Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology最新文献

Body packer syndrome involves the deliberate internal concealment of illicit drug packets for trafficking. Packet rupture or acute drug toxicity can lead to life-threatening complications. Given the variability across reported cases, a systematic review of case-based evidence is essential. Following PRISMA guidelines, this review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251028368). A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar identified case reports and series involving radiologically or surgically confirmed body packers. Extracted data included demographics, drug type, imaging modality, toxicology results, complications, treatment strategy, hospital stay, and outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using Murad's tool. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for analysis. Seventy-six cases were included. Cocaine and heroin were the most trafficked substances. Computed tomography (CT) was the most reliable imaging modality, outperforming plain radiography and ultrasonography in packet detection. Conservative management was successful in asymptomatic individuals, while surgical intervention was needed in cases of rupture or obstruction. Mortality was associated with packet rupture, poor packaging, and delayed diagnosis. Surgical cases had significantly longer hospital stays than conservative ones (p = 0.0025), as did ICU-admitted patients (p = 0.0044). Heroin cases showed longer stays compared to cocaine (p = 0.0102). CT is the most sensitive diagnostic tool in body packer syndrome. Conservative treatment is appropriate in stable patients. Early diagnosis, multidisciplinary coordination, and vigilance for novel concealment trends are critical to reduce morbidity and mortality.

The primary aim of this study was to verify the persistence of seminal traces under varying chain-of-custody conditions, along with determining how different contamination factors, time intervals between collection, and storage methods influence the detectability of semen in the context of sexual assault cases. This study combined laboratory and field analyses to simulate real-case scenarios. Three forensic detection tools-Sperm Tracker Lab, Sperm Tracker Spray, and RSID™ tests-were evaluated on multiple substrates (skin, hair, nylon, cotton, and car interiors) and under various contamination conditions, including the presence of blood, dust, soil, and bodily fluids. Detection techniques included contact-pressure methods (Sperm Tracker Lab), application on uneven surfaces (Sperm Tracker Spray), fluorescence-based searches with ALS (alternative light sources), and immunochromatographic testing (RSID™ kits) for sperm-specific proteins. Positive findings were confirmed via microscopic examination and DNA analysis. All the samples were labelled and stored following strict chain-of-custody protocols. Sperm Tracker Spray demonstrated consistent effectiveness, successfully detecting minimal volumes (1-2 µL) across a wide range of materials. Conversely, ALS showed reduced sensitivity, especially in the presence of diluted or minimal traces and on textured or dark fabrics. RSID™ kits provided reliable confirmation of the presence of semen, even when environmental or biological contamination was present. Accurate and thorough documentation of the chain of custody proved essential for preserving sample authenticity and reducing the risk of error. The findings underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary forensic approach combining specialized reagents, confirmatory immunochromatographic testing, and rigorous adherence to chain-of-custody procedures. This integrated strategy enhances the reliability of seminal trace detection in investigations of sexual assault. Moreover, verifying trace persistence under diverse conditions contributes significantly to the evidentiary value of forensic samples in judicial contexts.

Background: Digital pathology (DP) and whole-slide imaging (WSI) are increasingly utilized in clinical pathology; however, their role in forensic medicine remains less defined, as evidentiary standards demand robust validation, auditability, and a chain of custody.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies that applied DP and WSI to forensic, autopsy, or postmortem contexts, with eligibility requiring peer-reviewed human studies that reported methods and outcomes. Data were charted for study design, tissue, devices/software, and outcomes (diagnostic agreement, quantitative metrics, validation/quality assurance (QA)).

Results: The search retrieved 361 records; after screening and full-text assessment, 21 studies were selected for inclusion. Fifteen studies primarily advanced diagnostic knowledge using postmortem material (e.g., quantitative neuropathology and organ-specific morphometry), while five had direct forensic aims (casework validation or core forensic tests).

Conclusions: The review highlights that DP is technically ready for medico-legal workflows; however, its use remains low compared to other clinical settings. Adoption in forensics should centre on CAP-style, use-case-specific validation, traceable/auditable pipelines (including hashing, logs, and tile-linked overlays), stain/colour governance, and external robustness testing. Under these conditions, DP can deliver reproducible, transparent, and court-defensible evidence across forensic practice.

