Pub Date : 2025-08-06DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100631
There is a dissonance between the public perception of forensic practice in the United States and reality. Portrayed as infallible and universally available, the truth is that the awkward evolution of forensic practice has created fissures in its foundations, affecting both the quality and quantity of these critical services. These fissures have only widened over time, creating problems that require creative solutions.
Within the United States, every level of government provides forensic services, and there is no overarching authority over forensic providers. The recent reevaluation of the Chevron deference doctrine by the Supreme Court ensures that this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Under Chevron deference, courts would defer to regulatory agencies interpretations when laws were ambiguous. This new ruling transfers that responsibility back to the courts, making the creation of a new regulatory agency over forensic providers even less likely. Thus, any meaningful change to forensic practice must come from within the profession. As unlikely as this may seem, it has occurred before.
This perspective allows us to see the hidden challenges forensic providers face and propose potential solutions that practitioners can implement to increase the quality of their work and the resilience of the system they operate within. By evaluating how forensic practice has implemented change in the past, this paper proposes solutions that have worked before and expands on others from different industries with similar challenges.
{"title":"The invisible crisis facing forensic providers in the United States","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100631","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100631","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>There is a dissonance between the public perception of forensic practice in the United States and reality. Portrayed as infallible and universally available, the truth is that the awkward evolution of forensic practice has created fissures in its foundations, affecting both the quality and quantity of these critical services. These fissures have only widened over time, creating problems that require creative solutions.</div><div>Within the United States, every level of government provides forensic services, and there is no overarching authority over forensic providers. The recent reevaluation of the Chevron deference doctrine by the Supreme Court ensures that this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Under Chevron deference, courts would defer to regulatory agencies interpretations when laws were ambiguous. This new ruling transfers that responsibility back to the courts, making the creation of a new regulatory agency over forensic providers even less likely. Thus, any meaningful change to forensic practice must come from within the profession. As unlikely as this may seem, it has occurred before.</div><div>This perspective allows us to see the hidden challenges forensic providers face and propose potential solutions that practitioners can implement to increase the quality of their work and the resilience of the system they operate within. By evaluating how forensic practice has implemented change in the past, this paper proposes solutions that have worked before and expands on others from different industries with similar challenges.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100631"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144779503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-06DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100632
Corina C.G. Benschop, Martin Slagter, Laurens J.W. Grol, Pauline Hovers, Jord H.A. Nagel, Sophie Smit, Francisca E. Duijs, Alexander L.J. Kneppers
The Fast DNA Identification Line (Fast ID Line) is a series of software solutions automating the process of DNA profile analysis, contamination checks, comparison with reference profiles, elimination and criminal DNA database comparison, report generation and dissemination of results to law enforcement. The Fast ID Line v1.0 focussed on identifying candidates that could be contributors to single-source profiles or major contributors to mixed DNA profiles.
In this paper, the Fast ID Line was extended to automatically report on mixture profiles with up to four contributors. This software, v2.0, includes extended profile analysis rules, a machine learning model for number of contributors estimation and a probabilistic genotyping model for database searching. Suitability criteria were established for the automatically analysed DNA profiles and reporting of the results.
End-to-end testing using casework data demonstrated that the Fast ID Line v2.0: 1) delivered >80 % of DNA reports within three working days, 2) retrieved 1.9-fold more candidates compared to v1.0 (304 vs 162/777 database searches), and 3) reported 72 % of candidates that were reported in the manual casework workflow.
Police and public prosecution across the Netherlands now make use of the Fast ID Line reports with investigative leads. The automated reports are quickly available, allowing law enforcement to act on DNA findings for intelligence purposes before receiving the expert report. Additional information was provided in only 33% of the expert reports. This indicates that, in the majority of cases, the Fast ID Line results only require a confirmation check by a DNA expert, saving valuable time.
