Tool For Forensic Identification Research Articles

Morphometric Analysis of Hip Bones for Gender Identification in Unexpected Death Cases in Kabul, Afghanistan

Introduction: Unexpected deaths in Kabul Afghanistan often involve victims who cannot be identified due to facial disfigurement or missing identity documents. Gender identification is an important step in the forensic identification process, especially in cultural and religious contexts that have strict norms regarding gender. Pelvic bone morphometric analysis offers an accurate and non-invasive method for gender identification. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of hip bone morphometric analysis in identifying gender in cases of unexpected death in Kabul, Afghanistan. Methods: The samples consisted of 100 human pelvises, 50 of each gender, collected from skeletal remains at Kabul hospitals and burial grounds. Pelvic dimensions were measured using calibration techniques and statistical analysis was performed to identify significant morphometric differences between the gender. Results: Morphometric analysis showed significant differences in several pelvic dimensions between men and women. The most informative dimensions for gender identification are pelvic width, pelvic height, and superior diameter of the acetabulum. The prediction model developed using these dimensions achieved a gender identification accuracy of 94%. Conclusion: Pelvic bone morphometric analysis can be a valuable tool for forensic identification in cases of unexpected deaths in Kabul Afghanistan. This method offers high accuracy, is non-invasive and easy to apply, and can help in the process of identifying victims and resolving legal cases.

Photographic Identification of Tooth Prints After High Temperature Exposure

Tooth prints is a very potential tool in forensic identification as the enamel rod patterns on tooth surface is individually unique. This study was aimed to detect changes of tooth prints after teeth were exposed with high temperatures. Forty-five extracted teeth were divided into 5 groups, then exposed to various high temperatures for 15 minutes in a furnace. To ensure practical application, a highly reproducible digital photographic method to detect tooth prints was developed. Before and after the heating process, tooth prints were photographed. The image data was analysed using an open-source biometric software, and the number of matching points of each tooth was compared before and after treatment. Results showed the decreasing number of match points of tooth prints in accord with the increasing of temperature exposure (P < 0.05). The number of tooth print matching points can be confidently observed at temperatures 600°C or lower. The consistence of matching points shows the prospect of tooth print analysis to become a reliable identification method. This digital photography technique offers a straightforward method for routine dental recording in daily practice by dentists and identification by forensic odontologists. It opens further direction for standardization of pattern analysis, database development, and daily protocols. Keywords: dental photography; forensic identification; high temperature; tooth prints

Paternity testing using 21 STR Loci in a biotechnology approach: case of Rwandan Population

INTRODUCTION: We focused on a sample size of 141 unrelated Rwandan persons to genotype21 STR loci that were relied up in establishing allele frequencies, heterozygosity and power ofexclusion. This study aims at exploring allele frequencies on a representative sample from Rwandanpopulation to determine probability of paternity for sampled families basing on polymorphic STRsloci, using 21 autosomal-STR loci by Genetic Analyzer 3500X.METHODS: This was an experimental study and global filer TM Express PCR Amplification kit wasused to amplify 21 autosomal STR loci.RESULTS: The total number of observed alleles was 270; the largest number of different alleleswas seen in SE33 and D18S51 loci. The locus with the highest heterozygosity was SE33, while locusTH01 had the lowest heterozygosity. The heterozygosity of the 21 STR loci ranged from 71.3%(TH01) to 91.6% (SE33) with an average of 81.1% a good indicator of high genetic variability. Forall microsatellites analyzed the power of exclusion ranged from 43.4% (TH01) to 78.1% (SE33)with an average of 58.2%. For seven of eight cases examined in paternity test alleged father wasnot excluded as biological father of child. The results found in examination of case 8 indicated thatthe alleged father was not the biological father of the child.CONCLUSION: Based on calculated statistical parameters, the population of Rwanda may usethese 21 STR loci as a vital tool for forensic identification and paternity testing.

