In a follow up to a previous paper [6], this article continues the exploration of fibres recovered from the respiratory tract in smothering cases. Specifically, this second part examines the transfer of fibres when smothering has occurred as compared to legitimate exposures to the textile in question. In order to simulate these activities, volunteers breathed through textiles of various levels of shedding under conditions of strain and at rest. Fibres were then self-recovered from the nose and mouth for the counting of target fibres that have transferred. The results demonstrate a noticeable difference between the two activities in terms of the quantity of fibres transferred. This difference is increasingly marked for higher levels of shedding. The findings from this paper and from part 1 were then utilized to assign probabilities which were subsequently used to evaluate findings of two hypothetical scenarios meant to represent commonly encountered case disputed issues. The results further highlight the potential for such traces to aid in suspected smothering cases. In general, low number of fibres (<5) support propositions of non-smothering whereas larger quantities (>15) typically support those of smothering. The count of fibres at which the support switches is highly dependent on the shedding of the textile. It is thus important to consider shedding and the quantity of fibres recovered in such cases.
{"title":"Textile fibres in the respiratory tract part 2: Transfer during smothering vs legitimate activities","authors":"Joanne Bonvin , Maude Yerly , Yu Chen Lim-Hitchings , Sabine Hess , Kyra Lunstroot , Geneviève Massonnet","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112864","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112864","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In a follow up to a previous paper [6], this article continues the exploration of fibres recovered from the respiratory tract in smothering cases. Specifically, this second part examines the transfer of fibres when smothering has occurred as compared to legitimate exposures to the textile in question. In order to simulate these activities, volunteers breathed through textiles of various levels of shedding under conditions of strain and at rest. Fibres were then self-recovered from the nose and mouth for the counting of target fibres that have transferred. The results demonstrate a noticeable difference between the two activities in terms of the quantity of fibres transferred. This difference is increasingly marked for higher levels of shedding. The findings from this paper and from part 1 were then utilized to assign probabilities which were subsequently used to evaluate findings of two hypothetical scenarios meant to represent commonly encountered case disputed issues. The results further highlight the potential for such traces to aid in suspected smothering cases. In general, low number of fibres (<5) support propositions of non-smothering whereas larger quantities (>15) typically support those of smothering. The count of fibres at which the support switches is highly dependent on the shedding of the textile. It is thus important to consider shedding and the quantity of fibres recovered in such cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"382 ","pages":"Article 112864"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146178426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-07DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112882
Hana Brezar , Barbara Mihelič Pečar , Tamara Leskovar , Irena Zupanič Pajnič
For the genetic identification of skeletal remains, teeth can be used since they contain well-preserved DNA, which is present in various dental tissues, including dental pulp, dentin, and cementum. In forensics, the standard extraction method utilizes the whole tooth and destructive grinding. In our previous study, a highly effective non-destructive method was introduced to extract DNA from tooth cementum, bypassing whole tooth destruction. An analysis was performed on sixty-two canines obtained from adult skeletons from two archaeological cemeteries. After tooth cementum DNA extraction, teeth were stored in the freezer, and later used for destructive DNA extraction, grinding the entire tooth left after non-destructive extraction. The purpose of this study was to compare the preservation of DNA in tooth cementum and other tooth tissues. To extract the DNA from the stored teeth, they were pulverized, and DNA was obtained using the full demineralization method. Real-time PCR was employed to evaluate the quality and quantity of DNA, followed by STR typing. The amount of DNA, degradation rate, and success of STR typing were compared between DNA retrieved from tooth cementum and DNA extracted from the other tooth tissues. The results showed no successful STR typing in most stored teeth, and only five of them produced full or almost full profiles. Comparison to tooth root cementum, where 46 out of 62 teeth generated highly informative STR profiles, indicates that in the aged canines analysed, DNA preservation is strongest in tooth root cementum, while other tooth tissues generally yield little or no recoverable DNA. In five teeth that generated informative STR profiles, we assume that not all the tooth root cementum was decalcified using a non-destructive extraction method, and after grinding the whole tooth, some cementum tissue remained, contributing to successful genetic typing. In this study, the importance of tooth root cementum in archaeological samples is emphasized while exploring the forensic relevance of various tooth tissues. It highlights the notably poorer DNA preservation in dental pulp and dentin compared to cementum in the context of aged teeth.
