Pub Date : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112798
Myriam Bertrand- Ndoye , Hugo Girard , Florian Hakim , Alexandr Gish , Caroline Ghoul , Yann Delannoy , Quentin Scanvion , Valéry Hédouin , Jean-Michel Gaulier
In forensic thanatology, post-mortem blood is often stored for long periods, leading to in vitro variations in drug concentrations. This study evaluated the use of dried blood microsampling supports dried (Dried Blood Spot – DBS and Volumetric Absorptive MicroSampling (VAMS) as an alternative to conventional tubes. 72 bodies were sampled, including 35 analyzed toxicologically. 6 categories of substances (26 molecules) were quantified using LC-MS/MS or LC-HRMS. Heroin, several benzodiazepines, and cocaine showed excellent stability on DBS, while they degraded or disappeared in conventional tubes. In some cases, the absence of a micro-sample would have prevented the diagnosis of intoxication. For other molecules, concentration differences between DBS and conventional tubes did not alter the medico-legal interpretation, with equivalent values for morphine, codeine, and tramadol. THC and its metabolites remained difficult to extract from DBS. Microsampling has improved the qualitative detection of unstable drugs in post-mortem blood in routine forensic thanalogic sampling practice.
{"title":"Use of blood micro-samples in forensic thanatology","authors":"Myriam Bertrand- Ndoye , Hugo Girard , Florian Hakim , Alexandr Gish , Caroline Ghoul , Yann Delannoy , Quentin Scanvion , Valéry Hédouin , Jean-Michel Gaulier","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112798","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112798","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In forensic thanatology, <em>post-mortem</em> blood is often stored for long periods, leading to <em>in vitro</em> variations in drug concentrations. This study evaluated the use of dried blood microsampling supports dried (Dried Blood Spot – DBS and Volumetric Absorptive MicroSampling (VAMS) as an alternative to conventional tubes. 72 bodies were sampled, including 35 analyzed toxicologically. 6 categories of substances (26 molecules) were quantified using LC-MS/MS or LC-HRMS. Heroin, several benzodiazepines, and cocaine showed excellent stability on DBS, while they degraded or disappeared in conventional tubes. In some cases, the absence of a micro-sample would have prevented the diagnosis of intoxication. For other molecules, concentration differences between DBS and conventional tubes did not alter the medico-legal interpretation, with equivalent values for morphine, codeine, and tramadol. THC and its metabolites remained difficult to extract from DBS. Microsampling has improved the qualitative detection of unstable drugs in <em>post-mortem</em> blood in routine forensic thanalogic sampling practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112798"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973968","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}
Facial soft tissue thickness is a key parameter in forensic craniofacial identification, reflecting the anatomical relationship between the skull and the overlying soft tissues. This study characterizes the spatial correspondence between cranial (craniometric) and facial (cephalometric) landmarks in a Spanish adult population through a three-dimensional vector-based approach applied to computed tomography data. CT scans from 459 healthy individuals (264 males, 195 females; aged 18–60 years) were analyzed. A total set of 12 cephalometric and craniometric landmarks were selected. For each pair of landmarks, the spatial coordinates (X, Y, Z) were extracted and used to compute vectors describing both the orientation and direction in space, as well as the distance corresponding to soft tissue thickness between bone and skin. Statistically significant sex differences were found for most landmarks, but only four exceeded the measurement error threshold. The 3D vectorial approach provides a comprehensive representation of craniofacial spatial relationships beyond linear measurements, allowing a more precise understanding of tissue distribution and landmark orientation. This study presents the first vector-based facial soft tissue thickness reference dataset for the Spanish population, enhancing the accuracy of craniofacial identification and its integration into computational and AI-based forensic applications.
