Inaccurate Identifications Research Articles

An analytical evaluation of tools for lipid isomer differentiation in imaging mass spectrometry

Imaging mass spectrometry has emerged as a powerful tool to map the spatial distributions of lipids and metabolites in biological tissues. However, these analyses are challenged by the multitude of isobaric (i.e., same nominal mass) and isomeric compounds present in most samples. Failure to adequately separate these compounds results in inaccurate or incomplete chemical identifications and produces composite images of spatial distribution arising from multiple compounds. A number of techniques have been developed to more completely resolve and identify this complex chemical milieu. These include methods that rely on condensed-phase chemical derivatization and gas-phase ion chemistry, or some combination thereof. This Young Scientist Feature focuses on summarizing the analytical figures of merit of these tools, highlighting their relative speeds, limits of detection, molecular specificities, and eases-of-use. It will also include current challenges and future perspectives for resolving structural isomers in imaging mass spectrometry experiments.

Signal Injection-Based Topology Identification for Low-Voltage Distribution Networks Considering Missing Data

With the widespread use of new equipment such as distributed photovoltaics, distributed energy storage, electric vehicles, and distributed wind power, the control of low-voltage distribution networks (LVDNs) has become increasingly complex. Acquiring the most recent topological structure is essential for conducting accurate analysis and real-time control of LVDNs. The signal injection-based topology identification algorithm is favored for its speed and efficiency. This research introduces an innovative topology identification algorithm based on signal injection, specifically designed to address the challenges of incomplete and inaccurate identifications caused by the missing data in feature signal records (FSRs). Based on the correlations among FSRs at various devices, the algorithm introduces a dual-axis completion strategy—both vertical and horizontal—to effectively address missing data. Subsequently, an inclusion detection process is devised to process the completed FSRs, culminating in an accurate topology of LVDNs. Based on the study of actual LVDN data, the results indicate that the proposed algorithm markedly enhances the completeness and accuracy of topology identification. This advancement offers a robust solution tailored to accommodate the dynamic and swiftly changing topological configurations of LVDNs.

New taxa of the Rhaphoneidaceae Forti (Bacillariophyta) from the middle Eocene

Rhaphoneis amphiceros (Ehrenberg) Ehrenberg is one of the commonest extant rhaphoneid diatoms and has been reported from multiple fossil deposits, but our work suggests this taxon may not be as common in the fossil assemblages as indicated by the literature. Indeed, the original description of the species, made by Ehrenberg, is not as detailed as modern descriptions, which can lead to confusion when identifying taxa. Recent studies show that diatom species previously reported to occur over time intervals of tens of millions of years may actually represent groups of taxa lumped together due to inaccurate identifications. In this article, we present two new species that, without careful SEM examination, can be confused with R. amphiceros. These new species, interpreted to represent two new genera in the Rhaphoneidaceae, were found in middle Eocene sediments from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Hole 1050A (30°06’N, 76°14.1’W), drilled on Blake Nose, western North Atlantic. Rhomboneis shtapovii Figus & Witkowski and Rosaforma paillesiae Figus & Witkowski show unique morphological characteristics that lead us to create new genera. Rhomboneis shtapovii has two rimoportulae per valve and an unusual type of velum occluding the areolae. Rosaforma paillesiae has a peculiar asymmetric apical pore field occupying half the valve pole, the other half contains a rimoportula with two apical pores.