{"title":"Comparison of tooth nuclear DNA preservation between cementum and other dental tissues","authors":"Hana Brezar , Barbara Mihelič Pečar , Tamara Leskovar , Irena Zupanič Pajnič","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112882","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112882","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>For the genetic identification of skeletal remains, teeth can be used since they contain well-preserved DNA, which is present in various dental tissues, including dental pulp, dentin, and cementum. In forensics, the standard extraction method utilizes the whole tooth and destructive grinding. In our previous study, a highly effective non-destructive method was introduced to extract DNA from tooth cementum, bypassing whole tooth destruction. An analysis was performed on sixty-two canines obtained from adult skeletons from two archaeological cemeteries. After tooth cementum DNA extraction, teeth were stored in the freezer, and later used for destructive DNA extraction, grinding the entire tooth left after non-destructive extraction. The purpose of this study was to compare the preservation of DNA in tooth cementum and other tooth tissues. To extract the DNA from the stored teeth, they were pulverized, and DNA was obtained using the full demineralization method. Real-time PCR was employed to evaluate the quality and quantity of DNA, followed by STR typing. The amount of DNA, degradation rate, and success of STR typing were compared between DNA retrieved from tooth cementum and DNA extracted from the other tooth tissues. The results showed no successful STR typing in most stored teeth, and only five of them produced full or almost full profiles. Comparison to tooth root cementum, where 46 out of 62 teeth generated highly informative STR profiles, indicates that in the aged canines analysed, DNA preservation is strongest in tooth root cementum, while other tooth tissues generally yield little or no recoverable DNA. In five teeth that generated informative STR profiles, we assume that not all the tooth root cementum was decalcified using a non-destructive extraction method, and after grinding the whole tooth, some cementum tissue remained, contributing to successful genetic typing. In this study, the importance of tooth root cementum in archaeological samples is emphasized while exploring the forensic relevance of various tooth tissues. It highlights the notably poorer DNA preservation in dental pulp and dentin compared to cementum in the context of aged teeth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"382 ","pages":"Article 112882"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146164780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112860
Juan A. Sanchis-Gimeno , Pablo Nova-Baeza , Mathias Orellana-Donoso , Juan José Valenzuela-Fuenzalida , Shahed Nalla , Ilker Ercan
Background
Pre-exhumation estimates of the number of individuals expected to be present in a grave are routinely used to guide fieldwork planning, laboratory workflows, and communication with families. However, the degree to which these expectations match the number of individuals actually recovered can vary across contexts and burial features.
Aim
To quantify the discrepancy between the number of individuals expected prior to exhumation and the number recovered after exhumation in a set of exhumed mass graves at Paterna Cemetery, using an aggregate (global) recovery proportion derived from official reporting.
Materials and methods
For each mass grave, two counts were extracted from official reporting: a) the number of subjects to be found before exhumations (NSTBF; expected); and b) the real number of subjects found after the exhumations (RNSF; recovered). Recovery percentage per mass grave was defined as RNSF/NSTBF. The primary outcome was the global recovery proportion computed as ΣRNSF/ΣNSTBF across all included mass graves.
Results
Across 15 mass graves, 1180 individuals were expected and 1048 were recovered, yielding a global recovery proportion of 0.888 (88.8 %). The overall shortfall relative to expectations was 132 individuals (11.2 %). Mass graves recovery ranged from 0 % (0/20) to 100 % (e.g., 42/42; 98/98; 107/107). Eight of fifteen mass graves showed ≥ 90 % recovery, whereas two showed < 10 % recovery (1/19 and 0/20).
Conclusions
In this set of exhumed mass graves, recovery totals were lower than expected overall when aggregated across features. The magnitude and variability of the shortfall support incorporating uncertainty into operational planning for recovery and identification rather than assuming expected counts will be fully recovered.
