Pub Date : 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112771
Hans H. de Boer , Sarah Parsons , Barbara Sampson , Katarzyna Michaud
{"title":"The Seaport criteria for lymphocytic myocarditis: Implications for sudden death in infancy (SUDI)","authors":"Hans H. de Boer , Sarah Parsons , Barbara Sampson , Katarzyna Michaud","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112771","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112771","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112771"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786740","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}
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), characterised by its high copy number, structural stability, and maternal inheritance, is a critical genetic marker in forensic genetics, species identification, and conservation studies. Accurate mtDNA genome assembly is essential for these applications. However, DNA from typical wildlife and historical sources - such as museum specimens, keratinised tissues, environmental samples, and ancient remains - is often highly fragmented and damaged, limiting assembly efficiency and accuracy. Here, we developed a preprocessing workflow (MTAK) specifically designed to improve mtDNA assembly from degraded DNA. MTAK integrates two core steps: (1) extraction of homologous reads via reference-sequence alignment and (2) targeted processing of severely damaged 5’ and 3’ terminal bases. The workflow was evaluated on 24 degraded samples of varying quality. MTAK substantially enhanced assembly completeness and accuracy, particularly in samples with extensive DNA damage, while reducing computational time by over tenfold and minimising resource consumption. An interaction model was implemented to guide optimal sequencing depth for efficient assembly. This approach is compatible with most existing assembly tools and significantly improves mtDNA recovery from challenging historical and wildlife samples.
{"title":"An efficient preprocessing workflow tailored for mitochondrial genome assembly from fragmented DNA","authors":"Yongheng Zhou , Peng Gao , Shuhui Yang , Yanchun Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112770","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112770","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), characterised by its high copy number, structural stability, and maternal inheritance, is a critical genetic marker in forensic genetics, species identification, and conservation studies. Accurate mtDNA genome assembly is essential for these applications. However, DNA from typical wildlife and historical sources - such as museum specimens, keratinised tissues, environmental samples, and ancient remains - is often highly fragmented and damaged, limiting assembly efficiency and accuracy. Here, we developed a preprocessing workflow (MTAK) specifically designed to improve mtDNA assembly from degraded DNA. MTAK integrates two core steps: (1) extraction of homologous reads via reference-sequence alignment and (2) targeted processing of severely damaged 5’ and 3’ terminal bases. The workflow was evaluated on 24 degraded samples of varying quality. MTAK substantially enhanced assembly completeness and accuracy, particularly in samples with extensive DNA damage, while reducing computational time by over tenfold and minimising resource consumption. An interaction model was implemented to guide optimal sequencing depth for efficient assembly. This approach is compatible with most existing assembly tools and significantly improves mtDNA recovery from challenging historical and wildlife samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112770"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145767650","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 : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112766
Han Yu Sit
We demonstrate, in a controlled single-vehicle experiment, how regression models rooted in kinematics and fitted to its high-resolution distance-time data from observations on its dashcam footage and 3D scans of the road can answer questions with a statistical basis in traffic crash reconstruction. We show how they explain key aspects of the vehicle’s motion and account for uncertainties in the data to give confidence intervals for physically interpretable parameters, such as the vehicle speed, acceleration and time of braking. Over the vehicle’s trajectory in the experiment, which includes cruising followed by hard braking, we find statistical agreement (99.7 % confidence level) between the model of the vehicle’s displacement and the ground truth established using a mounted speed sensor, and practical agreement (root-mean-square error of 0.9 km h−1) for the velocity. While the model is not exact, it is still a reasonable explanation of the vehicle’s motion. On this basis, we apply statistical inference on the model to answer questions in reconstruction at a confidence level through hypothesis testing, such as the vehicle speed, if and if so, when the vehicle accelerated and whether a collision could have been avoided, which could assist the court in making decisions.