PO-04-155 LONG TERM POST-ABLATION ATRIAL FIBRILLATION MONITORING USING AUTOMATED SINGLE-LEAD ELECTROCARDIOGRAM ANALYSIS

Wearable and handheld consumer electrocardiogram devices may allow for noninvasive, frequent, and symptom driven monitoring after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. We sought to evaluate the performance of the KardiaMobile device and AliveCor algorithm in monitoring for arrythmia recurrence after AF ablation. Patients in a prospective randomized controlled trial of adjunctive therapy in AF ablation (NCT04625946) were provided with a KardiaMobile and asked to obtain symptomatic or at least weekly recordings before ablation and during 1 year of follow up. A total of 3174 recordings from 50 patients were obtained. The performance of the automated diagnosis was compared to the human interpretation which was considered the gold standard. A total of 772 tracings (24%) demonstrated AF occurring in 38/50 patients. The automated analysis had an overall sensitivity of 90.2% and specificity of 94.3% for the diagnosis of AF. The precision of the automated analysis had significant inter-patient variation (interquartile range 66.6-100%). In 3/12 patients without tracings of AF the automated analysis assigned a diagnosis of AF to one or more tracings. Inaccurate identifications of AF were most frequently adjudicated as sinus rhythm (47.7%), sinus rhythm with premature atrial contractions (23.5%), atrial flutter (8.8%), or uninterpretable (6.0%). A total of 58 tracings demonstrated atrial tachycardia or atrial flutter and were classified as ‘tachycardia’ (26%), AF (21%), or ‘unclassified’ (53%) by the automated analysis. The use of intermittent home electrocardiogram monitoring may facilitate the diagnosis of recurrent atrial arrythmias after AF ablation. Manual adjudication of the automated diagnosis or additional clinical event monitoring is likely required especially in patients with ectopy or postoperative atrial flutter.

DNA-typing improves illegal wildlife trade surveys: Tracing the Cameroonian bushmeat trade

Although the bushmeat trade is a significant component of the Anthropocene crisis in the tropics, the reliability of species-level identification is generally lacking from bushmeat surveys. We conducted a comprehensive study of 23 bushmeat markets in Cameroon and one seizure from a French airport using a multi-gene DNA-typing approach and a dedicated species-assignment pipeline (DNABUSHMEAT). We identified 39 species-level taxa from 318 collected bushmeat items, including nine Cetartiodactyla, six Carnivora, three Pholidota, seven Rodentia, 12 Primates, one Squamata and one Crocodilia. DNA-typing allowed detecting three species previously unreported from the Cameroonian trade and clarifying the status of taxa subject to cryptic diversity (rodents) and shallow diagnostic characters (small carnivores, antelopes and guenons). Only 7% of the samples could not be assigned to the species-level, including two guenons and one snake, because of fluctuant taxonomy and weak representation in nucleotide databases. Almost half (43%) of the morphological identifications were corrected or refined by our DNA-typing approach. Generalized linear models showed that smoked specimens and primates were significantly suffering from inaccurate species identification. We also observed that customs (Paris) and market-recruited assistants (Cameroon) peaked at very high rates of inaccurate species identifications (87 and 100%, respectively), calling for cautiousness when third parties are involved in bushmeat surveys. Overall, >50% of the bushmeat species traded in Cameroon were nationally protected. Because accurate species identification is a central component of conservation strategies, we posit that our DNA-typing approach is a valuable asset for improving the traceability of the domestic and international bushmeat trade.

Improving social cognition and skills in adult ASD: a tDCS pilot study

Abstract Introduction: Social cognition and social skills deficits are core to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Challenges include establishing shared and meaningful relationships with others, a socioemotional process often facilitated by the ability to accurately categorize facial expressions. Existing therapies are extremely time- and labor-intensive. We hypothesized that combining transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with computer-based social skill and cognition interventions would improve measures of empathy and facial expression in high-functioning adults with ASD. Participants & Stimulation: Seven right-handed, English-speaking adults with normal or higher cognitive function and a score of 32 or higher on the Autism Quotient (AQ) participated in two experimental (verum/sham) sessions in a randomized, within-subjects, double-blinded design. The anodal electrode was over right temporoparietal (rTPJ: CP6), a region known to play an important role in social cognition. Stimulation was at 2.0 mA (verum 30 minutes, sham 30 seconds) with a cathodal electrode on the ipsilateral deltoid. During stimulation, participants viewed photos of human and dog faces followed by training videos on facial emotion detection, emotion and empathy identification, and social skills and interactions. Results: Participants were tested before (baseline) and after each stimulation session on the Empathy Quotient (EQ), a global trait/state measure that includes cognitive empathy, empathetic concern and perspective taking. Changes in facial emotion recognition was assessed from responses to multiple-choice questionnaires of emotional facial expressions in static images. Participants scored significantly higher on the EQ, Z = -2.366, p < 0.02, r = 0.68, and had significantly less inaccurate identifications of threatening facial emotion expressions, Z= -1.90, p < 0.02, r = 0.55, after receiving verum compared to sham tDCS. Conclusion: Anodal tDCS applied over rTPJ and paired with computer-based training on social skills and cognition shows promise as a potential treatment method for improving social skills and social cognition in high-functioning adults with ASD. Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), tDCS, social skills, social cognition

