Forensic Implications Research Articles

RETRACTED: Albano et al. Systematic Review of Fatal Sodium Nitrite Ingestion Cases: Toxicological and Forensic Implications. Toxics 2024, 12, 124

The journal retracts the article titled “Systematic Review of Fatal Sodium Nitrite Ingestion Cases: Toxicological and Forensic Implications” [...]

Influence of Drugs and Toxins on Decomposition Dynamics: Forensic Implications

Drug and toxin-related deaths are common worldwide, making it essential to detect the postmortem concentration of various toxic substances at different stages of decomposition in a corpse. Indeed, determining the postmortem interval (PMI) and cause of death in an advanced stage of decomposed corpses has been a significant challenge in forensic investigations. Notably, the presence of drugs or toxins can have a significant impact on the microbial profile, potentially altering the succession of microbial communities and subsequent production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which, in turn, affect insect colonization patterns. This review aims to highlight the importance of investigating the interactions between drugs or toxins, microbial succession, VOC profiles, and insect behavior, which can provide valuable insights into forensic investigations as well as the ecological consequences of toxins occurring in decomposition. Overall, the detection of drugs and other toxins at different stages of decomposition can yield more precise forensic evidence, thereby enhancing the accuracy of PMI estimation and determination of the cause of death in decomposed remains.

Forensic implications of histological analysis of human femur and tibia bones exhumed from a Niger-Deltan soil

Forensic implications of histological analysis of human femur and tibia bones exhumed from a Niger-Deltan soil

Challenges and Complications in the Management of Advanced Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: Role of Post-Mortem Diagnosis and Future Perspectives.

Oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (OPSCC) poses significant challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and management and has important medico-legal and forensic implications. In particular, the management of OPSCC and its treatment-related complications can often be challenging. In cases with advanced OPSCC, a loco-regional extension of the tumor can contribute to the destruction of oral cavity tissues, while the radiotherapy treatment can induce profound changes in tissue morphology and structure. These changes, which resemble tumor neoplasms and endovascular effects, are related to a higher risk of fatal bleeding, as reported in the case study illustrated, in which a hemorrhage occurred from a lingual artery, originating from an ulcerative, necrotic, hemorrhagic lesion on the tongue. Bleeding complications in OPSCC and prolonged radiotherapy are associated with high mortality and require comprehensive management strategies to improve survival and quality of life. Autopsy investigations, contributing to the definition of post-mortem diagnosis, can provide valuable insights into the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying bleeding and guide therapeutic decisions and preventive measures. The integration of autopsy and histopathological investigation into clinical practice should be considered as a necessary support to optimize the management of complications in advanced OPSCC patients, emphasizing the importance of a patient-centered approach and continued research.

Survival of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) embryos under cold temperature conditions: forensic implications.

Most blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) species are sarcosaprophagous during the larval stage, primarily feeding on the soft tissues of carcasses during the early stages of decomposition, making them valuable forensic indicators for minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI) estimations. Like other insects, their developmental rates are strongly influenced by the environmental temperature. Although several studies have examined the influence of temperature on the development of different blow fly species, the impact of cold temperatures remains largely unstudied, despite its potential forensic implications. The present study investigates the effect of three cold temperatures (0, -2.5 and -5°C) on the survival of Calliphora vicina embryos of five different ages (0%, 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of the total embryonic development) and two exposure times (6 and 24 h). Our results revealed significant differences in egg survival at the earliest embryonic stages (0% and 20% of the total embryonic development), resulting in high mortality rates. While at 20% of the total embryonic development high mortality was only observed under -5°C, at 0% of the total embryonic development high mortality rates were observed at all the temperatures tested. Although C. vicina embryos demonstrate tolerance to cold temperatures once they have completed the first 20% of the total embryonic development, potentially mitigating the impact of cold weather events, the possibility of minPMI underestimations due to the death of the first egg batches should not be disregarded. Additionally, considering that the embryonic development stages may last for several days under low temperatures, caution should be taken in the analysis of entomological evidence if a cadaver is discovered following cold weather episodes.

