Forensic Science Research Research Articles

Использование психологического анализа устной речи и биографического метода в изучении личности

The study of personality is a cross-cutting direction of research in forensic science. One of the most effective methods for studying personality is the analysis of biographical information. Oral speech is of particular importance in the production of investigative actions that have a communicative aspect, such as interrogation, confrontation and presentation for identification on the basis of voice and speech. Signs of speech are individual, which determines their forensic significance. The aim of the work is to consider the possibilities of forensic research of personality through psychological analysis of oral speech and the biographical method. The main research methods were the biographical method of studying personality and the method of analyzing oral speech. The features of a typical speech model of participants in investigative actions belonging to various psychological types were analyzed. In recent decades, a new integrative field of scientific knowledge, the forensic doctrine of speech, has been actively formed in world forensic science at the intersection of psychology and linguistics. This line of research is based on the premise that a person’s oral speech is the richest source of information about a wide variety of features that characterize the speaker. Information about these features is established on the basis of an analysis of vocabulary, syntax, accent, and many other features of oral speech. Participating in the process of trace formation, reflection of events, recorded oral speech becomes a carrier of forensically significant information necessary for the detection and disclosure of crimes. The interrelation of the personality’s biography with the elements of the structure of oral speech is determined. For example, some structural elements of oral speech (content) reflect individual symbols and personally significant information in speech, which is closely related to the psychological data and social status of the individual (education and professional activity). The authors note a tendency in the analysis of speech behavior – the use of a typological approach, which makes it possible to individualize tactics in the production of investigative actions. The characteristics of a typical speech model of ten psychological types of participants in investigative actions are considered. The integration of psychological research methods into forensics also gives rise to a number of problems, such as the choice of the optimal personality typology, the need to develop a unified methodology for the psychological analysis of oral speech and the availability of specialists capable of analyzing speech on the basis of a special technical base.

Towards More Relevance in Forensic Science Research and Development

Towards More Relevance in Forensic Science Research and Development

Comparative Analysis o f Determination of the Human Genealogy Based on the Base of the Head in Jurisdictional Criminalism

Scientific works on the determination of somatic sex on the basis of the skull, conducted and published in our country and abroad, are analyzed and presented. In the process of cranioscopic research, craniometric and cranioscopic approaches and the existing traditional and modern methods used for their implementation were considered. In the process of studying the head, work is carried out to determine the somatic sex. This is one of the most important issues in forensic science, anthropological and archaeological research, the scientific study of general problems of human variability. The study was conducted on the basis of MSKT imaging of the skull of 27 male and 20 female volunteers who had no congenital or acquired defects in the skull of an adult (over 18 years of age). The resulting images were examined by cranioscopic and craniometric methods using the IMA program. In cranioscopic studies, W.M. Krogman, G.Acsadi, J. Nemeskeri, and V.N. The advantages and disadvantages of Zvyagin methods are revealed. A. I. According to R. Martin and H. Welcker, who performed the craniometric method on the craniometric method of Bogdanov and a number of English craniologists, a comparative comparative analysis of the study was given in the modification. The authors note that the Center for Forensic Medicine has developed a craniological blank containing 79 types of head sizes. With this, it is possible to determine not only the sexual orientation of the head, but also the estimated age of the person. In conducting craniometric examinations in forensic practice. N. Zvyagin’s modification, which included 40 registered diagnostic signs described and registered, was further informative. Its efficiency was 93.5%.

The place of historical and archaeological research in the system of forensic examinations

The theory of forensic science has long been supplemented by additional classifications, which differed in certain criteria and comprehensively reflected the essence of forensic science and expert research. The issue of forensic examinations classification in Ukraine according to the criteria existing in the doctrine and normative legal acts has been considered. The purpose of the study is the correct classification of historical and archaeological examination in the system of forensic science of Ukraine, to determine the main aspects and criteria for the classification of forensic science in Ukraine. To solve this goal, the scientific literature and regulatory support on the topic have been analyzed. It has been concluded that the historical and archaeological examination does not belong to the already existing types, as it has a unique subject, object and methods. It can be classified according to various criteria presented in the article.
 Certain changes and transformations in the classifications of forensic examinations occur as a result of the emergence of a new type or kind of forensic examination, new objects and tasks of research. The development of a particular type of expertise can contribute to the formation of a new class. The most common is classification according to the field of special knowledge by types and subtypes, enshrined in the Instruction on the appointment and conduct of forensic examinations and expert research, approved by the Order of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.
 Historical and archaeological examination as a new type, which is currently in the process of formation and development, requires proper classification in expertise. Classifications are diverse depending on the criteria and have not only theoretical but also practical significance, allow to avoid errors in the appointment of forensic examinations and expert research, which, in turn, speeds up the study.