在一项受控的单车实验中，我们展示了基于运动学的回归模型，并将其与来自行车记录仪镜头观察和道路3D扫描的高分辨率距离时间数据相匹配，如何在交通事故重建中以统计为基础回答问题。我们展示了它们如何解释车辆运动的关键方面，并解释数据中的不确定性，以给出物理可解释参数的置信区间，例如车辆速度、加速度和制动时间。在试验车辆的轨迹上，包括巡航之后的硬制动，我们发现车辆位移模型与使用安装的速度传感器建立的地面真实值之间的统计一致（99.7 %置信水平），并且实际一致（均方根误差为0.9 km h-1）。虽然这个模型并不精确，但它仍然是对车辆运动的合理解释。在此基础上，我们对模型进行统计推理，通过假设检验，在置信度水平上回答重构中的问题，如车速、if和if so、车辆何时加速、碰撞是否可以避免等问题，帮助法院做出判决。
{"title":"Regression modelling in traffic crash reconstruction","authors":"Han Yu Sit","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112766","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112766","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We demonstrate, in a controlled single-vehicle experiment, how regression models rooted in kinematics and fitted to its high-resolution distance-time data from observations on its dashcam footage and 3D scans of the road can answer questions with a statistical basis in traffic crash reconstruction. We show how they explain key aspects of the vehicle’s motion and account for uncertainties in the data to give confidence intervals for physically interpretable parameters, such as the vehicle speed, acceleration and time of braking. Over the vehicle’s trajectory in the experiment, which includes cruising followed by hard braking, we find statistical agreement (99.7 % confidence level) between the model of the vehicle’s displacement and the ground truth established using a mounted speed sensor, and practical agreement (root-mean-square error of 0.9 km h<sup>−1</sup>) for the velocity. While the model is not exact, it is still a reasonable explanation of the vehicle’s motion. On this basis, we apply statistical inference on the model to answer questions in reconstruction at a confidence level through hypothesis testing, such as the vehicle speed, if and if so, when the vehicle accelerated and whether a collision could have been avoided, which could assist the court in making decisions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112766"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145767703","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 : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112768
Tianle Yang , Chengzhe Sun , Siwei Lyu , Phil Rose
This study explores the potential of using acoustic features of segmental speech sounds to detect deepfake audio. These features are highly interpretable because of their close relationship with human articulatory processes and are expected to be more difficult for deepfake models to replicate. The results demonstrate that certain segmental features commonly used in forensic voice comparison (FVC) are effective in identifying deep-fakes, whereas some global features provide little value. These findings underscore the need to approach audio deepfake detection using methods that are distinct from those employed in traditional FVC, and offer a new perspective on leveraging segmental features for this purpose. In addition, the present study proposes a speaker-specific framework for deepfake detection, which differs fundamentally from the speaker-independent systems that dominate current benchmarks. While speaker-independent frameworks aim at broad generalization, the speaker-specific approach offers advantages in forensic contexts where case-by-case interpretability and sensitivity to individual phonetic realization are essential.