Intracranial calcifications in Post-mortem Computed Tomography and its forensic implications

ABSTRACT Intracranial physiological calcifications are usually seen in Post-mortem Computed Tomography (PMCT) and are difficult to note with naked-eye examination during conventional autopsy. Studies on intracerebral calcifications in PMCT are few. Moreover, such studies may be of interest from the clinical perspective in order to compare physiological and pathological intracranial calcifications. Hence, the authors aimed to calculate the incidence of calcification of the pineal gland and choroid plexus in the lateral ventricle in brain PMCT and its association with age, sex, type of death, and manner of death. The authors studied 620 PMCT head scans of the deceased whose ages ranged from 2 months to 97 years (mean ± SD is 38.83 ± 15.91). A total of 59.68% had pineal calcification, and 47.42% had choroid plexus calcification with a male preponderance. A statistically significant association was present between the studied calcifications and age, sex, type of death, and manner of death. The calcification was higher in the pineal gland than in the choroid plexus until the fifth decade, and post fifth decade the choroid plexus calcification was more common. The presence of calcification was higher among the suicidal deaths when compared with the non-suicidal deaths with a statistically significant association (p < 0.05).

Variations in cuticular hydrocarbons of Calliphora vicina (Diptera: Calliphoridae) empty puparia: Insights for estimating late postmortem intervals.

Necrophagous flies, particularly blowflies, serve as vital indicators in forensic entomology and ecological studies, contributing to minimum postmortem interval estimations and environmental monitoring. The study investigates variations in the predominant cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) viz. n-C25, n-C27, n-C28, and n-C29 of empty puparia of Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, (Diptera: Calliphoridae) across diverse environmental conditions, including burial, above-ground and indoor settings, over 90 days. Notable trends include a significant decrease in n-C25 concentrations in buried and above-ground conditions over time, while n-C27 concentrations decline in buried and above-ground conditions but remain stable indoors. Burial conditions show significant declines in n-C27 and n-C29 concentrations over time, indicating environmental influences. Conversely, above-ground conditions exhibit uniform declines in all hydrocarbons. Indoor conditions remain relatively stable, with weak correlations between weathering time and CHC concentrations. Additionally, machine learning techniques, specifically Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), are employed for age estimation of empty puparia, yielding accurate predictions across different outdoor and indoor conditions. These findings highlight the subtle responses of CHC profiles to environmental stimuli, underscoring the importance of considering environmental factors in forensic entomology and ecological research. The study advances the understanding of insect remnant degradation processes and their forensic implications. Furthermore, integrating machine learning with entomological expertise offers standardized methodologies for age determination, enhancing the reliability of entomological evidence in legal contexts and paving the way for future research and development.

Comprehensive Review of Cannabis Sativa: Pharmacological Components, Therapeutic Potential, and Forensic Implications

Comprehensive Review of Cannabis Sativa: Pharmacological Components, Therapeutic Potential, and Forensic Implications

Tree failure - A natural phenomenon with forensic implications.

Tree failure, or summer branch drop, refers to situations where large branches or whole trees may unexpectedly drop on unsuspecting victims. On occasion, this involves vehicles impacted by falling overhanging trees or branches. To study this phenomenon further review of the Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, Australia, database and an internet news search were undertaken over a 20 year period from March 2004 to February 2024 for all cases where unexpected accidental deaths in South Australia had been caused by falling branches or trees. There were six cases (age range 12-63 years; average 39 years; M:F 1:2). Three deaths occurred when branches dropped onto vehicles being driven along roads, 2 occurred when entire trees dropped onto the victims (one in windy weather) and 1 was due to a branch drop. Three tree species were identified as a grey box gum tree (Eucalyptus microcarpa), a lemon-scented gum tree (Corymbia citriodora) and a Cottonwood tree (Populus deltoides). The remainder were variants of eucalyptus (gum) trees. Deaths due to tree failures are uncommon and may involve a variety of different tree species with these events not necessarily occurring during high winds or storms. The major findings at autopsy are blunt force injuries.