The Evidence Chamber: Playful Science Communication and Research Through Digital Storytelling

In a courtroom, it is essential that the scientific evidence is both understandable and understood, so that the strengths and limitations of that evidence, within the context of a legal case, can inform decision making. The Evidence Chamber brings together entertainment, public engagement with science and research into a public performance activity that is centred around digital storytelling and science communication. This experience engages public audiences with science and allows a better understanding of how people interpret scientific evidence. In this paper, we discuss how we created this experience as an in-person and fully virtual performance through successful collaboration between forensic science research, public audiences, public engagement professionals, the legal profession, and digital performance artists.

Forensic Science and the Shroud of Turin

Forensic Science & Addiction Research Forensic Science and the Shroud of Turin Robert A Rucker* Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Michigan, USA *Corresponding author: Robert A Rucker, Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Michigan, USA Submission: November 15, 2021;Published: December 03, 2021 DOI: 10.31031/FSAR.2021.05.000623 ISSN 2578-0042 Volume5 Issue4

Reconstruction of Crime Scene: Reveals the Truth at Railway Track

Forensic Science & Addiction Research Reconstruction of Crime Scene: Reveals the Truth at Railway Track Venktesh V1, Vashistha KN2, Kamlesh Pankaj3 and Mukesh Sharma4* 1Assistant Director (Biology Div.), Regional FSL, India 2Assistant Director (Serology Div.), Regional FSL, India 3In-charge, Mobile Forensic Science Unit, India 4Assistant Director (Physics Div.) State FSL, India *Corresponding author: Mukesh Sharma, Assistant Director (Physics Div.) State FSL, Jaipur, India Submission: September 17, 2021;Published: September 29, 2021 DOI: 10.31031/FSAR.2021.05.000621 ISSN 2578-0042 Volume5 Issue4

Nano-Forensics a Comprehensive Review

Forensic Science & Addiction Research Nano-Forensics a Comprehensive Review Paikrao Hariprasad1*, Dipale Ashlesha2, Patil Anita3 and Tajane Diksha4 1Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Biology, Government Institute of Forensic Science, Nagpur, India 2Post graduate student, Department of Forensic Biology, Government Institute of Forensic Science, Nagpur, India 3Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University Amravati, India 4Research Scholar, NAU, Navsari, India *Corresponding author: Paikrao Hariprasad, Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Biology, Government Institute of Forensic Science, Nagpur, India Submission: January 05, 2021;Published: February 03, 2021 DOI: 10.31031/FSAR.2021.05.000618 ISSN 2578-0042 Volume5 Issue3

A likelihood ratio approach for identifying three-quarter siblings in genetic databases

The detection of family relationships in genetic databases is of interest in various scientific disciplines such as genetic epidemiology, population and conservation genetics, forensic science, and genealogical research. Nowadays, screening genetic databases for related individuals forms an important aspect of standard quality control procedures. Relatedness research is usually based on an allele sharing analysis of identity by state (IBS) or identity by descent (IBD) alleles. Existing IBS/IBD methods mainly aim to identify first-degree relationships (parent–offspring or full siblings) and second degree (half-siblings, avuncular, or grandparent–grandchild) pairs. Little attention has been paid to the detection of in-between first and second-degree relationships such as three-quarter siblings (3/4S) who share fewer alleles than first-degree relationships but more alleles than second-degree relationships. With the progressively increasing sample sizes used in genetic research, it becomes more likely that such relationships are present in the database under study. In this paper, we extend existing likelihood ratio (LR) methodology to accurately infer the existence of 3/4S, distinguishing them from full siblings and second-degree relatives. We use bootstrap confidence intervals to express uncertainty in the LRs. Our proposal accounts for linkage disequilibrium (LD) by using marker pruning, and we validate our methodology with a pedigree-based simulation study accounting for both LD and recombination. An empirical genome-wide array data set from the GCAT Genomes for Life cohort project is used to illustrate the method.