{"title":"Discrepancies between expected and recovered individuals in exhumed mass graves at Paterna Cemetery (Spain): aggregate analysis of 15 official exhumation reports","authors":"Juan A. Sanchis-Gimeno , Pablo Nova-Baeza , Mathias Orellana-Donoso , Juan José Valenzuela-Fuenzalida , Shahed Nalla , Ilker Ercan","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112860","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112860","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Pre-exhumation estimates of the number of individuals expected to be present in a grave are routinely used to guide fieldwork planning, laboratory workflows, and communication with families. However, the degree to which these expectations match the number of individuals actually recovered can vary across contexts and burial features.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To quantify the discrepancy between the number of individuals expected prior to exhumation and the number recovered after exhumation in a set of exhumed mass graves at Paterna Cemetery, using an aggregate (global) recovery proportion derived from official reporting.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>For each mass grave, two counts were extracted from official reporting: a) the number of subjects to be found before exhumations (NSTBF; expected); and b) the real number of subjects found after the exhumations (RNSF; recovered). Recovery percentage per mass grave was defined as RNSF/NSTBF. The primary outcome was the global recovery proportion computed as ΣRNSF/ΣNSTBF across all included mass graves.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Across 15 mass graves, 1180 individuals were expected and 1048 were recovered, yielding a global recovery proportion of 0.888 (88.8 %). The overall shortfall relative to expectations was 132 individuals (11.2 %). Mass graves recovery ranged from 0 % (0/20) to 100 % (e.g., 42/42; 98/98; 107/107). Eight of fifteen mass graves showed ≥ 90 % recovery, whereas two showed < 10 % recovery (1/19 and 0/20).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In this set of exhumed mass graves, recovery totals were lower than expected overall when aggregated across features. The magnitude and variability of the shortfall support incorporating uncertainty into operational planning for recovery and identification rather than assuming expected counts will be fully recovered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"382 ","pages":"Article 112860"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122706","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112869
Ana María Salazar Roa , Patricia Huerta , Luis Felipe Montoya , Viviana Coliboro , Ariel Fernando Castro , Anna Barbaro
In tragic events, teeth are valuable source of DNA due to their protective properties. However, temperature is a key factor that alters DNA structure, with degradation being directly proportional to both the temperature and duration of exposure.
Objective
This preliminary study aimed to determine the DNA recovery yield from human teeth exposed to 400°C for varying durations.
Methodology
Fifteen healthy permanent molars were collected (following informed consent procedures), divided into three groups of five teeth each, and exposed to 400°C for 15, 30, and 60 min. The teeth were pulverized, DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit, and quantification was performed via spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post-hoc tests.
Results
A significant decrease in DNA concentration was observed with increasing exposure time. The 15-minute group yielded significantly higher DNA concentrations compared to the 30- and 60-minute groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups regarding DNA purity (260/280 ratio).
Conclusion
DNA recovery from teeth exposed to 400°C is feasible, but further studies are required to determine the quality of the genetic material for conclusive forensic identification. This study provides valuable evidence to guide future research and the development of standardized protocols for DNA extraction and quantification in highly degraded forensic scenarios.
{"title":"DNA evaluation in teeth subjected to various thermal conditions: A preliminary study","authors":"Ana María Salazar Roa , Patricia Huerta , Luis Felipe Montoya , Viviana Coliboro , Ariel Fernando Castro , Anna Barbaro","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112869","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112869","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In tragic events, teeth are valuable source of DNA due to their protective properties. However, temperature is a key factor that alters DNA structure, with degradation being directly proportional to both the temperature and duration of exposure.</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This preliminary study aimed to determine the DNA recovery yield from human teeth exposed to 400°C for varying durations.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>Fifteen healthy permanent molars were collected (following informed consent procedures), divided into three groups of five teeth each, and exposed to 400°C for 15, 30, and 60 min. The teeth were pulverized, DNA was extracted using the QIAamp DNA Investigator Kit, and quantification was performed via spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD post-hoc tests.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A significant decrease in DNA concentration was observed with increasing exposure time. The 15-minute group yielded significantly higher DNA concentrations compared to the 30- and 60-minute groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups regarding DNA purity (260/280 ratio).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>DNA recovery from teeth exposed to 400°C is feasible, but further studies are required to determine the quality of the genetic material for conclusive forensic identification. This study provides valuable evidence to guide future research and the development of standardized protocols for DNA extraction and quantification in highly degraded forensic scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"382 ","pages":"Article 112869"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146164773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112868
Ceyhun Küçük , Halil İlhan Aydogdu , Hakan Efil , Murat Nihat Arslan
Introduction
Hanging is defined as a form of asphyxia caused by the suspension of the body with a ligature around the neck, where the constriction is generated by the body’s own weight. The aim of this study is to examine autopsy findings in hanging cases among children, a rare cause of death in this age group, using data collected from a forensic autopsy center.
