Pub Date : 2024-03-07DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.03.002
Michael S. Nirenberg , Elizabeth Ansert , T.J. Minetola , Abbey Marie Esbenson , Annie L. Samuel , Jackie Campbell
In forensic podiatry, footprints have been shown to provide a valuable source of discriminatory information. Footprints may be found in various forms, such as bare footprints, sock-clad footprints, or as impressions on insoles within footwear. This study utilized quantitative measures of foot impressions on pairs of insoles from shoes worn by the same person from a population of 31 adults. The measurements were determined by using the Reel method and comprised measurements from the heel to the tips of the toes and width of the ball. The purpose of the study was to assess the margin of error for these measurements to determine whether they were sufficiently accurate for forensic use.
A secondary purpose of this study was to determine whether the analyst’s experience or lack thereof in forensic podiatry had an impact on the precision of measurement data. The insole foot impressions were assessed by two podiatrists with forensic podiatry experience in footprint analysis, footprint research, and in using the Reel method of footprint measurement, as well as by three students of podiatric medicine without any such experience. A statistical analysis of the data from the study was performed using SPSS v28 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). The most reliable measurements were of forefoot width, heel to first toe, heel to second toe, and heel to fourth toe. The greatest variation occurred in the measurements of the heel to the third and fifth toes. The measurements of the forensic podiatrist analysts showed less variability than those of the podiatry students, suggesting that measurement precision is related to the experience of the analyst.
在法医足病学中,脚印已被证明可提供宝贵的鉴别信息。脚印的形式多种多样,如裸露的脚印、穿着袜子的脚印或鞋垫上的脚印。本研究采用定量测量的方法,从 31 个成年人中测量同一人所穿鞋的鞋垫上的脚印。测量结果采用里尔法测定,包括从脚跟到脚趾尖的测量值和脚掌的宽度。这项研究的另一个目的是确定分析师在法医足病学方面的经验是否会影响测量数据的精确性。两名在足印分析、足印研究和使用里尔足印测量方法方面具有法医足病经验的足病医生和三名没有此类经验的足病医学专业学生对鞋垫足印进行了评估。研究数据的统计分析采用 SPSS v28(IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows,28.0 版。)最可靠的测量值是前脚掌宽度、脚跟至第一脚趾、脚跟至第二脚趾和脚跟至第四脚趾。差异最大的是脚跟到第三和第五个脚趾的测量值。与足病专业学生的测量结果相比,法医足病分析师的测量结果变异性较小,这表明测量精度与分析师的经验有关。
{"title":"Forensic measurement comparison of foot insole impressions","authors":"Michael S. Nirenberg , Elizabeth Ansert , T.J. Minetola , Abbey Marie Esbenson , Annie L. Samuel , Jackie Campbell","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.03.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In forensic podiatry, footprints have been shown to provide a valuable source of discriminatory information. Footprints may be found in various forms, such as bare footprints, sock-clad footprints, or as impressions on insoles within footwear. This study utilized quantitative measures of foot impressions on pairs of insoles from shoes worn by the same person from a population of 31 adults. The measurements were determined by using the Reel method and comprised measurements from the heel to the tips of the toes and width of the ball. The purpose of the study was to assess the margin of error for these measurements to determine whether they were sufficiently accurate for forensic use.</p><p>A secondary purpose of this study was to determine whether the analyst’s experience or lack thereof in forensic podiatry had an impact on the precision of measurement data. The insole foot impressions were assessed by two podiatrists with forensic podiatry experience in footprint analysis, footprint research, and in using the Reel method of footprint measurement, as well as by three students of podiatric medicine without any such experience. A statistical analysis of the data from the study was performed using SPSS v28 (IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 28.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp). The most reliable measurements were of forefoot width, heel to first toe, heel to second toe, and heel to fourth toe. The greatest variation occurred in the measurements of the heel to the third and fifth toes. The measurements of the forensic podiatrist analysts showed less variability than those of the podiatry students, suggesting that measurement precision is related to the experience of the analyst.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":"64 3","pages":"Pages 264-268"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140095783","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-21DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.005
Max Coleman
A new method for looking for life outside the Earth is used as an example to demonstrate how ways of presenting complex scientific concepts to the general public, used in planetary science, could be used in forensic science. The work led to a pared down, practical definition of detectable Life for planetary exploration, An organised system capable of processing energy sources to its advantage. For nearly three quarters of Earth’s history the only lifeforms were microbes, which are the target for looking for extraterrestrial life. Microbes are microscopic and may be sparsely distributed, but their metabolic products can form large, durable rocks, much easier to find and which may contain the organisms or their remains.