This study evaluates the image quality of postmortem photon-counting computed tomography (PMPCCT) compared to conventional postmortem energy-integrating computed tomography (PMCT) for a protocol adapted to post-mortem imaging. The focus lies on objective image quality parameters such as noise, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio, supplemented by subjective image quality evaluations. A Chest Phantom N1 and one decedent were scanned using PMCT (Siemens SOMATOM^® X-Cite; slice thicknesses of 1 mm and 0.5 mm; Br40, Br60) and PMPCCT (Siemens NAEOTOM Alpha.peak^®; slice thicknesses of 1 mm, 0.4 mm, and 0.2 mm; Br40, Br60). Image quality parameters were computed for regions of interest. In addition, two radiologists conducted subjective image quality evaluations (noise, overall image quality, sharpness, bone details, contour visibility, and artifact formation) using a modified Likert scale. The overall findings were mixed, with PMPCCT potentially demonstrating an advantage over PMCT in terms of SNR and CNR, particularly at moderate slice thicknesses of 1 mm and 0.4 mm. The results obtained from the phantom exhibit in some cases considerable differences compared to those from the decedent, so that model studies can hardly be transferred to reality without scrutiny. PMPCCT outperformed PMCT in subjective assessments of overall image quality, sharpness, and bone detail, particularly with Br40 reconstruction kernels. PMPCCT may demonstrate advantages in objective and subjective image quality, with improvements in soft tissue imaging, sharpness, and bone detail at moderate slice thicknesses. These results may suggest PMPCCTs promising potential in forensic imaging. Further studies are needed to investigate and optimize its utility in postmortem settings.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) caused by congenital coronary ostial stenosis (CCOS) remains underrecognized in forensic practice due to its rarity and the diagnostic challenges. This report presents 10 autopsy-confirmed cases of CCOS-related SCD, aiming to illustrate their characteristic manifestations, pathophysiological mechanisms, and key forensic identification criteria. A systematic literature review was conducted to contextualize our findings within existing evidence. Definitive diagnosis of CCOS requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating death scene investigation, complete autopsy (including whole-heart dissection), histopathological validation (H&E staining), and rigorous exclusion of other causes of death. Quantitative analysis showed 7 cases (70%) had right coronary artery ostial (RCO) stenosis, 1 case (10%) had left coronary artery ostial (LCO) stenosis, and 2 cases (20%) had bilateral stenosis, with 4 cases (40%) presenting obstructive fibrous membranes. This study emphasizes the necessity of a standardized anatomical protocol for coronary ostial assessment, particularly transverse sectioning at 2 mm intervals starting from the aortic sinus. These findings aim to prompt forensic pathologists to incorporate specialized coronary ostial evaluation into routine autopsy procedures, thereby reducing diagnostic omissions in sudden unexpected death investigations.

The technological revolution has impacted every facet of life, including crime and law enforcement. Following the adoption of digital evidence, artificial intelligence, and CT scans, scientists and legal professionals have now turned to three-dimensional (3D) printing to present evidence more clearly in a court of law. 3D printing is a process of creating physical objects by depositing materials layer by layer, based on digital models, to form solid, tangible replicas. It has a wide range of applications across various fields of forensic science, including explosives analysis, ballistics, forensic medicine, forensic archaeology, and crime scene reconstruction. 3D printed impression evidence such as tire marks, and shoe prints etc., offers more detailed and accurate representations compared to traditional methods. Similarly, 3D printed crime scene reconstructions provide immersive and precise visualizations, enhancing their reliability and utility in forensic investigations. This article discusses the steps involved in 3D printing, the types of 3D printing technologies, its applications in various forensic examinations, and real-world criminal cases that highlight the significance of 3D printed evidence in judicial decision-making. 3D printing has proven instrumental in these cases for establishing the linkage of weapons to crimes and correlating injuries to weapons, and identifying charred or mutilated remains. However, like any emerging technology, 3D printing in forensics faces certain challenges, which need to be addressed to maximize its potential. These include standardized protocols, ethical considerations, and high initial setup costs-all of which must be addressed to fully realize its potential.