Materials and methods
This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing electronic autopsy reports of pediatric cases referred to the Morgue Department between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021, for the determination of the cause of death. Demographic data physical characteristics, scene-related findings and autopsy findings were analyzed.
Results
A total of 162 pediatric cases Of these, 113 (69.8 %) were male and 49 (30.2 %) were female. The age range of the cases was between 5 and 17 years, with a mean age of 15.66 ± 2.42 years. The Body Mass Index (BMI) ranged between 12.85 % and 52.94 %, with a mean of 22.14 ± 5.48 %. No statistically significant correlation was found between age or BMI and the presence of hyoid bone fracture, thyroid cartilage fracture, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle injury, or infrahyoid muscle injury. When findings were evaluated according to the knot location (typical vs. atypical), no significant relationship was found between the knot position and hyoid bone fracture, thyroid cartilage fracture, infrahyoid muscle or SCM muscle injury.
Discussion
Compared to adult series in literature, the lower frequency of fractures, particularly of the thyroid cartilage, may be attributed to the fact that in pediatric individuals, these structures are less calcified and thus less prone to fracture.
Conclusion
This study represents one of the largest autopsy-based analyses focusing solely on pediatric hanging cases. Preventive strategies should include a careful reassessment of environmental safety to mitigate accidental deaths.
{"title":"Evaluation of hanging deaths in childhood: An autopsy study","authors":"Ceyhun Küçük , Halil İlhan Aydogdu , Hakan Efil , Murat Nihat Arslan","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112868","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112868","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hanging is defined as a form of asphyxia caused by the suspension of the body with a ligature around the neck, where the constriction is generated by the body’s own weight. The aim of this study is to examine autopsy findings in hanging cases among children, a rare cause of death in this age group, using data collected from a forensic autopsy center.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing electronic autopsy reports of pediatric cases referred to the Morgue Department between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2021, for the determination of the cause of death. Demographic data physical characteristics, scene-related findings and autopsy findings were analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 162 pediatric cases Of these, 113 (69.8 %) were male and 49 (30.2 %) were female. The age range of the cases was between 5 and 17 years, with a mean age of 15.66 ± 2.42 years. The Body Mass Index (BMI) ranged between 12.85 % and 52.94 %, with a mean of 22.14 ± 5.48 %. No statistically significant correlation was found between age or BMI and the presence of hyoid bone fracture, thyroid cartilage fracture, sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle injury, or infrahyoid muscle injury. When findings were evaluated according to the knot location (typical vs. atypical), no significant relationship was found between the knot position and hyoid bone fracture, thyroid cartilage fracture, infrahyoid muscle or SCM muscle injury.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>Compared to adult series in literature, the lower frequency of fractures, particularly of the thyroid cartilage, may be attributed to the fact that in pediatric individuals, these structures are less calcified and thus less prone to fracture.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study represents one of the largest autopsy-based analyses focusing solely on pediatric hanging cases. Preventive strategies should include a careful reassessment of environmental safety to mitigate accidental deaths.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"382 ","pages":"Article 112868"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146122741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112872
Linzi Wilson-Wilde , Conor Crean , Scott Ford , Susan Hitchin , Rebecca Kogios , Jose A. Lorente , Niamh Nic Daeid , Mark Pearse , Helen Tumediso-Magora , Angeline Tiong Whei Yap , Dorijan Kerzan
The International Forensic Strategic Alliance (IFSA) began as a bilateral agreement in 2004 between forensic science laboratory directors in the United States and Australia/New Zealand. IFSA has since grown to include six regional forensic science director networks involving 120 countries and 639 forensic service providers, and three strategic partners. IFSA focuses on providing global leadership and collaboration initiatives including developing Minimum Requirements Documents for emerging forensic service providers, identifying research and development priorities to promote critical forensic science research, and identifying and responding to emerging issues. This paper outlines the origins and development of IFSA, achievements and current activities as a successful model of global forensic collaboration.