{"title":"A 3D vector-based approach to facial soft tissue–cranial relationships for forensic identification in the Spanish population","authors":"Fernando Navarro , Rubén Martos , Sergio Damas , Inmaculada Aleman","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112802","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112802","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Facial soft tissue thickness is a key parameter in forensic craniofacial identification, reflecting the anatomical relationship between the skull and the overlying soft tissues. This study characterizes the spatial correspondence between cranial (craniometric) and facial (cephalometric) landmarks in a Spanish adult population through a three-dimensional vector-based approach applied to computed tomography data. CT scans from 459 healthy individuals (264 males, 195 females; aged 18–60 years) were analyzed. A total set of 12 cephalometric and craniometric landmarks were selected. For each pair of landmarks, the spatial coordinates (X, Y, Z) were extracted and used to compute vectors describing both the orientation and direction in space, as well as the distance corresponding to soft tissue thickness between bone and skin. Statistically significant sex differences were found for most landmarks, but only four exceeded the measurement error threshold. The 3D vectorial approach provides a comprehensive representation of craniofacial spatial relationships beyond linear measurements, allowing a more precise understanding of tissue distribution and landmark orientation. This study presents the first vector-based facial soft tissue thickness reference dataset for the Spanish population, enhancing the accuracy of craniofacial identification and its integration into computational and AI-based forensic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112802"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973969","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 : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112797
Emma Hook , Sarah Fieldhouse , David Flatman-Fairs , Graham Williams
Many bloodstain pattern classification methods exist in the literature that analysts could use in casework. Currently, no research demonstrates which classification methods bloodstain pattern analysts use or why they use those specific methods; therefore, this study aims to address this gap and support the development of a standardised classification approach. This research surveyed 79 participants working in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) to determine which classification methods are used and why. The most used classification methods were the ‘Passive, Spatter, and Altered,’ ‘other methods’ (such as OSAC BPA terminology and Passive, Spatter, Transfer), and ‘Taxonomic methodology,’ and that job role and court system influenced the method chosen. Participants also used their classification methods to classify ten bloodstain patterns. The average percentage of correct classifications was 85 %, consistent with previous research. The percentage of correct classifications was then compared to the classification methods used. No single classification method was shown to be more accurate than any other method for this specific sample. However, as assessing the accuracy and effectiveness of the classification methods was not the main aim of this study, further work is needed to conduct a thorough assessment that will aid in developing a standardised procedure.
{"title":"Bloodstain classification methods: What methods do analysts use, why, and how accurate are they?","authors":"Emma Hook , Sarah Fieldhouse , David Flatman-Fairs , Graham Williams","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112797","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112797","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Many bloodstain pattern classification methods exist in the literature that analysts could use in casework. Currently, no research demonstrates which classification methods bloodstain pattern analysts use or why they use those specific methods; therefore, this study aims to address this gap and support the development of a standardised classification approach. This research surveyed 79 participants working in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) to determine which classification methods are used and why. The most used classification methods were the ‘Passive, Spatter, and Altered,’ ‘other methods’ (such as OSAC BPA terminology and Passive, Spatter, Transfer), and ‘Taxonomic methodology,’ and that job role and court system influenced the method chosen. Participants also used their classification methods to classify ten bloodstain patterns. The average percentage of correct classifications was 85 %, consistent with previous research. The percentage of correct classifications was then compared to the classification methods used. No single classification method was shown to be more accurate than any other method for this specific sample. However, as assessing the accuracy and effectiveness of the classification methods was not the main aim of this study, further work is needed to conduct a thorough assessment that will aid in developing a standardised procedure.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112797"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973970","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 : 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112794
Merete Vevelstad , Hege-Merete Krabseth , An-Magritt Haneborg , Per Ole M. Gundersen , Joachim Frost , Åse Marit Leere Øiestad
Nitazenes are potent synthetic opioids that were never marketed as analgesics, due to the high overdose risk with rapid respiratory arrest and death. This study aims to present the nitazene concentrations and toxicological findings in all nitazene-related deaths registered in Norway during 2021–2024. De-identified data from the LIMS database (Oslo University Hospital) and the Beaker database (St. Olavs Hospital) were extracted for all forensic autopsy cases in Norway with nitazenes detected in blood from January 2021 to October 2024, including nitazene and drug concentrations in peripheral blood and urine, age, gender, location of autopsy, date of death, and sampling date. Analysis of nitazenes was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. Altogether, 36 nitazene-related deaths were registered in Norway; one death in 2021 (etonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino etonitazene)), one death in 2022 (protonitazene), 13 deaths in 2023 (metonitazene n = 11, metonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino metonitazene) n = 1, N-desethyl isotonitazene n = 1), and 21 deaths in 2024 (metonitazene n = 18, protonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino protonitazene) n = 3). The nitazene-related deaths occurred in all regions of Norway, the majority were males (94.4 %), and median age was 29 years (range 19–56 years). Over 90 % of the cases also had one or more of other psychoactive drugs detected in blood, and 50 % had one or more designer benzodiazepines detected. The median (range) concentrations in post-mortem peripheral blood were 7.3 ng/ml (0.8–114.7 ng/ml) for metonitazene (n = 28) and 3.4 ng/ml (2.0–3.7 ng/ml) for protonitazepyne (n = 3). In summary, since June 2023 the prevalence of nitazene-related deaths escalated in Norway, and the majority were males in their twenties or younger. Our findings indicate that inexperienced drug users need better information about the extreme risk of accidental overdose when using such potent opioids.