A Comparative Analysis of Mandibular Ramus and Maxillary Sinus in Sex Determination among the Population of West Godavari, India: A Tool in Forensic Identification

Introduction: The application of dental principles to legal issues is known as forensic dentistry. Among the skull’s various bones, mandible is the strongest and most diverse bone and is crucial in determining sex. It is been reported in many studies that maxillary sinus seems to be intact, although other bones may be severely deformed and can be applied to determine sex. Aim: To assess, analyse and compare the morphometric analysis of maxillary sinus and ramus of mandible for gender determination using digital Orthopantamograph (OPG). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study comprising of 64 individual radiographs (32 men and 32 women) were measured for mandibular ramus (maximum ramus width, condylar and coronoid height) and maxillary sinus length, width and compared bilaterally. The results were tabulated and statistically analysed using discriminant functional analysis after the mean values were calculated. Results: In this study, the overall measurements of mandibular ramus were more in males than females whereas maxillary sinus measurements were more in females when compared with males. Condylar length (right and left), width of ramus (right) and width of maxillary sinus (left) were found to have statistical significance in determining the gender (p-value<0.001,0.024,0.024). Length of the condyle showed highest accuracy of 73.8% in gender determination. Conclusion: This study suggests that the mandibular ramus and maxillary sinus measurements using OPG are helpful in dealing forensics, with condylar height being the most accurate indicator for gender determination.

PALATAL RUGAE PATTERN IN GENDER IDENTIFICATION - A FORENSIC STUDY

Background: Palatal rugae pattern is reasonably unique to an individual and remain stable throughout lifetime. It can serve as an important tool in forensic identification particularly when other regular methods of identification become difficult.Aim: To evaluate the palatal rugae pattern between both gender in terms of Number, Shapes and Length on right and left sides among different age groups.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study comprising of 60 patients which were divided into four groups according to their age. Each of the four groups consisted of 15 participants of whom 30 were males and 30 were females. All the patients meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly selected and alginate impressions of the hard palate were taken and casted by dental stone. The data were assessed based on the Thomas and Kotze classification (1983) and the rugae patterns were delineated using sharp graphite pencil under adequate light and were analysed macroscopically.Statistical analysis: The obtained values were analysed using Student’s t- test for evaluation of gender difference in rugae patterns and ANOVA was applied for determination of age groups using SPSS version 20.0 software.Results: Palatal rugae of right side showed higher prevalence and curved rugae in females than in males and the finding is statistically significant. The mean number of rugae showed a slight decreasing trend with increasing age with more curved rugae and size of the palatal rugae is slightly increased up till the middle age group, as growth ceases thereafter.Conclusion: The present study reveals significant gender and age difference in palatal rugae pattern. Thus, palatal rugae appear to possess features of an ideal forensic identification parameters such as uniqueness, postmortem resistance and stability, provided antemortem record exists.

تقييم معايير أدلة الحمض النووي لمواقع التكرار المترادفة القصيرة 24STR والحذف والإضافة على الكروموزوم Y لعينة من سكان جنوب المملكة العربية السعودية باستخدام طقم التكثير نوع GlobalFilter TM

The last three decades have seen rapid advances in the field of short tandem repeats (STRs) genotyping technology. Autosomal STRs have emerged as a powerful tool in forensic identification and paternity investigations. The indigenous population of Saudi Arabia is irregularly distributed and has historically been organized into geographically distinct groups or tribes of patrilineal descent. So far, there has been no detailed investigation of the southern region Saudi population to assist in the interpretation of DNA-based forensic evidence and in the construction of DNA database. The objective of this study is to investigate the genetic structure in 154 unrelated healthy Saudi subjects within three generations from the southern Saudi regions using a GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification kit. Intra- and Inter-population genetic diversity as well as the forensic genetics parameters were analyzed. Our results showed that SE33 and TPOX loci were the most and the least polymorphic loci, respectively. The PIC, PE, TPI, Ho and He varied from 0.56116 (TPOX) to 0.94393 (SE33), 0.26638 (TPOX) to 0.83859 (SE33), 1.1875 (TPOX) to 6.33333 (SE33), 0.57894 (TPOX) to 0.92105 (SE33) and 0.6169 (TPOX) to 0.952 (SE33), respectively. The highest PM was observed for D22S1045 (0.223944) and the highest PD for SE33 (0.98935). The combined PD was 99.99999999% and the combined PM was equal to 3.19021E-25. Phylogenetic parameters showed that the southern region Saudi population had the closest genetic relationship with the Saudi, Emirati, Kuwaiti, and Bahraini populations. The study offers some important insights into the southern region Saudi population structure using GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification kit.