Forensic science and the principle of excluded middle: “Inconclusive” decisions and the structure of error rate studies

In a paper published recently in this journal, Dror and Scurich (2020) [20] critically discuss the notions of “inconclusive evidence” (i.e., test items for which it is difficult to render a categorical response) and “inconclusive decisions” (i.e., experts’ conclusions or responses) in the context of forensic science error rate studies. They expose several ways in which the understanding and use of “inconclusives” in current forensic science research and practice can adversely affect the outcomes of error rate studies. A main cause of distortion, according to Dror and Scurich, is what they call “erroneous inconclusive” decisions, in particular the lack of acknowledgment of this type of erroneous conclusion in the computation of error rates. To overcome this complication, Dror and Scurich call for a more explicit monitoring of “inconclusives” using a modified error rate study design. Whilst we agree with several well-argued points raised by the authors, we disagree with their framing of “inconclusive decisions” as potential errors. In this paper, we argue that referring to an “inconclusive decision” as an error is a contradiction in terms, runs counter to an analysis based on decision logic and, hence, is questionable as a concept. We also reiterate that the very term “inconclusive decision” disregards the procedural architecture of the criminal justice system across modern jurisdictions, especially the fact that forensic experts have no decisional rights in the criminal process. These positions do not ignore the possibility that “inconclusives” – if used excessively – do raise problems in forensic expert reporting, in particular limited assertiveness (or, overcautiousness). However, these drawbacks derive from inherent limitations of experts rather than from the seemingly erroneous nature of “inconclusives” that needs to be fixed. More fundamentally, we argue that attempts to score “inconclusives” as errors amount to philosophical claims disguised as forensic methodology. Specifically, these attempts interfere with the metaphysical substrate underpinning empirical research. We point this out on the basis of the law of the excluded middle, i.e. the principle of “no third possibility being given” (tertium non datur).

Forensic opinion in questioned document based on scientific techniques

The present trend in forensic science education and research is emphasized towards quality research in order to standardized methods and techniques to solve such critical cases. Document examiners always play an important role in criminal justice system, however many at times they always encountered with number of random questions which really do not relate with the actual matter, and they also are forced to give answer. So in order to produce the scientific evidence which is better referred to as forensic evidence. The role of forensic document examiner while giving any opinion becomes more important as they produce detailed scientific evidence supported with scientific principles and methodology, presented to convince the court in favour of justice. Keywords: Forensic Examination, Criminal Justice System, credibility.

Chemical Imaging of Fingerprint on RMB Banknotes Using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry

The development of latent fingerprints on long-circulated RMB banknotes has been one of the challenging task in forensic science research. In this work, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) was used to perform chemical imaging of latent fingerprints on the surface of the substrate due to its advantages such as in-situ, quasi-nondestructive, high-throughput, simultaneous analysis of multi-components and high spatial resolution. The developing effect of TOF-SIMS was firstly compared with that of several traditional methods, and the reasons for the unique advantages of TOF-SIMS were discussed. Its applicability was further discussed from the perspective of universality, sensitivity and fingerprint three-level feature acquisition capability. Finally, exogenous substances in fingerprints were also analyzed by using this technology to detect the molecular ions (m/z 92.06) and fragment ion peaks (m/z 43.02) of glycerol in the moisture lotion and developed clear fingerprint images. Preliminary research results showed that TOF-SIMS technology could provide an effective method for the development of latent fingerprints on long-circulated RMB banknotes and was expected to be used for the detection of substances in fingerprints on the surface of various substrates.

Addressing the illegal wildlife trade in the European Union as a public health issue to draw decision makers attention

The European Union is one of the most important markets for the trafficking of endangered species and a major transit point for illegal wildlife trade. The latter is not only one of the most important anthropogenic drivers of biodiversity loss, it also represents a growing risk for public health. Indeed, wildlife trade exposes humans to a plethora of severe emerging infectious diseases, some of which have contributed to the most dramatic global pandemics humankind has endured. Illegal wildlife trade is often considered as a problem of developing countries but it is first and foremost an international global business with a trade flow from developing to developed countries. The devastating effects of the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 outbreak should thus be an unassailable argument for European decision makers to change paradigm. Rather than deploying efforts and money to combat novel pathogens, mitigating the risk of spreading emerging infectious diseases should be addressed and be part of any sustainable socioeconomic development plan. Stricter control procedures at borders and policies should be enforced. Additionally, strengthening research in wildlife forensic science and developing a network of forensic laboratories should be the cornerstone of the European Union plan to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. Such proactive approach, that should further figure in the EU-Wildlife Action Plan, could produce a win-win situation: the curb of illegal wildlife trade would subsequently diminish the likelihood of importing new zoonotic diseases in the European Union.