nitazene是一种强效的合成阿片类药物，从未作为镇痛药上市销售，因为过量使用会导致呼吸骤停和死亡的风险很高。本研究旨在介绍2021-2024年期间挪威登记的所有nitazene相关死亡的nitazene浓度和毒理学结果。从LIMS数据库（奥斯陆大学医院）和Beaker数据库（St. Olavs医院）提取了2021年1月至2024年10月期间挪威所有在血液中检测到nitazene的法医尸检病例的去识别数据，包括外周血和尿液中的nitazene和药物浓度、年龄、性别、尸检地点、死亡日期和采样日期。采用液相色谱-质谱联用法对硝基苯进行分析。在挪威总共登记了36例与硝基苯有关的死亡；一个2021年去世(etonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino etonitazene)),一个2022年去世(protonitazene), 13人死亡在2023年(metonitazene n = 11日metonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino metonitazene) n = 1,N-desethyl isotonitazene n = 1),2024年和21例死亡(metonitazene n = 18日protonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino protonitazene) n = 3)。与nitazene相关的死亡发生在挪威所有地区，大多数为男性（94.4 %），中位年龄为29岁（范围19-56岁）。超过90% %的病例还在血液中检测到一种或多种其他精神活性药物，50% %的病例检测到一种或多种苯二氮卓类药物。死后外周血中metonitazene （n = 28）和protonitazepne （n = 3）的中位浓度（范围）分别为7.3 ng/ml（0.8 ~ 114.7 ng/ml）和3.4 ng/ml（2.0 ~ 3.7 ng/ml）。总而言之，自2023年6月以来，挪威与nitazene有关的死亡流行率上升，大多数是20多岁或更年轻的男性。我们的研究结果表明，没有经验的吸毒者在使用这种强效阿片类药物时需要更好地了解意外过量服用的极端风险。
{"title":"Nitazene-related deaths in Norway 2021–2024","authors":"Merete Vevelstad , Hege-Merete Krabseth , An-Magritt Haneborg , Per Ole M. Gundersen , Joachim Frost , Åse Marit Leere Øiestad","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112794","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112794","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Nitazenes are potent synthetic opioids that were never marketed as analgesics, due to the high overdose risk with rapid respiratory arrest and death. This study aims to present the nitazene concentrations and toxicological findings in all nitazene-related deaths registered in Norway during 2021–2024. De-identified data from the LIMS database (Oslo University Hospital) and the Beaker database (St. Olavs Hospital) were extracted for all forensic autopsy cases in Norway with nitazenes detected in blood from January 2021 to October 2024, including nitazene and drug concentrations in peripheral blood and urine, age, gender, location of autopsy, date of death, and sampling date. Analysis of nitazenes was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods. Altogether, 36 nitazene-related deaths were registered in Norway; one death in 2021 (etonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino etonitazene)), one death in 2022 (protonitazene), 13 deaths in 2023 (metonitazene n = 11, metonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino metonitazene) n = 1, N-desethyl isotonitazene n = 1), and 21 deaths in 2024 (metonitazene n = 18, protonitazepyne (N-pyrrolidino protonitazene) n = 3). The nitazene-related deaths occurred in all regions of Norway, the majority were males (94.4 %), and median age was 29 years (range 19–56 years). Over 90 % of the cases also had one or more of other psychoactive drugs detected in blood, and 50 % had one or more designer benzodiazepines detected. The median (range) concentrations in post-mortem peripheral blood were 7.3 ng/ml (0.8–114.7 ng/ml) for metonitazene (n = 28) and 3.4 ng/ml (2.0–3.7 ng/ml) for protonitazepyne (n = 3). In summary, since June 2023 the prevalence of nitazene-related deaths escalated in Norway, and the majority were males in their twenties or younger. Our findings indicate that inexperienced drug users need better information about the extreme risk of accidental overdose when using such potent opioids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112794"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882511","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 : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112800
Jihyun Kim, Seojin Kang, Nahyun Lee, Siyeon Kim
