Journal of forensic and legal medicine最新文献

{"title":"Revolutionizing forensic DNA analysis: The potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in genetic investigations","authors":"Pallavi Kumari ,&nbsp;Vinayak Gupta ,&nbsp;Anjali Chhikara ,&nbsp;Jyoti Dalal","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103047","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103047","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The newest achievements in the field of molecular biology and gene-editing technologies have transformed the paradigm of forensic DNA analysis. However, there are still great difficulties in interpreting degraded, low-template, mixed genetic samples. The review critically evaluates the transformative potential of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and an associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) as an accurate, effective, and cost-efficient system of genome-editing in the field of forensic science. Based on the evidence of the current literature, the paper critically analyzes the mechanisms of CRISPR-Cas9 activity, its RNA-guided specificity, dual-strand cleavage, and high-fidelity targeting, and compares its functionality with other standard methods like the STR and SNP profiling. The review also discusses more complex CRISPR-based diagnostic systems, such as SHERLOCK, DETECTR, and HOLMES that allow the analysis of DNA rapidly, without amplification, and in a portable format. Among major discoveries, there is the ability of CRISPR to increase the accuracy of DNA profiling, resolve mixture, recapitulate damaged genetic material, and reduce the possibility of contamination. In addition to genetic analysis, it has applications in forensic epigenetics, prediction of phenotypes, microbial forensics and environmental trace analysis. The review also covers the ethical, legal and governance implications of implementing CRISPR-based evidence in the judicial process especially in as far as data privacy; admissibility and equity of access are concerned. In general, CRISPR-Cas9 is a paradigm shift in forensic genomics, the one that has the potential to transform personal identification, reconstruction of the crime scene, and the interpretation of molecular evidence. Future efforts should focus on method validation, standardization, and ethical governance to ensure the responsible and sustainable implementation of this technology in forensic practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103047"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733541","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Histological insights in decomposed bodies: A case report challenging the homicide hypothesis","authors":"Cecilia Frigerio ,&nbsp;Jean-Loup Gassend ,&nbsp;Katarzyna Michaud","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103046","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>European recommendations regarding medico-legal autopsies indicate that specimens from the main organs should be sampled for histology in all cases. In reality however, depending on local practices, available funding and personal choice by the physician, these recommendations are not always followed. The National Association of Medical Examiners (USA) guidelines indicate that histological examinations should be performed if no obvious cause of death is found at autopsy, and that histology is not recommended in severely decomposed bodies. With this case report, we present the case of a suspected homicide involving a severely decomposed body, in which histological examinations of the heart revealed unexpected information that significantly changed the interpretation of the case, highlighting the importance of performing histological examinations in all cases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103046"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145733543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Salivary biomarkers in forensic science: Bridging molecular biology and legal medicine","authors":"Arathi Padutholil Ajith Kumar ,&nbsp;Premalatha Bidadi Rajashekaraiah ,&nbsp;Sheethal Chandra Aralaguppe Chandraprakash ,&nbsp;Parvathy Beena Chandran ,&nbsp;Vaishaka Ashok Malali ,&nbsp;Vidyadevi Chandavarkar","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103044","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Saliva has emerged as a versatile and non-invasive biological specimen in forensic science. It is a rich source of genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolic, and microbiomic factors, offering significant potential in forensic investigations. This review explores the multi-dimensional aspects of salivary biomarkers in forensic science, integrating molecular biology with legal medicine.</div><div>It provides a comprehensive overview of the saliva composition, highlighting its biochemical constituents and the methodologies employed for its effective collection in forensic scenarios. From a molecular and analytical perspective, we delve into the diverse classes of salivary biomarkers, including genomic markers that enable individual and kinship profiling; transcriptomic and proteomic biomarkers that reveal gene expression and protein profiles that contribute in post-mortem interval estimation and physiological state evaluation; and metabolomic and microbiomic signatures which offer additional discriminatory power to infer health, lifestyle, and even geographic origins.</div><div>The forensic applications of these biomarkers and their growing acceptance in judicial proceedings, where the admissibility and evidential value of saliva-derived data are critically assessed, are discussed. Supported by relevant case studies, this review highlights the real-world utility and impact of salivary biomarkers in forensic practice. The challenges and limitations of saliva in forensics are addressed. Additionally, insights into future prospects, such as salivaomics, lab-on-a-chip platforms, and AI-driven data interpretation, are provided.