Forensic Purposes Research Articles

Non-invasive forensic identification of excavated human remains: capturing surface and internal fingerprints using optical coherence tomography.

Unidentified human remains are frequently found in missing person cases, necessitating identification for forensic purposes and to inform the next of kin. Traditional postmortem fingerprinting methods depend on intact surface fingerprints, which are often compromised by decomposition. A viable alternative is to use internal fingerprints(a blueprint of the surface fingerprint located just below the epidermis) instead. This study assessed the utility of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) as a means to record internal fingerprints from excavated human fingers. Conducted at the Amsterdam human taphonomic test site, the investigation comprised two longitudinal studies and two in situ burial scenarios. Human fingers were buried, excavated, and scanned using OCT at various time intervals.Internal fingerprints could be recorded up to 7 days longer than surface fingerprints, with a maximum of 10 days post-burial. These internal fingerprints provided higher minutiae counts, suitable for Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) searches. Additionally, in one case, fingerprints were successfully extracted after 13 weeks and 10 months of in situ burial. This demonstrates OCT's potential to enhance postmortem fingerprinting for identifying human remains in forensic investigations.

Ex vivo detection of recreational consumed nitrous oxide in exhaled breath

The increasing use of recreational nitrous oxide (O) in the Netherlands and its link to traffic accidents highlights the need for reliable detection methods for law enforcement. This study focused on ex vivo detection of O in exhaled breath and examining its persistence in the human body. Firstly, a low-cost portable infrared based detector was selected and validated to detect O in air. Then, the influence of interferents and conditions potentially influencing the analysis were evaluated including relative humidity, ethanol, acetaldehyde and . Subsequently, O breathing dynamics were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo. Initially, a lung simulator was used to model respiratory mechanics and O decay, revealing detectable O levels up to 90 min after exposure. In the final part of this study, a controlled single and double dose of O gas was administered to 24 volunteers in an operating theatre. The presence of O in exhaled breath of the volunteers was analysed using infra red spectroscopy every 12-15 min. Our results show that O was detectable in exhaled breath for a minimum of 60 min post-administration and revealed a window of detection to potentially measure O for law enforcement and forensic purposes.

Dietary and competition effects on life history attributes of Chrysomya megacephala and Lucilia sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) in south-west Europe.

The range of the oriental latrine fly (Chrysomya megacephala) is currently expanding. It coexists with another blowfly with a similar ecology, the green bottle fly (Lucilia sericata), one of the most abundant species in carrion during warm months. It is essential to understand the influence of temperature, larval substrate type, and larval competition on the development rates of these necrophagous calliphorids to evaluate the role and the adaptation of C. megacephala in the ecosystems, and on the necrophagous Diptera community. Moreover, due to the forensic importance of both species, biological data are need for forensic purposes in south-west Europe. This study represents the first on the biology of C. megacephala in Europe, and of L. sericata in Spain. We performed a field experiment in Alicante province (south-east Spain) to analyse the monthly abundance of both species in natural conditions, and three lab rearing experiments involving both species to evaluate (i) development at constant temperatures, (ii) the growth of larvae and pupae on different substrates, and (iii) coexistence in pure and mixed cultures under controlled abiotic conditions. The results allowed us to analyse the biological differences between both species, and their effects on the forensic entomology application.

Distinguishing Brands of A-4 Paper Through Elemental Analysis Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Principal Component Analysis