{"title":"Forensic deepfake audio detection using segmental speech features","authors":"Tianle Yang , Chengzhe Sun , Siwei Lyu , Phil Rose","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112768","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112768","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study explores the potential of using acoustic features of segmental speech sounds to detect deepfake audio. These features are highly interpretable because of their close relationship with human articulatory processes and are expected to be more difficult for deepfake models to replicate. The results demonstrate that certain segmental features commonly used in forensic voice comparison (FVC) are effective in identifying deep-fakes, whereas some global features provide little value. These findings underscore the need to approach audio deepfake detection using methods that are distinct from those employed in traditional FVC, and offer a new perspective on leveraging segmental features for this purpose. In addition, the present study proposes a speaker-specific framework for deepfake detection, which differs fundamentally from the speaker-independent systems that dominate current benchmarks. While speaker-independent frameworks aim at broad generalization, the speaker-specific approach offers advantages in forensic contexts where case-by-case interpretability and sensitivity to individual phonetic realization are essential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112768"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733756","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 : 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112769
David B. Rivers, Tyler Vega
We examined the drying characteristics of insect stains produced by the blow fly Calliphora vicina following ingestion of human blood using image analysis of stains deposited or produced on non-porous ceramic tile. The duration of drying and final morphologies of insect stains were influenced by ambient conditions (predominantly temperature), fluid volume, and time. The latter was most apparent with regurgitate stains, which typically required 2–3x longer to dry under ambient conditions than comparable sized bloodstains. As human blood dried on non-porous surfaces, a perimeter ring formed followed by radial cracks, and eventually lateral cracks between the radial lanes. The entire process occurred in > 10 min at 25 °C on ceramic tile when 2 µl of blood was deposited directly onto the tile surface. In contrast, regurgitate stains deposited directly by adult flies varied as to whether radial cracks formed. When radial cracks did form, they lacked symmetry like human bloodstains. Defecatory stains never formed contact lines at the perimeter, nor were radial or lateral cracks ever observed with dried fecal fluids. In experiments in which regurgitate was forcibly exuded from individual adult flies after consumption of human blood, the drying patterns were more consistent with blood than naturally deposited regurgitate in that many stains formed thickened perimeters and radial and lateral cracks during drying on ceramic tile. The results of this investigation indicate that some insect stains can be distinguished from human bloodstains based on morphological differences of dried stains when deposited on non-porous surfaces.
{"title":"A comparison of drying patterns between insect stains created by the blue blow fly, Calliphora vicina and human bloodstains","authors":"David B. Rivers, Tyler Vega","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112769","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112769","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We examined the drying characteristics of insect stains produced by the blow fly <em>Calliphora vicina</em> following ingestion of human blood using image analysis of stains deposited or produced on non-porous ceramic tile. The duration of drying and final morphologies of insect stains were influenced by ambient conditions (predominantly temperature), fluid volume, and time. The latter was most apparent with regurgitate stains, which typically required 2–3x longer to dry under ambient conditions than comparable sized bloodstains. As human blood dried on non-porous surfaces, a perimeter ring formed followed by radial cracks, and eventually lateral cracks between the radial lanes. The entire process occurred in > 10 min at 25 °C on ceramic tile when 2 µl of blood was deposited directly onto the tile surface. In contrast, regurgitate stains deposited directly by adult flies varied as to whether radial cracks formed. When radial cracks did form, they lacked symmetry like human bloodstains. Defecatory stains never formed contact lines at the perimeter, nor were radial or lateral cracks ever observed with dried fecal fluids. In experiments in which regurgitate was forcibly exuded from individual adult flies after consumption of human blood, the drying patterns were more consistent with blood than naturally deposited regurgitate in that many stains formed thickened perimeters and radial and lateral cracks during drying on ceramic tile. The results of this investigation indicate that some insect stains can be distinguished from human bloodstains based on morphological differences of dried stains when deposited on non-porous surfaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112769"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145755681","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}
Post-blast residue analysis is critical for forensic investigations, enabling the identification of organic explosives like Trinitrotoluene (TNT), Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and 2-Nitrotoluene (2-NT) to reconstruct crime scenes and link perpetrators to illicit activities. Efficient collection of residues from diverse surfaces is essential for accurate forensic analysis, and ensuring justice. Traditional methods, such as cotton swabbing or solvent washing, recover only 50–70 % of residues and are prone to contamination, sample loss, and inefficiency on porous or irregular surfaces. A versatile, eco-friendly medium that enhances recovery across varied substrates is urgently needed. This study explores gelatin-based hydrogels (GHs) as an innovative, biocompatible medium for post-blast residue collection, leveraging their unique adsorbent/absorbent properties for improved surface contact and sampling efficiency in contaminated environments. The research evaluates GHs for recovering TNT, PETN, and 2-NT from ten surfaces spiked with explosive solutions to mimic post-blast residues (e.g., metals, plastics, wood, cloth) using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for qualitative identification. Triplicate experiments demonstrated recovery rates of 80–95 % (mean ± 5 % SD) on non-porous surfaces, and 60–70 % on porous surfaces, including non-precleaned surfaces with contaminants (e.g., dust, soil, oil), validated via ANOVA (p < 0.05). GC-MS confirmed distinct m/z peaks for each explosive (TNT: 210, 193, 180; PETN: 240, 194, 149; 2-NT: 137, 120, 91) with limits of detection of 0.1–0.5 µg/mL and signal-to-noise ratios > 3:1, indicating high sensitivity. Preliminary data suggest GHs may offer cost-effectiveness (∼USD $ 0.50/sample vs. ∼USD $ 2.00 for swabs) and potential field applicability for transport to laboratory settings, significantly improving residue recovery and analytical reliability. This approach enhances forensic capabilities in post-blast investigations and has potential applications in environmental monitoring and homeland security. Future research should validate GHs under real-world conditions and expand their use to other explosives, broadening their forensic utility.