Eyewitness metamemory predicts identification performance in biased and unbiased line‐ups

PurposeDistinguishing accurate from inaccurate identifications is a challenging issue in the criminal justice system, especially for biased police line‐ups. That is because biased line‐ups undermine the diagnostic value of accuracy post‐dictors such as confidence and decision time. Here, we aimed to test general and eyewitness‐specific self‐ratings of memory capacity as potential estimators of identification performance that are unaffected by line‐up bias.MethodsParticipants (N = 744) completed a metamemory assessment consisting of the Multifactorial Metamemory Questionnaire and the Eyewitness Metamemory Scale and took part in a standard eyewitness paradigm. Following the presentation of a mock‐crime video, they viewed either biased or unbiased line‐ups.ResultsSelf‐ratings of discontentment with eyewitness memory ability were indicative of identification accuracy for both biased and unbiased line‐ups. Participants who scored low on eyewitness metamemory factors also displayed a stronger confidence–accuracy calibration than those who scored high.ConclusionsThese results suggest a promising role for self‐ratings of memory capacity in the evaluation of eyewitness identifications, while also advancing theory on self‐assessments for different memory systems.

Current advances in molecular subtyping using multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium in Egyptian chickens.

Aim:This study aimed to characterize the genetic diversity, evolutionary level, and prevalence of genotypes of common isolates of Salmonella (Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium). Using one of the most advanced molecular recognition techniques, multilocus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA), we characterized the genotype and prevalence of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium.Materials and Methods:One hundred and twenty-five internal organ samples were collected from the major chicken slaughterhouses in Egypt, and Salmonella species were isolated. PCR was utilized to amplify the IE-1 and Flic-C genes to identify S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium DNA, respectively, from Salmonella isolates. MLVA was applied on nine samples of S. Enteritidis DNA and three samples of S. Typhimurium DNA. Six variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci (Sal02, Sal04, Sal06, Sal10, Sal20, and Sal23) were amplified.Results:Of the examined samples (n=125), a total of 12 isolates (9.6%) were either identified as Enteritidis or Typhimurium. PCR-mediated amplification of IE-1 and Flic-C revealed that 75% (n=9) of the 12 Salmonella isolates were S. Enteritidis and 25% (n=3) were S. Typhimurium. The six loci amplified through MLVA had allelic diversity. The most discriminatory heterogenic locus for S. Enteritidis was Sal20. Sal04 and Sal23 were the most discriminatory heterogenic loci for S. Typhimurium. VNTR allelic profile analysis revealed nine unique genotypes for S. Enteritidis and three for S. Typhimurium.Conclusion:This study was the first to use MLVA analysis to identify S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium strains isolated from chickens in Egypt. The molecular typing data reported herein allowed us to characterize the genotypes of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium that are most prevalent in Egyptian chickens. Moreover, this epidemiological information provides valuable insight on how to prevent disease transmission. Moreover, our methods provide an alternative to traditional serotyping techniques that may produce inaccurate strain identifications for organisms with rough lipopolysaccharide structures.

