Forensic Science International: Reports最新文献

As humanity advances into a space-faring species, the risk of injury by multiple means and intentions will follow. Expanding understanding of how forensic science adapts to extraterrestrial environments is a novel and inevitable expansion into the next forensic frontier. This study considers the unique challenges of bloodstain pattern analysis in microgravity environments. Specifically, observation in novel experimentation aboard a parabolic flight research airplane which yielded fluid dynamic behaviors in a microgravity environment that provides practical understanding of Earth-based and off-world bloodstain applications.

In this study, population data were generated from South Africans using the Investigator® 24plex GO! Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany). Participants represented the four major population groups in South Africa, with self-reported ancestral origin being African (n = 208), European (n = 213), Indian/Asian (n = 103) or Admixed (n = 209). Allele frequency data and forensic parameters were calculated for each population group using Arlequin (v.3.5.2.2) and FORSTAT (v1.0). TPOX had the lowest discrimination capacity for all population groups, except for the African population group where THO1 was the least informative. SE33 had the highest discrimination capacity for all population groups (>0.98), with 38 different alleles observed in the Admixed population group. Samples exhibiting novel alleles or anomalies underwent massively parallel sequencing using the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit, which confirmed the following results: one null Y allele at Amelogenin, ten instances of TPOX tri-allelism and four novel micro-variant alleles. An additional four novel alleles in SE33 were observed but remain unconfirmed, due to SE33 not being included in the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep kit. Moreover, nine individuals had an allele 8 or 9 at D1S1656, where the peaks for these alleles occur before the D1S1656 marker range on the electropherogram and showed as a peak within the DYS391 marker. Although this observation was rare overall (1.2%), these nine individuals were from three of the four population groups, which motivates for the adjustment of the Investigator® 24plex PCR chemistry to avoid allelic overlap of D1S1656 with DYS391. Overall, these findings highlight the diverse genetic makeup of the South Africa population and accentuate the importance of local population studies.

Background

The consequences of domestic violence can be very serious for both individuals and society as a whole. Domestic violence, being one of the widespread instruments of dependence, requires study by forensic-investigative, forensic-medical and public organizations. The prospectivity of studying the forensic-medical aspects of this problem by analyzing the conditions, patterns of distribution of various forms of violence subsequently develops into a more objective approach to solving questions about the mechanisms and features of the formation of injuries, depending on the indicated situations.

Aim

to assess the national prevalence of domestic violence against women in Kazakhstan, to identify demographic, socio-economic and medical-social predictors that determine the prevalence of violence against women in modern conditions.

Methods

A qualitative-quantitative study was conducted in 14 regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the period from 2019 to 2022. The analysis was carried out based on the results of forensic medical reports and the results of a survey of 14,342 women who applied to the regional branches of the Center for Forensic Examinations of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The study used an adapted version of the questionnaire of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe about violence against women based on the methodology of the WHO Cross-Country Study on women's health and domestic violence against women. Applied statistical analysis methods were used to analyze the obtained results.

Results

There has been an increase in cases of domestic violence over the past two years, especially in 2022. The main victims of domestic violence in the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan are women (more than 77.9%), children - 17.52%, elderly people - 3.5% and men - less than 1.1%. The number of cases of domestic violence against women in different regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan differs significantly (p < 0.05) and is more apparent in large cities. The most vulnerable category are women aged 40 to 49 (41.46%) and 30 to 39 (37.80%). Women in the Republic of Kazakhstan

The human microbiome comprises trillions of microbial cells, primarily bacteria, found in places such as the gut, oral cavity, and skin. The human microbiome holds significant potential in forensic investigations, with important applications in post-mortem analysis, geographical identifications, sexual assault cases, and personal identification. The human microbiome displays significant variations, which can be utilized to distinguish individuals based on their distinctive microbial signatures, thus facilitating identification. Microbiome composition varies geographically and can be explored for identification of individuals’ origin or location. In addition, changes observed in microbial composition during different stages of decomposition can provide valuable insight into the time and location of death which can assist in forensic investigations. However, the use of microbiomes in forensic investigation is still developing and under-utilized, especially in the developing world. This article reviewed emerging microbiome analyses, their strengths, limitations, and potential for future research in forensic investigations. In particular five microbiomic forensic applications were looked at; postmortem analysis, geographical identification, sexual assault cases, bite marks and personal identification. Despite challenges and limitations associated with storage sensitivity, limited samples, and lack of standardization, the use of microbiomes in forensic investigation is quite promising. However, future research should focus on more extensive and standardized studies to overcome these challenges and fully harness the potential of the human microbiome in forensic investigations, enabling its practical application in various forensic scenarios.