In the realm of forensic science and materials analysis, understanding the composition and characteristics of everyday materials can unveil a plethora of information. This study leverages the precision and efficiency of Laser-Induced Plasma Spectroscopy (LIBS) to dive deep into the elemental makeup of A-4 paper across different brands, offering applications beyond academic research. The results can offer a valuable reference in forensic investigations where distinguishing between paper types could provide key evidence in document authentication or fraud cases. Furthermore, the method provides insights for quality control in paper manufacturing by identifying unique elemental markers that can verify the origin and consistency of paper products. This innovative research employed the ECCO®² brand Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) device, a state-of-the-art spectrometric system. The device was used to analyze samples from seven distinct A4 paper brands: Mopak®, Office International Copier Bond®, Double A®, Excellent Copy Paper®, Gold®, Master®, and Vera®. Controlled via a computer system and specialized ECCO®² software, the ECCO®² facilitated a comprehensive elemental analysis of these paper samples, focusing on the presence of specific inorganic materials such as glass, inks, and toners that hold forensic value. The study meticulously selected 11 elements (K, Sr, Si, Na, Ba, Mg, Ca, C, Al, Fe, and Ti) for elemental data analysis, based on their relevance and potential to reveal the composition and source of the materials. These elements were chosen due to their prevalence in common additives, fillers, and bleaching agents used in paper manufacturing, making them effective markers for differentiating paper brands based on elemental composition. The LIBS technique, a non-contact and rapid analytical method, allowed for the precise detection of these elements without the need for sample preparation, showcasing its practicality in forensic and analytical applications. Through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), 76.65% discrimination was initially achieved among the A4 paper samples. Notably, when three elements (Al, Fe, and Ti) were excluded, discrimination increased to 83.78%. Further analyses using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) on peak height and peak area data from A4 paper samples yielded discrimination rates of 80.916% and 85.947%, respectively. In this context, peak height refers to the maximum intensity of each elemental emission line, while peak area represents the integrated area under each spectral peak. These distinct spectral metrics capture different aspects of the elemental composition of A4 paper samples, enhancing PCA’s ability to effectively distinguish between paper brands. Finally, when PCA was performed using six elemental pairs identified by the ECCO®² device as optimal for A4 paper differentiation, the discrimination rate reached 97.313%, with variation values calculated at approximately 80%. These results underscore the LIBS method’s reliability and precision in distinguishing different paper types, affirming its valuable application for forensic and quality control purposes.

Exploring the Potential of Genome-Wide Hybridization Capture Enrichment for Forensic DNA Profiling of Degraded Bones.

This paper aims to test the efficacy of genome-wide capture enrichment on degraded forensic human remains compared to autosomal STRs analysis. Six highly degraded human bones from the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) were quantified with Quantifiler™ Trio and amplified with GlobalFiler™. Independently, partially UDG-treated double-stranded DNA libraries were generated and shotgun sequenced to screen for endogenous human DNA content. Subsequently, libraries were enriched with the Twist Bioscience "Twist Ancient DNA" reagent enrichment kit, which had not been previously tested for forensic purposes. The results show that the samples behave similarly with both approaches (well-preserved samples yield good results). However, capture enrichment provides some new relevant insights, suggesting that its implementation in current NGS forensic platforms could be beneficial. Shotgun results show that the analyzed samples exhibit the same characteristics as ancient DNA samples in terms of DNA fragmentation and molecular damage, which may enhance the value of this approach when authenticating the endogenous DNA of forensic samples.

A novel model of age estimation in mixed dentition population in Western India – A retrospective study

Objectives: Age estimation is an integral part of legal investigations for forensic purposes. When the chronological age of the individual is not documented or he/she is under the conflict of the law, age estimation comes into play. The need for age estimation may arise in various legal incidences involving children, and juveniles, for civil aspects such as adoption, child labor, or other criminal proceedings such as rape, kidnapping, and illegal immigration. An accurate and dependable method, that can estimate age with high probability, can aid in narrowing down the list of possible victims or even play a decisive role in such cases. The reliability of the method and the probability of correct age estimation play a decisive role in the court of law. Bedek et al’s model (2019) was recently developed and tested in Croatian and South Indian populations with satisfactory results. As there is no evidence of study in the Western Indian population, looking into the accessibility of the population group, the present study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Bedek method in the Western Indian population. Materials and Methods: Approval was sought from the Institutional Ethical Committee. Five hundred and twenty-five orthopantomographs (OPG) of patients aged 5–15 were obtained. A double-blinded study was done, where the radiographs were analyzed using ImageJ software, independently by two investigators. The data were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis for accuracy of age estimation and intra- as well as inter-observer reliability. Results: There was an underestimation by a range of −1.3038 to −0.74536. There was underestimation in all the models of Bedek with P < 0.005, for all the teeth models except, the three- and two-teeth model (P > 0.005). Conclusion: In our study, we found that the accuracy of age estimation increases significantly with the number of teeth used. Seven four-teeth models were the most suitable for age estimation on OPG. All models except the three-teeth model and two-teeth model were found to be more accurate.