{"title":"Letter to the Editor: The International Forensic Strategic Alliance – A model in global forensic collaboration","authors":"Linzi Wilson-Wilde , Conor Crean , Scott Ford , Susan Hitchin , Rebecca Kogios , Jose A. Lorente , Niamh Nic Daeid , Mark Pearse , Helen Tumediso-Magora , Angeline Tiong Whei Yap , Dorijan Kerzan","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112872","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112872","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The International Forensic Strategic Alliance (IFSA) began as a bilateral agreement in 2004 between forensic science laboratory directors in the United States and Australia/New Zealand. IFSA has since grown to include six regional forensic science director networks involving 120 countries and 639 forensic service providers, and three strategic partners. IFSA focuses on providing global leadership and collaboration initiatives including developing Minimum Requirements Documents for emerging forensic service providers, identifying research and development priorities to promote critical forensic science research, and identifying and responding to emerging issues. This paper outlines the origins and development of IFSA, achievements and current activities as a successful model of global forensic collaboration.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"382 ","pages":"Article 112872"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-02-11DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112885
Mengyao Zhao , Qian Liu , Minxiao Hui , Liu Qin , Fan Yang , Zheng Wang
Meat adulteration, particularly the substitution of high-value beef with cheaper poultry (chicken, duck) or pork for illicit economic gain, poses significant threats to consumer rights, market integrity, and public health. Accurate identification of components in mixed meat samples is crucial for combating such fraud. Traditional species detection methods have limitations as qPCR with species-specific probes can only target a subset of known species, while Sanger sequencing is inadequate for mixed samples and rapid on-site detection. Building on the previously developed ClassIdent pipeline targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene and QNome nanopore sequencing, this study focused on verifying its applicability in mixed meat identification. We prepared 48 simulated samples (18 single-source and 30 mixed samples) to mimic common meat fraud scenarios (beef adulterated with chicken, duck, or pork), including 9 binary combinations (weight ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:4) and 1 quaternary combination (1:1:1:1), with each mixed sample sequenced in triplicate. All single-source samples were accurately identified by ClassIdent, with an average sequence identity of 99.60 %. For mixed samples, ClassIdent successfully distinguished all component species, and the read proportion of each species showed a positive correlation with the fresh weight mixing ratio. The mean absolute difference between the read proportion and the actual fresh weight ratio ranged from 1.11 % to 21.32 % across all mixed combinations. This discrepancy is primarily attributed to biological variables (e.g., interspecific differences in cell size and mitochondrial DNA copy number) and technical biases (including variations in DNA extraction efficiency and species-specific PCR amplification preferences). This study validates the potential of ClassIdent for rapid and reliable detection of meat adulteration, supporting its application in food safety supervision and forensic investigation.