Genetic structure and forensic characterisation of 36 Y-chromosomal STR loci in Hmong-Mien-speaking Miao population

Background Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) are widely used in paternity identification, pedigree investigation, and human population genetic history. Aim To investigate the Y-STR polymorphisms in a typical Miao population, and explore the genetic differentiation between the Miao population and reference groups. Subjects and methods We detected 36 Y-STRs genotyping in 455 unrelated Miao individuals from Guizhou province, and analysed genetic differentiation between the Miao population and 76 reference groups. Results A total of 369 alleles were obtained, and the allele frequencies ranged from 0.0022 to 0.9802. In addition, the haplotype diversity, random match probability, and discrimination capacity values were 0.99997, 0.0022, and 0.9934, respectively. Moreover, the genetic relationships between Guizhou Miao and 76 ethnic populations showed that the population stratification was almost consistent with geographic distribution and language-family. Conclusions The 36 Y-STR loci in this study have good polymorphism distributions in the Guizhou Miao population, and therefore would be a useful tool in forensic identification and male parentage testing and even pedigree investigation.

Post-mortem Iris Decomposition and its Dynamics in Morgue Conditions.

With increasing interest in employing iris biometrics as a forensic tool for identification by investigation authorities, there is a need for a thorough examination and understanding of postmortem decomposition processes that take place within the human eyeball, especially the iris. This can prove useful for fast and accurate matching of antemortem with postmortem data acquired at crime scenes or mass casualties, as well as for ensuring correct dispatching of bodies from the incident scene to a mortuary or funeral homes. Following these needs of forensic community, this paper offers an analysis of the coarse effects of eyeball decay done from a perspective of automatic iris recognition. We analyze postmortem iris images acquired for a subject with a very long postmortem observation time horizon (34 days), in both visible light and near-infrared light (860 nm), as the latter wavelength is used in commercial iris recognition systems. Conclusions and suggestions are provided that may aid forensic examiners in successfully utilizing iris patterns in postmortem identification of deceased subjects. Initial guidelines regarding the imaging process, types of illumination, and resolution are also given, together with expectations with respect to the iris features decomposition rates. Visible iris features possible for human, expert-based matching persists even up to 407 h postmortem, and near-infrared illumination is suggested for better mitigation of corneal opacity while imaging cadaver eyes (Post-mortem iris decomposition and its dynamics in morgue conditions. ArXiv pre-print, 2019).

Palatal Rugae Patterns in Forensic Identification

Palatal rugae (rugae palatinae or plicae palatinae transversae) refer to a series of transverse ridges on the anterior part of the palatal mucosa on each side of the median palatal raphe and behind the incisive papillae. Palatoscopy or palatal rugoscopy is the study of palatal rugae in order to establish a person's identity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 100 healthy subjects, 50 males and 50 females were randomly selected. All subjects were of Indian origin, aged 20 years and above. Impressions were made and poured with type III dental stone. The palatal rugae patterns were highlighted using black graphite pencil on the cast and were analyzed following the classification of Martin dos Santos. RESULTS: Each individual had an unique rugae pattern. Curve form (34%) of rugae was the most common in both males and females whereas none of the casts exhibited the point form of rugae. Following the curve form, the sinuous form was common in males and line form was common in females. CONCLUSION: Palatal rugae can be used as an effective tool in forensic identification. Its internal position, antemortem resistance, uniqueness, and regional variation provide a potentially reliable source of identification to the researchers.