The influence of the paradigm of forensic science on law enforcement

The subject. The subject of the study is the relationship between the methodology of the theory of forensic science and law enforcement issues. The nature of the forensic science and the paradigms of theory are subject to significant changes today. Philosophical and scientific postulates revealed differences in post-non-classical science. The author substantiates the need for the evolution of some essential criteria of scientific knowledge in forensic science. The article deals with the concepts of private forensic theories and the structure of the general theory of forensics. It shows the impact of scientific research on the needs of practice, the ambiguous nature of the preparation of practical recommendations, the complex path from basic forensic research to the integration of investigative methods in investigative practice. The purpose of the article is to confirm or disprove the hypothesis that changing the general forensic paradigms should lead to changes in the method of detecting and using traces of crimes in criminal proceedings. The methodology of the research includes analysis, synthesis, deduction as well as private scientific methods of forensics, in particular, the doctrine of traces. The main results of the research. Any scientific research, especially in the field of forensics, is aimed at solving practical problems if they are unsolvable by existing methods and recommendations. Sometimes the problem, especially at the initial stage of its study, is difficult to be identified clearly. First of all, you need to prove that it exists, then define it in general, and only then look for approaches, methods of scientific research of its causes and essence, and concentrate on finding a solution. In forensic science, this is expressed in the identification of inefficiency in solving the problems of investigating crimes using existing scientific recommendations. One of the essential elements of private forensic theories is their practical implementation. Practical orientation in forensics implies the availability of knowledge that is potentially suitable for the development of practical recommendations on methods, techniques for detecting traces of crime and related events, means of collecting evidence, the possibilities of using the extracted and processed information for the purposes of criminal proceedings. The relevance of the results is determined by the significance of the scientifically proven tasks, questions and problems. For investigative practice, it is not the status of theoretical recommendations that is important, but their qualitative content. Conclusions. Relevance in practice does not always determine the scientific significance of theoretical research in forensic science. The fundamental nature of scientific knowledge and overcoming outdated paradigms require time and at a certain stage may not be in demand in practice. However, changes in scientific views are strategically necessary for law enforcement and should be reflected in recommendations for forensic practitioners.

Contrasting insect activity and decomposition of pigs and humans in an Australian environment: A preliminary study

Non-human vertebrate animals, primarily domestic pigs, have been widely used in forensic science research as analogues for humans due to ethical and logistical constraints. Yet the suitability of pigs to mimic human decomposition and entomological patterns remains largely untested, and explicit comparative research in this area is lacking. We compared the decomposition rates and insect communities found at pig and human remains during summer and winter at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER). Pigs decomposed faster than humans, with pigs entering active decay earlier in both summer and winter, and humans undergoing desiccation rather than skeletonisation. There was also a delay in the colonisation of humans by both flies and beetles. Species richness of these necrophagous taxa was between two and five times higher during the first two weeks of decomposition on pigs compared to humans during both summer and winter. Insect species composition was also significantly different between pigs and humans in each season. We interpret our findings to mean that the difference between humans and pigs, such as their mass, diet, medical history, or their microbiomes, might be causing different decomposition processes and altered timing or production of chemical cues for insect colonisation. Although preliminary, our results suggest that pigs might not be accurate substitutes for humans in particular fields of taphonomy and forensic entomology. Our findings also have broader implications for the reliability of forensic studies using pigs as models for humans, and highlight the need to recognise intrinsic differences between animal models and humans.

