Forensic Sciences Research最新文献

Sex estimation is an essential part of anthropological analysis in both forensic and archaeological studies, as it is vital for the construction of biological profiles from skeletal remains. The last years have seen a steady increase in the development of alternative methodologies for sex estimation, which do not depend on strictly traditional osteometric measurements. The present study focuses on the evaluation of the sex diagnostic capacity of the diaphyseal cross-sectional geometric (CSG) properties of the ulna on 215 individuals (120 males, 95 females) from a contemporary Greek population sample, utilizing support vector machine supervised learning algorithms for the classification analysis. The correlation of age-at-death on the utilized CSG variables and the effect of bilateral asymmetry in the presence of sexual dimorphism were evaluated as well. The highest cross-validated accuracy reached was 98.15%, exceeding the accuracy achieved by standard ostemeotric measurements of the ulna, highlighting the importance of evaluating and, subsequently, incorporating alternative measurements in sex estimation practices. The optimal classification model is freely available as a standalone R function, in order to facilitate the utilization of the CSG properties in forensic context.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2020.1779967.][This retracts the article DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owae010.].

Forensic botany is the use of plant material as evidence to aid in forensic investigations. Bryology is the study of bryophytes, which consist of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Botanical evidence as a whole, and more specifically potential bryophyte evidence, is an underused potential tool that can provide crucial information in criminal investigations. This paper (i) outlines a review of all bryophyte applications to forensic science, to the best of our knowledge, (ii) demonstrates the potential of using this type of evidence, (iii) presents details into each case, and (iv) highlights the various uses of bryophytes as forensic evidence. From our review, all cases have seemingly been limited to mosses. The overarching goal is for this review to be a resource that encourages law enforcement to search for plant fragments and microscopic bryophytes. Key PointsBryophytes are an underutilized potential tool within forensic science.Bryophytes are ubiquitous as well as have a number of unique features and can be found in almost every environment around the world.Many reported and published case reports exemplify the numerous applications for bryophytes and other botanical evidence within forensic science.

Soil forensics examines edaphic properties of evidentiary value in the immediate vicinity of human remains in a region called the cadaver decomposition island (CDI). As a body decomposes, soil in the CDI is permeated with liquified human nutrients and becomes gravesoil. This study is the first to specifically investigate how stable isotopes of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) change in human gravesoils during decomposition over the postmortem interval (PMI). Gravesoil samples were analysed for %C, δ¹³C, %N, and δ¹⁵N in CDIs over the initial 30-d PMI (PMI₃₀) and over longer PMIs up to 900 d (PMI₉₀₀). Gravesoil %C and δ¹³C did not show any significant changes with decomposition progression in the PMI₃₀ study. By days 10-15, gravesoil mean %N more than doubled from 0.4% to 1.05%, while mean gravesoil δ¹⁵N increased from 3.3‰ to 8.2‰ by day 10, up to a high mean of 9.9‰ on day 20. Both %N and δ¹⁵N remained significantly elevated for the entire PMI₃₀ period. In the PMI₉₀₀ study, gravesoils increased from 0.2%-0.8% N to a high of 1.9% N after 2-3 months, then decreased to 0.5%-0.6% in the 600-900 d time frame. Gravesoil δ¹⁵N originating at 2‰-4‰ was enriched by 15‰-20‰ after the first month, eventually declining to 9‰-11‰ after 600-900 d. We conclude that δ¹⁵N in human gravesoils has promise as a forensic tool to detect a CDI and correlate it with decomposition stage that adds to existing methods in estimating PMI, even if the body is absent. Key Points  Soil forensics examines the products of human decomposition and their impacts on underlying gravesoil.Various forms of nitrogen and carbon have proven to be a useful indicator of the presence of gravesoils.%C, δ¹³C, %N, and δ¹⁵N in CDIs were measured at different depths and distances from the remains in the short PMI (30 d) and extended PMI (900 d).When compared to control soils, δ¹⁵N and %N levels in gravesoil increased by day 10, peaked by day 20, and remained high over the 30-d study. In the longer PMI study, %N returned to control levels in the 600-900 d time frame, while δ¹⁵N levels remained elevated at the end of the experiment.We conclude that δ¹⁵N is a useful indicator of not only the presence of a CDI but also has tangible use as a PMI estimation tool for forensic taphonomists.

Latent fingerprints are a valuable yet challenging source of both human and microbial DNA, especially when ridge patterns are of poor visual quality with little to no identification potential. The efficiency of DNA collection and extraction depends on the choice of the sampling technique and the specimen conditions. This study compared two swab types for collecting and extracting human and microbial DNA from the fingers and fingerprints of two participants: 4N6FLOQSwabs® Genetics (Copan Italia) and standard cotton swabs (Dealmed Cotton-Tipped Sterile Wood Applicators). Results revealed higher DNA recovery for one participant regardless of swab type, indicating variability likely due to individual differences in natural cell/DNA shedding. Microbial DNA recovery ranged from 100% (from fingers) to 30% (from fingerprints), implying a loss of DNA during deposition, with 4N6FLOQSwabs® generally outperforming cotton swabs. Total DNA recovery from fingerprints was ~57% of that from fingers, comparable between both swab types, though 4N6FLOQSwabs® yields were higher overall. STR profiling via direct PCR with MicroFLOQ® showed that 4N6FLOQSwabs® performance was also superior, successfully identifying STR loci from fingers in 74% of cases, compared to 54% with cotton swabs. This figure was similar when extracting DNA from fingerprints (~40%). This comparative study underscores the importance of selecting the appropriate swab type for optimal DNA extraction from fingers and latent fingerprints in forensic investigations. Key Points  4N6FLOQSwabs® more effectively collects DNA from fingers and fingerprints than cotton swabs.Direct PCR with MicroFLOQ® on 4N6FLOQSwabs® provides higher DNA quality as shown by STR profiling.4N6FLOQSwabs® and cotton swabs detect no influence of handedness in DNA recovery.