Rapid and reliable detection of illicit drugs such as methamphetamine and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is critical in forensic toxicology. Immunoassay-based screening methods offer time-efficient alternatives to instrumental techniques, especially for high-throughput forensic applications. This study aims to comparatively evaluate the analytical performance of two widely used DRI and KIMS immunoassay platforms in detecting these drugs in human urine samples, with a focus on forensic applicability. A total of 866 urine samples were analyzed using both DRI and KIMS-based immunoassays. Key performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, cross-reactivity, and cut-off concordance were assessed. All results were compared to mass spectrometry-confirmed reference data. Both platforms demonstrated acceptable performance for preliminary drug screening. However, variations were observed in detection sensitivity for THC and in false-positive rates for methamphetamine. In conclusion, both systems are suitable for high-throughput forensic drug screening. And the findings provide practical guidance for forensic laboratories selecting immunoassay platforms for drugs of abuse screening.
{"title":"Comparative performance evaluation of DRI and KIMS immunoassays for forensic drug screening in urine","authors":"Jihyun Kim, Seojin Kang, Nahyun Lee, Siyeon Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112800","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112800","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapid and reliable detection of illicit drugs such as methamphetamine and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is critical in forensic toxicology. Immunoassay-based screening methods offer time-efficient alternatives to instrumental techniques, especially for high-throughput forensic applications. This study aims to comparatively evaluate the analytical performance of two widely used DRI and KIMS immunoassay platforms in detecting these drugs in human urine samples, with a focus on forensic applicability. A total of 866 urine samples were analyzed using both DRI and KIMS-based immunoassays. Key performance metrics such as sensitivity, specificity, cross-reactivity, and cut-off concordance were assessed. All results were compared to mass spectrometry-confirmed reference data. Both platforms demonstrated acceptable performance for preliminary drug screening. However, variations were observed in detection sensitivity for THC and in false-positive rates for methamphetamine. In conclusion, both systems are suitable for high-throughput forensic drug screening. And the findings provide practical guidance for forensic laboratories selecting immunoassay platforms for drugs of abuse screening.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112800"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882230","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 : 2025-12-29DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112799
Duncan Taylor , Abigail Skeffington , Ishana Somers , Roland A.H. van Oorschot , Giles Best , Mariya Goray
The evolution of forensic biological analysis from identity-focused inquiries to activity-level investigations has necessitated a more nuanced evaluation of biological material sources. In this context, imaging flow cytometry (IFC) has emerged as a promising novel technique for differentiating various epithelial cell types, offering potential advancements in the interpretation of forensic evidence. This project investigates if storage conditions of three and six months had a significant effect on the morphology of four different types of epithelial cells (penile, vaginal, buccal and epidermal) collected from 30 participants (15 males and 15 females) of three different age groups: 18–39, 40–59, and 60 + years. The data collected included 234 morphological measurements collected from over 635 thousand cells that were compared to the fresh samples collected from the same individuals. Our findings show that samples stored for three months, in conditions similar to those expected in forensic casework circumstances, generated similar cell counts (indicating minimal cell loss due to storage and aging) and classification accuracy to samples that were collected and processed immediately. However, the capacity of IFC in sample age identification remains unclear due to the confounding effects of instrument run and sample preparation differences.
