Forensic Science International: Reports最新文献

Illegal activities associated with deforestation for the lumber and furniture industries pose significant threats to plant and animal biodiversity, as well as natural resources. Accurate identification of wood sources is vital, yet traditional laboratory techniques often fall short in precisely determining the chemical composition of samples for classification. This study aims to leverage ATR-FTIR spectroscopy alongside machine learning algorithms to construct a robust model for discerning the geographical origins of wood samples from India. By systematically comparing various machine learning classifiers, we address the limitations of subjective visual interpretation and evaluate their accuracy using wood spectral data. Logistic regression emerges as the most effective classifier for distinguishing Eucalyptus (75 % accuracy), Dalbergia (68 % accuracy), and Populus (81.5 % accuracy) species. Through a methodology encompassing data pre-processing, classifier selection, and performance evaluation, this research offers promising tools for combating challenges posed by illegal wood trafficking and transportation. The outcomes hold significant potential for enhancing wildlife crime prevention efforts by facilitating the tracing illicit timber sources, apprehension of perpetrators, and implementation of preventive measures.

A man in his 60 s, who had experienced sustained abdominal pain intermittently for three years, lost consciousness and was transferred to an emergency hospital, where he was pronounced dead. In the forensic autopsy, a giant bladder stone measuring 6.5 × 6.0 × 4.0 cm was found adhering to an aluminum eyeliner that penetrated the anterior wall of his rectum. This might have induced pyelonephritis in the left kidney, resulting in sepsis. The deceased may have inserted the eyeliner for sexual stimulation. However, the eyeliner did not injure the peritoneum and no peritonitis occurred, which probably prevented acute sepsis immediately after insertion. The exact time of penetration was undetermined; however, the rectal foreign body may have been retained for three years. This case suggests that sexual activity should be considered a possible manner of death, even if it took place several years previously.

Lip print identification is one of the forensic identification tools recognized a long time ago. Few studies investigated the stability of lip prints, particularly the changes attributed to time or aging. To our knowledge, no previous studies speculated the changes in lip print following lip augmentation therapy, which has increased over the last few years. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of lip augmentation therapy on lip print stability. The current study was a prospective longitudinal study that enrolled female volunteers who underwent a filling procedure for labial augmentation. A total of 24 volunteers' prints were analyzed using Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. Participants showed a mean age of 27.5 ± 6.0 years. The current study showed that no two lips exhibited the same pattern. Moreover, although the filling procedure for labial augmentation (FPLA) therapy preserved the predominant groove pattern, it significantly influenced the frequency of lip patterns in all lip quadrants. A significant decline in the number of lip grooves, notably Types I and I' was noticed. However, the predominant groove pattern was preserved. Quadrants A and D were the least affected lip parts. Type I′ was the predominant lip pattern over the study population, representing 83.3 %, followed by Type I, representing 16.7 % before and 12.5 % after augmentation without a statistically significant difference (p = 0.317). On the other side, Type III was the least presented pattern. The upper lip score had decreased significantly after augmentation from 71.5 ± 10.8–65.8 ± 10.2, and the lower lip score had decreased significantly from 67.4 ± 13.7–64.9 ± 13.5. Consequently, the overall lips score had decreased significantly from 139.0 ± 22.9–130.7 ± 21.1 after augmentation (p < 0.001). So, we recommend adopting more than one criterion to report a reliable, repeatable lip print, including the frequency of lip lines besides the predominant pattern. However, we advise giving more attention to the distinguished lip patterns (Types II, III, IV, and V) and considering the FPLA as one of the lip print modifiers.

Determining the sex from an unidentified fingerprint recovered from a crime scene can assist in narrowing down the pool of potential suspects. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining sex using fingerprint epidermal ridge sweat pore density among the Indian population. For this purpose, plain prints from both the left and right thumbs were obtained from a total of 396 participants (191 males and 205 females), aged between 18 and 35 years, who were randomly selected for the study. Sweat pores were counted in a region of 3 × 3 mm². Data were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) version 26 for Windows and Microsoft Office Excel 365. The likelihood ratio (LR) was calculated to obtain the probability inferences of sex based on the number of sweat pores. Analysis revealed that a fingerprint containing ≤ 45 pores/9 mm² is more likely to be of male origin while one containing ≥ 49 pores/9 mm² is more likely to be of female origin. Moreover, the difference in the number of pores was found to be statistically significant between the two biological sexes. The methodology employed in this study helps demarcate a uniform region in all the samples thereby eliminating variability due to pattern type and recurving ridges.

Latent fingermark detection can become increasingly difficult in the weeks following deposition, due to chemical and physical changes influenced by environment. There has been increased research interest into ageing mechanisms of fingermark residue, however these studies have typically been conducted in dry, indoors conditions. Less information is available regarding degradation processes that may occur in scenarios involving water and the potential longevity of porous substrates under such conditions. A pilot study was conducted to investigate the performances of Oil Red O (ORO) and physical developer (PD) on samples submerged in different aquatic environments in a laboratory setting. Charged fingermarks from three donors were deposited on copy paper and immersed in either salt water or freshwater; still or with water flow. Samples were treated at multiple intervals (1, 12, 20 and 40 days) after submersion. Results showed that high quality of development could be achieved up to 40 days after immersion. The overall performances of ORO and PD were generally unaffected in the early stages of the study. Physical and chemical degradation of both latent residue and substrate were observed, which were increased by salt and water movement. While PD appeared to be less affected by potential chemical changes, it was less effective than ORO due to substrate degradation in moving salt water. These results present the first steps towards better understanding the practical effects of degradation processes specific to fingermarks on porous substrates underwater.