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Objective: To determine the prevalence of cheiloscopic patterns in Pakistani population. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Post Graduate Medical Institute (PGMI), Lahore, Capital diagnostic Centre CDC Islamabad, HITEC Taxilla for a duration of 12 months from 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022. Materials and Methods: The lip prints of 320 males and females were taken by applying lip shades and then cellophane tapes (2 inches). They were transferred to an A4 sheet (white A4 ROCO Premium 80g copy papers) and then observed with magnifying hand lenses Deluxe magnifier (70mm diameter). The data was analyzed by IBM SPSS statistics 27.0. Chi square test was applied and a p value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed differences in all individuals in both lip prints. The predominant lip pattern was type III, observed in 159 (99.4%) male participants while it was observed in all the female participants. Type I' observed in 37 (23.1%) female participants and IV are greater in females 160(100%) than males. Type II (was) greater in males 152 (95.0%) than females. Conclusion: Lip prints are useful tool that can be used as biometric markers in dentistry and forensic odontology.

Abstract This paper addresses a relevant problem in Forensic Sciences by integrating radiological techniques with advanced machine learning methodologies to create a non-invasive, efficient, and less examiner-dependent approach to age estimation. Our study includes a new dataset of 12,827 dental panoramic X-ray images representing the Brazilian population, covering an age range from 2.25 to 96.50 years. To analyze these exams, we employed a model adapted from InceptionV4, enhanced with data augmentation techniques. The proposed approach achieved robust and reliable results, with a Test Mean Absolute Error of 3.1 years and an R-squared value of 95.5%. Professional radiologists have validated that our model focuses on critical features for age assessment used in odontology, such as pulp chamber dimensions and stages of permanent teeth calcification. Importantly, the model also relies on anatomical information from the mandible, maxillary sinus, and vertebrae, which enables it to perform well even in edentulous cases. This study demonstrates the significant potential of machine learning to revolutionize age estimation in Forensic Science, offering a more accurate, efficient, and universally applicable solution.

Objective: This study aims to assess the compatibility of the terms used in studies on substance use and addiction published within TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM TR index for the last ten years. Methods: Studies using any of the keywords “substance, drugs, abuse, misuse, illegal substance, addictive substance, marijuana, cannabis, opium, morphine, heroin, opiate, opioid, opium, ecstasy, methamphetamine, amphetamine, addiction, user, narcotic, drug test, drug, stimulant and pleasure-inducing substance, bonsai, ecstasy, captagon”, conducted in Turkey and published in Turkish between 2013-2022 within TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM TR index were included. The articles were examined in terms of the equivalence of Turkish-English keywords; appropriate use of the terms user and dependent by current diagnostic criteria on; appropriate use of current names of substances, and particularly appropriate use of the terms related to cannabinoids. Results: Inappropriate use of substance names was detected in 39.1% of 156 articles included. Inappropriate use of substance names was significantly more frequent in articles indexed in the field of social sciences [χ2 (2)=21.64, Cramer’s V=0.37, p=0.001]. Furthermore, appropriate use of substance names was significantly more frequent in studies whose first author works in health sciences [χ2 (2)=7.78, Cramer’s V=0.22, p=0.02]. Conclusion: Terminological problems in addiction studies, in terms of harmonization of Turkish-English keywords, use of the terms of user or addict, appropriate use of substance names, and especially terms specifically related to cannabinoids take attention. Inappropriate use of substance names was more common in disciplines other than health sciences. Efforts for appropriate use of language in addiction research may facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration in this area.

Complex suicides refer to using two or more suicide modes. In the literature, complex suicides are distinguished into planned and unplanned. Using multiple methods is related to ensuring a fatal result or because the first method appears too painful, time-consuming, or ineffective. The review aims to provide an overview of the critical features of complex suicides in the forensic context. The review was conducted by searching online databases (PubMed Central and Scopus) up to March 2023. We identified 52 articles that met the inclusion criteria, describing 261 cases. Suicides were classified as planned in 136 cases (52.1%); 105 cases (40.2%) were defined as unplanned, while in the remaining 20 cases (7.7%), the authors did not propose any classification. In 2/261 (0.8%) cases, four modes were indicated, three modes were observed in 34/261 cases (13%), and in 224/261 (85.8%) cases the suicides were carried out using a combination of two distinct methods. The method most frequently employed in the first instance in unplanned suicides were sharp-force injuries and stabbing, followed by mechanical asphyxia (hanging, self-strangulation, plastic bag suffocation) and a fall from height. Regarding planned suicide, the most frequent suicide methods were asphyxia, intoxication (drugs, substances of abuse, or alcohol), and poisoning via toxic substances. Complex suicides represent a relatively rare entity in forensic pathology; nevertheless, they can be challenging for the forensic pathologist in terms of differential diagnosis compared to homicides, due to the sometimes multifaceted presentation.