Forensic Identification of Fake & Genuine Saffron (Kesar) from Local Market of Greater Noida

Forensic Science & Addiction Research Forensic Identification of Fake & Genuine Saffron (Kesar) from Local Market of Greater Noida Kapil Parihar, Kirti Sharma, Mahipal Singh Sankhla* and Rajeev Kumar Department of Forensic Science, India *Corresponding author: Mahipal Singh Sankhla, Research Scholar, Division of Forensic Science, India Submission: November 12, 2019;Published: January 13, 2020 DOI: 10.31031/FSAR.2020.05.000615 ISSN 2578-0042 Volume5 Issue2

Fluorescent detection upon droplet amplification of nucleic acids

Droplet microfluidics with amplification of nucleic acids allows to achieve sensitivity at the level of single molecules and is in demand in medical diagnostics, forensic science, and genetic research. The results of detection of nucleic acid amplification in liquid and water-in-oil emulsion are compared on the example of model solutions. Since the results of quantitative analysis are based on the calculation of the proportion of drops with a positive reaction result, one of the tasks was to study the features of automatic counting of drops in different zones of the reaction chamber.

A Framework for Automatic Morphological Feature Extraction and Analysis of Abdominal Organs in MRI Volumes

The accurate 3D reconstruction of organs from radiological scans is an essential tool in computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) and plays a critical role in clinical, biomedical and forensic science research. The structure and shape of the organ, combined with morphological measurements such as volume and curvature, can provide significant guidance towards establishing progression or severity of a condition, and thus support improved diagnosis and therapy planning. Furthermore, the classification and stratification of organ abnormalities aim to explore and investigate organ deformations following injury, trauma and illness. This paper presents a framework for automatic morphological feature extraction in computer-aided 3D organ reconstructions following organ segmentation in 3D radiological scans. Two different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) datasets are evaluated. Using the MRI scans of 85 adult volunteers, the overall mean volume for the pancreas organ is 69.30 ± 32.50cm3, and the 3D global curvature is (35.23 ± 6.83) × 10−3. Another experiment evaluates the MRI scans of 30 volunteers, and achieves mean liver volume of 1547.48 ± 204.19cm3 and 3D global curvature (19.87 ± 3.62) × 10− 3. Both experiments highlight a negative correlation between 3D curvature and volume with a statistical difference (p < 0.0001). Such a tool can support the investigation into organ related conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and liver disease.

Fingerprints and paternity testing: a study of genetics and probability in pre-DNA forensic science

AbstractThis article is a study of forensic science researchers’ attempts to develop paternity tests based on fingerprint patterning, a physical trait that is partially inherited. Pursued in different times and places—ranging from Austria to Japan to China and from the early 20th century to the 1990s—the projects under study represent an ongoing dialogue, carried out through decades of international scientific exchange, about how to extract genetic information from fingerprints and present this data as scientifically-valid evidence in courts of law. Over time, those who engaged in this work increasingly experimented with methods for presenting fingerprint-based evidence of paternity in quantifiable and even probabilistic terms. Fingerprint-based paternity tests remained an obscure area of forensic practice and were eventually overshadowed by advances in serology and DNA profiling. This unfamiliar corner of forensic science, nonetheless, can provide additional perspective on the history of statistical expertise and probabilistic reasoning in modern forensic science, including the application of Bayesian approaches. The larger body of 20th-century ‘dermatoglyphics’ knowledge out of which these tests emerged also continues to influence the foundation of scientific knowledge on which latent print examination is based today.

CiteSpace-based Document Information Visualization of Literature Published by Journal of Forensic Medicine from 1985 to 2018.

Objective To analyze a knowledge web of the literature published by Journal of Forensic Medicine from its founding in 1985 to 2018, describe the evolving process of forensic science research and explore the research hotspots and frontiers at present. Methods The literature that was published by Journal of Forensic Medicine from 1985 to 2018 was collected and analyzed in terms of elements, such as emerging research hotspots, high frequency keywords, authors, dispatching units, location of institution and funding, by CiteSpace5.3 information visualization analysis software. Results All disciplines of forensic medicine were continually developing and maturing, and the publication volume of the literature on forensic pathology had the highest weight; in research hotspots, the two categories, research and identification each had their own emphasis; as the main source of contributions to the journal, research institutes accounted for 38.99% of the total number of publications; Shanghai ranked first among all regions with 1 046 articles published. The number of funded articles was generally on the rise, with the number of funded articles published largest in 2015. Conclusion As an authoritative academic journal in the field of forensic science in China, Journal of Forensic Medicine carries the development of forensic science and witnesses the institutional reform of universities and colleges, and offers a wide range of communication and cooperation in terms of technicality and application. Many scholars and scientific research institutions have gained progress continually in various research directions in the form of teamwork; and emerging research hotspots will continue to play a huge role in future practical applications.