Gas chromatography with tandem cold electron ionization mass spectrometric detection and vacuum ultraviolet detection for the comprehensive analysis of fentanyl analogues

Fentanyl and its derivatives are amongst the ever-growing list of emerging drugs which are impinging on current traditional analytical techniques employed in forensic laboratories. To avoid current regulations, fentanyl analogues are being illicitly synthesized by slight alterations of functional groups to the fentanyl skeleton leading to inaccurate identifications, thus posing the greatest challenge to laboratories. In this study, a novel analytical technique is presented in which gas chromatography (GC) is interfaced with both cold electron ionization mass spectrometric (cold EI MS) and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) detection by the means of a flow splitter for the simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of twenty-four fentanyl analogues, including seven sets of positional isomers. For most of the twenty-four analogues, enhanced molecular ions were obtained with at least 1% intensity relative to base peak. In addition to enhanced molecular ions, the GC-cold EI MS maintained fragmentation pathways observed by GCMS with classical electron ionization. For the most part, VUV detection resulted in unique VUV spectra for fentanyl analogues including positional isomers. The combination of these two complementary detectors in tandem with the high resolving power of the gas chromatograph, allows for higher confidence in analyte identification by the combination of retention times, cold EI mass spectra and VUV spectra. The preferred method for quantitation was based on VUV detection and offered excellent determination coefficients (R2≥0.999) for most analytes over two orders of magnitude dynamic range, without the need for deuterated internal standards. For both run-to-run and day-to-day repeatability studies, at moderate solute concentrations, the correct fentanyl related compound was identified in almost every instance from a library containing all the fentanyl analogues plus hundreds of other analytes.

Improving Restore Performance in Deduplication-Based Backup Systems via a Fine-Grained Defragmentation Approach

In deduplication-based backup systems, the removal of redundant data transforms the otherwise logically adjacent data chunks into physically scattered chunks on the disks. This, in effect, changes the retrieval operations from sequential to random and significantly degrades the performance of restoring data. These scattered chunks are called fragmented data and many techniques have been proposed to identify and sequentially rewrite such fragmented data to new address areas, trading off the increased storage space for reduced number of random reads (disk seeks) to improve the restore performance. However, existing solutions for backup workloads share a common assumption that every read operation involves a large fixed-size window of contiguous chunks, which restricts the fragment identification to a fixed-size read window. This can lead to inaccurate identifications due to false positives since the data fragments can vary in size and appear in any different and unpredictable address locations. Based on these observations, we propose FGdefrag , a Fine-Grained defragmentation approach that uses variable-sized and adaptively located data groups, instead of using fixed-size read windows, to accurately identify and effectively remove fragmented data. When we compare its performance to those of existing solutions, FGdefrag not only reduces the amount of rewritten data but also significantly improves the restore performance. Our experimental results show that FGdefrag can improve the restore performance by 14 to 329 percent, while simultaneously reducing the rewritten data by 25 to 87 percent.

Sleep and eyewitness memory: Fewer false identifications after sleep when the target is absent from the lineup.

Inaccurate eyewitness identifications are the leading cause of known false convictions in the United States. Moreover, improving eyewitness memory is difficult and often unsuccessful. Sleep consistently strengthens and protects memory from interference, particularly when a recall test is used. However, the effect of sleep on recognition memory is more equivocal. Eyewitness identification tests are often recognition based, thus leaving open the question of how sleep affects recognition performance in an eyewitness context. In the current study, we investigated the effect of sleep on eyewitness memory. Participants watched a video of a mock-crime and attempted to identify the perpetrator from a simultaneous lineup after a 12-hour retention interval that either spanned a waking day or night of sleep. In Experiment 1, we used a target-present lineup and, in Experiment 2, we used a target-absent lineup in order to investigate correct and false identifications, respectively. Sleep reduced false identifications in the target-absent lineup (Experiment 2) but had no effect on correct identifications in the target-present lineup (Experiment 1). These results are discussed with respect to memory strength and decision making strategies.

An examination of showups conducted by law enforcement using a field-simulation paradigm.