快速DNA识别线（Fast ID Line）是一系列软件解决方案，可自动完成DNA图谱分析、污染检查、与参考图谱比较、消除和刑事DNA数据库比较、报告生成和向执法部门发布结果等过程。Fast ID Line v1.0专注于识别可能是单一来源谱的贡献者或混合DNA谱的主要贡献者的候选对象。在本文中，快速ID线被扩展到自动报告最多有四个贡献者的混合概要文件。该软件，v2.0，包括扩展的配置文件分析规则，用于贡献者数量估计的机器学习模型和用于数据库搜索的概率基因分型模型。建立了自动分析DNA图谱和报告结果的适用性标准。使用案例工作数据的端到端测试表明，Fast ID Line 2.0版本：1)在三个工作日内提供了80%的DNA报告，2)与1.0版本相比，检索到的候选对象增加了1.9倍（304对162/777数据库搜索），3)报告了在手动案例工作流程中报告的72%的候选对象。现在，荷兰各地的警方和公诉部门都在使用快速身份识别热线（Fast ID Line）提供的调查线索。自动报告可以快速获得，允许执法部门在收到专家报告之前根据DNA发现采取情报行动。只有33%的专家报告提供了补充资料。这表明，在大多数情况下，快速ID线的结果只需要DNA专家的确认检查，节省了宝贵的时间。
{"title":"Fast DNA reports for investigative leads in casework practice: An automated workflow for mixture analysis using database searching based on probabilistic genotyping","authors":"Corina C.G. Benschop, Martin Slagter, Laurens J.W. Grol, Pauline Hovers, Jord H.A. Nagel, Sophie Smit, Francisca E. Duijs, Alexander L.J. Kneppers","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100632","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100632","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Fast DNA Identification Line (Fast ID Line) is a series of software solutions automating the process of DNA profile analysis, contamination checks, comparison with reference profiles, elimination and criminal DNA database comparison, report generation and dissemination of results to law enforcement. The Fast ID Line v1.0 focussed on identifying candidates that could be contributors to single-source profiles or major contributors to mixed DNA profiles.</div><div>In this paper, the Fast ID Line was extended to automatically report on mixture profiles with up to four contributors. This software, v2.0, includes extended profile analysis rules, a machine learning model for number of contributors estimation and a probabilistic genotyping model for database searching. Suitability criteria were established for the automatically analysed DNA profiles and reporting of the results.</div><div>End-to-end testing using casework data demonstrated that the Fast ID Line v2.0: 1) delivered >80 % of DNA reports within three working days, 2) retrieved 1.9-fold more candidates compared to v1.0 (304 vs 162/777 database searches), and 3) reported 72 % of candidates that were reported in the manual casework workflow.</div><div>Police and public prosecution across the Netherlands now make use of the Fast ID Line reports with investigative leads. The automated reports are quickly available, allowing law enforcement to act on DNA findings for intelligence purposes before receiving the expert report. Additional information was provided in only 33% of the expert reports. This indicates that, in the majority of cases, the Fast ID Line results only require a confirmation check by a DNA expert, saving valuable time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100632"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144779502","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-08-06DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100635
Dongkyu Lee , Wook Kang
The rapid development and proliferation of drone technology have led to an increase in various threats. In particular, the number of attacks, crimes, and accidents using drones is continuously expanding, and the need for a systematic response is growing. Existing response strategies have mainly focused on real-time defense-oriented technologies and policies, such as detection, identification, and neutralization of drones. However, recently, the importance of drone forensics, which identifies the flight path of drones, pilot information, and the cause of accidents after an incident, has been highlighted. Drone forensics combines elements of traditional digital forensics and non-digital (physical) forensics, and live forensics technology that collects and analyzes data immediately after an incident plays a crucial role. Drone forensics has distinct technical characteristics compared to general forensics, and this study presents a systematic analysis framework and analysis algorithm structure that reflects these technical characteristics and convergent analysis factors. It comprehensively reviews the major drone forensics technologies currently being utilized. This will help to secure the legal evidence capability of drone forensics and increase its usefulness as evidence.