Background: The antegonial angle (AGA), antegonial depth (AGD), gonial angle (GA), and ramus height (RH) of the mandible progress with age, gender, and dental condition. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the AGA, AGD, GA, and RH to assess the gender and growth patterns in orthodontic patients. Materials and Methods: Pre-treatment orthopantomograms and lateral cephalograms of 500 orthodontic patients with an age range of 13–30 years (mean ± SD: 19.63 ± 4.19) were selected. Based on the sagittal and vertical cephalometric measurements, they were divided into six groups. The AGA, AGD, GA, and RH were measured. The data were analyzed using the student’s t-test and one-way ANOVA statistical tests. Results: The RH was short with an increased AGA, AGD, and GA in vertical growth patterns. In the class II group, the AGA, AGD, GA, and RH were found statistically significant. The females showed a higher AGA and GA, whereas the males had an increased RH and AGD. Conclusion: Class II skeletal pattern exhibited an increased AGA and AGD, while those with a class III skeletal pattern displayed an increased GA and RH. Gender differences showed that females exhibited a higher AGA and GA, whereas males had an increased RH and AGD.

Introduction: Estimating age is becoming more and more important in forensic science and dentistry. Identifying criminals, child labor problems, birth certificates, job openings, illegal immigrants, or a body whose identity is unknown are just some of the situations where estimating age is necessary. This study’s goal is to find out how to figure out a child’s chronological age between the ages of 12 and 14 by looking at panoramic X-rays and measuring how big their open tooth root tips are. Things Used and Methods: The left mandibular canine, premolars, and molars from 83 dental panoramic X-rays of patients aged 12 to 14 years were used to study tooth development. The individual tooth-root ratio (A/L) was measured using Sirona software-XG machine (Made by Dentsply Sirona, Germany) in a straight line. An estimated age was made and then matched to the real age. Results: A regression equation was used in statistical analysis to guess the age of the people. To figure out the age, 15.9973-8.465(x7) +1.650(x3) was turned into a linear regression model. Conclusion: The equation that was found in this study can be used to accurately guess the dental age of young teens in South India.

The accumulation of untested sexual evidence is a common problem for many forensic laboratories. In Brazil, there are around 150 thousand sexual evidences awaiting DNA processing. At the same time, manual extraction by differential lysis of these evidences is laborious and time-consuming. In this regard, the Brazilian federal government has structured and sponsored forensic genetics laboratories, providing automated platforms for evidence processing, with the objective of clearing the backlogs of sexual evidence and feeding the national DNA database. This study aims to evaluate the results from processing the backlog of sexual evidence in the forensic genetics laboratory of the Instituto-Geral de Perícias do Rio Grande do Sul to verify if the use of automation is an efficient strategy to manage large amounts of stored evidences. A total of 614 cases of sexual assault (1026 sexual evidence) from the last 10 years (2013 to 2023) with at least one sample with positive results for spermatozoa detection were analyzed. Samples were submitted for DNA extraction by differential lysis on the Hamilton Microlab Autolys STAR SAE platform, followed by the amplification of STR autosomal markers, capillary electrophoresis analysis in the ABI 3500 genetic analyzer and insertion in the BPG-RS using CODIS 7 software. The cases were stratified into three groups, according to the year in which they occurred (182 cases from 2013 to 2016; 123 cases from 2017 to 2019 and 151 cases from 2020 to 2023), in order to verify whether there were differences in the efficiency of differential extraction due to the storage time. 374 cases (61%) presented at least one sample with an eligible autosomal genetic profile for DNA national database. In 64 cases (10.4%) it was possible to obtain only the Y chromosome haplotype profile. From each sexual assault case, only one sample was inserted in the DNA national database. Cases from the years 2020 to 2023 presented 68% of autosomal eligible profiles, followed by cases from 2017 to 2019 (58%) and by cases from 2013 to 2016 (54.9%). The results of this study support the importance of processing the backlog of sexual samples as soon as possible in order to get more eligible autosomal profiles for CODIS (p < 0.05). Using automation to reduce the size of the backlog has been effective, allowing the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples, with reliability and less chance of contamination.

Caffeine, a mild central nervous system (CNS) stimulant present in coffee beans, cocoa beans, and tea leaves, can pose a threat in significant quantities, leading to severe health complications like arrhythmia, tachycardia vomiting, convulsions, coma, and, in extreme cases, death. We present a case involving the tragic demise of a young woman who took her own life by consuming a sleepiness-preventing medication purchased online, containing caffeine. The autopsy revealed pulmonary edema, congestion, and cutaneous emphysema. The stomach contents included a dark-brown viscous fluid with remnants of tablets and food. Toxicological analysis indicated elevated caffeine levels in various body tissues: femoral blood (195 mg/L), brain (115 µg/g), lung (293 mg/g), liver (202 mg/g), spleen (692 mg/g), kidney (288 µg/g), gall bladder (bile juice) (1500 µg/g), skeletal muscle (163 µg/g), small intestine (236 µg/g), and myocardial muscle (682 µg/g). Due to the presence of caffeine tablets in the stomach, the concentration was exceptionally high and therefore not quantified. The highest concentration of caffeine was found in the bile (1500 µg/g). The gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method used was validated according to the GTFCh guidelines. This case emphasizes the importance of caution and highlights the study's recommendation to address the toxicity risks associated with substances containing high caffeine concentrations. The suggestion is to include caffeine concentration assessments in routine forensic toxicological tests for all cases. In this case the cause of death was determined to be caffeine intoxication, with no trace of ethyl alcohol, drugs, pesticides hydrocarbons, or organic solvents detected in the body samples.

