Forensic science international最新文献

{"title":"Age assessment using the second molar maturation index (I2M): A systematic review","authors":"Clarice de Araújo Oliveira ,&nbsp;Beatriz Alves Furtado ,&nbsp;Paulo Henrique Viana Pinto ,&nbsp;Ricardo Henrique Alves da Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112792","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112792","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Age estimation plays a crucial role in forensic sciences, being necessary for deceased and living individuals. In adolescents, it is often used to estimate whether an individual is above or below legal age thresholds, which vary across countries. In 2018, Cameriere <em>et al</em>. introduced the Second Molar Maturation Index (I_2M), a method based on measuring apical openings and tooth height of the second molar to estimate whether an individual is older or younger than 14 or 16 years. Since then, some studies have sought to validate this method, with varying outcomes. This systematic review aimed to assess the applicability of the I_2M method for estimating age thresholds of 12, 14, 15, and 16 years in forensic contexts. A systematic search was conducted in six databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, and SciELO), using keywords in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed. Seven eligible studies were identified, all using orthopantomographs of individuals aged 7–22 years. Validations were performed in seven countries: Brazil, Chile, China, Croatia, India, Portugal, and Turkey. All included studies showed a low risk of bias. The findings indicate that the I_2M method is applicable for estimating age thresholds of 12, 14, 15, and 16 years in forensic practice, with satisfactory results across diverse populations. However, further primary research is necessary to strengthen the evidence base and improve the method’s reliability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112792"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145814286","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}

{"title":"Prevalence of psychoactive drugs in injured drivers over 10 years in Victoria, Australia","authors":"Matthew Di Rago ,&nbsp;Dimitri Gerostamoulos ,&nbsp;Carla Morris ,&nbsp;Gemma Wynd ,&nbsp;Noel W. Woodford ,&nbsp;Olaf H. Drummer AO","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112790","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112790","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One thousand of the mandatory blood specimens taken from injured drivers attending a hospital over a decade were analyzed for a full range of legal and illegal drugs in an accredited forensic toxicology laboratory with confirmation by a validated LC-MS/MS procedure. Ethanol ( ≥0.05 g/100 mL), methamphetamine (≥0.01 mg/L), THC (≥1 ng/mL) were present in 13.6 %, 12.7 % and 11.5 %, respectively with only minor variations over the decade. In contrast, the prevalence of ketamine, cocaine, fentanyl and new psychoactive substances (NPS) increased substantially over this period reaching 7.0 %, 1.8 %, 2.0 % and 3.0 % in the last 5 years of the study. A substantial proportion of drivers were also positive for opioids, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines, although some of these may have been given post-crash as part of their medical treatment. Overall, about 38 % of drivers had a potentially impairing drug detected in their blood on presentation to hospital and at least one common illicit drug with or without ethanol were present in almost 23 % of drivers. The presence of more than one common illicit drug (THC, methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, heroin), with or without ethanol, increased from 4.3 % in the first 5 years to 5.8 % in the last five years, which may reflect a higher crash risk for those drivers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"380 ","pages":"Article 112790"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145814287","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}

{"title":"Chemical profile of synthetic drugs seized in Paraná State (Brazil): Possible decline of new psychoactive substances","authors":"Isabella Ferreira Melo ,&nbsp;Leociley Rocha Alencar Menezes ,&nbsp;Philippe Rodrigues Benedetti ,&nbsp;Luís Henrique Ferreira de Moraes ,&nbsp;Guilherme Lanzi Sassaki","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112785","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112785","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the diversification and global commercialization of new psychoactive substances (NPS). This study assessed changes in the chemical profile of blotter papers and ecstasy tablets seized in the state of Paraná, Brazil, between 2014 and 2024. A total of 4911 samples (1656 blotter papers and 3255 tablets) were analyzed using GC-MS NMR, and FTIR techniques. These samples originated from synthetic drug seizures conducted across the state. A total of 64 chemical substances were identified, of which 50 were classified as NPS. The number of forensic requests for the analysis of blotters and tablets varied over the years, with peaks in 2016 and 2023. The most frequently identified compounds were central nervous system stimulants, especially phenethylamines. In ecstasy tablets, the most frequently identified substance was 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), whereas among blotters, the NBOH series predominated. Additionally, a progressive increase in lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) identifications was observed in blotters, while NPS identifications decreased over time. Most synthetic drug seizures occurred in Curitiba, the state capital, while a lower incidence was observed in border regions. The data indicate that the chemical profile of synthetic drugs identified in Paraná is diverse and resilient. Moreover, the observed decrease in the number of NPS in the state coincides with the implementation of national and international legislative measures aimed at stricter control of psychoactive substances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112785"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145818346","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}