{"title":"Gelatin-based hydrogels as a novel medium for efficient recovery of organic explosives from post-blast residues: A forensic perspective","authors":"Khalid Sajjad Feras , Khaled Masoud , Syed Mujeebuddin , Elkhatim H.A. Elamin , Hongbo Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112767","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112767","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Post-blast residue analysis is critical for forensic investigations, enabling the identification of organic explosives like Trinitrotoluene (TNT), Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and 2-Nitrotoluene (2-NT) to reconstruct crime scenes and link perpetrators to illicit activities. Efficient collection of residues from diverse surfaces is essential for accurate forensic analysis, and ensuring justice. Traditional methods, such as cotton swabbing or solvent washing, recover only 50–70 % of residues and are prone to contamination, sample loss, and inefficiency on porous or irregular surfaces. A versatile, eco-friendly medium that enhances recovery across varied substrates is urgently needed. This study explores gelatin-based hydrogels (GHs) as an innovative, biocompatible medium for post-blast residue collection, leveraging their unique adsorbent/absorbent properties for improved surface contact and sampling efficiency in contaminated environments. The research evaluates GHs for recovering TNT, PETN, and 2-NT from ten surfaces spiked with explosive solutions to mimic post-blast residues (e.g., metals, plastics, wood, cloth) using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for qualitative identification. Triplicate experiments demonstrated recovery rates of 80–95 % (mean ± 5 % SD) on non-porous surfaces, and 60–70 % on porous surfaces, including non-precleaned surfaces with contaminants (e.g., dust, soil, oil), validated via ANOVA (p < 0.05). GC-MS confirmed distinct <em>m/z</em> peaks for each explosive (TNT: 210, 193, 180; PETN: 240, 194, 149; 2-NT: 137, 120, 91) with limits of detection of 0.1–0.5 µg/mL and signal-to-noise ratios > 3:1, indicating high sensitivity. Preliminary data suggest GHs may offer cost-effectiveness (∼USD $ 0.50/sample vs. ∼USD $ 2.00 for swabs) and potential field applicability for transport to laboratory settings, significantly improving residue recovery and analytical reliability. This approach enhances forensic capabilities in post-blast investigations and has potential applications in environmental monitoring and homeland security. Future research should validate GHs under real-world conditions and expand their use to other explosives, broadening their forensic utility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112767"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145786596","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 : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112763
J.-J. Bendjilali-Sabiani , C. Eiden , M. Lossois , L. Martrille , H. Peyriere , O. Mathieu
Background
Isotonitazene (IZN) is a potent synthetic opioid associated with a growing number of fatal intoxications worldwide. Despite its increasing presence in forensic cases, postmortem data regarding the distribution of IZN and its metabolites in human tissues remain limited.