Individual identification is a critical focus of forensic research, aiming to achieve heightened accuracy in the identification process. Particularly in cases involving fragmented and damaged skeletal remains, sex determination plays a pivotal role. It is imperative to establish the precision of cadaver bones in such scenarios. This research aimed to evaluate sex-based differences and assess age using bimastoid width measured through digital computed tomography images. The study included a total of 153 adults (77 males and 76 females) aged between 15 and 50. Bimastoid breadth measurements were obtained from CT scan images of the skull base, revealing that bimastoid distance is larger in males compared to females. The study observed significant differences in bimastoid breadth between men and women, with an average mastoid width of 132.371 in men and 121.724 in women. The findings indicate that the measurement of bimastoid breadth does not significantly change with increasing age. However, substantial differences were found between men and women in bimastoid breadth measurements, which can be utilized to determine sex in forensic investigations.

Long-acting local anaesthetics have demonstrated effectiveness in managing intraoperative and postoperative pain. However, substances like lidocaine and paraben preservatives can trigger allergic reactions and methemoglobinemia in susceptible individuals. While bupivacaine shares common side effects with other local anesthetics, its adverse effects are amplified due to the physicochemical properties of long-acting local anesthetics. Recently, there has been growing interest in utilizing saliva as a potential bio matrix for drug testing because the drug concentration in saliva directly reflects the free, non-protein-bound drug in plasma. This study involved extracting lidocaine and bupivacaine from saliva collected from healthy male patients using a liquid-liquid extraction method. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) with ropivacaine as an internal standard was employed for simultaneous determination of both drugs. The results demonstrated high precision and accuracy, with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 3 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml for lidocaine, and 20 ng/ml and 62 ng/ml for bupivacaine, respectively. This non-invasive and user-friendly method provides highly accurate drug analysis results.

Different chemical, physical, and physico-chemical methods with addition of optical methods have been used for decades for the development of latent fingerprints (LFPs), even though the choice of a method depends on various factors (type and structure of the surface, external conditions, donor etc.). However, a universal system has not yet been fabricated, while many of those already used are toxic to the humans and the environment. Recently, researchers designed formulations based on (bio)polymeric materials and their specific properties, suitable for targeted interaction with fingerprint (FP) sweat and lipid residues. Some research groups produced fluorescent properties of particular polymeric materials to map sweat pores, while others encapsulated/incorporated dyes, pigments, etc. into polymeric matrix to obtain formulations of desired color and properties. Additionally, polymer micelles have become interesting due to their amphiphilic properties and the ability to incorporate compounds which could enable multi-colored emission brightness. Nevertheless, (polymeric) nanomaterials are currently of a great importance in material science world, due to specific optical and electronic properties convenient for interaction with FP residues found on different (multi-colored, electroconductive, etc.) substrates. This paper focuses on (bio)polymer-based systems used to develop LFPs, different approaches of research groups and future possibilities to create the optimal system for specified purpose.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is an overlooked type of violence, remaining largely concealed and relegated to the private domain of family affairs. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers IPV a critical global public health concern. Its repercussions extend beyond physical harm, significantly affecting the mental and emotional health of women within our nation. This study aimed to determine the demographic characteristics of women who have experienced IPV by conducting a thorough cross-sectional investigation. The research was conducted among patients seeking consultation at the forensic medicine department of Laghouat Hospital, located in a southern Algerian region where population dynamics may vary compared to other parts of the country. In this study, 566 female violence victims were initially screened, 341 of which reported IPV experiences. Data were then gathered through individual interviews with the victims using a data collection form to investigate the demographic characteristics of these victims. This study sheds light on several factors intricately linked to IPVs. These factors include the age of the victim, educational level, occupation, living standards, marital status, marriage duration, number of children, spouse’s premarital acquaintance, sexual activity, and the association of verbal threats and obscene remarks. This study emphasizes that IPV is preventable, highlighting the pivotal role of societal strategies in its mitigation. Proactive measures involving governmental bodies, legal systems, official organizations, educational institutions, the media, and voluntary groups must be taken to effectively reduce the incidence of IPV.

Abstract Synthetic cocaine analogs are designer drugs that recently emerged as non‐controlled substitutes for their parent drug. Among them, nitracaine is of particular concern for its psychoactive effect. In this work, we present a thorough characterization of the electrochemical behavior of nitracaine, with a final quantification performed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in ethanol/lithium perchlorate 0.1 M. The selectivity of the method and reproducibility of results were assessed. LOQ of 0.3 μg mL−1 and a linear dynamic range of up to 400 μg mL−1 were obtained. In addition, recoveries from 85 % to 101 % were achieved on both simulated and real samples. For nitracaine analysis in urine, a clean‐up and a preconcentration step by solid phase extraction (SPE) using the adsorbent Florisil have been developed and optimized through the Design of Experiments (DoE) strategy, thus achieving an enrichment factor of 20.

Abstract Background Composites are materials that have multiple phases and have attracted much attention as they are able to improve physical and chemical properties of an isolated material. In this sense, these composites are commonly used as key components for two purposes: coloring and improving the operational properties; besides that, they have alternative synthesis routes that respect the principles of green chemistry. Thus, this reports the development of a new composite using natural products, indigo and kaolinite, for application in papilloscopy as a new nontoxic fingermark developer. Results The composite was obtained via green procedures and was characterized by spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Thus, to investigate the potential of the material as a fingermark developer, different techniques were applied such as depletion, aging, comparison with commercial powder, and development of latent fingermarks on different surfaces. Tests revealed that the composite presented good contrast and adhesion with the latent fingermarks, even after 15 days of deposition. Conclusions This study presents a natural indigo/kaolinite composite powder that showed similar or higher efficiency when compared to the commercial fingerprint powder and was able to develop identifiable natural and sebaceous fingermarks. Key points • A composite was formed from eco-friendly materials. • The composite formation follows the concepts of green chemistry and low cost. •The composite was applied as a latent fingermark developer.