Sex Determination from the Morphometry of the Foramen Magnum in Benin: Potential Forensic Identification Tool

<i>Background</i>: previous studies had concluded that studying the measurements of the foramen magnum could enable sex determination with good reliability for forensic identification issue. The reliability of identification methods based on foramen magnum measurements are related to natives populations. <i>Objective</i>: he objective of this study was to assess the value of the measurements’ use of the foramen magnum in the identification of the sex with a view to exploitation in forensic medicine at the local level. <i>Methods</i>: The antero-posterior and latero-lateral diameters as well as the area of the foramen magnum were measured and calculated on a series of 200 cranial scans (114 men and 84 women). The distribution of measurements was compared by sex. The collected data was subjected to binary logistic regression analysis. <i>Results</i>: The values of the measurements of the foramen magnum of the men are significantly higher than those of the women. Binary logistic regression performed from anteroposterior diameter or areas correctly predicted gender in 64 to 66% of cases. When the regression is based on the latero-lateral diameter alone, 56.8% of individuals are well classified. <i>Conclusion</i>: Sexual dimorphism is pronounced at the level of FM morphometry. Measurements of the foramen magnum can be used to identify sex in a forensic context in Benin. However, its use should preferably be done as a confirmatory test or in situations where the occipital bone is the only structure of the skull that is complete.

Frontal Sinus Variability as a Tool in Forensic Identification- A Pilot Study Using Radiographic Images and Software Analysis

Frontal Sinus Variability as a Tool in Forensic Identification- A Pilot Study Using Radiographic Images and Software Analysis

CT Scan of Maxillary Sinus: A Useful Tool for Forensic Identification

CT Scan of Maxillary Sinus: A Useful Tool for Forensic Identification

Radiographic evaluation of remodeling of mandible in adult South Indian population: Implications in forensic science.

Introduction:Panoramic X-ray is an imagiological examination produced by a technique that exhibits images of the facial structure present in the upper and lower dental arches, as well as the support structures in the diagnosis of problems that require a broad view of the oral–maxillofacial complex, such as the assessment of traumatisms, extensive lesions, dental development, tooth retention, and growth anomalies. Many morphological and anatomical changes are exhibited by the mandible with the advancement of age and changes in gender, as well as dentoalveolar condition of the patient, and it can be assessed with the help of such radiograph, thus playing an important role in personal identification in forensic dentistry.Aims:This study aimed to evaluate the changes in gonial angle (GA), antegonial angle (AGA), and antegonial depth (AGD) in adult mandible with regard to age, gender, and dental status using panoramic radiographs.Settings and Design:This cross-sectional retrospective study was done using hospital records.Subjects and Methods:A total of 100 panoramic radiographs were evaluated. The images were grouped into three age groups (40–70) of 10 years each. GA, AGA, and AGD were digitally measured from the radiographs.Statistical Analysis Used:Descriptive statistics of the variables were expressed in percentage, frequencies, mean, and standard deviations. Statistical differences between the variables were explored using independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA. The significant level was set as 0.05.Results:There were no significant changes in GA, AGA, and AGD with age and dental status of the patients. Males had significantly smaller GA and AGA than females. Understandably, AGD was significantly greater in males than females.Conclusions:Remodeling changes of the mandible with respect to the age groups and dental status studied were minimal. However, gender-related differences in ante AGA, depth, and GA were significant, which can be used as a tool in forensic identification.