</div><div>In conclusion, by mapping the intersection of molecular diagnostics and legal frameworks, this review underscores that saliva can be a revolutionary medium that advances the accuracy and accessibility of forensic identification by bridging its biological complexity with forensic applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103044"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621560","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Age estimation based on Demirjian's method using third molars in individuals from Southeastern Brazil","authors":"Amanda Farias-Gomes ,&nbsp;Maria Luíza dos Anjos Pontual ,&nbsp;Thaísa Pinheiro Silva ,&nbsp;Maria Fernanda Silva Andrade-Bortoletto ,&nbsp;Matheus L. Oliveira ,&nbsp;Francisco Haiter-Neto ,&nbsp;Cleber Zanchettin ,&nbsp;Deborah Queiroz Freitas","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study assessed the applicability of third molar mineralization stage for estimating chronological age in a Southeastern Brazilian population and tested a previously developed age estimation formula from a Northeastern Brazilian population. Digital panoramic radiographs of 1570 individuals aged 7–22 years were analyzed; 1260 radiographs were used to create the new formula, and 310 to test it. Two independent examiners classified the third molars on the radiographs according to Demirjian's developmental stages. Paired <em>t</em>-test compared chronological and estimated ages; Mann-Whitney test assessed sex differences in mineralization stages (α = 0.05). Multiple linear regression was used to develop a new age estimation formula. Chronological age was similar across all four third molars for different developmental stages, with no sex-related significant differences (p &gt; 0.05). The initial appearance of third molar formation (stage A) and root apex closure (stage H) occurred at mean ages of 8.6 and 19.8 years, respectively. A strong correlation (R = 0.925) was found between chronological age and third molar mineralization stages. The previously developed formula significantly overestimated chronological age by approximately one year (p &lt; 0.05). In contrast, the new formula achieved strong performance, explaining 85 % of the variance in the outcome (R² = 0.85), with low prediction errors (MAE = 1.35; RMSE = 1.71), with no significant differences between estimated and chronological age for most age groups (p &gt; 0.05). This study confirms the strong correlation between third molar mineralization stages and chronological age in a Southeastern Brazilian population. It also underscores the need for population-specific models, as the previously developed formula led to overestimation. The new formula provides a more accurate method for age estimation in this subpopulation, supporting its forensic and clinical applicability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103045"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A systematic review about the evolving role of artificial intelligence in various fields of forensic medicine","authors":"Uzma Zaheen ,&nbsp;Allah Rakha ,&nbsp;Qudsia Hassan ,&nbsp;Muhammad Farhan Khan ,&nbsp;Sareen Akhtar ,&nbsp;Anam Munawar","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study systematically reviews the applications and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic medicine, focusing on its role in mimicking human cognitive processes, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, pattern recognition, and operational efficiency across forensic domains.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar using keywords including \"AI in forensics\" and \"machine learning forensic analysis,\" covering publications from 2014 to 2024. A total of approximately 1000 articles were initially identified, of which 100 met the inclusion criteria after screening for relevance, study design, and quality.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>AI applications in forensic medicine were categorized into key domains: personal identification, forensic pathology, radiology and imaging, digital forensics, toxicology, and forensic anthropology. Machine learning, deep learning, and neural network models demonstrated improvements in accuracy, reproducibility, and efficiency compared with conventional approaches. For example, AI-assisted imaging techniques reduced inter-observer variability in postmortem fracture detection, while predictive models for postmortem interval estimation showed mean error reductions of up to 15 %. Despite these advances, challenges such as small, non-representative datasets, limited external validation, and ethical concerns remain.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>AI has significantly enhanced multiple areas of forensic practice by improving diagnostic capabilities, streamlining workflows, and supporting decision-making. However, wider adoption requires rigorous validation, standardization, and ethical oversight. Future research should focus on integrating multimodal data, expanding dataset diversity, and addressing legal and ethical implications to maximize the utility of AI in real-world forensic investigations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103043"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An investigation of shored gunshot exit wound morphologies using a range of forensically relevant surfaces","authors":"Bandula Nishshanka ,&nbsp;Chris Shepherd ,&nbsp;Randika Ariyarathna ,&nbsp;Paranitharan Paranirubasingam ,&nbsp;Amila Rathnayaka","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103035","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103035","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Shored exit wounds are produced when the skin at the point of the bullet exit is supported or buttressed by some object or surface, causing an abraded ring around the shored exit wound. This work looks to add critical understanding of shored wound processes on a range of surface types, expanding on the currently limited literature that focuses only on soft shoring materials. This large empirical study was conducted to develop a deeper understanding of shored exit wounds for a range of common surface types available in