{"title":"Proof-of-principle exploration of meat adulteration detection using the ClassIdent pipeline with nanopore sequencing targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene","authors":"Mengyao Zhao , Qian Liu , Minxiao Hui , Liu Qin , Fan Yang , Zheng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112885","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112885","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Meat adulteration, particularly the substitution of high-value beef with cheaper poultry (chicken, duck) or pork for illicit economic gain, poses significant threats to consumer rights, market integrity, and public health. Accurate identification of components in mixed meat samples is crucial for combating such fraud. Traditional species detection methods have limitations as qPCR with species-specific probes can only target a subset of known species, while Sanger sequencing is inadequate for mixed samples and rapid on-site detection. Building on the previously developed ClassIdent pipeline targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene and QNome nanopore sequencing, this study focused on verifying its applicability in mixed meat identification. We prepared 48 simulated samples (18 single-source and 30 mixed samples) to mimic common meat fraud scenarios (beef adulterated with chicken, duck, or pork), including 9 binary combinations (weight ratios 1:1, 1:2, 1:4) and 1 quaternary combination (1:1:1:1), with each mixed sample sequenced in triplicate. All single-source samples were accurately identified by ClassIdent, with an average sequence identity of 99.60 %. For mixed samples, ClassIdent successfully distinguished all component species, and the read proportion of each species showed a positive correlation with the fresh weight mixing ratio. The mean absolute difference between the read proportion and the actual fresh weight ratio ranged from 1.11 % to 21.32 % across all mixed combinations. This discrepancy is primarily attributed to biological variables (e.g., interspecific differences in cell size and mitochondrial DNA copy number) and technical biases (including variations in DNA extraction efficiency and species-specific PCR amplification preferences). This study validates the potential of ClassIdent for rapid and reliable detection of meat adulteration, supporting its application in food safety supervision and forensic investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"382 ","pages":"Article 112885"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192689","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112842
Gaia Giordano , Michele Boracchi , Giuseppe D’Orazio , Cristina Cattaneo , Domenico Di Candia
Purpose
Forensic toxicology plays a crucial role in forensic sciences, focusing on the detection and interpretation of xenobiotics in various biological samples, including bone tissue. This study aimed to compare different extraction techniques for bone tissue and subsequently analyze and validate the best analytical method via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.
Methods
Samples were collected from autopsied cadavers, prepared, and subjected to four different extraction methods (EM-1 to EM-4).
Results
Absolute recovery tests indicated EM-1 as the better extraction method, successfully detecting all the target analytes. Method validation for EM-1 demonstrated acceptable bias, precision, interference studies, and stability in various analytes. The validated method was then applied to ten real cases, confirming its efficacy in forensic toxicology for detecting opioids, dissociative anesthetics, stimulants, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, and sedatives in bone tissue.
Conclusions
This study validated a new extraction method for bone tissue. This technique was applied to forensic real cases.
{"title":"Development and validation of bone extraction procedure in forensic toxicology: A comparison of different extraction techniques","authors":"Gaia Giordano , Michele Boracchi , Giuseppe D’Orazio , Cristina Cattaneo , Domenico Di Candia","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112842","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112842","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Forensic toxicology plays a crucial role in forensic sciences, focusing on the detection and interpretation of xenobiotics in various biological samples, including bone tissue. This study aimed to compare different extraction techniques for bone tissue and subsequently analyze and validate the best analytical method via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Samples were collected from autopsied cadavers, prepared, and subjected to four different extraction methods (EM-1 to EM-4).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Absolute recovery tests indicated EM-1 as the better extraction method, successfully detecting all the target analytes. Method validation for EM-1 demonstrated acceptable bias, precision, interference studies, and stability in various analytes. The validated method was then applied to ten real cases, confirming its efficacy in forensic toxicology for detecting opioids, dissociative anesthetics, stimulants, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, and sedatives in bone tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study validated a new extraction method for bone tissue. This technique was applied to forensic real cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"381 ","pages":"Article 112842"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112828
Johannes Pippidis Lorentzen , Mads Skipanes
We investigate how effectively automatic named entity recognition can recover entities selected by investigators in real criminal cases. Two homicide cases and one synthetic case were processed with five NER models, and extracted entities were matched to investigator labels using a lightweight entity resolution and similarity scoring method. Police trained models aligned best with investigator annotations, while general-purpose models produced larger but less relevant entity sets. Manual validation confirmed that many labels are not text recoverable, establishing a realistic upper bound on NER performance. The results indicate that extraction and investigative relevance are distinct tasks, motivating a two-stage pipeline and future work on relevance modelling and improved resolution.