{"title":"A matter of age: Investigation of the ability to classify epithelial cells of different anatomical origin in aged samples using imaging flow cytometry","authors":"Duncan Taylor , Abigail Skeffington , Ishana Somers , Roland A.H. van Oorschot , Giles Best , Mariya Goray","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112799","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112799","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The evolution of forensic biological analysis from identity-focused inquiries to activity-level investigations has necessitated a more nuanced evaluation of biological material sources. In this context, imaging flow cytometry (IFC) has emerged as a promising novel technique for differentiating various epithelial cell types, offering potential advancements in the interpretation of forensic evidence. This project investigates if storage conditions of three and six months had a significant effect on the morphology of four different types of epithelial cells (penile, vaginal, buccal and epidermal) collected from 30 participants (15 males and 15 females) of three different age groups: 18–39, 40–59, and 60 + years. The data collected included 234 morphological measurements collected from over 635 thousand cells that were compared to the fresh samples collected from the same individuals. Our findings show that samples stored for three months, in conditions similar to those expected in forensic casework circumstances, generated similar cell counts (indicating minimal cell loss due to storage and aging) and classification accuracy to samples that were collected and processed immediately. However, the capacity of IFC in sample age identification remains unclear due to the confounding effects of instrument run and sample preparation differences.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112799"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145973967","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 : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112796
Thijs van der Mark , Ricardo W.J. Balk , Ingeborg S.E. Waas , Maartje Goudswaard , Manon Ceelen , Udo J.L. Reijnders , Vina N. Slev , Paul A.J. Krijnen , Hans W.M. Niessen , H. Ibrahim Korkmaz
Establishing the timing of violent incidents is often a crucial aspect of criminal proceedings. Forensic injury dating methods can provide important information, but remain limited up to date, especially in non-fatal injury. Previous research has shown potential for pathological analyses of superficial skin biopsies, however, there is a need for more specific biomarkers. An in vitro blunt force trauma model in reconstructed superficial skin may offer a platform to identify novel markers for forensic injury dating. This we have studied in a three-dimensional reconstructed human skin (RhS) model in vitro, in which human keratinocytes were cultured on fibroblast populated collagen-based hydrogels. Blunt force trauma was induced by the impact of a dropped metal object of 18.5, 68.2, and 100 g from a height of 5 and 10 cm onto the RhS model. Morphological changes resulting from the trauma were assessed through (immune)histochemical analysis 24 h post trauma induction. Blunt force application resulted in fragmentation of the dermal matrix. Additionally, a reduction in the cross-sectional area of spinous keratinocytes and an increase in epidermal stratification were found in β-catenin stained tissue. No differences in epidermal or stratum corneum thickness were found. This study demonstrates that the RhS model show key structural changes following blunt force trauma induction. As such it offers an promising in vitro platform to identify novel epidermal blunt force trauma markers.
{"title":"Development and characterization of a blunt force trauma model in reconstructed human skin","authors":"Thijs van der Mark , Ricardo W.J. Balk , Ingeborg S.E. Waas , Maartje Goudswaard , Manon Ceelen , Udo J.L. Reijnders , Vina N. Slev , Paul A.J. Krijnen , Hans W.M. Niessen , H. Ibrahim Korkmaz","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112796","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112796","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Establishing the timing of violent incidents is often a crucial aspect of criminal proceedings. Forensic injury dating methods can provide important information, but remain limited up to date, especially in non-fatal injury. Previous research has shown potential for pathological analyses of superficial skin biopsies, however, there is a need for more specific biomarkers. An <em>in vitro</em> blunt force trauma model in reconstructed superficial skin may offer a platform to identify novel markers for forensic injury dating. This we have studied in a three-dimensional reconstructed human skin (RhS) model <em>in vitro,</em> in which human keratinocytes were cultured on fibroblast populated collagen-based hydrogels. Blunt force trauma was induced by the impact of a dropped metal object of 18.5, 68.2, and 100 g from a height of 5 and 10 cm onto the RhS model. Morphological changes resulting from the trauma were assessed through (immune)histochemical analysis 24 h post trauma induction. Blunt force application resulted in fragmentation of the dermal matrix. Additionally, a reduction in the cross-sectional area of spinous keratinocytes and an increase in epidermal stratification were found in β-catenin stained tissue. No differences in epidermal or stratum corneum thickness were found. This study demonstrates that the RhS model show key structural changes following blunt force trauma induction. As such it offers an promising <em>in vitro</em> platform to identify novel epidermal blunt force trauma markers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112796"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839758","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 : 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112791
Daniel da Silva Carvalho , Marcos Martinho Viana de Alecrim , Diego Sousa-Moura , Andre Lima Logrado , Daniela Mara de Oliveira , Sônia Nair Báo , Sebastião William da Silva
Latent fingermarks developed at crime scenes are essential pieces of evidence in investigations. However, many of the techniques used in this process are hazardous to the health of examiners. Therefore, it is desirable to search for less toxic, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective approaches. A promising alternative in this regard is the use of cashew gum powder as a latent fingermark developer. This material was compared in detail with the white development powder routinely employed by the Brazilian Federal Police. For this purpose, natural, eccrine, and sebaceous fingermarks in depletion series, regular and split fingermarks from different donors, on different surfaces, were evaluated according to the CAST and UC scales. The evaluation process was performed by volunteers (both experts and laypersons) and the results were statistically analyzed. Furthermore, to understand the structural and physicochemical properties of cashew gum powder, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis absorption and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used. With a regular size distribution, flake shape, hydrophilicity, and presence of different functional groups responsible for adhesion to the residues present in latent fingermarks, cashew gum powder proved to be superior to the regular white powder for the conditions tested. This finding could mean the discovery of an affordable, non-toxic, and effective new material for latent fingermark development.