{"title":"Use of luminol and ultraviolet fluorescence methods for estimation of time of death from bone tissue","authors":"Ilayda Sam ,&nbsp;Ozge Unluturk ,&nbsp;Nadir Arican","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112788","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112788","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate estimation of the time since death presents a persistent challenge in forensic investigations, particularly in advanced decomposition or skeletonization. Traditional visual and morphological assessments are often limited by environmental variability and taphonomic factors. This study aimed to assess the applicability of ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence and luminol-based chemiluminescence analyses for estimating the time since death from skeletal remains and evaluate their potential integration into routine forensic practice. A total of 58 adult skeletal cases with known time of death and identity were analyzed. Ultraviolet fluorescence imaging was performed using a 365 nm light source and analyzed in Adobe Photoshop to quantify blue fluorescence, employing both custom and literature-based RGB color codes. Bone powder was subsequently obtained using a Dremel 3000 device, and luminol chemiluminescence was quantified with a Fluoroskan FL Microplate Luminometer, following standard luminol preparation protocols. While both UV fluorescence and luminol chemiluminescence produced measurable signals, neither method independently demonstrated a reliable or consistent correlation with the time since death. Environmental factors and taphonomic variables, including deposition context and scavenger activity, significantly influenced the outcomes. UV fluorescence and luminol analyses demonstrate potential supplementary value in forensic skeletal assessment but are insufficient as standalone methods for the estimation of the time since death. Future studies should expand sample sizes, particularly for PMIs exceeding 30 years, and incorporate detailed taphonomic context to enhance accuracy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112788"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786599","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}

{"title":"Postmortem correlation of ethanol and minor metabolites ethylglucuronide and ethylsulfate in blood, vitreous humor and bile","authors":"Ersin Göl ,&nbsp;Ali Erkan Aşcı ,&nbsp;Arwa M. Amin ,&nbsp;Yusuf ATAN ,&nbsp;Mehmet TOKDEMİR","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112783","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112783","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate determination of ethanol use in postmortem cases is crucial in forensic investigations. While vitreous humor (VH) is considered a stable matrix that lacks endogenous alcohol production and serves as a reliable confirmatory sample, challenges arise when VH is unavailable or only blood samples are present. In such cases, interpreting the presence of ethanol becomes difficult due to the potential forpostmortem ethanol production. Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and ethyl sulfate (EtS), minor non-oxidative metabolites of ethanol, have been proposed as alternative biomarkers. However, the significance of their levels, especially when only one metabolite is detected, remains uncertain. This study analyzed ethanol, EtG, and EtS levels in blood, VH, and bile samples from 40 postmortem cases with blood ethanol levels ranging from 0.11 to 4.35 g/L. Ethanol concentrations were measured using HS-GC-FID, while EtG and EtS were quantified via LC–ESI-MS/MS. The highest ethanol level was found in blood (4.35 g/L), while bile contained the highest concentrations of EtG (4.98 mg/L) and EtS (0.76 mg/L). Very strong to moderate correlations were observed for ethanol and its minor metabolites across all matrices, as well as between blood and bile EtG, indicating that bile EtG is a reliable surrogate biomarker for antemortem ethanol assessment. There were no weak or non-significant correlations present. These findings suggest that ethanol and its minor metabolites in VH, blood, and bile can be reliably used in postmortem assessments. Moreover, combined analysis of EtG and EtS may enhance the interpretation of antemortem alcohol consumption in forensic cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112783"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786656","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}

