Forensic science international最新文献

Wischnewsky spots are considered strongly associated with postmortem diagnosis of hypothermia with an unclear pathophysiology. Recent studies have suggested an association between Wischnewsky spots and diabetic ketoacidosis, yet no systematic data exist about Wischnewsky spots in other ketotic states besides hypothermia. To elucidate the pathogenesis of Wischnewsky spots, we studied their presence in relation to ketosis/ketoacidosis, glucose, urine catecholamines, and toxicological factors. We included all medicolegal autopsies (n = 1903) with an ancillary glucose metabolism assay in the database of Forensic Medicine Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Oulu, Finland in 2019-2023. Cases were divided into hypothermia deaths, diabetes-related deaths, alcohol-related deaths, and other causes of death. The presence and extent of Wischnewsky spots were estimated from the autopsy reports. Concentrations of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHB), glucose, ethanol, acetone, isopropanol, urinary adrenaline and noradrenaline, and the presence of cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitors were assessed. Mean BHB concentrations were higher with sparse, moderate, or extensive Wischnewsky spots compared with those with no Wischnewsky spots documented. Odds ratios for Wischnewsky spots were 3.7 with BHB concentration ≥ 0.5 mmol/L, 3.6 with BHB concentration > 2.5 mmol/L, 4.8 with positive blood acetone, 3.6 with positive urine acetone, and 2.2 with adrenaline-noradrenaline ratio > 0.1876. Our findings showed a clear, concentration-dependent association between BHB concentration and the presence of Wischnewsky spots irrespective of the underlying cause of death. Our results indicate that Wischnewsky spots are linked to disturbances in glucose metabolism, not exclusively to hypothermia, highlighting the diagnostic importance of postmortem BHB measurement.

Scott & Rogers (2026) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112673 promotes the use of the likelihood-ratio framework in forensic anthropology. This is welcome. Unfortunately, Scott & Rogers (2026) uses an incorrect formula for the calculation of likelihood ratios. This incorrect formula did not originate in Scott & Rogers (2026). It has, for some time, been used in the forensic anthropology literature; an earlier occurrence appears in Steadman et al. (2006) https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.20393. Scott & Rogers (2026) also uses confusing language and mathematical notation that are non-standard compared to the norms of the forensic-inference-and-statistics literature. This letter to the editor is offered in the hope that it will help prevent repetition of these problems.

In this work, we propose a straightforward and practical object trajectory estimation method for dashboard camera (dashcam) videos with ego-motion. When an object detaches or is launched from a preceding vehicle, its motion under gravity follows a parabolic trajectory in 3D camera coordinates. However, conventional 2D image-plane methods, such as polynomial or exponential models, often yield inaccurate results because they neglect the camera's ego-motion and lack a rigorous physical foundation. To address this, we derive a projection-based model from the 3D parabolic trajectory by incorporating the longitudinal translation of the dashcam into the projection process. We then estimate trajectory parameters using least-squares optimization, resulting in a practical and physically grounded estimation approach. Quantitative evaluation on real-world forensic case studies demonstrated that the proposed model fits the observed data closely, achieving an average Root Mean Square Error of 6.64 pixels. These results suggest that our approach can assist forensic analysts in interpreting object motion in traffic accident investigations.

Over the last 10 years there have been a number of studies examining the effects of exposure to environmental metal pollution on the population of the area of Cerro de Pasco (Peru). These have documented the prolonged pollution of the area caused by mining activity and recorded its pathological effects on the exposed population. The present work reports associations between the concentrations of metals in the hair of the area's children and their cognitive development, investigates the neurocognitive effects of exposure, and examines the change in environmental metal concentrations over time. Significant differences in hair metal concentrations were detected between exposed (case) and non-exposed (control) populations; in the former, the mean arsenic concentration was three times that of the latter, the cadmium concentration was double, and that of lead six times that of the latter. The mean total IQ of the exposed children was 12.3 points lower than those who were not exposed. Significant correlations were detected between the lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese and antimony concentrations of the children's (combined exposed and non-exposed) hair and TIQ. In the exposed population, marked increases in hair metal concentrations were recorded between 2016 and 2018 (200 %), later falling by 2021 (though still exceeding the 2016 concentrations). Multivariate analyses involving big data are required to determine the covariables that influence the development of TIQ in exposed children, and to determine whether high toxic metal concentrations are an independent risk factor for cognitive deficit.