Proposing a more conservative Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Effort Index cutoff score for forensic inpatient populations.

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Effort Index (EI) may be unreliable at its standard recommended cutoff score when used with forensic psychiatric inpatient populations given high rates of genuine cognitive impairment. The present study sought to (a) examine the rate of invalid performance on the RBANS EI using the standard cutoff among incompetent to stand trial (IST) inpatients and (b) investigate the psychometric properties of the RBANS EI at various cutoff scores. This study was conducted using archival assessment data collected at a large forensic psychiatric hospital. Across the entire sample (N = 238, 79% male, Mage = 45 years, 24% primary Spanish-speaking), 79% were diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Experiment 1 of the study (n = 165) contained IST patients who were classified as having a valid presentation. Experiment 2 contained a valid (n = 46) and invalid (n = 27) presentation group comprised of postadjudication and IST inpatients, respectively. In Experiment 1, over one third (36.4%) of the valid presentation sample scored above the standard recommended EI cutoff. In Experiment 2, applying the standard recommended cutoff score of > 3 was associated with a false positive rate of over 20%. Obtaining < 10% false positive errors was achieved at a cutoff score of > 5. At this cutoff score, the estimated local base rate of invalid responding among IST patients was 28%. Clinical and forensic implications and recommendations for adopting this more conservative RBANS EI cutoff score are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Comparative Analysis on the Histomorphometric Pattern of Various Segments of Adult Male Long Bones: Forensic Implication

Abstract Background: Human bone analysis is a useful tool in assessing and identifying skeletal remains. To make this easier, newer and modified approaches have often being documented. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to analyze the histomorphometric features of various bone segments and its relevance in forensic case diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The human bones used were that of cadaveric bone samples harvested from three adult male Nigerians. The proximal, midshaft and distal segments of the femur, tibia, and humerus were utilized for the study. The bone sections were subjected to processing using Frost’s rapid manual preparation of ground sections techniques. Histomorphometric evaluation studied the number of primary osteons, secondary osteons, and osteon fragments, as well as the Haversian canal diameter (HCD). Results: The primary osteons, secondary osteons, osteon fragments, and HCD in each of the segments of the long bones show that the F values are less than the F critical for an alpha level of 0.05. This shows that there is no statistically significant (P &gt; 0.05) variation in the histomorphometric pattern for the various segments of the bones studied. Again differences in the haversian canal diameter of the various segments of the long bones shows statistically significant variation (P&lt; 0.05) among the long bones investigated. Conclusion: These findings have laid to rest the challenges with using the only available bone fragment for forensic case investigation as no notable variations exist across various segments.

Dating early memories: When did events really happen?

Can children accurately date their early memories? This question has important real-life consequences such as when jurors evaluate the credibility of child eyewitness testimony in court. Answering this question is difficult given that adults present at remembered events may be inaccurate themselves in retroactively dating the memories recalled by their children, and often cannot provide reliable validation. In this study, prior to child interviews the parents of 6- to 13-year-olds provided eight memories of events with known dates, two each from when children were age 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. A total of 104 6- to 13-year-olds participated (47 % female, 70 % White and 26 % Asian or multi-ethnic), recruited from Canada (36 %) and USA (64 %). Children typically made systematic dating errors. Memories of events that had occurred when children had been age 2 were misdated by 1½ years on average, and as children’s age at the time of remembered events increased, misdating errors decreased. Errors usually involved children thinking they had been older at the time of remembered events than they actually were – a phenomenon termed ‘forward telescoping’ (versus ‘backward telescoping, when individuals think that they had been older at the time of remembered events than they actually had been). For example, many of the events from when children were age 2 were recalled by the children, but they misdated them to older ages. Although ‘age of memory’ (age of the child at the time of the remembered event) was significantly related to errors in dating, with more errors for memories from younger periods of their lives, ‘age of child’ at the time they did the memory task did not differ depending upon how old the children were. Findings have theoretical and forensic implications.