There are similar challenges in presenting astrobiological and forensic science. Both may have to deal with very large or very small numbers which are not immediately comprehensible but can be understood by analogy. To increase the impact on the listener or reader, dramatic analogues are valuable, for example, referring to the mineralised microbial metabolic products as, “fossilised breath of bacteria” demands the audience's attention and engages them before more detailed explanations are given. The power of practical experiments or demonstrations is most important to reinforce what might otherwise be a fairly abstract concept. Surprisingly, most of these approaches can be made to work equally well in both spoken and written forms as well as in both sciences.
{"title":"Martian microbes research and lessons learnt for forensic science","authors":"Max Coleman","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>A new method for looking for life outside the Earth is used as an example to demonstrate how ways of presenting complex scientific concepts to the general public, used in planetary science, could be used in forensic science. The work led to a pared down, practical definition of detectable Life for planetary exploration, <em>An organised system capable of processing energy sources to its advantage.</em> For nearly three quarters of Earth’s history the only lifeforms were microbes, which are the target for looking for extraterrestrial life. Microbes are microscopic and may be sparsely distributed, but their metabolic products can form large, durable rocks, much easier to find and which may contain the organisms or their remains.</p><p>There are similar challenges in presenting astrobiological and forensic science. Both may have to deal with very large or very small numbers which are not immediately comprehensible but can be understood by analogy. To increase the impact on the listener or reader, dramatic analogues are valuable, for example, referring to the mineralised microbial metabolic products as, “fossilised breath of bacteria” demands the audience's attention and engages them before more detailed explanations are given. The power of practical experiments or demonstrations is most important to reinforce what might otherwise be a fairly abstract concept. Surprisingly, most of these approaches can be made to work equally well in both spoken and written forms as well as in both sciences.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":"64 3","pages":"Pages 251-257"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139927750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In forensic paint examination, paint traces retrieved on a crime scene are regularly compared to painted objects seized from a suspect. Less often, traces are only observed on the seized objects and compared to a damaged painted object on the crime scene. In some specific cases, paint traces may be found both on the crime scene and on one or multiple seized painted objects. The latter may be the result of a cross-transfer that occurred during the illicit act. However, mere coincidence is another possible explanation for these observations and may not be neglected. Proper consideration of the relevant populations and sufficient analytical data permits the evaluation of the results given activity level propositions. This allows the forensic expert to present a transparent and well-balanced statement on the value of their findings concerning the disputed issues in court.