While there is a growing body of research examining the relatively cold, cognitive decision-making components of showups, few attempts have been made to capture the hot affective components of showups that are thought to exacerbate the suggestiveness of the procedure. In 3 simulated-field experiments, we partnered with law enforcement to examine how participants who were led to believe they were involved in an actual criminal investigation (Field-simulation condition) differed from participants who knew they were not part of an actual investigation (Lab-simulation condition). We staged crimes for both conditions, but in the field-simulation condition, law enforcement personnel carried out mock investigations that culminated with a live showup. In Experiment 1 (N = 321), which did not include a culprit-present condition, the field-simulation condition increased innocent suspect identifications. The standard showup admonition decreased innocent suspect identifications, but only for dissimilar innocent suspects. Experiment 2 (N = 196) added a culprit-present condition and found that the field-simulation condition increased innocent suspect and culprit identifications to a similar extent. Experiment 3 (N = 367) replicated the findings of Experiment 2 and examined the impact of admonishing eyewitnesses that if they did not believe the suspect was the culprit, they might have additional opportunities to make an identification. Confidence-accuracy calibration analyses revealed that confidence discriminated accurate from inaccurate identifications in the field, but not in the lab; however, eyewitnesses who made identifications in the field were overconfident and across all levels of confidence were less likely to be correct than eyewitnesses who made identifications in the lab.

Improving the Conservation of Mediterranean Chondrichthyans: The ELASMOMED DNA Barcode Reference Library.

Cartilaginous fish are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors and environmental change because of their K-selected reproductive strategy. Accurate data from scientific surveys and landings are essential to assess conservation status and to develop robust protection and management plans. Currently available data are often incomplete or incorrect as a result of inaccurate species identifications, due to a high level of morphological stasis, especially among closely related taxa. Moreover, several diagnostic characters clearly visible in adult specimens are less evident in juveniles. Here we present results generated by the ELASMOMED Consortium, a regional network aiming to sample and DNA-barcode the Mediterranean Chondrichthyans with the ultimate goal to provide a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library. This library will support and improve the molecular taxonomy of this group and the effectiveness of management and conservation measures. We successfully barcoded 882 individuals belonging to 42 species (17 sharks, 24 batoids and one chimaera), including four endemic and several threatened ones. Morphological misidentifications were found across most orders, further confirming the need for a comprehensive DNA barcoding library as a valuable tool for the reliable identification of specimens in support of taxonomist who are reviewing current identification keys. Despite low intraspecific variation among their barcode sequences and reduced samples size, five species showed preliminary evidence of phylogeographic structure. Overall, the ELASMOMED initiative further emphasizes the key role accurate DNA barcoding libraries play in establishing reliable diagnostic species specific features in otherwise taxonomically problematic groups for biodiversity management and conservation actions.

Eyewitness identification for prudent police

Purpose – Both anecdotal and empirical evidence indicates that even well-intentioned eyewitnesses can make inaccurate identifications resulting in erroneous prosecutions and wrongful convictions. The risk of erroneous identification increases when witnesses are asked to identify people belonging to other races. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the policies which enhance the likelihood of obtaining accurate identifications from eyewitnesses. Legal implications especially relevant to police administrators in the USA including constitutional considerations and risks of civil liability are integrated with the empirical record and used to make policy recommendations likely to decrease legal and public relations entanglements for police. Design/methodology/approach – This paper integrates an empirical literature review with legal research and analysis in order to advocate for prudent policy reforms. Findings – Both the empirical record and current US law indicate that police administrators would be well-advised to require serial, double-blind identification procedures where witnesses are routinely warned about the perpetrator’s potential absence and required to give immediate certainty statements. Officers should be prohibited from using the same suspect with the same witness more than once and should be provided with training on the inherent dangers of inaccuracy associated with cross-racial identifications. Originality/value – While a significant amount of material concerning eyewitness identification exists, most of the existing work does not integrate legal realities, especially those concerning civil liability, within the framework of the eyewitness identification literature. Nor does past work contextualize the need for reform with the emerging racially charged atmosphere in which US police must currently work.