Objective: Gender determination is pivotal in establishing a biological profile of human remains, where fragments of the skull persist with unidentifiable dental arch data. Owing to the resistance and stability against external factors such as trauma and fractures, radiological assessment of the frontal sinus can be a useful indicator for sexual dimorphism. Keeping this in mind, a study was designed to analyse the efficacy of morphometric assessment of the frontal sinus for gender determination in the North Indian population. Materials and Method: A total of 300 (150 males and 150 females) lateral cephalograms of the age >20 years were retrieved. The frontal sinus index (ratio of maximum height to depth), area, and perimeter of the same were calculated using Adobe Photoshop software. The results obtained were further subjected to statistical analysis. Result and Conclusion: The study yielded an accuracy rate of 75.3% for sex differentiation. The frontal sinus perimeter was a novel parameter which was utilised as a variable in the obtained discriminant equation for sex differentiation. Thus, this cost-effective technique might be useful as an adjunct to assess sexual dimorphism.

The research relevance is determined by artificial intelligence (AI) as one of the ways to guarantee public safety and increase the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies. The study aims to investigate whether AI can be used in the legal system, with a particular focus on forensics and crime fighting. To achieve the research goal, the following methods were used: comparative legal, formal legal, historical legal, systemic and structural, and theoretical and prognostic. The article examines the use of AI in the legal sector from different perspectives and identifies “high- risk” AI systems. These systems should be used with caution and following specific criteria to ensure their safe and ethical use. In the context of criminal justice, it also examines how conventional digital technologies are connected to sophisticated AI capabilities, with a particular focus on the use of AI in the investigation of war crimes committed by Russia against Ukraine. While it is recognised that these materials must comply with applicable legal norms, AI is being used with great attention to collect and analyse data relevant to war crimes investigations. The results of the study show that although the use of AI in law enforcement operations can significantly increase the effectiveness of investigations, strict rules are still necessary to protect human rights and freedoms. It highlights how important AI is for war crimes investigations, especially considering Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While it is recognised that these materials must comply with applicable legal norms, AI is being used with great attention to collect and analyse data relevant to war crimes investigations. The results of the study show that although the use of AI in law enforcement operations can significantly increase the effectiveness of investigations, strict rules are still necessary to protect human rights and freedoms. It emphasises how important AI is for war crimes investigations, especially considering Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Abstract Background Teeth can be a reasonable part of sex estimation in case of being the single evidence available or in doubt although they are not as accurate as bones in sex estimation. The size of teeth is greater in males than in females. In this study, it was aimed to determine cut-off values of the tooth volume (TV) and root volume (RV) of the maxillary canines and to evaluate the validity of the method for discriminating between males and females. Methods Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 250 individuals aged 18 to 63 years with equal age and sex distribution were assessed retrospectively. The sample divided into reference set including 168 images of 84 females and 84 males and validation set including 82 images of 48 females and 34 males. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and Youden’s index were used to determine cut-off values of the volumetric measurements and to test the discriminative performance of the method. Results The optimal cut-off values of TV ≥ 581 mm3 and RV ≥ 334 mm3 for estimating sex were established from the reference set. The sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and accuracy (Ac) were 0.77 for TV ≥ 581 mm3 while they were 0.82, 0.77, and 0.79 for RV ≥ 334 mm3. When we tested the previously derived cut-off values of TV of the maxillary canine, the Se, Sp, and Ac were found to be respectively 0.71, 0.90, and 0.82 for TV ≥ 619 mm3 and 0.97, 0.27, and 0.56 for TV ≥ 510 / 460 mm3 (right/left). Conclusions The identified cut-off values of TV and RV of the maxillary canines can be used to estimate sex with moderate accuracy when the only evidence available is teeth or in case of doubt. The method’s applicability should be assessed for different populations.

Objective:Forensic science is a superstructure that encompasses many specialized fields that require expertise. In recent years, studies have been conducted on artificial intelligence and machine learning-based applications in almost all areas of forensic science. The aim of our study is to determine the trends related to the research/application areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning-based programs in forensic sciences and to make predictions about the future of the subject, and to contribute to the professionals working in the field.Methods:When the Web of Science database was searched with the keywords “artificial intelligence/machine learning” and “forensic/forensic science” in the title or abstract between 2001-2023, 229 results were obtained. Simple frequency analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 23 software for the study, and R Studio and Vosviewer (version1.16.19) programs were used for bibliometric analysis.Results:It was found that there were 229 publications meeting the criteria, and the most studies on the subject were published in the International Journal of Legal Medicine with 9 publications. The most frequently published countries were the United States with 32 (13.9%) publications, China with 30 (13.04%) publications, and India with 23 (10%) publications. The most commonly used keywords in the publications were “artificial intelligence”, “deep learning” and “machine learning”.Conclusion:The results of this analysis show that artificial intelligence and machine learning-based systems have become increasingly studied in many areas of forensic science in recent years. As machine learning/artificial intelligence programs are developed, it is likely that these applications will be used in forensic science/forensic medicine practice.