{"title":"Interpretation of a paint cross-transfer on a burglary scene – A case report","authors":"Florian Vanneste , Yu Chen Lim-Hitchings , Geneviève Massonnet , Kyra Lunstroot","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In forensic paint examination, paint traces retrieved on a crime scene are regularly compared to painted objects seized from a suspect. Less often, traces are only observed on the seized objects and compared to a damaged painted object on the crime scene. In some specific cases, paint traces may be found both on the crime scene and on one or multiple seized painted objects. The latter may be the result of a cross-transfer that occurred during the illicit act. However, mere coincidence is another possible explanation for these observations and may not be neglected. Proper consideration of the relevant populations and sufficient analytical data permits the evaluation of the results given activity level propositions. This allows the forensic expert to present a transparent and well-balanced statement on the value of their findings concerning the disputed issues in court.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":"64 3","pages":"Pages 258-263"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139927640","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-13DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.003
Ashraf Mashaly , Mohammed S. Al-Khalifa
This article investigates a critical part of professional careers: adhering to a code of ethics that defines proper behavior within the context of one's specialized practice. It aims to improve the setting of forensic entomology work by highlighting the ethical issues that frequently emerge. The primary goal is to uncover common ethical issues involved in this field's everyday activities and provide informed advice on appropriate resolution options. This investigation dives into the complex interaction of religious beliefs, cultural aspects, and issues of ethics, evaluating their relevance in forensic entomology. It examines a wide range of ethical issues, from the ethics involved in collecting samples at crime scenes and morgues to the ethics created into scientific investigations, report writing, and court testimony. These guiding principles are critical in setting scientific standards and building public trust in forensic entomology's ability to provide exceptional services. Notably, regardless of whether the forensic entomology service provider is accredited by any validating organization, these ethical requirements remain critical, emphasizing their global application.
{"title":"Exploring the ethical dimensions in forensic entomology: From codes of conduct to professional accountability","authors":"Ashraf Mashaly , Mohammed S. Al-Khalifa","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This article investigates a critical part of professional careers: adhering to a code of ethics that defines proper behavior within the context of one's specialized practice. It aims to improve the setting of forensic entomology work by highlighting the ethical issues that frequently emerge. The primary goal is to uncover common ethical issues involved in this field's everyday activities and provide informed advice on appropriate resolution options. This investigation dives into the complex interaction of religious beliefs, cultural aspects, and issues of ethics, evaluating their relevance in forensic entomology. It examines a wide range of ethical issues, from the ethics involved in collecting samples at crime scenes and morgues<!--> <!-->to the ethics created into scientific investigations, report writing, and court testimony. These guiding principles are critical in setting scientific standards and building public trust in forensic entomology's ability to provide exceptional services. Notably, regardless of whether the forensic entomology service provider is accredited by any validating organization, these ethical requirements remain critical, emphasizing their global application.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":"64 2","pages":"Pages 243-249"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139879628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-12DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.002
Laura Donato , Douglas H. Ubelaker , Luigi Marsella , Maryana Munyendo , Michele Treglia , Jessika Camatti , Sara Dagoli , Rossana Cecchi
The age progression technique allows to update identification photos of individuals who have been missing for years. This method is based on the study of the facial variation and on the dynamics of facial growth. Knowledge about changes in the distribution of facial fat and the tone of the cartilage allows realistic predictions of the facial appearance after many years. Beside these elements, age progression is also supported by similar characters between family members. This is why photos of the missing and family members are used to create an age progression, making the new identikit accurate.
Non-profit associations are crucial for the dissemination of information on the problem of missing persons. In Italy, the Italian Missing Children association provides for free an age progression service with the support of forensic anthropology. With the activation of a protocol, consisting of guidelines, and a form for the request for age progression by family members, the Italian Missing Children has started a collaboration with Missing Child Kenya. It allowed to disseminate up-to-date photos of the presumed current appearance of the missing children in Kenya. Thus, in the present study some cases are reported, in which age progression technique was applied.
The photos provided by Italian Missing Children were shown in video documentaries made by Missing Child Kenya, allowing to continue the dissemination of age progression photo during the Covid quarantines and to keep the population active in the search for the missing.