In the field of forensic sciences, human teeth are used to identify individuals in cases involving unidentified bodies. In recent years, isotope analysis of tooth enamel has been increasingly employed to estimate birth year and place of birth. The enamel is formed between the prenatal period and childhood, and after the tooth crown is complete, it does not undergo additional growth. Therefore, the oxygen isotope composition of the enamel bioapatite is significantly influenced by the environmental conditions during these periods, including dietary habits and tap water consumption. In this study, we aimed to predict the places of birth of 65 Japanese individuals, whose places of birth were known, by analysing the oxygen isotope ratios in carbonates in the enamel bioapatite. The oxygen isotope ratio in bioapatite varied from a maximum value of -3.4‰ to a minimum of -8.76‰, indicating lower and higher values in cold and warm areas, respectively. Furthermore, a correlation was observed between the oxygen isotope ratios and the latitudes and average annual temperatures of the place of residence during enamel formation (correlation coefficients: -0.84 and 0.81, respectively). Oxygen isotope analysis of enamel bioapatite can help in determining the environmental conditions in the place of residence during enamel formation. Overall, oxygen isotope analysis can be useful in predicting the place of residence during enamel formation of individuals in Japan. Key Points  Oxygen isotope ratios in tooth enamel bioapatite were analysed to determine the birthplaces of Japanese individuals.The oxygen isotope ratio correlated with the latitude and average annual temperature of the place of residence during enamel formation.Oxygen isotope analysis can help in estimating the place of birth of individuals in Japan.

Full-sibling (FS) identification is a crucial aspect of kinship analysis. However, current FS identification methods need to be more accurate and effective for routine FS identification. In this study, the optimal cut-off values for FS identification by incorporating both the identical by state (IBS) and likelihood ratio (LR) methods under four different levels of error rates were assessed. The corresponding sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and effectiveness were calculated for different numbers of short tandem repeats (STRs), ranging from 19 to 55. The identified cut-off values were validated using authentic pedigrees from the Han population in East China. It was determined that the cut-off values derived from the IBS method and LR method with an error rate below 0.01% were dependable and practical. The study also explored the impact of half-sibling relationships and the inclusion of reference relatives in FS identification. Currently, an updated technical specification for FS identification in China was released, serving as a valuable resource for FS testing in forensic applications.

Second level dactyloscopic markants (minutiae) are irregularities in the course of the friction ridge skin used for personal identification because of their high variability. Individual uniqueness is affected by the high number of minutiae and their random distribution within the friction ridge skin. The combination of various environmental factors, e.g., snow, soil environment, and direct sunlight, can affect the quality of fingerprints. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of snow under two different conditions (natural snowfall and immersion in the snow) within various time intervals on fingerprints. A total of 265 groomed latent distal fingerprints were taken from a Caucasian male from Slovakia. Latent fingerprints were taken only from one participant, as the composition of sweat, i.e., the sweat-fat substance, varies from person to person, which could influence the results. Subsequently, obtained latent fingerprints were developed using small particle reagent. We evaluated the decrease in the number of minutiae on latent fingerprints exposed to the destructive influence of snow. The results confirmed that snow has a significant effect on the quality of latent fingerprints, as a decrease in the average number of minutiae on latent prints was observed after only 2 h of exposure to snow conditions. After snow exposure, usable fingerprints for identification decreased, whilst non-usable ones increased, with 53.33% of non-usable fingerprints resulting from natural snowfall exposure. After exposure of latent fingerprints to snow immersion, 98.13% of non-usable fingerprints were found. The results can help improving personal identification efficiency. Key Points  Fingerprints exposed to various environmental factors are recommended to be evaluated.Visual quality of latent prints decreases with the length of exposure to snow conditions.The average number of minutiae decreases significantly after the influence of snow conditions.Snowfall has a less negative influence on the average number of minutiae than forcible immersion.Latent fingerprints exposed to snowfall have better identification potential.

This contribution aims to analyse an Italian femicide case that progressed through three levels of trial up to the Supreme Court of Cassation and required an expert opinion. This analysis will address specific forensic psychiatry issues inherent to this field, i.e., the interaction between addiction, jealousy, and mental disorder in a femicide case, which necessitates a comprehensive understanding of both criminology and legal medicine. On one hand, the nosographic setup of the so-called dual diagnosis (in the case examined, there was alcohol addiction and a borderline personality disorder), together with conditions inherent to a personality disorder (in this specific case, at least a borderline state or actually marginal manifest disease) that integrated an infirmity with legal relevance. Both conditions were inserted in a relational context of dysfunctional and collusive characters in which the victim's personality caused her, at a victimological level, to become an active partner co-responsible for the criminal act. Key points  Forensic psychiatric analysis in a case of femicide.Nosographic difficulty in making dual diagnosis.Assessment of the perpetrator's mental capacity and of diminished responsibility.Personal predisposition of the victim as an active partner in the crime.