AbstractCertain poisons and drugs can influence the growth and developmental patterns of necrophagous species, possibly affecting the accuracy of the postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. Since an accurate PMI estimate may prove an alibi (a critical aspect in criminal investigations), failure to consider factors that may affect the growth of necrophagous insects can subsequently result in the miscarriage of justice. In addition, the use of entomological specimens for diagnosing causes and circumstances surrounding death has been suggested for highly decomposed bodies, whereby conventional toxicological specimens are unavailable and/or unsuitable for analysis. In these two aspects, having the ability to determine poisons and drugs in entomological specimens appears imperative. Hence, this paper reviews pertinent articles on the analysis of poisons and drugs in entomological specimens published between 1977 and 2022, emphasizing on advantages/disadvantages of the reported instrumental analytical methods and their applications. It is organized according to the different classes of poisons and drugs, their extraction and analytical methods, as well as the results reported. Where available, information on the validation parameters of the published methods is duly discussed. This review aims to provide suitable references and guidance for future investigators wanting to carry out experiments concerning entomotoxicology for forensic applications.

Fire-related deaths are usually a consequence of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning or shock from thermal injuries. In humans, high levels of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations in the blood can support a diagnosis of CO poisoning. In veterinary medicine, few studies investigated the pathological changes and blood COHb% in fire victims, and no data are available on post-mortem changes in blood gas composition due to fire. This study aims to investigate the pathological changes and COHb levels in both animal victims of fire and cadavers experimentally exposed to fire. For this purpose, dogs were selected and subdivided into three groups. Group A comprised 9 adult dogs, and Group B comprised 7 puppies that died under fire-related conditions. Group C was represented by 4 dog cadavers experimentally exposed to heat and smoke. A complete macroscopic, histological, and COHb evaluation were performed on each animal. Animals in Groups A and B showed cherry-red discoloration, thermal-injuries and soot deposits along the respiratory tract. Animals in Group C showed thermal injuries and soot deposits limited to the upper respiratory tract. The mean COHb% values in cadavers in Group C were lower than those observed in the other groups but higher compared to the values detected before the heat and smoke treatment. These findings suggest that both pathological changes and COHb analysis are valid tools for investigating fire-related deaths in dogs. However, the increase of COHb levels in cadavers exposed post-mortem to heat and smoke highlights how the COHb analysis should always be evaluated together with macroscopical and microscopical findings to avoid significant misjudgments in investigating fire-related fatalities in veterinary forensic practice.

Although the postmortem interval estimation still represents one of the main goals of forensic medicine, there are still several limitations that weigh on the methods most used for its determination: for this reason, even today, precisely estimating the postmortem interval remains one of the most important challenges in the forensic pathology field. To try to overcome these limitations, in recent years, numerous studies have been conducted on the potential use of the mRNA degradation time for reaching a more precise post mortem interval (PMI) estimation. An evidence-based systematic review of the literature has been conducted to evaluate the state of the art of the knowledge focusing on the potential correlation between mRNA degradation and PMI estimation. The research has been performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Scopus. The analysis conducted made it possible to confirm the potential applicability of mRNA for reaching a more precise PMI estimation. The analysis of the results highlighted the usefulness of some mRNAs, such as β-actin and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA, especially in short time frames, within a few hours or days of death. The matrices on which these analyses were conducted were also analyzed, resulting in less exposure to the external environment, including the heart, brain, and dental pulp. The major limitations were also reported, including the short time intervals analyzed in most of the articles, the lack of mathematical models, and the failure to report the error rate between the mRNA degradation time and PMI. Given the still small number of published articles, the lack of globally recognized standardized methods, and the numerous techniques used to evaluate the mRNA degradation times, numerous and larger studies are still necessary to reach more solid and shared evidence.

At many crime scenes, investigators are able to trace and find traces of blood. For many years, it was believed that such traces could only be subjected to genetic investigations, such as those aimed at comparing DNA profiling with a suspect to verify his identity, and that it was therefore not possible to backdate the traces. In recent years, various works have used experimental models to investigate the possibility of identifying markers and methodologies for estimating the time since deposition (TSD) of bloodstains. Despite the results, these methods are still not part of standard procedures, and there is no univocal analysis methodology. In this work we carried out a systematic literature review of all the papers published in the last ten years on this topic, comparing the experimental models created. This review demonstrates the potential that different molecular approaches, such as transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics, and spectrometry, can have in the analysis of TSD, with notable sensitivity and specificity. This paper also analyzes the intrinsic and extrinsic limits of these models and emphasizes the need to continue research work on this topic, considering the importance that this parameter can assume in forensic investigations against a suspect.