{"title":"The forensic imaging technique of age progression used within missing people cases: The Italian Missing Children association realizing age progression for Missing Child Kenya","authors":"Laura Donato , Douglas H. Ubelaker , Luigi Marsella , Maryana Munyendo , Michele Treglia , Jessika Camatti , Sara Dagoli , Rossana Cecchi","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The age progression technique allows to update identification photos of individuals who have been missing for years. This method is based on the study of the facial variation and on the dynamics of facial growth. Knowledge about changes in the distribution of facial fat and the tone of the cartilage allows realistic predictions of the facial appearance after many years. Beside these elements, age progression is also supported by similar characters between family members. This is why photos of the missing and family members are used to create an age progression, making the new identikit accurate.</p><p>Non-profit associations are crucial for the dissemination of information on the problem of missing persons. In Italy, the Italian Missing Children association provides for free an age progression service with the support of forensic anthropology. With the activation of a protocol, consisting of guidelines, and a form for the request for age progression by family members, the Italian Missing Children has started a collaboration with Missing Child Kenya. It allowed to disseminate up-to-date photos of the presumed current appearance of the missing children in Kenya. Thus, in the present study some cases are reported, in which age progression technique was applied.</p><p>The photos provided by Italian Missing Children were shown in video documentaries made by Missing Child Kenya, allowing to continue the dissemination of age progression photo during the Covid quarantines and to keep the population active in the search for the missing.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":"64 2","pages":"Pages 210-215"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139732635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.001
Georgina E. Meakin , Guilherme S. Jacques , Ruth M. Morgan
Items of worn clothing are routinely examined for DNA in forensic casework, commonly with the expectation that at least some of the DNA will come from a wearer of the item, so-called ‘wearer DNA’. This study investigated DNA recovered from hooded jumpers that were regularly worn and laundered for four weeks and then subsequently worn by a different individual for four hours. This study also systematically investigated whether using different recovery methods or sampling locations on the jumpers might distinguish between DNA deposited by the regular and most recent wearers of clothing. Four volunteers each wore a new hooded jumper regularly (6 h/day, 2 days/week, washed at weekends) during two 4-week periods. At the end of each month, DNA was first recovered by cutting out and mini-taping the inside left cuff, half-collar, pocket and underarm fabric. The jumpers were then worn by a different individual for four hours, and DNA was again recovered by cutting out and mini-taping, but this time from the inside right cuff, half-collar, pocket and underarm fabric. All DNA samples (n = 128) were quantified and profiled. DNA quantities ranged from 0 to ∼40 ng with an outlier of ∼150 ng, and no significant differences were observed among recovery methods and sampling locations, nor whether one or two wearers had worn the jumpers. However, one volunteer consistently deposited significantly more DNA to their jumpers than two other volunteers, confirming the impact of ‘shedder status’ on DNA deposition during wearing of clothing. When jumpers were regularly worn by one wearer, the majority (72.7–83.3 %) of the samples for all wearers across both months comprised a major profile of the wearer with a minor profile of non-wearer alleles. When jumpers were then worn by a second wearer, the composition of the profiles obtained were generally reproducible across the recovery methods used, the sampling locations and the two replicates of the experiment for each pairing of wearers. However, profile compositions differed between wearer pairings. Overall, ∼60 % of profiles obtained gave a major profile of the regular wearer, whereas ∼30 % gave a major profile of the second wearer. The remaining profiles comprised other much less frequent observations of single-source profiles of each wearer and equal proportions of DNA from both wearers. Non-wearer DNA was also observed in the majority of samples, both before and after jumpers were worn by a second wearer. For one volunteer’s jumpers, a recurring non-wearer DNA profile was observed that could be attributed to their romantic partner, and this DNA persisted on the jumpers even after being worn by the second wearer. This study provides insight on the impact of shedder status, multiple wearers, different recovery methods and sampling locations on the quantities of DNA and compositions of DNA profiles recovered from authentically regularly-worn hooded jumpers. The findings also provide a preliminary dataset that can