{"title":"Drone forensics redefined: Integrating live, digital, and non-digital evidence acquisition systems","authors":"Dongkyu Lee , Wook Kang","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid development and proliferation of drone technology have led to an increase in various threats. In particular, the number of attacks, crimes, and accidents using drones is continuously expanding, and the need for a systematic response is growing. Existing response strategies have mainly focused on real-time defense-oriented technologies and policies, such as detection, identification, and neutralization of drones. However, recently, the importance of drone forensics, which identifies the flight path of drones, pilot information, and the cause of accidents after an incident, has been highlighted. Drone forensics combines elements of traditional digital forensics and non-digital (physical) forensics, and live forensics technology that collects and analyzes data immediately after an incident plays a crucial role. Drone forensics has distinct technical characteristics compared to general forensics, and this study presents a systematic analysis framework and analysis algorithm structure that reflects these technical characteristics and convergent analysis factors. It comprehensively reviews the major drone forensics technologies currently being utilized. This will help to secure the legal evidence capability of drone forensics and increase its usefulness as evidence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100635"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144779504","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-31DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100621
Maria Cuellar
This article examines the overlooked risk of false negative errors arising from eliminations in forensic firearm comparisons. While recent reforms in forensic science have focused on reducing false positives, eliminations — often based on class characteristics or intuitive judgments — receive little empirical scrutiny despite their potential to exclude true sources. In cases involving a closed pool of suspects, eliminations can function as de facto identifications, introducing serious risk of error. A review of existing validity studies reveals that many report only false positive rates, failing to provide a complete assessment of method accuracy. This asymmetry is reinforced by professional guidelines, such as those from AFTE, and echoed in major government reports, including those from NAS and PCAST. The article argues that eliminations, like identifications, must be validated through rigorous testing and reported with transparent error rates. It further cautions against the use of “common sense” eliminations in the absence of empirical support and highlights the dangers of contextual bias when examiners are aware of investigative constraints. Five policy recommendations are proposed to improve the scientific treatment and legal interpretation of eliminations, including balanced reporting of false positive and false negative rates, validation of intuitive judgments, and clear warnings against using eliminations to infer guilt in closed-pool scenarios. Without reform, eliminations will continue to escape scrutiny, perpetuating unmeasured error and undermining the integrity of forensic conclusions.
{"title":"The problem with eliminations: Why forensic comparisons need false negative rates","authors":"Maria Cuellar","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article examines the overlooked risk of false negative errors arising from eliminations in forensic firearm comparisons. While recent reforms in forensic science have focused on reducing false positives, eliminations — often based on class characteristics or intuitive judgments — receive little empirical scrutiny despite their potential to exclude true sources. In cases involving a closed pool of suspects, eliminations can function as de facto identifications, introducing serious risk of error. A review of existing validity studies reveals that many report only false positive rates, failing to provide a complete assessment of method accuracy. This asymmetry is reinforced by professional guidelines, such as those from AFTE, and echoed in major government reports, including those from NAS and PCAST. The article argues that eliminations, like identifications, must be validated through rigorous testing and reported with transparent error rates. It further cautions against the use of “common sense” eliminations in the absence of empirical support and highlights the dangers of contextual bias when examiners are aware of investigative constraints. Five policy recommendations are proposed to improve the scientific treatment and legal interpretation of eliminations, including balanced reporting of false positive and false negative rates, validation of intuitive judgments, and clear warnings against using eliminations to infer guilt in closed-pool scenarios. Without reform, eliminations will continue to escape scrutiny, perpetuating unmeasured error and undermining the integrity of forensic conclusions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100621"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144749503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100633
Eva K. Aluvaala Nambati , Edward Muge , Belinda Azzam , Diana Maritim , Ngure Kirosh , Luna Kamau , Solomon Mpoke , Winfrida Cheriro , Lewis Karani , Martin Sang , Abdiaziz Gosar , Olipher Makwaga , Lydia Eyase , Herzel Tiffany Wandera , Sharon Ariga , James Nyabera , Milka Mwangi , Francis Kimani , Wallace Bulimo
Forensic genetic frequency databases (FGFD) are used in estimating the probability of a DNA match in forensic investigations. They provide reference population data that can be used for statistical estimation for the rarity of a genotype, haplotype or a DNA profile in a population hence giving probative value for forensic evidence.