Instances of racial disparities are well documented in the United States’ criminal justice system. This study reviewed the literature and conducted quantitative analyses on the role of race in forensic decision making among practitioners and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system. We hypothesized that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals will be significantly more likely to be associated with adverse outcomes than White individuals. A search strategy was developed and registered before the study commenced. Quantitative data were extracted from eligible studies to estimate the pooled effect size (odds ratio) for the effects of race. A final sample of 11 data sources (published study or dataset) was identified. Decision making by all stakeholders in the criminal justice system, including forensic practitioners, case investigators, and juries were evaluated in these studies. Two datasets evaluated the decision-making process involving forensic psychology or psychiatry, three focused on forensic evidence, four on forensic pathology, one involved forensic anthropology cases, and one involved clinical forensic medicine cases. The pooled odds ratio was estimated to be 1.10 (95% confidence interval: 0.67–1.81), indicating a trivial or negligible effect of race (i.e., BIPOC individuals were no more likely to be associated with adverse outcomes given the current evidence). Importantly, the results of this study do not indicate that bias or disparity related to race does not exist in forensic decision making in the criminal justice system. More research into systemic bias in forensic decision making, especially in relation to race, is needed. Forensic anthropologists are uniquely positioned to study and address racial disparities in the criminal justice system involving forensic science because of its interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary nature. This study highlights the need for further research and advocates for forensic anthropologists to be more involved in the study of the science and the impacts of forensic science rather than focusing on methodological advancement.

Fingermarks are a complex biological matrix with variability factors that change in the same donor, depending on the moment of collection, and in different donors, according to age, sex and routine. Thus, they can still undergo alterations related to the deposition surface, the environment, and the variable that connects all those mentioned: the action of time. In Forensic Science, time is a important variable to situate the crime events. This review proposes a classification in the temporal estimation research of fingermarks, dividing them into Temporal Preservation Analysis (TPA) and Temporal Aging Analysis (TAA). In TPA studies, the components in fingermark residues undergo a few changes over time, tending to stability after a certain period. Those are interesting targets to identify possible exogenous components, such as firearm residues, illegal substances and contaminants related to particularity of forensic cases. In TAA studies, a time estimation related to the fingermarks age can be established. In this case, the time elapsed from its deposition until the forensic processing will vary according to the component classes degradation. Endogenous and exogenous substances that are demonstrably present in one donor and that undergo changes over time will, resulting be demonstrated by a decrease in intensity and/or formation of other substances, and those are good targets for this type of study. The same analysis can have both proposals and the instrumental method available will enable the extraction of information relevant to the sample. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how important is to identify fingermarks components as evidence beyond the ridge pattern and to list the main instrumental methods used in the analysis of fingermark degradation.

Abstract Background Age is important in forming the uniqueness of individuals. When chronological age is not available, age estimation is required, particularly in court cases. The mineralization chronology of permanent teeth is a valuable tool for age estimation of subadults. This study aimed to evaluate the mineralization stages of permanent teeth of Brazilian subjects from imaging exams, using the classification by Moorrees et al. modified by the authors, to verify the existence of correlation between the chronology of mineralization stages and sex and to prepare numerical tables of the chronology of dental mineralization stages for Brazilian individuals. Methods Digital panoramic radiographs of 1100 living Brazilian individuals of both sexes, aged between 2 and 25 years, born between 1990 and 2018, from the image bank of a Dental Radiographs and Documentations clinic located in the city of Araraquara, SP, Brazil. The images were evaluated according to the level of crown and root development and classified according to the stages proposed by Moorrees et al. (Am J Phys Anthropol 21: 205–213, 1963) adapted by the authors. All analyses were performed in the R software. Descriptive and exploratory analyses were performed on all data. For intra- and inter-examiner analyses, the rate of agreement and Kappa statistics at a 95% confidence interval were used. Kappa was interpreted according to Landis and Koch. Results Only upper and lower canines showed significant differences between the sexes (p

The term artificial intelligence (AI) was coined in the 1950s and it has successfully made its way into different fields of medicine. Forensic sciences and AI are increasingly intersecting fields that hold tremendous potential for solving complex criminal investigations. Considering the great evolution in the technologies applied to forensic genetics, this literature review aims to explore the existing body of research that investigates the application of AI in the field of forensic genetics. Scopus and Web of Science were searched: after an accurate evaluation, 12 articles were included in the present systematic review. The application of AI in the field of forensic genetics has predominantly focused on two aspects. Firstly, several studies have investigated the use of AI in haplogroup analysis to enhance and expedite the classification process of DNA samples. Secondly, other research groups have utilized AI to analyze short tandem repeat (STR) profiles, thereby minimizing the risk of misinterpretation. While AI has proven to be highly useful in forensic genetics, further improvements are needed before using these applications in real cases. The main challenge lies in the communication gap between forensic experts: as AI continues to advance, the collaboration between forensic sciences and AI presents immense potential for transforming investigative practices, enabling quicker and more precise case resolutions.

Abstract Background Dental age estimation plays an important role in identifying an unknown person. In forensic science, estimating age with high accuracy depends on the experience of the practitioner. Previous studies proposed classification of tooth development of the mandibular third molar by following Demirjian’s method, which is useful for dental age estimation. Although stage of tooth growth is very helpful in assessing age estimation, it must be performed manually. The drawback of this procedure is its need for skilled observers to carry out the tasks precisely and reproducibly because it is quite detailed. Therefore, this research aimed to apply computer-aid methods for reducing time and subjectivity in dental age estimation by using dental panoramic images based on Demirjian’s method. Dental panoramic images were collected from persons aged 15 to 23 years old. In accordance with Demirjian’s method, this study focused only on stages D to H of tooth development, which were discovered in the 15- to 23-year age range. The aggregate channel features detector was applied automatically to localize and crop only the lower left mandibular third molar in panoramic images. Then, the convolutional neural network model was applied to classify cropped images into D to H stages. Finally, the classified stages were used to estimate dental age. Results Experimental results showed that the proposed method in this study can localize the lower left mandibular third molar automatically with 99.5% accuracy, and training in the convolutional neural network model can achieve 83.25% classification accuracy using the transfer learning strategy with the Resnet50 network. Conclusion In this work, the aggregate channel features detector and convolutional neural network model were applied to localize a specific tooth in a panoramic image and identify the developmental stages automatically in order to estimate the age of the subjects. The proposed method can be applied in clinical practice as a tool that helps clinicians to reduce the time and subjectivity for dental age estimation.