For more than four decades, no standardized study design or workflow has been established for systematic entomotoxicological research in forensic casework. This study aimed to develop a universal rearing protocol for fly larvae grown on drug-spiked tissue surrogate and a standardized workflow for the qualitative analysis of pharmacologically active compounds (PACs) in insects of different developmental stages. Larvae of Protophormia terraenovae and Lucilia sericata were reared on minced meat serving as tissue surrogate. First-instar larvae were transferred to minced meat spiked with diazepam, amitriptyline, pipamperone, or lamotrigine, each triturated with placebo tablets. Actively feeding and post-feeding third-instar larvae were soaked for 24 h in ethanol (30 mL, 70:30, v:v), and both the larvae and the soaking solution were analysed using LC-MS/MS. The larval extraction method was optimized by replacing pure acetonitrile with an acetonitrile-methanol mixture and introducing centrifugation at -10°C. PAC detection was achieved in both larvae and soaking solution, confirming the sensitivity and applicability of the method. The workflow was further validated using authentic postmortem case samples. These findings demonstrate that ethanol-soaked larvae can be used effectively for both toxicological and entomological analyses. Overall, this study provides a universal and standardized workflow that simplifies and strengthens the application of entomotoxicology in forensic casework.

Interpreting γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) concentrations in post-mortem samples remains challenging, due to the potential for formation both in corpore after death and in vitro after sampling. The possible influence of metabolically-related endogenous substances on post-mortem GHB levels has not yet been clarified. To address this, an analytical method was developed and validated for the simultaneous detection of GHB, γ-butyrolactone (GBL), and eight related endogenous compounds: succinic semialdehyde, γ-aminobutyric acid, putrescine, α-hydroxybutyrate (AHB), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), L-glutamic acid, succinic acid, and GHB-glucuronide (GHB-Gluc). Sample preparation involved protein precipitation using acetonitrile/methanol (85:15), followed by solid-phase extraction. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a reversed-phase C-18 analytical column with a 33-minute gradient run employing water and acetonitrile, both containing 0.1 % formic acid, as mobile phases. Human whole blood served as the matrix for calibration and quality controls, with endogenous levels corrected using matrix blanks. The method achieved limits of detection and limits of quantification of 0.5 µg/mL for all analytes. Calibration ranges extended up to 75 µg/mL, depending on the substance. Linear regression was applicable for most analytes, except BHB, GHB, putrescine, and succinic acid. Accuracy and precision were satisfactory (< +/- 10 %) across all concentration levels. The LC-MS/MS method allows for comprehensive quantification of GHB and related endogenous substances potentially involved in its post-mortem increase. Application to real post-mortem samples will help clarifying the role of these compounds in GHB formation after death and support more accurate interpretation of forensic toxicological findings.

The 2024 fingermark visualisation collaborative exercise (visCE), organised by the ENFSI Fingerprint Working Group (FIN-WG), aimed to provide an overview of current practices among European laboratories in the detection of latent fingermarks on Euro banknotes. The exercise focused on two denominations (€10 and €50) to investigate the impact of substrate characteristics, particularly the presence of a protective coating, on fingermark visualisation. Each test consisted of five fingermarks deposited in different areas of the banknotes. Three fingermarks were naturally deposited by a single donor and two marks were deposited using a fingerprint stamp and artificial secretions. Thirty-seven laboratories across Europe participated to the visCE. Participants were asked to process banknotes using their routine detection sequences, and to submit their results, images, and reagent formulations for evaluation. Twenty distinct detection sequences were reported, reflecting a marked lack of standardisation across laboratories. Amino acid reagents performed well on the unvarnished €50 banknotes but showed reduced efficiency on the varnished €10 notes, where CA fuming and other techniques suited to non-porous substrates yielded superior results. Analysis of the submitted formulations revealed notable variability, with several recipes deviating from established references. Significant inconsistencies were also observed in imaging and observation conditions, including issues with exposure, sharpness, and resolution, which adversely affected the quality of otherwise well-developed fingermarks. Based on the findings, recommended sequences were identified for each denomination: [PRELIM → CA → BMP → VMD_Ag/Zn] for varnished €10 banknotes and [PRELIM → IND/Zn → NIN → PD] for unvarnished €50 banknotes. The results underscore the need for greater harmonisation in detection workflows and imaging practices and will inform future ENFSI initiatives aimed at improving standardisation and reproducibility in fingermark detection across Europe.