Marine bryozoan colonization of terrestrial biomineralized tissues: Taphonomic insights and forensic implications

AbstractThe taphonomy and diagenesis of bone and teeth recovered from any environments provide crucial information for forensic sciences and investigations. This leads to the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) and the postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) of the organism/s. Aquatic taxa can induce macroscopic and microscopic alterations in biomineralized tissues (e.g., grooves) or can colonize them by attachment (e.g., Bryozoa). Bryozoa are tiny invertebrates that form colonies in freshwater and saltwater. They can survive for years as suspension feeders in all climates. Most marine Bryozoa species have a biomineralized exoskeleton that can be preserved after their death. This research analyzes eight fragments of archeological elephant ivory with a known PMSI of 314 years, which were inhabited by three distinct bryozoan colonies. The variations in the preservation of the bryozoan exoskeletons and the overgrowth of different marine taxa reveal that one colony (lichenoporid cyclostomatid) was alive at the time of the ivory collection from the submerged archeological site while the two other colonies (cheilostomatid) had previously died at different times. The primary objective of this observation is to contribute to the understanding of the taphonomy of terrestrial mammalian biomineralized tissues recovered in marine environments. Additionally, the study discusses the potential forensic implications of this association, such as the evidence of marine submersion and the PMSI. A secondary objective is to present the Bryozoa colonies within a distinctive depositional context, considering that many bryozoan species of the Western Australian coast remain undescribed. The complexity of the Bryozoa ecobiology is also highlighted, with the need of further research (e.g., minimum time for colonization). Finally, this study highlights the urgency of multidisciplinary collaboration to advance aquatic forensic capabilities.

The importance of assessing the ghosting phenomenon in dynamic footprints when estimating stature – Forensic implications

In cases where multiple footprints are found at a crime scene, it is unusual that all are static, and some are likely dynamic. Depending on how the footprint was made, we distinguish between dynamic and static footprints. A distinguishing feature that has only recently been associated with dynamic footprints is the fact that dynamic footprints differ from static footprints by the presence of additional markings around the back of the heel and the tops of the toe prints, the so-called ghosting phenomenon. The present study aims to analyse the ghosting phenomenon on dynamic footprints – its occurrence in relation to sex, laterality, and different areas of footprints as well as length features. Additionally, it aims to investigate the assessment of the ghosting phenomenon on dynamic footprints when estimating stature for biological profiling in the forensic field. The study sample comprised of 170 young adults aged 18 – 30 years of both biological sexes. Stature was measured and dynamic footprints were obtained where the ghosting phenomenon was analysed together with length measurements of the same footprint with and without ghosting. In the first and second toes of footprints, the ghosting phenomenon occurred most frequently in both sexes and in the sex-mixed group. Sex differences were not significant in ghosting occurrence on right and left footprints (p > 0.05), except for the area of the left fifth toe (p = 0.045). All the footprints’ lengths with ghosting were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those without ghosting. Statures calculated from footprint length measurements with ghosting predicted stature more accurately than statures calculated from the same footprint length measurements without ghosting. In the case of finding dynamic footprints at crime scenes, it is necessary to correctly identify and evaluate ghosting of the footprint. This comparison can be helpful in interpreting how ghosting should be taken into account when estimating a person's stature.

