Forensic Sciences Research最新文献

Violence often occurs among patients with mental disorders. The risk of violence is assessed under the demand of psychiatric clinical treatment or forensic assessment. Corresponding therapeutic intervention strategies could be developed according to the outcome of the assessment. Currently, violence risk assessment methods are mainly divided into actuarial assessment and structured professional judgement. Scientific and objective assessment results support judicial decisions and risk management. However, all the assessment methods have certain shortcomings, and there is still room for improvement. This paper reviews several tools of violence risk assessment and their research progress, focusing on the main content of each tool and its applicability. The review aimed to provide a reference for the selection and application of violence risk assessment tools and optimization of violence risk assessment methods in the future. Key points  The violence risk assessment methods are widely used in psychiatric clinical treatment or forensic assessment, but all the methods have certain shortcomings.The review discussed main contents and research progress of several violence risk assessment tools in order to explore applicability of each tool.The review aimed to provide a reference for the selection and application of violence risk assessment tools and optimization of violence risk assessment methods in the future.

Forensic science explores scientific knowledge to clarify legal and legal issues. Since I started in this area of knowledge in mid-2007, my priority has been to create a centre of reference and excellence that would advance forensic science, an area sometimes based on self-taught practices. Along this pathway, I always considered that we were dealing with an articulated set of "Forensic Sciences" and not with a single "Forensic Science", but I was, at least partially, wrong! This work discusses the competencies of the different forensic subspecialties, seeking to be the starting point for reformulating forensic teaching, research, and public and private forensic activity. It also highlights the concern of offering a certain level of professionalization to forensic science. For this reflection, it was important to follow a path that had its foundations in the study of the historical roots of forensic science, namely the first Portuguese forensic case, to study the revolutionary scientific contribution triggered by the "CSI effect", to understand in depth the competencies of each of the forensic subspecialties and bring this knowledge to specialized pre- and postgraduate training, to promote innovation through peer review of empirical forensic practices to increase the scientific evidence, the development of certification mechanisms for forensic experts and their respective code of ethics, and to open the doors for artificial intelligence to assist the courts and the opportunity that forensic science represents in the development of other areas of health sciences, life, and social behaviour. Thus, it was born, very unconsciously, a scientific project for the transdisciplinary reformulation of forensic activity, but over time, it allowed me to realize that we can have specialists trained in all its dimensions and plenitude. The pillars for the modernization of this science and, ultimately, the law, which, together with education and health, are the three main pillars of society. Not punishing innocent people, leaving criminals unharmed through scientific evidence, seeking justice, and repairing the damage is the supreme spirit of Forensic Science. Our One Forensics model is now being considered to be implemented by other countries.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2018.1479148.].

Bullet ricochets often leave impact sites that can be useful for shooting incident reconstruction. Here, we assess the proposal that these sites can potentially provide information about the design and composition of the projectile and possibly the corresponding firearm. We produced impact sites in concrete from five bullet types fired at two distances, for a total of 10 experimental conditions. Then, using elliptical Fourier analysis, we assessed the 297 bullet ricochet impact sites' plan-view outline shapes. Of the different bullet types, the 45 calibre Hollow Points exhibited the greatest variability in ricochet impact site shape, and the greatest potential for diagnosis. Overall, statistical assessment of robust sample sizes of ricochet impact sites suggests that there is too much overlap between different bullets' ricochet sites' plan-view form for confident identification of bullet design and composition, much less identification of the firearm from which it originated. We conclude with an extended discussion about future experiments involving bullet ricochet impact sites, including the employment of "paradigmatic classification", which can both organise the testing of experimental variables as well as illustrate the tremendous amount of experimental work that still needs to be conducted before researchers or firearm examiners draw firm conclusions. Key PointsBullet ricochet impact sites often occur in shooting incidents.We analysed bullet richochet impact site shapes in concrete using elliptical Fourier analysis.Results suggest different bullet types' ricochet impact shape morphospaces overlap with each other.This overlap obscures conclusions about the design and composition of the projectile and possibly the responsible firearm.