Detection of dog and cat traces in food, pet food and farm animal feed by real-time PCR

The identification of species presents in food is important due to many reasons. Some of them are economic fraud and/or sanitary problems, which could arise from inaccurate identifications of the composition of food products. Adulteration of processed meat generally occurs when there is a considerable price differential between raw materials from different species. Also, it occurs too when trying to introduce raw material of dubious origin, or even raw materials prohibited in some countries for cultural reasons. For example, dog traces were discovered in pet food in Spain in early 2013. This work describes development and validation of two real-time PCR methods, one for dog detection and other one for cat in foodstuffs. The method is based on specific primers/TaqMan probe sets that amplify a fragment of the Cytochrome oxidase subunit I sequences. TaqMan probes allow rapid and accurate assessment of even very small quantities of contaminants, even in thermally treated products. The detection limit was 2 and 0.2 pg of the target DNA from dog and cat, respectively. The methodology was validated to check how the degree of food processing affects the applicability of this technique. Additionally, a total of 100 samples from pet food, farm animal products and raw material were analyzed to apply the developed methodology to commercial samples. Possible applications of these methods are as process control, food security, traceability verification in commercial trade and the correct application of food labelling regulations. In conclusion, the real-time PCR methodology described herein represents a useful tool for the detection of dog and cat traces in all kind of products, including processed products that have undergone aggressive treatments (canned meals and feeds).

Metagenomic profiling of known and unknown microbes with microbeGPS.

Microbial community profiling identifies and quantifies organisms in metagenomic sequencing data using either reference based or unsupervised approaches. However, current reference based profiling methods only report the presence and abundance of single reference genomes that are available in databases. Since only a small fraction of environmental genomes is represented in genomic databases, these approaches entail the risk of false identifications and often suggest a higher precision than justified by the data. Therefore, we developed MicrobeGPS, a novel metagenomic profiling approach that overcomes these limitations. MicrobeGPS is the first method that identifies microbiota in the sample and estimates their genomic distances to known reference genomes. With this strategy, MicrobeGPS identifies organisms down to the strain level and highlights possibly inaccurate identifications when the correct reference genome is missing. We demonstrate on three metagenomic datasets with different origin that our approach successfully avoids misleading interpretation of results and additionally provides more accurate results than current profiling methods. Our results indicate that MicrobeGPS can enable reference based taxonomic profiling of complex and less characterized microbial communities. MicrobeGPS is open source and available from https://sourceforge.net/projects/microbegps/ as source code and binary distribution for Windows and Linux operating systems.

Status of DNA Barcoding Coverage for the Tropical Western Atlantic Shorefishes and Reef Fishes

AbstractBackground: Barcode coverage is difficult to assess for large regions due to incomplete species lists, inaccurate identifications, and cryptic diversity. However, as coverage approaches completion, it becomes possible to critically evaluate identifications and validate barcode lineages. We collate the results of the FISH-BOL barcode project and assess coverage for each family of bony shorefishes and reef fishes from the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. Methodology: We identify to species the public and private barcode lineages from the region on BOLD, confirming identifications by vouchers, phylogeographic deduction, and the process of elimination. The lineages and BINs are assigned to species from a comprehensive species list for the region. Results: We estimate 1029 of 1311 total bony shorefish species in the region are barcoded (78.5%). For reef-associated fishes, 902 of 1083 species are barcoded (83.3%). About 70 of the 181 species not yet barcoded are endemic species from Florida/ Gulf of Mexico or Venezuela, leaving about 90% of the central Caribbean reef fish species barcoded to date. Most species are represented by one barcode lineage, but among the gobioids and blennioids there are many more lineages (BINs) than species, indicating substantial cryptic diversity. Conclusions: As barcode coverage for a region approaches completion, a robust assessment of coverage can be made. The reef fish fauna of the tropical western Atlantic now has the highest coverage for a large marine area, from about 80 to 90% depending on definitions and geographic limits.

