burnout compared to peers with a score of zero with increasing odds with each additional score. High burnout was associated with longer tenure in current positions. ConclusionsThe BURNT offers a short and simple self-assessment tool for law enforcement professionals exposed to child sexual abuse material, aiding in the early identification of burnout symptoms. A cutoff point of ≥2 provides a data-driven strategy for identifying individuals at increased risk, promoting timely intervention and support to mitigate burnout's adverse effects on mental well-being and professional performance. The BURNT's sensitivity and specificity balance enhances its utility, providing a proactive approach to address the unique mental health challenges faced by law enforcement personnel combating child sexual abuse material.

Forensic Forecasting of Forming and Development New Genera and Species of Forensic Examinations: on the Issue of Theoretical Justification

In the article, in line with the school of forensic expertise and considering the process of digitalization, a theoretical justification of forensic forecasting of the formation and development of new genera and species of examinations is carried out. The practical significance of this direction is revealed. Attention is drawn to the low level of development of a private theory of forensic forecasting. A connection was made between the subject of the general theory of forensic expertology and the subject of forensic forecasting. It is noted that for the purposes of forecasting, it is necessary to focus not on abstract perspective knowledge, but on objects, processes and phenomena directly related to the implementation of forensic activities and reflecting its specifics. The inclusion of phenomena included in the subject of research of other sciences in the number of objects of expert forecasting is critically assessed on a specific example. A forensic prediction definition is proposed.

Atypical localized Mongolian spots in dark pigmented skin - a challenge for forensic medical examination

The assessment of skin changes in the context of possible child abuse is an important task in forensic medicine. This requires knowledge of pigmentation variants and pigmentation disorders such as congenital dermal melanocytosis, which includes Mongolian spots. Particularly in the case of atypical localization and dark pigmented skin, the differentiation from hematomas can be challenging. A case of two Nigerian siblings with extensive and atypically localized Mongolian spots is reported. The 1.5-year-old girl showed Mongolian spots on her back and the right side of her trunk. The 8-year-old boy showed Mongolian spots only on the back of his thighs. The authors are not aware of any case in which so called Mongolian spots were present exclusively on the back of the thighs and this case is all the more noteworthy as the back of the thigh is a common localization of blunt force trauma.

Advancements in Dental Casting Materials & Their Forensic Significance

Abstract: This research explores various dental casting materials & their significance in forensic science. Traditional materials, such as- Dental stone, Plaster of Paris, & Dental wax have long been utilized in forensic investigations. However, advancements in materials science have led to the development of newer, more versatile options, such as- Epoxy resins, Polyurethane, & Alginate substitutes. Each material offers distinct advantages & limitations concerning ease of use, accuracy, & durability. Dental stone, a widely used & employed material, provides excellent detail reproduction & stability but lacks flexibility. Plaster of Paris, though economical, may not yield precise replicas due to its brittle nature. Dental wax, appreciated for its malleability & is susceptible to form deformation & degradation over time. In contrast, modern alternatives like- Epoxy resins & Polyurethane boast superior strength & dimensional stability, making them ideal for long-term storage of dental impressions. Epoxy resins, in particular, offer high fidelity reproduction of dental structures & resistance to moisture, temperature fluctuations. Polyurethane, known for its flexibility & durability, enables the creation of resilient dental models suitable for extensive forensic analysis. Furthermore, Alginate substitutes have gained popularity for their ease of use & compatibility with 3D Printing technology. These materials also offer quick setting times & adequate detail capture, facilitating rapid production of dental models for forensic examination. While, Traditional materials continue to serve a purpose, the adoption of advanced casting materials has revolutionized forensic odontology by enhancing- efficiency, precision & archival integrity

On the Question of Admissibility of Certain Methods in Forensic Linguistic Examination

The article raises the question of the criteria of admissibility of the use of certain methods in forensic linguistic examination. Despite the methodology of forensic linguistic examination that has been worked out over the years, some specialists prefer to use extremely controversial methods, for example, such as the method of associative experiment and phonosemantic analysis. These methods do not meet the criteria required by forensic expertology, which leads to the expert exceeding the limits of his/her competence, as well as to serious expert mistakes.

Current Issues of Payment for Forensic Examinations in Civil Proceedings: Legal and Organizational Aspects

The author examines current issues of payment for forensic examinations in civil proceedings. The author identifies the problem associated with the imperfection of legal regulation of this area is identified. The article highlights the provisions of the Constitutional Court Resolution No. 43-P dated July 20, 2023 in the case of verifying the constitutionality of the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code of the Russian Federation related to the payment of forensic examinations. The article also analyzes the emerging practice of applying this Resolution.