Unveiling the Dynamic Landscape of Digital Forensics: The Endless Pursuit

The invention of transistors in the 1940s marked the beginning of a technological revolution that has impacted every aspect of our lives. However, along with the positive advancements, the malicious use of computing technologies has become a serious concern. The international community has been actively collaborating to develop digital forensics techniques to combat the unlawful use of these technologies. However, the evolution of digital forensics has often lagged behind the rapid developments in computing technologies. In addition to their harmful use, computing devices are increasingly involved in crime scenes and accidents, necessitating digital forensics to reconstruct events. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the development of computing technologies from the 1940s to the present, highlighting the trends in their malicious use and the corresponding advancements in digital forensics. The paper also discusses various institutes, laboratories, organizations, and training setups established at national and international levels for digital forensics purposes. Furthermore, it explores the initial legislations related to computer-related crimes and the standards associated with digital forensics. These reviews and discussions conclude at identifying the shortfalls in digital forensics and proposes an all-inclusive digital forensics process model meeting these shortfalls while complying to international standards and meeting regulatory and legal requirements of digital forensics.

Palatal rugae change shape following orthodontic treatment: a comparison between extraction and non-extraction borderline cases using fractal analysis and 3D superimposition.

Palatal rugae are used as anatomical landmarks on the hard palate, in various clinical applications; in forensics, for insertion of mini-screws, and for superimposition. There is ambiguous evidence on whether they change during orthodontic treatment and to what extent. Therefore, we investigated changes in the shape, complexity, and area occupied by palatal rugae following orthodontic treatment with and without extractions. Pre- and post-treatment plaster models of maxillae of 28 cases involving first premolar extractions (17 females and 11 males) and 33 non-extraction cases (19 females and 14 males) were scanned and analysed. All participants were selected from a parent sample via discriminant analysis and represent borderline cases. We applied mesh cropping, ball pivoting, distance mapping, contour cropping of rugae, best-fit superimposition, fractal dimension (FD) analysis, and creation of rugae's convex hull area with Viewbox 4 software. The average distance between the closest points of the outlines of pre- and post-treatment palatal rugae (indicating shape change in the set of rugae), disparity in their pre- and post-treatment FDs (reflecting the complexity of their shapes), area occupied by rugae, arch depth, and size of palatal surface were then computed. The medians of the average distance between pre- and post-treatment outlines after best-fit superimposition were 0.39 mm (interquartile range [IQR]: 0.34-0.51) and 0.27 mm (IQR: 0.22-0.34) mm for the extraction and non-extraction groups, respectively (P < 0.001). The median pre-treatment FDs were 1.497 (IQR: 1.481-1.521) for the extraction group and 1.481 (IQR: 1.456-1.509) for the non-extraction group, whereas their median post-treatment FDs were 1.502 (IQR: 1.472-1.532) and 1.489 (IQR: 1.469-1.501), respectively. The differences between pre- and post-treatment fractal dimensions were not found to be significant, neither within each group, nor across the groups. On the other hand, the surface area occupied by rugae showed a median increase of 14.7 mm2 (IQR: 0.0-46.5) (P = 0.003) following non-extraction treatment only. Palatal rugae change shape during orthodontic treatment, but their shape complexity, as measured by fractal dimensions, remains unaltered. Extraction treatment exerts a more pronounced effect in shape change compared to treatment without extractions. Nevertheless, non-extraction orthodontic treatment increases the surface on which rugae lie, as measured by means of the convex hull. Although the alterations may appear minor, it is necessary to exercise caution and prudence when employing rugae for superimposition and forensic dentistry purposes.

Invisible boundaries: Balancing Image metadata privacy with forensic Imperatives

Metadata provides a wealth of information that is invaluable for digital forensic investigations, but it also poses significant privacy risks. The varying degrees of metadata retention across social media platforms have significant implications for digital forensic investigations. Metadata plays a crucial role in constructing timelines, verifying data authenticity, and providing evidence of interactions. In this research, we investigate the handling of EXIF metadata by various social media platforms and assess the implications for user privacy and digital forensic investigations. Our findings underscore the critical need for specialized software to manage and remove metadata from images uploaded to social media, preserving user privacy while retaining necessary data for legal and forensic purposes. To address these concerns, we implement a framework for encrypting and decrypting metadata, ensuring that sensitive information can be protected before images are uploaded to social media platforms. This research aims to encapsulate the findings and emphasize the need for balanced solutions that respect user privacy while supporting forensic investigations.