Genetic diversities and phylogenetic analyses of three Chinese main ethnic groups in southwest China: A Y-Chromosomal STR study

Short tandem repeats (STRs) located on the Y chromosome with the properties of male-specific inheritance and haploidy are widely used in forensics to analyze paternal genealogies and match male trace donors to evidence. Besides, Y-chromosomal haplotypes play an important role in providing breathtaking insights into population genetic history. However, the genetic diversity and forensic characteristics of Y-STRs in Guizhou main ethnic groups (Hans, Miaos and Bouyeis) remain uncharacterized. Here, we obtained Y-chromosomal 23-marker haplotypes in three Guizhou populations and submitted the first batch of Y-STR haplotype data to the YHRD. The HD in the aforementioned three populations are 0.99990, 0.99983, and 0.99979, respectively, and DC values are 0.9902, 0.9908, and 0.97959, respectively. Subsequently, genetic differentiation between our newly studied populations and reference groups along ethnic/administrative divisions, as well as national/continental boundaries were investigated via AMOVA, MDS, and phylogenetic relationship reconstruction. Significant genetic differentiations from our subjects and other groups are identified in ethnically, linguistically and geographically diverse populations, including most prominently Tibetans and Uyghurs among 30 mainland Chinese populations, Taiwanese groups and others among 58 Asian populations, as well as African groups and others among 89 worldwide populations. Qiannan Bouyei has a close genetic relationship with Guangxi Zhuang, and Zunyi Han and Qiandongnan Miao have close genetic affinity with Hunan Han and Guizhou Shui, respectively. Collectively, this new-generation Y-STR amplification system can be used as a supplementary tool in forensic identification and male parentage testing and even pedigree search.

Hair histology as a tool for forensic identification of some domestic animal species.

Animal hair examination at a criminal scene may provide valuable information in forensic investigations. However, local reference databases for animal hair identification are rare. In the present study, we provide differential histological analysis of hair of some domestic animals in Upper Egypt. For this purpose, guard hair of large ruminants (buffalo, camel and cow), small ruminants (sheep and goat), equine (horse and donkey) and canine (dog and cat) were collected and comparative analysis was performed by light microscopy. Based on the hair cuticle scale pattern, type and diameter of the medulla, and the pigmentation, characteristic differential features of each animal species were identified. The cuticle scale pattern was imbricate in all tested animals except in donkey, in which coronal scales were identified. The cuticle scale margin type, shape and the distance in between were characteristic for each animal species. The hair medulla was continuous in most of the tested animal species with the exception of sheep, in which fragmental medulla was detected. The diameter of the hair medulla and the margins differ according to the animal species. Hair shaft pigmentation were not detected in all tested animals with the exception of camel and buffalo, in which granules and streak-like pigmentation were detected. In conclusion, the present study provides a first-step towards preparation of a complete local reference database for animal hair identification that can be used in forensic investigations.

Survey among General Practitioners in Chennai about Dental Restorations being used as a Forensic Tool

Aim: To assess the knowledge among general practitioners in chennai regarding dental restorations being used a tool in victim identification and various changes that the restorations undergo in mass disasters. Background: Forensic Odontology is an emerging branch in dentistry in recent days. Teeth serve as a valuable tool in forensic identification. In recent days there are many studies stating that restorations can be used as a tool in forensic identification, as the restorative material can withstand high temperatures. Therefore knowledge about restorative materials and its importance in forensic identification is essential among dental practitioners.A cross sectional survey was carried out among 437 randomly selected dentists in Chennai district, Tamilnaduand the results were analysed. Result: Awareness regarding dental restorations being used as a forensic tool is less among the general practitioners in Chennai. Conclusion: Knowledge to be imparted to dentists regarding the role of restorations in forensic odontology and to kindle interest in the field of Forensics among the dental students.

Assessment of palatal rugae pattern for sex and ethnicity identification in an iranian population.

Palatal rugoscopy is a reliable method in the forensic personal identification and racial group specification. the aim of the present study is to use palatal rugae pattern in sex and ethnicity identification applications. Four hundred individual dental casts from four different ethnic populations of Iran were randomly selected. The pattern of the palatal rugae (shape, length, and number) investigated and its reliability to classify sex and minor ethnicity for each individual cast was evaluated. (P < 0.05) considered significant. The most common rugae shapes were straight, followed by wavy and curved types. The least frequent shapes were converging and circular types. Palatal rugae patterns were unique to each person. However, they could not differentiate males and females and had low abilities to classify the racial subsets. The palatal rugae pattern was unique to each individual and palatal rugoscopy can be considered as a reliable forensic identification tool where utilizing other methods such as DNA profiling, fingerprint, and dental record comparison is impossible or difficult. In this study, palatal rugoscopy was not a reliable method to classify the sex of an individual and to differentiate between different racial subsets.