The ability to develop latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases can be crucial in resolving crime cases and advancing forensic investigations. Currently, there is a lack of consensus on the ideal technique to employ for the enhancement of latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases. This review therefore aims to explore techniques and methods employed to develop latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases. A systematic search of peer-reviewed original articles was performed from four main electronic databases: ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. According to data from our review, the most well-established method for developing latent fingermarks from fired and unfired cartridge cases remains the sequential application of cyanoacrylate fuming, followed by gun bluing, and the application of a fluorescent dye called basic yellow 40. This review also discusses the current scope of research, highlights the limitations, and provides practical recommendations for future perspectives. Key points  Fingermark evidence on fired and unfired cartridge cases cannot be undervalued.The enhancement of latent fingermarks from fired cartridge cases is possible although challenging.Enhancement of latent fingermarks from fired cartridge case is possible with cyanoacrylate fuming followed by gun bluing and basic yellow 40.Recover Latent Fingerprint Technology, palladium deposition, and cold patination fluid are promising fingermark enhancement techniques.

The detection and identification of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) present challenges in emergency response scenarios and for safety and security applications. This study presents the development and validation of an innovative analytical method using a gas chromatography (GC) and quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) sensor for the detection of stimulants for six CWAs. Following the guidelines of the European Network of Forensic Science Institute (ENFSI) and the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808, the analytical method was validated. The validation results demonstrated the robustness and reliability of both the GC and QEPAS modules. Moreover, with regard to the toxicological threshold levels, this study highlights the efficacy of a prototype of a portable device for real security and safety applications. Furthermore, a machine learning (ML) approach was developed to automate the detection and identification of CWAs' stimulants. The workflow involved two interconnected stages: detection based on chromatographic retention times (RTs), and identification using infrared (IR) spectra through the one-class support vector machines classifier. The classifier was activated only after obtaining a positive detection based on RTs. The results highlight the ML model's effectiveness in CWA detection and identification, combining RT analysis and IR spectrum classification, achieving 97% accuracy at a 95.5% confidence interval and 99% accuracy at a 99.7% confidence interval; this result demonstrates the model's utility for real-world security and safety applications for CWAs.

Age estimation is a critical aspect of forensic entomology, especially in the examination of pupae. The use of proteins as a means for age identification shows great promise. In this study, proteomic techniques were employed to investigate differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) during the intrapuparial stage of Chrysomya megacephala. Specimens were sampled at four distinct time points: 0 h (Group A), 24 h (Group B), 48 h (Group C), and 72 h (Group D). Our analysis uncovered 56 DEPs between Groups B and A, 116 DEPs between Groups C and A, and a total of 152 DEPs between Groups D and A. These DEPs were categorized into nine clusters based on their expression patterns. Cluster 1 exhibited an increasing trend in protein expression, while Cluster 4 displayed the opposite pattern. Clusters 2, 6, and 9 showed an initial rise followed by a decline, whereas Cluster 3 demonstrated the reverse trend. Cluster 8 indicated an initial rise, a subsequent drop, and another rise, while Cluster 7 showed an initial decrease, followed by an increase and a minor decrease. Notably, the C-type lectin domain-containing (CTLD) protein and Failed axon connections (Fax) protein consistently displayed an upward trend. These two DEPs were selected for validation using the parallel reaction monitoring technique-targeted proteomics, confirming the trends observed in the initial analysis. In summary, this study highlights the potential of using proteins as reliable biomarkers for estimating pupal age.

The characteristics of commercially available thermochromic ink pens have been studied and described since their appearance in 2006. The wide variety of brands and models now available warrants further study using an expanded sample size, to differentiate the general characteristics from specific characteristics. Herein, the ink strokes of 15 pens purchased in the province of Córdoba, Argentina were studied. First, the initial unaltered strokes were examined. Second, heat-manipulated strokes (with and without friction) were evaluated. Several characterization techniques were employed, such as observation by the naked eye, optical magnification, and light irradiation using different spectral bands. In 100% of the unaltered strokes, the general characteristics of thermochromic inks, such as ink accumulation at the end of the stroke path and a "pasty appearance", were found. It was possible to visualize colourless strokes (i.e. erased strokes) based on their contrast with the paper by shining oblique light at an opposite angle to that of the observation. In addition, the responses to ultraviolet (UV) (365 and 254 nm) and cyan light (505 nm) by infrared techniques were useful for distinguishing the thermochromic ink. Specific characteristics, such as high relief in areas of ink accumulation, less ink accumulation in the internal zone of the stroke, and intensity differences in infrared radiation (IR) luminescence emitted by different brands and models, could be useful in determining the writing tool that was used.

Key points: Thermochromic ink disappears with heat but is reversible with cold.UV techniques and IR photography serve to make thermochromic ink visible.Initially use oblique white light opposite to the angle of observation to make strokes visible.