Fingermarks are a complex biological matrix with variability factors that change in the same donor, depending on the moment of collection, and in different donors, according to age, sex and routine. Thus, they can still undergo alterations related to the deposition surface, the environment, and the variable that connects all those mentioned: the action of time. In Forensic Science, time is a important variable to situate the crime events. This review proposes a classification in the temporal estimation research of fingermarks, dividing them into Temporal Preservation Analysis (TPA) and Temporal Aging Analysis (TAA). In TPA studies, the components in fingermark residues undergo a few changes over time, tending to stability after a certain period. Those are interesting targets to identify possible exogenous components, such as firearm residues, illegal substances and contaminants related to particularity of forensic cases. In TAA studies, a time estimation related to the fingermarks age can be established. In this case, the time elapsed from its deposition until the forensic processing will vary according to the component classes degradation. Endogenous and exogenous substances that are demonstrably present in one donor and that undergo changes over time will, resulting be demonstrated by a decrease in intensity and/or formation of other substances, and those are good targets for this type of study. The same analysis can have both proposals and the instrumental method available will enable the extraction of information relevant to the sample. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how important is to identify fingermarks components as evidence beyond the ridge pattern and to list the main instrumental methods used in the analysis of fingermark degradation.

Fingermarks are a complex biological matrix with variability factors that change in the same donor, depending on the moment of collection, and in different donors, according to age, sex and routine. Thus, they can still undergo alterations related to the deposition surface, the environment, and the variable that connects all those mentioned: the action of time. In Forensic Science, time is a important variable to situate the crime events. This review proposes a classification in the temporal estimation research of fingermarks, dividing them into Temporal Preservation Analysis (TPA) and Temporal Aging Analysis (TAA). In TPA studies, the components in fingermark residues undergo a few changes over time, tending to stability after a certain period. Those are interesting targets to identify possible exogenous components, such as firearm residues, illegal substances and contaminants related to particularity of forensic cases. In TAA studies, a time estimation related to the fingermarks age can be established. In this case, the time elapsed from its deposition until the forensic processing will vary according to the component classes degradation. Endogenous and exogenous substances that are demonstrably present in one donor and that undergo changes over time will, resulting be demonstrated by a decrease in intensity and/or formation of other substances, and those are good targets for this type of study. The same analysis can have both proposals and the instrumental method available will enable the extraction of information relevant to the sample. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how important is to identify fingermarks components as evidence beyond the ridge pattern and to list the main instrumental methods used in the analysis of fingermark degradation.

Fingermarks are a complex biological matrix with variability factors that change in the same donor, depending on the moment of collection, and in different donors, according to age, sex and routine. Thus, they can still undergo alterations related to the deposition surface, the environment, and the variable that connects all those mentioned: the action of time. In Forensic Science, time is a important variable to situate the crime events. This review proposes a classification in the temporal estimation research of fingermarks, dividing them into Temporal Preservation Analysis (TPA) and Temporal Aging Analysis (TAA). In TPA studies, the components in fingermark residues undergo a few changes over time, tending to stability after a certain period. Those are interesting targets to identify possible exogenous components, such as firearm residues, illegal substances and contaminants related to particularity of forensic cases. In TAA studies, a time estimation related to the fingermarks age can be established. In this case, the time elapsed from its deposition until the forensic processing will vary according to the component classes degradation. Endogenous and exogenous substances that are demonstrably present in one donor and that undergo changes over time will, resulting be demonstrated by a decrease in intensity and/or formation of other substances, and those are good targets for this type of study. The same analysis can have both proposals and the instrumental method available will enable the extraction of information relevant to the sample. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how important is to identify fingermarks components as evidence beyond the ridge pattern and to list the main instrumental methods used in the analysis of fingermark degradation.

Fingermarks are a complex biological matrix with variability factors that change in the same donor, depending on the moment of collection, and in different donors, according to age, sex and routine. Thus, they can still undergo alterations related to the deposition surface, the environment, and the variable that connects all those mentioned: the action of time. In Forensic Science, time is a important variable to situate the crime events. This review proposes a classification in the temporal estimation research of fingermarks, dividing them into Temporal Preservation Analysis (TPA) and Temporal Aging Analysis (TAA). In TPA studies, the components in fingermark residues undergo a few changes over time, tending to stability after a certain period. Those are interesting targets to identify possible exogenous components, such as firearm residues, illegal substances and contaminants related to particularity of forensic cases. In TAA studies, a time estimation related to the fingermarks age can be established. In this case, the time elapsed from its deposition until the forensic processing will vary according to the component classes degradation. Endogenous and exogenous substances that are demonstrably present in one donor and that undergo changes over time will, resulting be demonstrated by a decrease in intensity and/or formation of other substances, and those are good targets for this type of study. The same analysis can have both proposals and the instrumental method available will enable the extraction of information relevant to the sample. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how important is to identify fingermarks components as evidence beyond the ridge pattern and to list the main instrumental methods used in the analysis of fingermark degradation.