X-chromosomal STR-based genetic structure of Sichuan Tibetan minority ethnicity group and its relationships to various groups.

The X-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) with more informative than autosomal STRs in some complicated biological relationships identification due to its specific mode of genetic transmission can be used as a complementary tool in forensic case practices. In this study, we presented the population genetic data of 19 X-STRs, consisting of DXS10174, DXS10075, DXS10079, DXS101, DXS10101, DXS10103, DXS10134, DXS10135, DXS10148, DXS10159, DXS10162, DXS10164, DXS6789, DXS6809, DXS7132, DXS7423, DXS7424, DXS8378, and HPRTB loci, in a sample of 235 individuals of Tibetan nationality from Sichuan province, Southwest China. All 19 X-STR loci were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The results showed that the combined power of discrimination in females and males are 0.999999999999999999997 and 0.9999999999997, respectively. In addition, the mean paternity exclusion chances based on the formula of MECKrüger, MECKishida, and MECDesmarais as well as MECDesmarais Duo are 0.99999991, 0.9999999999924, 0.9999999999929, and 0.999999985, respectively. In summary, our findings suggested that the AGCU X19 kit can be considered to serve as a high polymorphic information tool for forensic identification and kinship testing in the Sichuan Tibetan population. Furthermore, population genetic structure investigation between Sichuan Tibetan population and other 19 populations using PCA, MDS, and phylogenetic tree illustrated that significant genetic difference was observed between the Sichuan Tibetan and Malay, as well as the Xinjiang Uyghur population.

Tracking Radionuclide Fractionation in the First Atomic Explosion Using Stable Elements.

Compositional analysis of postdetonation fallout is a tool for forensic identification of nuclear devices. However, the relationship between device composition and fallout composition is difficult to interpret because of the complex combination of physical mixing, nuclear reactions, and chemical fractionations that occur in the chaotic nuclear fireball. Using a combination of in situ microanalytical techniques(electron microprobe analysis and secondary ion mass spectrometry), we show that some heavy stable elements (Rb, Sr, Zr, Ba, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Dy, Lu, U, Th) in glassy fallout from the first nuclear test, Trinity, are reliable chemical proxies for radionuclides generated during the explosion. Stable-element proxies show that radionuclides from the Trinity device were chemically, but not isotopically, fractionated by condensation. Furthermore, stable-element proxies delineate chemical fractionation trends that can be used to connect present-day fallout composition to past fireball composition. Stable-element proxies therefore offer a novel approach for elucidating the phenomenology of the nuclear fireball as it relates to the formation of debris and the fixation of device materials within debris.

Image Guided Virtual Autopsy: An Adjunct with Radiographic and Computed Tomography Modalities - An Important Tool in Forensic Identification

The forensic examination of dead bodies is very helpful in order to identify the person, cause of death, gender, and solving the mysterious cases. It includes a number of techniques, out of which autopsy is the primary investigation that is performed in every medicolegal case. Because of mutilation technologies, traditional autopsy technique is most disturbing in terms of emotions and rituals of relatives. The use of radiology in forensic science comprises performance, interpretation, and reporting of radiographs that is helpful in detecting those changes that are not clinically visible. Forensic radiology plays an important role for identification of humans in mass disasters, criminal investigations, and evaluation of cause of death. The introduction of radiological modalities in autopsy techniques is a complementary tool for forensic identification and is known as virtual autopsy. The advance imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used in virtual autopsy in order to visualize and reconstruct the internal organs to know the site, type, and depth of injury. This review elaborates the role of maxillofacial imaging in image-guided virtual autopsy.