在法医办案过程中,通常会对穿过的衣物进行 DNA 检测,预计至少有部分 DNA 来自于衣物的穿着者,即所谓的 "穿着者 DNA"。本研究调查了从连帽式连身衣中提取的 DNA,这些连帽式连身衣被定期穿着并清洗四周,然后由不同的人穿着四小时。这项研究还系统地调查了采用不同的回收方法或在连体衣上不同的取样位置是否可以区分衣物的经常穿着者和最近穿着者所沉积的 DNA。四名志愿者在两个为期 4 周的时间内,每人定期(每天 6 小时,每周 2 天,周末清洗)穿着一件新的连帽衫。每个月末,首先将左袖口内侧、半领、口袋和腋下的布料剪下并用小胶带粘好,以回收 DNA。然后,由不同的人穿上连体衣四小时,再次剪下并用小胶带粘贴,但这次是从右袖口内侧、半领、口袋和腋下的布料中提取DNA。对所有 DNA 样品(n = 128)进行了量化和分析。DNA数量从0到40纳克不等,离群值为150纳克,不同的回收方法和取样位置,以及是否有一个或两个穿着者穿过连体衣,都没有发现明显的差异。然而,一名志愿者的连体衣上的DNA沉积量一直明显高于其他两名志愿者,这证实了 "脱落者身份 "对穿衣时DNA沉积的影响。当一名穿着者经常穿着连体衣时,两个月中所有穿着者的大部分样本(72.7%-83.3%)都是由穿着者的主要等位基因和非穿着者的次要等位基因组成的。当第二位穿着者再穿连体衣时,在每对穿着者使用的回收方法、取样地点和两个重复实验中,所获得的等位基因谱组成基本一致。不过,不同配对佩戴者的轮廓组成也不尽相同。总体而言,60%的特征描述以正常穿戴者为主要特征,30%的特征描述以第二位穿戴者为主要特征。其余的图谱中,每个穿戴者的单一来源图谱和来自两个穿戴者的相同比例 DNA 的观察次数要少得多。在大多数样本中还观察到了非穿着者的 DNA,无论是在第二位穿着者穿着连体衣之前还是之后。在一名志愿者的连体衣上,反复观察到了非穿着者的 DNA 图谱,这可能是他们的恋爱伴侣所为,即使在第二名穿着者穿着连体衣后,这种 DNA 在连体衣上依然存在。这项研究深入探讨了脱落者身份、多次穿戴者、不同的回收方法和取样地点对从真正定期穿戴的连帽衫中回收的DNA数量和DNA图谱组成的影响。研究结果还提供了一个初步数据集,可用于推断案件工作中的活动水平概率。
{"title":"Comparison of DNA recovery methods and locations from regularly-worn hooded jumpers before and after use by a second wearer","authors":"Georgina E. Meakin , Guilherme S. Jacques , Ruth M. Morgan","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Items of worn clothing are routinely examined for DNA in forensic casework, commonly with the expectation that at least some of the DNA will come from a wearer of the item, so-called ‘wearer DNA’. This study investigated DNA recovered from hooded jumpers that were regularly worn and laundered for four weeks and then subsequently worn by a different individual for four hours. This study also systematically investigated whether using different recovery methods or sampling locations on the jumpers might distinguish between DNA deposited by the regular and most recent wearers of clothing. Four volunteers each wore a new hooded jumper regularly (6 h/day, 2 days/week, washed at weekends) during two 4-week periods. At the end of each month, DNA was first recovered by cutting out and mini-taping the inside left cuff, half-collar, pocket and underarm fabric. The jumpers were then worn by a different individual for four hours, and DNA was again recovered by cutting out and mini-taping, but this time from the inside right cuff, half-collar, pocket and underarm fabric. All DNA samples (n = 128) were quantified and profiled. DNA quantities ranged from 0 to ∼40 ng with an outlier of ∼150 ng, and no significant differences were observed among recovery methods and sampling locations, nor whether one or two wearers had worn the jumpers. However, one volunteer consistently deposited significantly more DNA to their jumpers than two other volunteers, confirming the impact of ‘shedder status’ on DNA deposition during wearing of clothing. When jumpers were regularly worn by one wearer, the majority (72.7–83.3 %) of the samples for all wearers across both months comprised a major profile of the wearer with a minor profile of non-wearer alleles. When jumpers were then worn by a second wearer, the composition of the profiles obtained were generally reproducible across the recovery methods used, the sampling locations and the two replicates of the experiment for each pairing of wearers. However, profile compositions differed between wearer pairings. Overall, ∼60 % of profiles obtained gave a major profile of the regular wearer, whereas ∼30 % gave a major profile of the second wearer. The remaining profiles comprised other much less frequent observations of single-source profiles of each wearer and equal proportions of DNA from both wearers. Non-wearer DNA was also observed in the majority of samples, both before and after jumpers were worn by a second wearer. For one volunteer’s jumpers, a recurring non-wearer DNA profile was observed that could be attributed to their romantic partner, and this DNA persisted on the jumpers even after being worn by the second wearer. This study provides insight on the impact of shedder status, multiple wearers, different recovery methods and sampling