contemporary urban environments. To facilitate this, two ammunition types (5.56 mm and 7.62 mm) were fired into a porcine model designed to simulate the downward force of a human body pressing into various modern building materials. The exit wounds produced by shoring the porcine model on wall tiles, concrete, and two engineered wood types (MDF and Melamine) significantly contrast with the existing, more generalised explanation of shored exit wounds. This highlights the necessity for a more valid, target-type-specific approach to interpreting shored exit wound characteristics. The study highlights that hard-shoring surfaces produce comparatively larger exit wounds, while irregular surfaces give rise to increased shoring and soft surfaces under pressure, produce less shoring. It also reports novel shored exit wound features and wounding mechanisms not documented previously that have potential forensic investigative value in helping determine if a gunshot wound has resulted from a shored scenario or not. While significantly adding to the understanding of shored exit wounds for forensic pathology practice, the study's findings suggest that the shored exit wound characteristics can be interpreted according to different target types, such as yielding and non-yielding surfaces.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103035"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hemorrhage in cervikal muscles: A case of drowning in the River","authors":"Abuzer Gülderen ,&nbsp;Tuba Şahinoğlu Güneş ,&nbsp;Sertaç Dalgıç ,&nbsp;Veysel Gürbüz ,&nbsp;Selçuk Çetin","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>İntroduction and Aim</h3><div>Ecchymosis and intramuscular hemorrhages seen in the superficial and deep muscle groups of the neck are instructive findings in terms of detecting and defining the pressure and trauma applied to the neck area. In our study, we aimed to present a drowning case in which bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle bleeding was detected without any findings indicating neck compression or trauma.</div></div><div><h3>Case</h3><div>30-year-old man was found dead in a river near our city. He was referred to us by the prosecutor's office for an autopsy and to determine the cause of death. At autopsy; Bleeding was observed in the part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle close to the clavicle, under the fascia and within the muscle. Comprehensive examination, crime scene examination and autopsy findings were evaluated together. Bleeding that occurred in the neck region of the patient without external trauma was evaluated as intramuscular bleeding that rarely developed in the neck muscles during the drowning.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion and conclusion</h3><div>Forced inspiratory muscles do not function during normal breathing. They function in physiological and pathological conditions where respiratory volume must be increased. Among these muscles, the sternocleidoimastoid muscle is responsible for increasing the toraks volume by lifting the sternum up. It is an expected situation to see forced inspiration-expiration and related findings in deaths due to drowning. However, intramuscular hemorrhages that may occur due to forced inspiration-expiration are rare findings. In such cases, external neck trauma and compression should be excluded before making a decision.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103038"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145590490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medical liability related legislation and insurance policies around the world: A narrative literature review","authors":"Ioannis Ketsekioulafis ,&nbsp;Konstantinos Katsos ,&nbsp;Dimitrios Kouzos ,&nbsp;Chara Spiliopoulou ,&nbsp;Theodoros Lytras ,&nbsp;Emmanouil I. Sakelliadis","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103040","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Introduction&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Medical law defines the rules of healthcare by specifying the rights of healthcare consumers while at the same time defining the obligations of healthcare providers. When clinicians fail to provide the standard of care, medical malpractice claims arise, leading to medical liability. While many malpractice claims allege deviation from the &lt;em&gt;lex artis&lt;/em&gt;, a substantial proportion do not ultimately establish negligence and are dismissed or settled without a finding of fault. Due to the significant impact of medical negligence on the quality of medical care, as well as on the domestic and global economy, different countries adopt different systems for managing these disputes. Finally, the mandatory or non-mandatory medical malpractice insurance makes doctors carry out their medical work without the fear of medical liability. In fact, in most countries today, doctors are given the opportunity to choose between claims-made and occurrence-based policies of medical malpractice insurance.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Materials and methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The study is a narrative review of scientific and legal works from different countries. For the comparison of medical liability systems and insurance policies a comprehensive review of databases and legal texts was conducted.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;This study compares medical liability and malpractice insurance systems across countries, examining variations in the handling of malpractice claims and their implications. The system is adversarial in many countries, especially in the United States, to allow for a substantial compensation, while other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, focus on mediation and structured compensation processes. Notably, France, Japan and other countries follow a no-fault system, of reasoning that the system is more efficient in the sense that it reduces the patient's burden of proving negligence and thus expedites the compensation. These findings reveal how each country negotiates the balance between patient rights and healthcare provider protections, and, in turn, how these negotiations affect malpractice insurance costs and legal reforms.