{"title":"A proof-of-concept study of the use of commercially available cashew gum powder as latent fingermark developer","authors":"Daniel da Silva Carvalho , Marcos Martinho Viana de Alecrim , Diego Sousa-Moura , Andre Lima Logrado , Daniela Mara de Oliveira , Sônia Nair Báo , Sebastião William da Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112791","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112791","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Latent fingermarks developed at crime scenes are essential pieces of evidence in investigations. However, many of the techniques used in this process are hazardous to the health of examiners. Therefore, it is desirable to search for less toxic, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective approaches. A promising alternative in this regard is the use of cashew gum powder as a latent fingermark developer. This material was compared in detail with the white development powder routinely employed by the Brazilian Federal Police. For this purpose, natural, eccrine, and sebaceous fingermarks in depletion series, regular and split fingermarks from different donors, on different surfaces, were evaluated according to the CAST and UC scales. The evaluation process was performed by volunteers (both experts and laypersons) and the results were statistically analyzed. Furthermore, to understand the structural and physicochemical properties of cashew gum powder, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis absorption and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used. With a regular size distribution, flake shape, hydrophilicity, and presence of different functional groups responsible for adhesion to the residues present in latent fingermarks, cashew gum powder proved to be superior to the regular white powder for the conditions tested. This finding could mean the discovery of an affordable, non-toxic, and effective new material for latent fingermark development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112791"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882171","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 : 2025-12-24DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112793
F. Králík , M. Hušáková , M. Kuchař , V. Setnička
Anabolic androgenic steroids play a key role in many important biological processes in human body. One of them is the control and enhancement of muscle growth, and, for this reason, they are closely connected with doping in professional sport. Various steroid-containing preparations have also become popular among amateur sportsmen and bodybuilders as their availability is highly facilitated by an easy access to the Internet, where they can be bought easily and anonymously. Preparations from such unofficial sources, however, can have uncertain composition, and their excessive usage may be harmful to health. It is thus important to seek reliable and fast analytical approaches for the identification and profiling of steroid-containing samples from various suspicious sources to be able to efficiently fight the illegal spread of potentially life-threatening preparations. In the presented work, a combination of two IR spectroscopy techniques and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) was used to analyse several medicines from various unofficial Internet sources and police seizures that allegedly contained anabolic steroids. It turned out that this relatively cheap, user-friendly and fast framework enabled an interesting and reliable tool for the preliminary classification of suspicious pharmaceutical samples in forms of tablets and oil solutions. While IR spectroscopy is often used in forensic practice, application of ECD presents a new interesting approach that advantageously complements the information about the analysed samples, for instance the absolute configuration of the active substances.