Frotteurism and Kleptomania in High-Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Report

Innate vulnerabilities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) could increase the risk of comorbid psychiatric conditions and judicial problems. Persistent deficits in social communication, narrow, repetitive interests, or sensory impairments could lead to deviant behaviors. This case study refers to a 22-year-old male who exhibited behavioral particularities in agreement with the presence of frotteurism and kleptomania. The impulsive nature of these behaviors was consistent with repetitive and stereotyped patterns. Premorbid social impairments, mainly in the communication domain, were also prominent, leading to the suspicion of ASD. This case report introduces two rare comorbid conditions in ASD, with forensic implications that can severely impact patients’ lives. The importance of this association especially applies to high-functioning ASD, given the propensity to an unknown diagnosis. A high-level awareness of ASD, especially in forensic psychiatry, is of paramount pertinence regarding the opportunity for early interventions addressing sexual education and social skills training. Autism, high-level, frotteurism, kleptomania, sexual, impulse, forensic, psychiatry, social skills

Heredity and Forensic Implications of Lip Prints among Indian Twins and Non-Twin Siblings: A Cheiloscopy Study.

This study aimed to assess the lip prints of Indian twins and non-twin siblings to evaluate the existence of heredity in the lip prints of these individuals. The study employed a blind, cross-sectional, quantitative approach with an inductive method and extensive direct observation. The sample consisted of 30 twins and 30 non-twin siblings, divided into three groups based on gender with 10 subjects in each subgroup. All participants were aged between 10 and 30 years and were instructed on the methods and techniques involved in the study. The lip prints of participants were recorded using dark-colored lipstick, bond paper, cellophane tape, and a brush, and were examined for lip thickness measurement (in mm), classification of lip commissures, and assessment of groove patterns. The findings were then analyzed to determine the pattern of lip prints among twins and non-twin siblings. Cheiloscopy, the forensic investigation technique based on lip trace identification, could benefit from this study's findings as it explores the existence of heredity in lip prints of Indian twins and non-twin siblings.

Fatal pulmonary embolism related to anti-psychotics: forensic implications. About four autopsy cases with review of the literature

IntroductionThe association between the intake of antipsychotic drugs and the occurrence of thromboembolic complications is widely described in the literature. The occurrence of this complication may call into question the medical responsibility of the attending physician.ObjectivesThe objective of this work is to describe the physiopathological mechanisms involved in the occurrence of thromboembolic complications in a patient under antipsychotic treatment, whether or not associated with physical restraint and to discuss the forensic implications.MethodsOur study is retrospective on cases of fatal pulmonary embolism, discovered at autopsy, in connection with the taking of antipsychotics. The autopsies were carried out in the Department of Forensic Medicine of the Tahar Sfar University Hospital in Mahdia. The cases were collected over a period of 04 years. A review of the literature was carried out. We only selected articles published until February 2021 and dealing with cases of patients on antipsychotics, diagnosed with pulmonary embolism by performing a chest CT scan or during an autopsy.Results915 autopsy cases were performed during the study period. Twenty cases of pulmonary embolism, discovered at autopsy, were collected. Four cases were related to the taking of antipsychotics (incidence 0.004%), including two men and two women, aged between 25 and 52 years. They were all on antipsychotic treatment for at least 5 years, with the exception of one case who was put on 3 antipsychotics, 7 days before his death, with indication of physical restraint. After analysis of the memorial data, the external examination and the autopsy, the results of additional examinations, the death was attributed, in the 4 cases, to a massive fibrino-cruoric pulmonary embolism. A selection of 45 studies regarding thromboembolic complications associated with taking antipsychotics, was included in the final review.ConclusionsThe reported cases provided additional evidence on the involvement of antipsychotics in the occurrence of thromboembolic complications. Psychiatrists should be careful when prescribing these treatments. The establishment of therapeutic guidelines, taking into account the thromboembolic risk factors, becomes essential, in order to avoid the occurrence of a complication which could engage both the vital prognosis of patients and the responsibility of the physician.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Forensic implications of stacked file systems

While file system analysis is a cornerstone of forensic investigations and has been extensively studied, certain file system classes have not yet been thoroughly examined from a forensic perspective. Stacked file systems, which use an underlying file system for data storage instead of a volume, are a prominent example. With the growth of cloud infrastructure and big data, it is increasingly likely that investigators will encounter distributed stacked file systems, such as MooseFS and the Hadoop File System, that employ this architecture. However, current standard models and tools for file system analysis fall short of addressing the complexities of stacked file systems. This paper highlights the forensic challenges and implications associated with stacked file systems, discussing their unique characteristics in the context of forensic analyses. We provide insights through three analyses of different stacked file systems, illustrating their operational details and emphasizing the necessity of understanding this file system category during forensic investigations. For this purpose, we present general considerations that must be made when dealing with the analysis of stacked file systems.