locations on the quantities of DNA and compositions of DNA profiles recovered from authentically regularly-worn hooded jumpers. The findings also provide a preliminary dataset that can","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":"64 2","pages":"Pages 232-242"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030624000066/pdfft?md5=1885630746fce66db765519d2c89d4c9&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030624000066-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139927749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The individuality and permanence of fingerprints make of them a very useful feature in the identification of individuals. There are now automated computer programmes that allow a quick comparison between a fingermark and a database. However, in order to assess the strength of evidence in fingerprint identification, complementary information on the frequencies of the different morphological features of the dermopapillary ridges is required. This idea is used in this work as a starting point to evaluate the frequencies of the parameters used in the determination of the hand and finger in a large sample of 2600 fingerprints taken from 134 male and 127 female Spanish population. Based on these fingerprints, the frequencies of different categories of the following parameters were obtained: type of pattern, slope of the apex ridge, subtype of two-delta pattern, ridge tracing, major angle, major ridge count, bisector, rotation of the central ridge, assimilation to loops and slant. Moreover, the results have shown that these characters are useful for the determination of the hand in whorls (two-delta pattern) and loops (one-delta pattern), but not for the determination of the finger. The most useful and classificatory parameter when determining the hand of origin of a two-delta fingerprint is the slope of the apex ridge, and for the one-delta pattern, knowing the location of the delta allows the correct estimation of the hand of a fingerprint in more than 93% of the cases. The data presented in this paper are novel and can be used by latent print examiners to improve the statistical basis of their decisions in reaching conclusions.
{"title":"Study of the fingerprints of a Spanish sample for the determination of the hand and finger","authors":"Noemí Rivaldería , Ariadna Moreno-Piedra , Ainhoa Álvarez , Esperanza Gutiérrez-Redomero","doi":"10.1016/j.scijus.2024.01.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2024.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The individuality and permanence of fingerprints make of them a very useful feature in the identification of individuals. There are now automated computer programmes that allow a quick comparison between a fingermark and a database. However, in order to assess the strength of evidence in fingerprint identification, complementary information on the frequencies of the different morphological features of the dermopapillary ridges is required. This idea is used in this work as a starting point to evaluate the frequencies of the parameters used in the determination of the hand and finger in a large sample of 2600 fingerprints taken from 134 male and 127 female Spanish population. Based on these fingerprints, the frequencies of different categories of the following parameters were obtained: type of pattern, slope of the apex ridge, subtype of two-delta pattern, ridge tracing, major angle, major ridge count, bisector, rotation of the central ridge, assimilation to loops and slant. Moreover, the results have shown that these characters are useful for the determination of the hand in whorls (two-delta pattern) and loops (one-delta pattern), but not for the determination of the finger. The most useful and classificatory parameter when determining the hand of origin of a two-delta fingerprint is the slope of the apex ridge, and for the one-delta pattern, knowing the location of the delta allows the correct estimation of the hand of a fingerprint in more than 93% of the cases. The data presented in this paper are novel and can be used by latent print examiners to improve the statistical basis of their decisions in reaching conclusions.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":49565,"journal":{"name":"Science & Justice","volume":"64 2","pages":"Pages 216-231"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1355030624000054/pdfft?md5=8254f34ee8d34541bf682be913ed8ad7&pid=1-s2.0-S1355030624000054-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139748768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}