Detection and Determination of Gabapentin- an Anticonvulsant, from Body Fluids for Forensic Analysis Purpose

Detection and Determination of Gabapentin- an Anticonvulsant, from Body Fluids for Forensic Analysis Purpose

Flashforward: The Current and Future Applications of Vibrational Spectroscopy for Forensic Purposes

ABSTRACTVibrational spectroscopy combined with machine learning has a great potential for forensic applications. For example, handheld Raman spectroscopic instruments are already used by law enforcement agencies for precise, confirmatory identification of drugs. Beyond drug identification, several emerging technologies based on vibrational spectroscopy are currently under development for forensic investigative purposes, including the analysis of questioned documents, gunshot residue, fabrics, soil, hair, nails, and nail polish. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the application of vibrational spectroscopy in various areas of forensic analysis, particularly focusing on forensic serology and the analysis of trace evidences. In the case of forensic serology, the methodology allows for determining complex aspects of serological casework, including the time since deposition of a stain, as well as the phenotypic profile of the stain donor—namely, sex, race, and age. Furthermore, gunshot residues can be accurately identified by grain, caliber, and manufacturer when Raman spectroscopy is paired with machine learning. This integration of advanced spectroscopic techniques with machine learning holds great promise for furthering both the accuracy and efficiency of investigations, helping to reduce the total backlog of evidence investigation currently plaguing modern forensic laboratories.

Forensic characterization of spontaneous acetone peroxide formation from consumer-aged 2-propanol

Forensic characterization of spontaneous acetone peroxide formation from consumer-aged 2-propanol

Prediction of key toxicity endpoints of AP-238 a new psychoactive substance for clinical toxicology and forensic purposes using in silico methods

This study performed advanced toxicological assessments of the new substance AP-238 using nine ‘green’ in silico methods, focusing on acute toxicity, organ-specific effects, skin and eye irritation, genetic toxicity, and cardiotoxicity. A quantitative assessment of AP-238’s acute toxicity (AT) was performed by predicting theoretical LD50 values for both rats and mice across different administration routes using various in silico methods. Results indicated the highest toxicity via intravenous administration in mice, with a t-LD50 of 53 mg/kg, while oral administration in rats exhibited a lower toxicity range, with t-LD50 values between 666.43 and 1838.77 mg/kg, depending on the predictive model used. The identification of toxicophores (the fragment connecting the benzene ring to the piperazine ring, including the α, β, and γ carbon atoms near the nitrogen atom) in AP-238 suggests a high likelihood of lung toxicity (61%), with additional risks to the cardiovascular (58%) and renal systems (56%), emphasizing specific molecular fragments associated with these adverse effects. Genotoxic evaluations presented a mixed view, with low to moderate probabilities of a positive Ames test, suggesting some uncertainty but generally indicating a reduced risk of genetic toxicity. Eye and skin irritation risks were deemed minimal, supported by several models with high confidence. Cardiotoxicity assessments revealed varied information on the potential effects of AP-238 on the hERG channel, with some studies suggesting a nonsignificant impact, while others indicated moderate risk, although with low reliability in the predictions. This highlights the nuanced challenges in assessing the safety of novel substances through ‘green’ in silico methods.

An investigation of the validity of the Bedek models and Cameriere-European formula used in dental age prediction in Turkish children

BackgroundDental age estimation is one of the most reliable methods for determining age, commonly used for forensic, criminal, and anthropological purposes. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the precision of the Bedek models and the Cameriere-European Formula (CF) in determinating dental age in a sample of Turkish individuals.MethodsRetrospective panoramic radiographs of 1018 subjects (497 boys and 521 girls) aged 5–14 years were evaluated using the Bedek models and the CF. The differences between calculated dental age (DA) and chronological age (CA) for each sex and age group were analyzed using the paired sample t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The accuracy of the methods used to estimate dental age was determined by calculating the mean absolute error (MAE) based on the proximity of the dental age to the chronological age.ResultsThe CF method overestimated CA by 0.1 year in the entire sample. Conversely, the Bedek models tended to overestimate CA, with the three-, four-, and seven-tooth models exhibiting the most significant difference. There was a statistically significant difference between boys and girls in the DA-CA calculation using the CF method in the entire sample. Among the Bedek models, the three- and four-tooth models had the lowest MAE in the entire sample, while the single-tooth model had the highest MAE.ConclusionThe CF method showed higher accuracy in predicting the age of children living in eastern Turkey compared to the Bedek Models.