Currently, three FGFD databases are recommended by the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) for forensic use; the Y-Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD), the EDNAP Mitochondrial DNA Population Database (EMPOP), and the STRs for Identity ENFSI Reference Database (STRidER).
There is need to generate updated and comprehensive genetic frequency data for the Kenyan population in compliance with ethical standards.
This study sought to develop a forensic biobank to facilitate generation of comprehensive genetic frequency data for the Kenyan population. A total of 893 samples were collected from study volunteers in compliance with prescribed ethical standards. The data set comprises 60.8 % Bantu, 24.9 % Nilotic, and 14.3 % Cushitic samples closely mirroring current population structure in Kenya. The samples are currently stored in duplicate as FTA cards and extracted DNA.
132 quality mitogenome reference data has been generated for the coastal region in Kenya. With the broad consent obtained, the resource will be used to generate additional mitogenome reference data for other geographical regions, Y-chromosome haplotype and autosomal STRs for inclusion in recommended forensic databases as per revised guidelines. With the emergence of new technologies in forensic genetics, we anticipate the resource will be valuable in forensic genetics validation studies in future.
法医遗传频率数据库（FGFD）在法医调查中用于估计DNA匹配的概率。它们提供参考种群数据，可用于统计估计种群中基因型、单倍型或DNA谱的稀有性，从而为法医证据提供证明价值。目前，国际法医遗传学学会（ISFG）推荐三个FGFD数据库供法医使用；y染色体单倍型参考数据库（YHRD）、EDNAP线粒体DNA种群数据库（EMPOP）和STRs for Identity ENFSI参考数据库（STRidER）。有必要根据伦理标准为肯尼亚人口生成最新和全面的遗传频率数据。本研究旨在开发一个法医生物库，以促进肯尼亚人口全面遗传频率数据的生成。按照规定的道德标准，从研究志愿者中收集了总共893个样本。该数据集包括60.8%的班图人，24.9%的尼罗河人和14.3%的库希特人样本，密切反映了肯尼亚当前的人口结构。目前，这些样本一式两份存储为FTA卡，并提取dna。肯尼亚沿海地区已生成132个高质量的有丝分裂基因组参考数据。在获得广泛同意的情况下，该资源将用于生成其他地理区域、y染色体单倍型和常染色体str的额外有丝分裂基因组参考数据，以便根据修订后的指南纳入推荐的法医数据库。随着法医遗传学新技术的出现，我们预计这些资源将在未来的法医遗传学验证研究中发挥重要作用。
{"title":"Forensic biobank; towards comprehensive forensic genetic frequency database for the Kenyan population","authors":"Eva K. Aluvaala Nambati , Edward Muge , Belinda Azzam , Diana Maritim , Ngure Kirosh , Luna Kamau , Solomon Mpoke , Winfrida Cheriro , Lewis Karani , Martin Sang , Abdiaziz Gosar , Olipher Makwaga , Lydia Eyase , Herzel Tiffany Wandera , Sharon Ariga , James Nyabera , Milka Mwangi , Francis Kimani , Wallace Bulimo","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic genetic frequency databases (FGFD) are used in estimating the probability of a DNA match in forensic investigations. They provide reference population data that can be used for statistical estimation for the rarity of a genotype, haplotype or a DNA profile in a population hence giving probative value for forensic evidence.</div><div>Currently, three FGFD databases are recommended by the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG) for forensic use; the Y-Chromosome Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD), the EDNAP Mitochondrial DNA Population Database (EMPOP), and the STRs for Identity ENFSI Reference Database (STRidER).</div><div>There is need to generate updated and comprehensive genetic frequency data for the Kenyan population in compliance with ethical standards.</div><div>This study sought to develop a forensic biobank to facilitate generation of comprehensive genetic frequency data for the Kenyan population. A total of 893 samples were collected from study volunteers in compliance with prescribed ethical standards. The data set comprises 60.8 % Bantu, 24.9 % Nilotic, and 14.3 % Cushitic samples closely mirroring current population structure in Kenya. The samples are currently stored in duplicate as FTA cards and extracted DNA.</div><div>132 quality mitogenome reference data has been generated for the coastal region in Kenya. With the broad consent obtained, the resource will be used to generate additional mitogenome reference data for other geographical regions, Y-chromosome haplotype and autosomal STRs for inclusion in recommended forensic databases as per revised guidelines. With the emergence of new technologies in forensic genetics, we anticipate the resource will be valuable in forensic genetics validation studies in future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100633"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144721991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-23DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100628