Case presentation
We report the first documented case of fatal IZN intoxication in France, involving a 39-year-old man with a history of heroin use. Comprehensive postmortem toxicological analysis was conducted using a LC-MS/MS quantification method. Quantification of IZN and its three active metabolites: N-desethyl-isotonitazene, 4’hydroxy-nitazene, and 5-amino-isotonitazene was performed in multiple matrices, including blood, urine, bile, and solid organs.
Results
IZN was detected in femoral and cardiac blood, with concentrations of 1.20 ng/mL and 1.74 ng/mL, respectively. High concentrations were observed in the heart (20 ng/g), lungs (32.6 ng/g), and brain (7.9 ng/g), consistent with marked postmortem redistribution. Active metabolites showed variable distribution: N-desethyl isotonitazene was detected in lung tissue and brain, 5-amino isotonitazene in both brain and lungs, while 4’-hydroxy-nitazene appeared to be predominantly eliminated via the biliary route. A high concentration of IZN at the injection site (343.2 ng/mL) indicated intravenous administration. Ethanol and cetirizine were also present at non-lethal concentrations.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported fatal IZN intoxication with comprehensive postmortem analysis, including quantification of active metabolites in solid organs. The case is marked by low peripheral blood levels, extensive redistribution, and selective tissue accumulation. Active metabolites: N-desethyl IZN, 4′-hydroxy-nitazene, and 5-amino IZN showed distinct distribution and elimination profiles. These findings highlight the high potency, rapid metabolism, and complex toxicokinetic of IZN.
{"title":"Postmortem distribution of isotonitazene and its three metabolites in the first lethal case observed in France","authors":"J.-J. Bendjilali-Sabiani , C. Eiden , M. Lossois , L. Martrille , H. Peyriere , O. Mathieu","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112763","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Isotonitazene (IZN) is a potent synthetic opioid associated with a growing number of fatal intoxications worldwide. Despite its increasing presence in forensic cases, <em>postmortem</em> data regarding the distribution of IZN and its metabolites in human tissues remain limited.</div></div><div><h3>Case presentation</h3><div>We report the first documented case of fatal IZN intoxication in France, involving a 39-year-old man with a history of heroin use. Comprehensive <em>postmortem</em> toxicological analysis was conducted using a LC-MS/MS quantification method. Quantification of IZN and its three active metabolites: N-desethyl-isotonitazene, 4’hydroxy-nitazene, and 5-amino-isotonitazene was performed in multiple matrices, including blood, urine, bile, and solid organs.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>IZN was detected in femoral and cardiac blood, with concentrations of 1.20 ng/mL and 1.74 ng/mL, respectively. High concentrations were observed in the heart (20 ng/g), lungs (32.6 ng/g), and brain (7.9 ng/g), consistent with marked postmortem redistribution. Active metabolites showed variable distribution: N-desethyl isotonitazene was detected in lung tissue and brain, 5-amino isotonitazene in both brain and lungs, while 4’-hydroxy-nitazene appeared to be predominantly eliminated via the biliary route. A high concentration of IZN at the injection site (343.2 ng/mL) indicated intravenous administration. Ethanol and cetirizine were also present at non-lethal concentrations.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported fatal IZN intoxication with comprehensive postmortem analysis, including quantification of active metabolites in solid organs. The case is marked by low peripheral blood levels, extensive redistribution, and selective tissue accumulation. Active metabolites: N-desethyl IZN, 4′-hydroxy-nitazene, and 5-amino IZN showed distinct distribution and elimination profiles. These findings highlight the high potency, rapid metabolism, and complex toxicokinetic of IZN.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112763"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145721829","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 : 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112765
F. Gerard , C. Catteau , N. Vanderesse , T. Colard
This study evaluates the potential of X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to characterize the radiological signatures of dental biomaterials and to support forensic human identification. Dental restorations are frequently used in forensic odontology due to their resistance to post-mortem degradation; however, the detection and discrimination of tooth-colored materials could remain challenging.