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.

BIOANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ASCIMINIB ANTICANCER DRUG IN BIOLOGICAL MATRICES BY LC–ESI-MS/MS

Objective: A unique liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique is essential for determining the concentration of asciminib in biological matrices, and its development is of the utmost importance. Methods: The samples that were processed were separated using a Reversed Phase-Phenomenex (100 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 µm) C18 analytical column. The column was equipped with an isocratic moveable phase that consisted of 0.1% (v/v) HCOOH and acetonitrile at a ratio of 18:82% (v/v). The flow rate of the phase was 0.70 ml/min. For asciminib, the multiple reaction monitoring mode was used at m/z 450.23/257.3, while for canagliflozin, it was used at m/z 445.13/267.31. Results: With a correlation coefficient of 0.9998, the method was linear for asciminib throughout the concentration range of 1.0-2100.00 ng/ml. Each day's accuracy percentage relative standard deviation was within 5.74%. For analytes at the low-quality control level, the mean matrix factors ranged from 96.34 to 104.85% with a % Coefficient of Variance (CV) of 4.21; at the high-quality control level, the range was from 94.62 to 103.88% with a %CV of 3.67. Conclusion: The method that has been developed has the potential to be used to examine the pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics of asciminib in various biological samples for both forensic and clinical purposes.

Optimizing the Automated Analysis of Inorganic Gunshot Residue Particles by SEM-EDX: From Synthetic Particle Standards to More Time-Efficient Settings for Daily Casework

Gunshot residues deposited on all surfaces in the nearest vicinity of the shooting incident, when revealed, can contribute to the explanation of various aspects of such an incident for forensic purposes. Examinations of gunshot residue, mainly inorganic particles, at forensic laboratories are expected to be reliable and fast. This primarily depends on the performance of the used scanning electron microscope integrated with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and the automatic program searching for particles of defined characteristics. Among the milestones on the pathway towards quality assurance in examinations of gunshot particles, the invention of the synthetic gunshot residue specimen ought to be named. Such a specimen with particles of known chemical content, size, and location is now used for proficiency testing, which is a condition for a forensic laboratory to obtain accreditation in this subject matter. In this publication, the need for optimization of the procedure for the examination of a synthetic specimen, in alignment with the necessary modifications for real gunshot particles, has been addressed. The presented process of validation resulted in two procedures. The first demonstrates the full capacity of the instrument for detecting all particles present in the synthetic specimen, including the 0.5 micrometer particle at the magnification of 250×. The other procedure is the modification of the first, however aiming at 1-micrometer particles or bigger (at the magnification of 120×) and allowing the necessary backscattered signal threshold changes depending on the actual composition of gunshot residue as well as the abundance of light element debris in the case of real gunshot particles.

Paper fingerprint by forming fabric: analysis of periodic marks with 2D lab formation sensor and machine learning for forensic paper-identification

Abstract Weave and drainage marks on paper surfaces derived from forming fabrics installed in paper machines were examined. Non-destructive differentiation of copy papers from various manufacturers was performed by a 2D Lab Formation Sensor. Individual characteristics such as angles and wavelengths formed by the fabric were selected as parameters for the analysis. These parameters were sampled from a total of 500 papers: 50 sheets of paper from each of the 10 groups by copy paper manufacturers. Using machine learning algorithms such as partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), and naive bayes (NB) models to analyze these parameters allows for the identification of copy paper groups by manufacturers. The NB classifier demonstrated superior performance, achieving an accuracy of 0.973 even with a 50 % reduction in input variables. This study shows that periodic marks on paper surfaces can act as important indicators of the forming fabric and the distinct features of a paper-making machine. In general, this paper proposes that the 2D Lab Formation Sensor along with machine learning models can be utilized for non-destructive copy paper categorization. This identification method could be broadened to determine information regarding suspicious documents for forensic identification purposes.

Analysis of traces of the transferred paints by X-ray Fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy to identify the suspect's vehicle for the Forensic science purpose: A Case Study

Analysis of traces of the transferred paints by X-ray Fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy to identify the suspect's vehicle for the Forensic science purpose: A Case Study

Leveraging genetics to support forensic toxicology analysis: Demonstrating concordance among marijuana samples

Leveraging genetics to support forensic toxicology analysis: Demonstrating concordance among marijuana samples