Meredith Coon , Thomas Busey
Friction ridge examiners report conclusions to palm impression comparisons similarly to fingerprint impression comparisons, although several key differences exist. These include an extensive search process in palm impressions, differences in minutiae rarity, and orientation challenges that most fingerprint comparisons do not require. Most US laboratories use a three-conclusion scale that includes Identification, Exclusion, and Inconclusive, which have not been calibrated against the actual strength of the evidence in palmprint comparisons. To measure the strength of the evidence of palmprint impressions, the present work constructs likelihood ratios using an ordered probit model based on distributions of examiner responses in an error rate study. Many likelihood ratios calculated are quite modest and the current articulation scales may overestimate the strength of support for same source propositions by up to five orders of magnitude. These likelihood ratios help calibrate the articulation language and may offer an alternative to categorical reporting scales.
{"title":"Quantifying the strength of palmprint comparisons: Majority identifications with surprisingly low value","authors":"Meredith Coon , Thomas Busey","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100628","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100628","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Friction ridge examiners report conclusions to palm impression comparisons similarly to fingerprint impression comparisons, although several key differences exist. These include an extensive search process in palm impressions, differences in minutiae rarity, and orientation challenges that most fingerprint comparisons do not require. Most US laboratories use a three-conclusion scale that includes Identification, Exclusion, and Inconclusive, which have not been calibrated against the actual strength of the evidence in palmprint comparisons. To measure the strength of the evidence of palmprint impressions, the present work constructs likelihood ratios using an ordered probit model based on distributions of examiner responses in an error rate study. Many likelihood ratios calculated are quite modest and the current articulation scales may overestimate the strength of support for same source propositions by up to five orders of magnitude. These likelihood ratios help calibrate the articulation language and may offer an alternative to categorical reporting scales.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100628"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144687561","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100630
Kristy A. Martire
The forensic and scientific communities widely endorse transparency as a core principle and fundamental obligation of forensic science reporting. Yet the definition of transparency - ironically – remains opaque. This ambiguity impacts scientist's ability to fulfill their obligations when reporting forensic findings to justice systems as the primary consumer. Applying Elliott's 2022 taxonomy of transparency clarifies the issue, revealing that transparency is central to achieving Reliability, Assessment, Justice, Accountability and Innovation goals. It involves disclosing information about the scientists' Authority, Compliance, Basis, Justification, Validity, Disagreements, and Context, and shows that the audiences for these disclosures includes not only primary consumers, but also a range of agents, actors, and stakeholders. This complexity creates a multidimensional challenge for scientists and forensic science service providers, requiring a careful balance between competing demands. Templates can mitigate some of these challenges, but must be coupled with ongoing collaboration among forensic scientists, legal stakeholders, and institutional bodies to ensure that reporting practices evolve in line with professional obligations, scientific rigor and the realities of forensic practice.