Forensic implications of novel synthesis of cathinone derivatives by Neber and modified Neber rearrangements

Cathinone and its synthetic analogues are known compounds of clandestine interest. Investigation into novel pathways for synthesising cathinone derivatives has potential for forensic analysis and tracking. The known Neber rearrangement of commercially available phenylpropanones that were evaluated yielded amides described herein and was not viable for clandestine synthesis of cathinone derivatives. Whereas the known modified Neber rearrangement of phenylpropanones that were evaluated via stable aziridine salts and subsequent treatment with acid, gave cathinone derivatives described herein in poor to low yields (2–17%). Assessment of the reagents, equipment, and procedures required for the modified Neber rearrangement was considered as only viable for more advanced clandestine operations. An improved understanding of the potential by-product formation from the modified Neber rearrangement was determined by density functional theory (DFT) of hydrazone to azirine to aziridine intermediates and attempted dynamic NMR spectroscopy of a hydrazone described herein. The substantially lower energy of the azirine step compared to the starting hydrazonium salt step of the reaction mechanism implied that the azirine structure was a short-lived intermediate, and unable to be experimentally determined. New mass-spectral fragmentation data of compounds described herein was reported, where differentiation was observed for some individual compounds at the GC-EIMS fragmentation pattern level. From this study, individual mass-spectrometry fragmentation of key compounds evaluated from the modified Neber rearrangement of commercially available phenylpropanones indicates potential for forensic profiling analysis applications.

Exploring the Impact of Hand-Foot Syndrome on Fingerprint Persistence: A Comprehensive Review

The hand-foot syndrome, also known as Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (PPE), is a dermatological condition associated with certain chemotherapeutic agents. From a forensic perspective, understanding the manifestations of PPE becomes crucial in cases involving drug-related exposures or poisoning. This abstract explores the dermatological aspects of handfoot syndrome, its potential forensic implications, and the importance of recognizing and documenting such findings in medico legal investigations. Additionally, the abstract discusses the relevance of PPE in establishing a link between a specific chemotherapeutic drug and its adverse effects, aiding forensic experts in determining the cause of morbidity or mortality in relevant cases. Hand-Foot Syndrome (HFS), a dermatological condition commonly associated with chemotherapy, presents a unique avenue for forensic investigation. This study endeavors to unravel the forensic implications of HFS, shedding light on its potential significance in post-mortem examinations. Characterized by erythematous and desquamative changes on the palms and soles, HFS has distinct clinical manifestations that may serve as valuable markers in forensic pathology. Our research employs a comprehensive approach, integrating dermatological analysis with forensic perspectives. Through an extensive review of case studies and medical records, we aim to establish a nuanced understanding of HFS patterns and their correlation with diverse forensic scenarios. By identifying and documenting these distinctive dermatological features, forensic professionals can potentially utilize HFS as an additional tool in their investigative arsenal. Furthermore, this study explores the temporal aspects of HFS progression, seeking to determine the reliability of its manifestation timeline in forensic reconstructions. By elucidating the chronological patterns of HFS development, forensic experts may enhance their ability to establish a timeline of events in cases involving suspicious or unexplained deaths. In conclusion, this research contributes to bridging the gap between dermatology and forensic science, offering insights into the forensic relevance of Hand-Foot Syndrome. The findings presented here aim to empower forensic practitioners with an additional layer of diagnostic precision, ultimately aiding in the pursuit of justice and accurate cause-of-death determinations.