{"title":"Design of experiments (DOE) analysis of the effects of environmental conditions on bloodstain degradation using spectroscopic methods","authors":"Laurianne Huard ,&nbsp;Frank Crispino ,&nbsp;Cyril Muehlethaler","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112774","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112774","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Blood is one of the most common types of trace found at crime scenes. However, from a forensic point of view, the potential of blood traces is still not fully exploited, as there is as yet no reliable technique for dating blood traces found at scenes. The same difficulties are cited in the literature for published research on blood traces: the mechanisms of blood degradation are known and validated, but traces found at scenes are not controlled samples. Traces therefore need to be evaluated in the light of this uncertainty and the factors that can influence the blood trace dating model. In the course of this project, we assessed the significance of the environmental effects of temperature (10–40°C), humidity (25–75 %) and radiation (none and maximum) using three different spectroscopic techniques: Raman spectroscopy, MicroNIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging. The use of a climatic chamber with the addition of LED lamps (daylight and UV) enabled parameters to be controlled during a 3-day aging period for each sample. By means of a 2-level experimental screening design of the three factors, we were able to observe complementarity between the methods used. Raman spectroscopy highlighted the influence of temperature, MicroNIR spectroscopy provided information on the influence of temperature and relative humidity, and hyperspectral imaging demonstrated the influence of temperature and the presence of radiation. These results provide a better understanding of the factors that cause the blood degradation model to deviate, enabling us to develop a more comprehensive model of these factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112774"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145780716","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}

{"title":"From degraded to deciphered: Applying ATAC-seq to forensic molecular diagnosis under degradation conditions","authors":"Yang Xu ,&nbsp;Ying Chen ,&nbsp;Zhuo Li ,&nbsp;Yang Chen ,&nbsp;Xilong Lin ,&nbsp;Manrui Li ,&nbsp;Yang Shen ,&nbsp;Meili Lv ,&nbsp;Lin Zhang ,&nbsp;Qiuyun Yang ,&nbsp;Weibo Liang ,&nbsp;Xiameng Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112789","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112789","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Current molecular diagnostic techniques in forensic science are significantly hindered by DNA degradation, underscoring the urgent need for robust molecular tools with resistance to degradation. In our previous study using a murine traumatic brain injury (TBI) model, we were the first to propose the feasibility of using ATAC-seq (Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing) to identify trauma-related chromatin changes under early postmortem degradation conditions (2 h). However, its applicability to human forensic samples remains insufficiently evaluated. This study aims to systematically assess the utility of ATAC-seq in identifying chromatin accessibility changes induced by TBI in human samples, with a particular focus on its stability and reliability under late-stage postmortem degradation. Cortical brain tissues from three human TBI cases and three matched controls were collected and subjected to sampling at 0 and 24 h postmortem. Standard ATAC-seq protocols were used for library construction and sequencing. Downstream analyses included quality control, differential accessibility analysis, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment, and transcription factor motif analysis. All 12 samples exhibited high-quality sequencing metrics. Numerous differentially accessible chromatin regions (peaks) were identified between TBI and control groups, demonstrating the sensitivity of ATAC-seq in detecting trauma-associated chromatin alterations. Notably, no significant differences were observed between samples degraded for 0 and 24 h, indicating the method’s robustness to degradation. Enrichment analyses revealed that differential peaks were significantly associated with biological processes and pathways relevant to TBI pathology, including axon development, synaptic signaling, and neurotrophin signaling pathways. The SOX transcription factor family emerged as a dominant motif, consistent with known mechanisms of TBI pathophysiology. This study provides compelling evidence that trauma-induced chromatin accessibility changes remain detectable and relatively stable in degraded forensic brain tissues, including those subject to late postmortem intervals. These results, obtained in a small proof-of-concept cohort, support the feasibility of applying ATAC-seq to human postmortem brain samples and motivate validation in larger, systematically collected forensic case series.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112789"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786598","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}