A total of 26 extracted permanent teeth were restored with eight commonly used biomaterials, including resin composites, resin-modified glass ionomer, ceramics, polymethyl methacrylate, and temporary cements. All samples were scanned using high-resolution micro-CT, and grayscale profiles were extracted from enamel, dentin, and each restorative material. Gray values were normalized using hydroxyapatite phantoms to enable inter-scan comparison.
Each biomaterial demonstrated a distinct and reproducible radiological signature, with grayscale levels varying significantly according to composition. Zirconia-based ceramics presented the highest radiopacity, whereas lithium disilicate ceramics showed values closer to natural enamel. Linear regression models confirmed a strong correlation (R² = 0.997–1.000) between grayscale level and physical density for reference phantoms; however, notable deviations were observed in biomaterials, underscoring the influence of atomic number and X-ray attenuation beyond density alone.
These findings demonstrate that micro-CT enables non-destructive and quantitative differentiation of restorative materials based on their radiological profiles, offering a promising complementary tool for forensic odontology, particularly when ante-mortem dental records are incomplete or conventional imaging is insufficient. Future work should assess the stability of these radiological fingerprints under varied post-mortem conditions and explore their integration into automated identification systems and forensic reference databases.
{"title":"MicroCT X-ray profile of dental biomaterials as a tool for identification in forensic odontology","authors":"F. Gerard , C. Catteau , N. Vanderesse , T. Colard","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112765","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the potential of X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to characterize the radiological signatures of dental biomaterials and to support forensic human identification. Dental restorations are frequently used in forensic odontology due to their resistance to post-mortem degradation; however, the detection and discrimination of tooth-colored materials could remain challenging.</div><div>A total of 26 extracted permanent teeth were restored with eight commonly used biomaterials, including resin composites, resin-modified glass ionomer, ceramics, polymethyl methacrylate, and temporary cements. All samples were scanned using high-resolution micro-CT, and grayscale profiles were extracted from enamel, dentin, and each restorative material. Gray values were normalized using hydroxyapatite phantoms to enable inter-scan comparison.</div><div>Each biomaterial demonstrated a distinct and reproducible radiological signature, with grayscale levels varying significantly according to composition. Zirconia-based ceramics presented the highest radiopacity, whereas lithium disilicate ceramics showed values closer to natural enamel. Linear regression models confirmed a strong correlation (R² = 0.997–1.000) between grayscale level and physical density for reference phantoms; however, notable deviations were observed in biomaterials, underscoring the influence of atomic number and X-ray attenuation beyond density alone.</div><div>These findings demonstrate that micro-CT enables non-destructive and quantitative differentiation of restorative materials based on their radiological profiles, offering a promising complementary tool for forensic odontology, particularly when ante-mortem dental records are incomplete or conventional imaging is insufficient. Future work should assess the stability of these radiological fingerprints under varied post-mortem conditions and explore their integration into automated identification systems and forensic reference databases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112765"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145721873","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}
Rising global alcohol consumption is a major public health and safety concern. Over the last decade, undeclared alcohol consumption has increasingly come into focus due to high inflation that has led many individuals to resort to unhealthy methods to access alcohol. In this context, the development of methods for alcohol detection in biological samples is of great importance in terms of rapid diagnosis, effective treatment, and obtaining reliable evidence in forensic processes. In this study, an HS-GC/MS method for the evaluation of alcohol intoxication in blood samples was developed and validated. The validated method was applied to 66 patients (57 males, 9 females) who were diagnosed with alcohol intoxication due to consumption of counterfeit alcoholic beverages. Of these cases, only one type of alcohol (ethanol n = 20, methanol n = 7, 2-propanol n = 1, acetone n = 2) was detected in 30 patients, more than two types of alcohol were detected in 19 patients, and 17 patients had negative results. Out of 66 patients, two patients died, and the alcohol concentrations obtained from the patients ranged from 1.2 mg/dL to 597.0 mg/dL. This study highlights the dangers of undeclared alcohol use and the importance of a new detection method developed to accurately assess alcohol intoxication in emergencies.