{"title":"Transparent reporting in forensic Science: Exploring its meaning and challenges","authors":"Kristy A. Martire","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The forensic and scientific communities widely endorse transparency as a core principle and fundamental obligation of forensic science reporting. Yet the definition of transparency - ironically – remains opaque. This ambiguity impacts scientist's ability to fulfill their obligations when reporting forensic findings to justice systems as the primary consumer. Applying Elliott's 2022 taxonomy of transparency clarifies the issue, revealing that transparency is central to achieving Reliability, Assessment, Justice, Accountability and Innovation goals. It involves disclosing information about the scientists' Authority, Compliance, Basis, Justification, Validity, Disagreements, and Context, and shows that the audiences for these disclosures includes not only primary consumers, but also a range of agents, actors, and stakeholders. This complexity creates a multidimensional challenge for scientists and forensic science service providers, requiring a careful balance between competing demands. Templates can mitigate some of these challenges, but must be coupled with ongoing collaboration among forensic scientists, legal stakeholders, and institutional bodies to ensure that reporting practices evolve in line with professional obligations, scientific rigor and the realities of forensic practice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100630"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655808","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100619
Ananda Duarte , Augusto Soares Leite Ribeiro , Marlon Anselmo Duarte da Costa , Renato Teodoro Fereira de Paranaíba , Apoena de Oliveira Lopes , Luiz Guilherme Barros Cocentino , Bruno Rodrigues Trindade , Carlos Eduardo Martinez de Medeiros , Cristina Moniz de Aragão Gualda , Aline Costa Minervino
DNA mixture profiles and single profiles with drop-out originate from complex biological samples, whose interpretation poses challenges such as determining the number of contributors and evaluating the weight of genetic evidence. At the laboratory of the Forensic Genetics Service of the Federal Police (SEPGEF), the analysis of complex genetic profiles is performed using the LRmix Studio™ software, which has been discontinued. Thus, members of the National DNA Database (BNPG) and SEPGEF conducted this study to validate the use of the EuroForMix software in evaluating matches of complex genetic profiles in Federal Police cases. Simulated mixture profiles of two heterozygous individuals in 22 of the 23 autosomal genetic markers examined were analyzed. The mixtures, amplified in triplicate, were made in proportions of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:6, with one-third of the samples subjected to degradation by ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 10 min, one-third for 20 min, and one-third without UV degradation. The LRmix Studio™ and EuroForMix were used to quantify the weight of genetic evidence observed in matches with the reference profiles used in the simulated samples. The analysis involved three situations: 1. Evaluation of the likelihood ratio (LR) between a DNA profile with drop-out classified as one contributor compared to a reference profile; 2. Evaluation of the LR between a mixture profile classified as having two contributors compared to a reference profile (major); 3. Evaluation of the LR between a mixture profile classified as having two contributors conditioning on one contributor (minor). Additionally, situations 2 and 3 were assessed in modified forms: the evaluation of the LR between a two-person mixture profile and a reference profile (minor); and the evaluation of the LR for a two-person mixture profile conditioned on the major contributor. Finally, six real cases, previously reported by the laboratory using LRmix Studio™, were analyzed with EuroForMix. The values obtained in both software were compared. The results showed that EuroForMix generally presented higher LR values than LRmix Studio™. Therefore, the EuroForMix software was validated for routine use at SEPGEF in the three situations mentioned.