{"title":"Case-based analysis to assess the validity of the Hat Brim Line Rule in cranial trauma","authors":"Federica POLI ,&nbsp;Kiti DOCI ,&nbsp;Marcello SELIGARDI ,&nbsp;Sara DAGOLI ,&nbsp;Alberto AMADASI ,&nbsp;Lars OESTERHELWEG ,&nbsp;Valentina BUGELLI","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112787","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112787","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to evaluate the forensic reliability of the Hat Brim Line Rule (HBL Rule) in differentiating between accidental falls and intentionally inflicted blunt head trauma. Given the frequent diagnostic ambiguity in cranial injuries, particularly in forensic autopsies, the HBL Rule offers a potentially useful anatomical reference point for assessing the origin of skull fractures. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 78 anonymized autopsy reports from the digital archive of the Institute of Legal Medicine in Berlin, spanning from 2008 to 2024. Each case was classified based on the trauma dynamics (fall from &lt;2 m, fall from stairs, fall from &gt;2 m, or inflicted trauma) and analyzed for fracture location relative to three anatomical landmarks: Above G Line, Hat Brim Line (HBL), and Below External Auditory Meatus (EAM). Statistical associations were calculated using descriptive analysis and chi-square tests to compute the p-value. Fractures located below the EAM were significantly more frequent in inflicted trauma cases, in contrast with the HBL rule. Falls from heights tended to involve fractures above the G Line, while staircase falls often produced complex, multi-regional injuries. The HBL area was involved in most cases across all trauma dynamics but was not exclusively associated with a specific etiology. The hat brim line rule may serve as a useful auxiliary tool in the differential diagnosis of cranial trauma, but it cannot be used independently to distinguish between accidental and inflicted injuries. Its use should be integrated within a multidisciplinary framework, combining anatomical findings, contextual data, and advanced statistical or computational methods to improve diagnostic accuracy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112787"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145780704","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}

{"title":"Seized party drugs: New substances, combination mixtures, and polydrug use","authors":"N. Meert ,&nbsp;J. Eliaerts ,&nbsp;K. Segers ,&nbsp;SMR. Wille","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112780","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112780","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Party drugs are frequently used in social settings such as festivals. The changing dynamics of the party scene and drug market require up-to-date information on current drug use to support law enforcement, public health and policymakers. This study provides an overview of psychoactive substances seized at 2 international dance festivals in Belgium. In total, 1151 samples were analysed on-site using ATR-FT-IR and Raman. Selected samples were confirmed with GC-MS and quantified using GC-FID. Overall, 28 different psychoactive substances were registered in various physical forms, predominantly ecstasy-like tablets (44.3 %) and powders (34.1 %). MDMA remains the most prevalent drug, followed by cocaine and ketamine. In addition, 7 different types of synthetic cathinones (mainly MMC and CMC analogues) were detected. Notably, 33 “pink powder” samples, commonly referred as “pink cocaine”, were analysed, revealing 16 distinct combinations in their composition. A new phenomenon involves colored liquids, often containing combinations of 2 or more synthetic drugs, such as amphetamine analogues and synthetic cathinones. Based on the analysis results, it can be concluded that there is a diversification of the drug market by the detection of 28 psychoactive substances used at a party scene. Additionally, alongside the rise of polydrug formulations, users take drugs with diverse pharmacological effects, including stimulants (“uppers”), sedatives (“downers”) and psychedelics. The majority of the substances had high purity and were identified on-site using 2 complementary spectroscopic techniques with optimized settings and up-to-date libraries. The on-site detection of polydrug formulations (in powders, tablets and liquids) and low-dosed psychoactive substances (&lt; 10 % w/w) is challenging, resulting in the necessity of lab confirmation for unambiguous identification.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112780"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145780670","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}

{"title":"Letter to Editor regarding article “An examination of skeletal fracture patterns in car occupants following fatal motor vehicle incidents”","authors":"Hiroyuki Tokue,&nbsp;Yoshito Tsushima","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112777","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112777","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112777"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145773999","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}