{"title":"Profiling medicines containing anabolic steroids by electronic circular dichroism and infrared spectroscopies","authors":"F. Králík , M. Hušáková , M. Kuchař , V. Setnička","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112793","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112793","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anabolic androgenic steroids play a key role in many important biological processes in human body. One of them is the control and enhancement of muscle growth, and, for this reason, they are closely connected with doping in professional sport. Various steroid-containing preparations have also become popular among amateur sportsmen and bodybuilders as their availability is highly facilitated by an easy access to the Internet, where they can be bought easily and anonymously. Preparations from such unofficial sources, however, can have uncertain composition, and their excessive usage may be harmful to health. It is thus important to seek reliable and fast analytical approaches for the identification and profiling of steroid-containing samples from various suspicious sources to be able to efficiently fight the illegal spread of potentially life-threatening preparations. In the presented work, a combination of two IR spectroscopy techniques and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) was used to analyse several medicines from various unofficial Internet sources and police seizures that allegedly contained anabolic steroids. It turned out that this relatively cheap, user-friendly and fast framework enabled an interesting and reliable tool for the preliminary classification of suspicious pharmaceutical samples in forms of tablets and oil solutions. While IR spectroscopy is often used in forensic practice, application of ECD presents a new interesting approach that advantageously complements the information about the analysed samples, for instance the absolute configuration of the active substances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112793"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145839759","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 : 2025-12-23DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112795
Morten Hesse , Charlotte Uggerhøj Andersen , Lotte Ask Reitzel , Tina Stokholm Eriksen , Christian Lindholst
An opioid epidemic has hit many countries across the world in recent years. High-potency opioids, sometimes mixed with heroin or other traditional opioids, have contributed substantially to this epidemic. In Europe, the amount of heroin seized has declined since 2011, and the population of treatment seekers is aging. This study aimed to elucidate the number of heroin seizures pr. year according to statistics reported by the Danish police. Furthermore, we used samples from the “Drugs at street-level in Denmark” (DSLD) project to assess trends in purity and adulterants, including high potency opioids such as fentanyls and nitazenes, or other new psychoactive substances (NPS) in heroin seized at the street level in Denmark. The total number of heroin seizures pr. year declined from 1499 in 2006–207 in 2024. The DSLD project included 676 samples, of which 415 were heroin base, 256 were heroin chloride, and five were unclassified. The median (interquartile range) seizure was 0.29 (0.15 – 0.56) grams, and the median purity was 22 (14 – 35) %. The median purity of heroin base and heroin chloride was 18 (12−25) % and 35 (24.5–46.5) %, respectively, and varied between regions. The purity of heroin chloride decreased over the years, while the purity of heroin base increased slightly. The most common adulterants were caffeine (87.8 %), and acetaminophen (71.4 %), often co-occurring (70.6 %). No fentanyls, nitazenes, or other NPS, were detected. These findings suggest that heroin is gradually becoming less prominent within the Danish illicit drug market.
{"title":"Purity and adulterants in street heroin in Denmark from 2006 to 2024","authors":"Morten Hesse , Charlotte Uggerhøj Andersen , Lotte Ask Reitzel , Tina Stokholm Eriksen , Christian Lindholst","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112795","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112795","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An opioid epidemic has hit many countries across the world in recent years. High-potency opioids, sometimes mixed with heroin or other traditional opioids, have contributed substantially to this epidemic. In Europe, the amount of heroin seized has declined since 2011, and the population of treatment seekers is aging. This study aimed to elucidate the number of heroin seizures pr. year according to statistics reported by the Danish police. Furthermore, we used samples from the “Drugs at street-level in Denmark” (DSLD) project to assess trends in purity and adulterants, including high potency opioids such as fentanyls and nitazenes, or other new psychoactive substances (NPS) in heroin seized at the street level in Denmark. The total number of heroin seizures pr. year declined from 1499 in 2006–207 in 2024. The DSLD project included 676 samples, of which 415 were heroin base, 256 were heroin chloride, and five were unclassified. The median (interquartile range) seizure was 0.29 (0.15 – 0.56) grams, and the median purity was 22 (14 – 35) %. The median purity of heroin base and heroin chloride was 18 (12−25) % and 35 (24.5–46.5) %, respectively, and varied between regions. The purity of heroin chloride decreased over the years, while the purity of heroin base increased slightly. The most common adulterants were caffeine (87.8 %), and acetaminophen (71.4 %), often co-occurring (70.6 %). No fentanyls, nitazenes, or other NPS, were detected. These findings suggest that heroin is gradually becoming less prominent within the Danish illicit drug market.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112795"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145882231","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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