{"title":"Validation of the EuroForMix at the Brazilian Federal Police: Analysis of matches involving complex genetic profiles","authors":"Ananda Duarte , Augusto Soares Leite Ribeiro , Marlon Anselmo Duarte da Costa , Renato Teodoro Fereira de Paranaíba , Apoena de Oliveira Lopes , Luiz Guilherme Barros Cocentino , Bruno Rodrigues Trindade , Carlos Eduardo Martinez de Medeiros , Cristina Moniz de Aragão Gualda , Aline Costa Minervino","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100619","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100619","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>DNA mixture profiles and single profiles with drop-out originate from complex biological samples, whose interpretation poses challenges such as determining the number of contributors and evaluating the weight of genetic evidence. At the laboratory of the Forensic Genetics Service of the Federal Police (SEPGEF), the analysis of complex genetic profiles is performed using the LRmix Studio™ software, which has been discontinued. Thus, members of the National DNA Database (BNPG) and SEPGEF conducted this study to validate the use of the EuroForMix software in evaluating matches of complex genetic profiles in Federal Police cases. Simulated mixture profiles of two heterozygous individuals in 22 of the 23 autosomal genetic markers examined were analyzed. The mixtures, amplified in triplicate, were made in proportions of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, and 1:6, with one-third of the samples subjected to degradation by ultraviolet (UV) radiation for 10 min, one-third for 20 min, and one-third without UV degradation. The LRmix Studio™ and EuroForMix were used to quantify the weight of genetic evidence observed in matches with the reference profiles used in the simulated samples. The analysis involved three situations: 1. Evaluation of the likelihood ratio (LR) between a DNA profile with drop-out classified as one contributor compared to a reference profile; 2. Evaluation of the LR between a mixture profile classified as having two contributors compared to a reference profile (major); 3. Evaluation of the LR between a mixture profile classified as having two contributors conditioning on one contributor (minor). Additionally, situations 2 and 3 were assessed in modified forms: the evaluation of the LR between a two-person mixture profile and a reference profile (minor); and the evaluation of the LR for a two-person mixture profile conditioned on the major contributor. Finally, six real cases, previously reported by the laboratory using LRmix Studio™, were analyzed with EuroForMix. The values obtained in both software were compared. The results showed that EuroForMix generally presented higher LR values than LRmix Studio™. Therefore, the EuroForMix software was validated for routine use at SEPGEF in the three situations mentioned.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100619"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-17DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100629
Aaron Olson , Charles Ramsay
Despite toxicology's foundation in analytical chemistry and quantitative measurements, it remains vulnerable to errors that can impact criminal justice outcomes. This paper presents a review of notable errors in toxicology collected over a combined 48 years of field experience. We highlight cases of toxicology errors from across multiple jurisdictions, categorizing them by type: traceability errors, calibration errors, discovery violations, maintenance failures, source code defects, fraud, errors due to interfering substances, reporting errors, laboratory contamination, and chain of custody breaches.
Our analysis reveals that many errors persisted for years before detection, with some lasting over a decade. Discovery often came from external sources rather than internal quality controls. Errors ranged from technical failures to deliberate misconduct, affecting thousands of cases. Notable patterns include institutional resistance to disclosure, retaliation against whistleblowers, and systematic withholding of exculpatory evidence. The compilation demonstrates vulnerabilities in toxicology. Key reforms needed include transparency through online discovery portals, mandatory retention of digital data, independent laboratory accreditation, whistleblower protections, and regular third-party audits. By examining past errors, the forensic science community can develop policies to prevent similar mistakes and enhance both scientific integrity and the pursuit of justice.