Background

Individualisation is essential when assessing physical evidence that is discovered at a crime scene to connect the evidence to a suspect or victim. Many studies on the identification of an individual from various evidence types have been conducted across the globe. Once identified, a person's sex completes 50% of the individualisation process, which assists the investigator in leading the investigation in a specific direction by narrowing down the pool of suspects. The current study intends to ascertain an individual's sex, be it male or female, based on footprint evidence, which is a highly neglected research area. The present study is part of an anthropometrical research in which seven different footprint measurements, specifically lengths and widths, were recorded and statistically assessed to determine a person's sex from inked bilateral footprints of 132 individuals (61 males and 71 females) aged 18–50 years, who were born in South India.

Results

The t-test scores show that the right footprint parameters are similar to the left footprint, except T1 (Length between the pternion and the first toe anterior point) and B1 (Total Ball Breadth) in females. T4_R (Length between the pternion and the fourth toe anterior end of the right foot) exhibited the strongest correlation with sex. In contrast, HB_Index_R (Heel ball index of right foot) exhibited the weakest correlation. The male and female footprints achieved 77% and 93% accuracy rates, respectively.

Conclusions

A person's sex can be established, to a satisfactory degree, with the help of individual footprint measurements. Further studies can develop population-specific footprint standards to help investigators hasten the identification process.

In 2016, Polcerová and Králik created an open-access software program, Stature, designed to automate the estimation of living stature in forensic and archaeological cases. This program includes 22 equations from 13 publications, based on both anatomical and mathematical methods to automate stature estimations. This program does not currently include any population data relating to South Africa, and therefore, this study aimed to assess the accuracy of the program Stature to estimate living stature from the skeletal remains of White South African adults. The living stature of 40 male and 20 female White South African adults from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Modern Human Skeletons was automatically estimated by the program (ELS_P). These estimates were then compared to stature estimates generated by the multivariate equation using the physiological length of the femur and tibial length formulated specifically for the estimation of stature of White South Africans (ELS_D). The vast majority of the ELS_P significantly under- or overestimated the living stature of this sample, however various ELS_P did estimate stature with a sufficient degree of accuracy. It was found that the estimates which were significantly different were associated with the largest inaccuracies, biases, and SEE values and are not applicable to this population group. The equations, using standardised measurements, which were not significantly different could accurately estimate the living stature of White South Africans, however, it is recommended that the data of White South African populations be incorporated into the program Stature for increased accuracy and diversity.

Background

"Chemsex" is an emerging practice all over the world, sometimes fatal for its users. The victim, a 36-year-old martial arts athlete, was found lifeless lying on his back on the ground in the woods, with a rope tied around the neck, passing over the branch of a tree 2 m from the ground, the other end of the ligature being held in the dead body’s right hand. A third party (a male prostitute) was present at the time of death.

Material and methods

A forensic autopsy was performed 48 h after death, including a complete histologic examination of most organs and toxicological analyses. Blood, hair, and organs were analysed for drugs and narcotics (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS), and alcohol was determined by GC-FID.

Results and discussion

Autopsy findings showed moderate asphyxia syndrome without clear skin ligature marks, but there were deep cervical contusions. Other contusions were found including deep bruises in the dorsal area and superficial hemorrhagic infiltration of the medial surface of both wrists. Focal bruising of the tongue was found. Organs showed no significant pathology. There was a residual thymus, suggesting chronic drug addiction. Histological examination showed frank signs of hemodynamic shock. Foci of contusions found during autopsy were confirmed, showing no inflammatory reaction. Foci of granular cylinders were present in renal tubules. Heart showed focal non-specific endocardial fibrosis. Toxicological findings were the following ones: (1) peripheral blood: THC at 0.1 ng/mL, THC-COOH at 1 ng/mL, with no 11-OH-THC, indicating last use more than 12 h before death; 3-MMC, NPS-type cathinone at 960 ng/mL, a high, potentially lethal concentration; GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid) at 24 mg/L, a medium concentration, but consistent with last use in the hours before death; ethanol at 0.73 g/L, a relatively low concentration, but which potentiates the toxic effects of the associated molecules. (2) Hair: 3-MMC at 1986 pg/mg, consistent with chronic use in the last few months. (3) Viscera: 3-MMC at 700 ng/mg in the brain, suggesting a cerebral distribution of this molecule. The cardio-femoral ratio of 7.6 was consistent with post mortem release from the heart and/or diffusion from the stomach and/or reservoir organs.

Conclusion

We present a case of lethal mechanical asphyxia by atypical hanging, which occurred after recent consumption of 3-MMC and GHB, which contributed to the death in a context of chemsex, which is sometimes associated with sadomasochistic practices such as strangulation. As there was a third-party present at the time of death, according to the police investigation, manner of death was undetermined, as homicide possibly by strangulation was not formally ruled out. This autopsy case illustrates the need to carefully confront police investigations with complete forensic investigations, including exhaustive toxicologic