Accurate analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkylated PAHs homologs in crude oil for improving the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry performance

The common gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) approaches such as selective ion monitoring (SIM) or single ion extraction (SIE) from full scan data produce the error (over- or underestimation) estimates for the high level alkylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In order to rectify the error, the alkylated PAHs in the crude oil samples are quantified by deeply investigating the existing full scan data of 1D GC/MS, instead of resuming with the complex and inaccessible equipments (multidimensional gas chromatography or mass spectrometry). The aim of this study is to provide the detailed qualitative and quantitative basis data (confirming ions, relative abundance, retention indices, and area counts) of the high level alkylated PAHs by a comprehensive three-step method: (1) the potential confirming ions per isomer are selected by exploring the multiple fragment patterns formation mechanism; (2) the reasonable confirming ions are estimated by comparing extracted ion chromatography (EIC) of the potential confirming ions; (3) after deconvolution, composite chromatograms of the reasonable confirming ions illustrate the basis data by assigning peaks for target PAHs definitively. The validation data, resulting concentrations and diagnostic ratios for each homolog are compared with those obtained from SIM. The experimental data demonstrate that significant inaccurate identifications and concentration estimates are obtained when SIM mode is used for C4 Naphthalene (C4 N), C3 Phenanthrene (C3 P), C4 Phenanthrene (C4 P), C3 Dibenzothiophene (C3 D), C3 Fluorene (C3 F), C2–4 Chrysene (C2-4 C) and C1 Fluoranthene (C1 Flt). This study evaluates the usefulness of the previous fragmentation patterns, and confirms compound presence by GC/MS using the different spectral deconvolution software. This approach is developed as a broad screen for environmental samples (including petrol, diesel fuel and coal tar), with only the crude oil results being presented here.

The effect of evidence type, identification accuracy, line‐up presentation, and line‐up administration on observers' perceptions of eyewitnesses

PurposePeople tend to believe eyewitness testimony and have difficulty assessing the accuracy of eyewitness identifications. This study examines observers' perceptions of eyewitness identifications made under various line‐up presentation and administration conditions. We also investigate whether observers' ability to discriminate between accurate and inaccurate identifications is enhanced by viewing video‐recorded identification decisions rather than eyewitness testimony.MethodsEach participant (N = 432) viewed a video of an accurate or inaccurate eyewitness providing testimony and/or making an identification decision. Identifications were obtained from simultaneous or sequential line‐ups conducted under double‐blind, single‐blind, or post‐identification feedback administration conditions.ResultsExposure to eyewitness testimony was associated with a bias to believe the evidence; exposure to the identification decision eliminated the response bias, however, it did not improve observer sensitivity to identification accuracy. Viewing the identification decision resulted in greater belief of accurate than inaccurate identifications when eyewitnesses chose from simultaneous – but not sequential – line‐ups. Regardless of evidence type or identification accuracy, observers were more likely to believe eyewitnesses who received confirmatory post‐identification feedback compared to the non‐feedback conditions.ConclusionsPresenting a video record of the identification decision neither improved observers' ability to discriminate between accurate and inaccurate eyewitness identifications nor reduced belief of identifications obtained from suggestive procedures. Further research is warranted before presenting video‐recorded identification procedures in court.

Can experts help jurors to evaluate eyewitness evidence? A review of eyewitness expert effects

Courts occasionally permit psychologists to present expert evidence in an attempt to help jurors evaluate eyewitness identification evidence. This paper reviews research assessing the impact of this expert evidence, which we argue should aim to increase jurors' ability to discriminate accurate from inaccurate identifications. With this in mind we identify three different research designs, two indirectly measuring the expert's impact on juror discrimination accuracy and one which directly assesses its effect on this measure. Across a total of 24 experiments, three have used the superior direct methodology, only one of which provides evidence that expert testimony can improve jurors' ability to discriminate between accurate and inaccurate eyewitness identifications.