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Pub Date : 2026-04-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112841
Asude Nur Algül , Aylin Yalçın Sarıbey
When a firearm is discharged, the firing pin, breech face, extractor, and ejector leave characteristic random features on the cartridge case. Examination of these marks determines whether cartridge cases could have been fired from the same firearm. However, extended use may deform these components and alter the resulting impressions. Therefore, evaluating changes in random features after extensive firing is essential. This study investigates the impact of 15,000 consecutive firing on the firing pin and examines the resulting alterations in the impressions it leaves. The primary objective is to evaluate how these changes affect cartridge case comparison and firearm identification. The experiment was conducted with a TİSAŞ 9 mm Parabellum caliber semi-automatic pistol and MKE 9 × 19 mm Parabellum cartridges. A total of 15,000 rounds were fired. 260 cartridge cases were collected, including 10 from the initial firing and 10 after every 600 rounds. The samples were examined under a stereo microscope and a comparison macroscope to observe morphological changes. All samples were also analyzed digitally using BALİSTİKA®, and similarity scores were calculated to assess changes across firing intervals. This study examined the evolution of firing pin impressions over 15,000 firing and assessed how long-term wear impacts firearm examinations. The results showed that extensive firing causes deformation, which negatively affects the microscopic appearance and the reliability of comparative conclusions. These findings highlight the need for multi-method and holistic approaches in firearm identification to ensure accurate and reliable expert conclusions.
当枪支开火时，射针、后膛面、拔枪器和弹射器会在弹壳上留下特征随机的特征。检查这些标记可以确定弹壳是否可能来自同一支枪。然而，长时间的使用可能会使这些部件变形并改变产生的印痕。因此，评估大规模射击后随机特征的变化是必要的。这项研究调查了15000次连续射击对击发针的影响，并检查了它留下的印痕的变化。主要目的是评估这些变化如何影响弹壳比较和枪支识别。实验用一支TİSAŞ 9 mm Parabellum口径半自动手枪和MKE 9 × 19 mm Parabellum子弹进行。总共发射了15000发子弹。收集了260个弹壳，其中10个来自首次射击，10个来自每600发子弹。在立体显微镜和比较宏观下观察样品的形态变化。所有样本也使用BALİSTİKA®进行数字分析，并计算相似性分数以评估射击间隔的变化。这项研究检查了15,000次射击中击发针印痕的演变，并评估了长期磨损对枪支检查的影响。结果表明，广泛的烧成会引起变形，这对微观形貌和比较结论的可靠性产生负面影响。这些发现突出了在枪支识别中需要多方法和整体方法，以确保准确可靠的专家结论。
{"title":"Comparison of firing pin impressions on 15,000 consecutively fired cartridge cases From 9 mm Parabellum caliber pistol","authors":"Asude Nur Algül , Aylin Yalçın Sarıbey","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112841","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2026.112841","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>When a firearm is discharged, the firing pin, breech face, extractor, and ejector leave characteristic random features on the cartridge case. Examination of these marks determines whether cartridge cases could have been fired from the same firearm. However, extended use may deform these components and alter the resulting impressions. Therefore, evaluating changes in random features after extensive firing is essential. This study investigates the impact of 15,000 consecutive firing on the firing pin and examines the resulting alterations in the impressions it leaves. The primary objective is to evaluate how these changes affect cartridge case comparison and firearm identification. The experiment was conducted with a TİSAŞ 9 mm Parabellum caliber semi-automatic pistol and MKE 9 × 19 mm Parabellum cartridges. A total of 15,000 rounds were fired. 260 cartridge cases were collected, including 10 from the initial firing and 10 after every 600 rounds. The samples were examined under a stereo microscope and a comparison macroscope to observe morphological changes. All samples were also analyzed digitally using BALİSTİKA®, and similarity scores were calculated to assess changes across firing intervals. This study examined the evolution of firing pin impressions over 15,000 firing and assessed how long-term wear impacts firearm examinations. The results showed that extensive firing causes deformation, which negatively affects the microscopic appearance and the reliability of comparative conclusions. These findings highlight the need for multi-method and holistic approaches in firearm identification to ensure accurate and reliable expert conclusions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"381 ","pages":"Article 112841"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146076282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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