{"title":"Clinical and forensic evaluation of 66 cases of alcohol intoxication: Insights into substitute alcohols detected by HS-GC/MS","authors":"Cenk Bulut , Zeynep Arslan , Melike Aydoğdu , Fatma Ferda Kartufan , Zeynep Turkmen","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112764","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112764","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rising global alcohol consumption is a major public health and safety concern. Over the last decade, undeclared alcohol consumption has increasingly come into focus due to high inflation that has led many individuals to resort to unhealthy methods to access alcohol. In this context, the development of methods for alcohol detection in biological samples is of great importance in terms of rapid diagnosis, effective treatment, and obtaining reliable evidence in forensic processes. In this study, an HS-GC/MS method for the evaluation of alcohol intoxication in blood samples was developed and validated. The validated method was applied to 66 patients (57 males, 9 females) who were diagnosed with alcohol intoxication due to consumption of counterfeit alcoholic beverages. Of these cases, only one type of alcohol (ethanol n = 20, methanol n = 7, 2-propanol n = 1, acetone n = 2) was detected in 30 patients, more than two types of alcohol were detected in 19 patients, and 17 patients had negative results. Out of 66 patients, two patients died, and the alcohol concentrations obtained from the patients ranged from 1.2 mg/dL to 597.0 mg/dL. This study highlights the dangers of undeclared alcohol use and the importance of a new detection method developed to accurately assess alcohol intoxication in emergencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112764"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733333","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 : 2025-12-02DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112762
Johan Linde , Wilma A. Augustyn , Vuyelwa J. Tembu
The relentless escalation of rhinoceros horn trafficking represents a profound and immediate threat to the survival of rhinoceros populations across Africa and Asia. This illicit trade, driven by persistent demand in certain consumer markets, undermines global conservation efforts and poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies worldwide. This review comprehensively explores the pivotal role of forensic profiling as an indispensable tool in combating rhino horn trafficking. Forensic profiling, by applying advanced scientific methodologies to analyse the unique chemical, physical, and molecular signatures inherent to rhino horn offers critical capabilities in the detection of concealed contraband. Profiling can be used for the authentication of genuine horn against widespread counterfeits, and the increasingly sophisticated geographical sourcing of seized materials. This multi-faceted scientific approach could not only provide robust, admissible evidence for prosecution, but also generate vital intelligence to inform strategic interventions, disrupt illicit supply chains, and ultimately contribute to the long-term conservation of these endangered mega-herbivores.
{"title":"A review on forensic profiling of rhinoceros horn","authors":"Johan Linde , Wilma A. Augustyn , Vuyelwa J. Tembu","doi":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112762","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112762","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The relentless escalation of rhinoceros horn trafficking represents a profound and immediate threat to the survival of rhinoceros populations across Africa and Asia. This illicit trade, driven by persistent demand in certain consumer markets, undermines global conservation efforts and poses significant challenges for law enforcement agencies worldwide. This review comprehensively explores the pivotal role of forensic profiling as an indispensable tool in combating rhino horn trafficking. Forensic profiling, by applying advanced scientific methodologies to analyse the unique chemical, physical, and molecular signatures inherent to rhino horn offers critical capabilities in the detection of concealed contraband. Profiling can be used for the authentication of genuine horn against widespread counterfeits, and the increasingly sophisticated geographical sourcing of seized materials. This multi-faceted scientific approach could not only provide robust, admissible evidence for prosecution, but also generate vital intelligence to inform strategic interventions, disrupt illicit supply chains, and ultimately contribute to the long-term conservation of these endangered mega-herbivores.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12341,"journal":{"name":"Forensic science international","volume":"379 ","pages":"Article 112762"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682024","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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