{"title":"Errors in toxicology testing and the need for full discovery","authors":"Aaron Olson , Charles Ramsay","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite toxicology's foundation in analytical chemistry and quantitative measurements, it remains vulnerable to errors that can impact criminal justice outcomes. This paper presents a review of notable errors in toxicology collected over a combined 48 years of field experience. We highlight cases of toxicology errors from across multiple jurisdictions, categorizing them by type: traceability errors, calibration errors, discovery violations, maintenance failures, source code defects, fraud, errors due to interfering substances, reporting errors, laboratory contamination, and chain of custody breaches.</div><div>Our analysis reveals that many errors persisted for years before detection, with some lasting over a decade. Discovery often came from external sources rather than internal quality controls. Errors ranged from technical failures to deliberate misconduct, affecting thousands of cases. Notable patterns include institutional resistance to disclosure, retaliation against whistleblowers, and systematic withholding of exculpatory evidence. The compilation demonstrates vulnerabilities in toxicology. Key reforms needed include transparency through online discovery portals, mandatory retention of digital data, independent laboratory accreditation, whistleblower protections, and regular third-party audits. By examining past errors, the forensic science community can develop policies to prevent similar mistakes and enhance both scientific integrity and the pursuit of justice.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100629"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144655809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-07-14DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100623
Yu-gang Cai , Yan-jun Wang , Yong-fu Wu , Jia-yi Feng , Yan Mo , Qing-hong Wang , Yong Dai
This study investigated the metabolic profiles of two isomeric psychoactive agents, methyl-ketamine [2-(ortho-tolyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone] and 2-oxo-PCE [2-(phenyl)-2-(ethylamino)cyclohexanone], in rats. Following oral administration, blood, liver, and urine samples were collected at timed intervals and analyzed via ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). Metabolomic comparisons revealed distinct metabolic pathways driven by structural differences. Methyl-ketamine primarily underwent cyclohexanone hydroxylation, dehydration, N-demethylation, cyclohexanone carbonyl hydrogenation, and glucuronidation, with N-dealkylation as the dominant process. In contrast, 2-oxo-PCE metabolism involved carbonyl hydrogenation of cyclohexanone, N-diethylation, deamination, hydroxylation, dehydration, and glucuronidation. Structural variations—specifically the steric hindrance imposed by the methyl group on o-tolyl in methyl-ketamine—were identified as key factors influencing metabolic divergence. This hindered the carbonyl hydrogenation of cyclohexanone observed in 2-oxo-PCE, while promoting hydroxylation/dehydration reactions in methyl-ketamine. Post-N-dealkylation, methyl-ketamine retained cyclohexyl hydroxylation/dehydration, whereas 2-oxo-PCE exhibited deamination and cyclohexanone carbonyl hydrogenation/dehydration. Notably, urinary metabolite profiles in humans were mirrored those in rats, and relevance was shown. It was elucidated how structural isomerism dictating metabolic outcomes and offering insights into the mechanistic basis of new psychoactive substances. The study underscored steric effects as critical determinants of metabolic pathways and provided a foundation for predicting pharmacokinetic behavior in related compounds.
{"title":"Metabolic patterns of new psychoactive substances: Methyl-ketamine and 2-oxo-PCE in rats using UHPLC-QTOF analysis","authors":"Yu-gang Cai , Yan-jun Wang , Yong-fu Wu , Jia-yi Feng , Yan Mo , Qing-hong Wang , Yong Dai","doi":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the metabolic profiles of two isomeric psychoactive agents, methyl-ketamine [2-(ortho-tolyl)-2-(methylamino)cyclohexanone] and 2-oxo-PCE [2-(phenyl)-2-(ethylamino)cyclohexanone], in rats. Following oral administration, blood, liver, and urine samples were collected at timed intervals and analyzed via ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS). Metabolomic comparisons revealed distinct metabolic pathways driven by structural differences. Methyl-ketamine primarily underwent cyclohexanone hydroxylation, dehydration, N-demethylation, cyclohexanone carbonyl hydrogenation, and glucuronidation, with N-dealkylation as the dominant process. In contrast, 2-oxo-PCE metabolism involved carbonyl hydrogenation of cyclohexanone, N-diethylation, deamination, hydroxylation, dehydration, and glucuronidation. Structural variations—specifically the steric hindrance imposed by the methyl group on o-tolyl in methyl-ketamine—were identified as key factors influencing metabolic divergence. This hindered the carbonyl hydrogenation of cyclohexanone observed in 2-oxo-PCE, while promoting hydroxylation/dehydration reactions in methyl-ketamine. Post-N-dealkylation, methyl-ketamine retained cyclohexyl hydroxylation/dehydration, whereas 2-oxo-PCE exhibited deamination and cyclohexanone carbonyl hydrogenation/dehydration. Notably, urinary metabolite profiles in humans were mirrored those in rats, and relevance was shown. It was elucidated how structural isomerism dictating metabolic outcomes and offering insights into the mechanistic basis of new psychoactive substances. The study underscored steric effects as critical determinants of metabolic pathways and provided a foundation for predicting pharmacokinetic behavior in related compounds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36925,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Synergy","volume":"11 ","pages":"Article 100623"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144614618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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