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Discussion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;The analysis contrasts fault-based systems which offer large compensation awards with no-fault systems which focus on quick compensation but may lack accountability. Countries with high litigation rates like the US and Brazil have higher insurance costs, while countries like Canada and Australia have stabilized their systems through reforms. Medical liability insurance options, claims-made versus occurrence-based, raise different economic and legal concerns. Occurrence-based policies are more expensive for younger professionals, but they provide longer-term coverage than claims-made policies.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusion&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Global medical liability frameworks vary considerably, reflecting cultural, economic and legal contexts. However, the compari","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103040"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing the role of cardiovascular diseases in drowning: A case-control study","authors":"Cemyigit Deveci ,&nbsp;Saime Gizem Tezgel ,&nbsp;Mehmet İlhan ,&nbsp;Mehmet Atilgan","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Drowning is a serious public health problem that can lead to morbidity or mortality. The study aims to describe the postmortem cardiovascular findings and investigate the impact of cardiovascular diseases on the mortality associated with drowning, employing a control group for comparison. The null hypothesis of our investigation suggested that there would be no statistically significant disparity in cardiovascular findings between cases of drowning and deaths resulting from other non-toxicological and non-pathological incidents. A study group (n = 109) from the deaths due to drowning were composed and a comparable control group (n = 218) by selecting two cases for each case in the study group with matching age and gender, with non-toxicological and non-pathological causes of death were created, in order to reduce potential confounding. The demographic and physical properties, and the cardiovascular autopsy findings were compared between the groups.</div><div>The study revealed a male predominance (73.4 %), with a median age of 55 (study) and 56 (control). Cardiovascular alterations (hypertrophy, scarring, fibrosis, stenosis) exhibited no significant differences between groups. Cardiac hypertrophy correlated positively with age. Higher BMI were detected in individuals over 40 years old in the study group compared to control group. No significant differences were detected between the groups in terms of cardiovascular findings. However, in the younger population (&lt;40 years old), although not statistically significant, the study group showed higher percentages compared to the control group for both perivascular-interstitial fibrosis and ventricular hypertrophy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103041"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145575145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Validation of forensic cleaning processes undertaken within Sexual Assault Referral Centres","authors":"Michelle Gaskell ,&nbsp;Lesley Clifford ,&nbsp;Aaron Jones ,&nbsp;Guylaine. O Hanford ,&nbsp;Kevin Sullivan","doi":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103023","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jflm.2025.103023","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper describes the retrospective validation of long-established cleaning processes used within Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), for which there are variations between facilities in the detail of the cleaning approach that is applied, including whether bleach/hypochlorite cleaning reagents are permitted depending on local health and safety requirements. Six cleaning reagents commonly used within UK SARCs and Forensic Science Providers were assessed in this validation study: Chemgene HLD₄H, Virkon, Microsol, Selgiene, Virusolve were tested along with Presept which was the only reagent containing bleach. Additional comparison testing was also conducted on Chemgene Medlab. These were evaluated for their DNA decontamination capability by cleaning dried-on body fluid stains deposited on typical examination room surfaces and then assessing the level of DNA remaining (percentage yield). Impact of changing different cleaning parameters were assessed against an environmental indicator guide that provides insight into SARC facility cleanliness. Differences in effectiveness of decontamination varied according to body fluid type with DNA in blood being most readily removed followed by saliva, and semen was the hardest to decontaminate. Likewise, different surfaces varied in their resilience to decontamination with Formica being the easiest to clean and vinyl the hardest. Bleach-based reagent Presept gave the best decontamination test results overall, whilst non-bleach cleaners Virkon and Selgiene were also very effective. However, as a general rule, provided double spray/wipe cycles are performed using manufacturers’ recommended concentrations and a 30 s contact time, the cleaning effectiveness of all reagents were assessed to be generally acceptable in most circumstances. The exception to this rule was cleaning dried semen on vinyl, which was the most challenging body fluid/surface combination to decontaminate. It is recommended that extra care is taken in cleaning vinyl surfaces such as the examination couch and consider additional measures if necessary.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16098,"journal":{"name":"Journal of forensic and legal medicine","volume":"117 ","pages":"Article 103023"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2025-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145566807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}