The Doppelgänger phenomenon refers to the experience of a direct encounter with one’s self, characteriswed by: (i) the perception of a figure with one’s own identical physical features; or (ii) the apprehension that the perceived figure shares the same personality and identity. The Doppelgänger does not only look like the same person, it is his/her double. The perceptual element is usually a hallucination, although occasionally a false perception of an actual figure may be involved. This phenomenon has been described in individuals suffering from overwhelming fear, severe anxiety or intoxication, epilepsy, as well as in the sleep-wakefulness transition. It has also been reported in major psychoses. The fear of imminent death often precedes the Doppelgänger experience. This report presents the case of a 30-year-old man, Mr. Y, who was stabbed to death by Mr. X, his “double”. The aggressor and his victim, although not related, were truly doubles; remarkably, they shared the same name and surname, age, professional activity and place of work. Moreover, they attended the same sports center but barely knew each other. The forensic psychiatric evaluations in Mr. X, subsequent to the crime committed, were suggestive of a psychotic condition. This case is unique in the scientific literature. In the most serious psychotic forms, the issue of the “double” calls into question not only the dissociative processes involved in the etiopathogenesis of the disorder, but also bio-psycho-social elements, as well as personal data in this case, which made the victim and the aggressor “identical”. In the context of psychopathological functioning, the delusional mood (Wahnstimmung) that precedes the development of delirium is a sort of gateway to an impending psychotic illness, involving delusional awareness or mood (atmosphere). In psychosis, splitting is the main issue and this influence is seen as an evil, foreign, apocalyptic and unknown side no longer recognised as belonging to the self even in a physical sense. In such a situation, it is felt that the only way to survive is by suppressing one’s double as a defense against disorganisation of the self.

Several decomposed body parts were received for examination by the Forensic Anthropology section of the Medico-legal Institute of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The portions of the lower and upper limbs, ribs, vertebrae, and a skull were thoroughly examined. The biological profile indicated a male individual with an estimated age range between 23 and 57 years and a mean age of 35.2 years (SD = 9.4; phase IV, Suchey-Brooks). The skeleton showed injuries caused by sharp force and sharp-blunt force trauma that affected all body segments. Macroscopically, the lesions are mainly in the diaphyseal segments of the long bones, sacrum, pelvis, mandible, maxilla, scapulae, sternum, vertebrae, the distal epiphysis of the left fibula, and the distal epiphysis of the left tibia displayed characteristics compatible with injuries produced perimortem. It was not possible to determine the cause of death. DNA analysis resulted in a positive identification. Because of common difficulties faced in forensic practice, it is often not possible for forensic anthropologists to go to the crime scene, X-ray or body scanners are frequently unavailable, and the victim’s medical and/or dental records are sometimes absent. These difficulties make identification ultimately depend on genetic analysis, which is more time-consuming than other identification methods. Despite this, bone fragment examination in dismemberment cases is a complex task. Forensic Anthropology can shed light on cases involving the identification of dismembered remains, which are challenging because of the number of traumatic injuries, as well as different injury patterns, on bones.

Wound age estimation is a crucial and challenging problem in forensic pathology. Although mRNA is the most commonly used indicator for wound age estimation, screening criteria are lacking. In the present study, the feasibility of screening criteria using mRNA to determine injury time based on the adenylate-uridylate-rich element (ARE) structure and gene ontology (GO) categories were evaluated. A total of 78 Sprague-Dawley male rats were contused and sampled at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, and 48 h after inflicting injury. The candidate mRNAs were classified based on with or without ARE structure and GO category function. The mRNA expression levels were detected using qRT-PCR. In addition, the standard deviation (STD), mean deviation (MD), relative average deviation (d%), and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated based on mRNA expression levels. The CV score (CVs) and the CV of CV (CV’CV) were calculated to measure heterogeneity. Finally, based on classic principles, the accuracy of combination of candidate mRNAs was assessed using discriminant analysis to construct a multivariate model for inferring wound age. The results of homogeneity evaluation of each group based on CVs were consistent with the MD, STD, d%, and CV results, indicating the credibility of the evaluation results based on CVs. The candidate mRNAs without ARE structure and classified as cellular component (CC) GO category (ARE–CC) had the highest CVs, showing the mRNAs with these characteristics are the most homogenous mRNAs and best suited for wound age estimation. The highest accuracy was 91.0% when the mRNAs without ARE structure were used to infer the wound age based on the discrimination model. The accuracy of mRNAs classified into CC or multiple function (MF) GO category was higher than mRNAs in the biological process (BP) category. In all subgroups, the accuracy of the composite identification model of mRNA composition without ARE structure and classified as CC was higher than other subgroups. The mRNAs without ARE structure and belonging to the CC GO category were more homogenous, showed higher accuracy for estimating wound age, and were appropriate for rat skeletal muscle wound age estimation.

Many studies have examined the genetic contribution to suicide. However, data on suicide in the Italian population are scarce. We therefore aimed to address this gap by investigating a cohort of 111 Italians for whom a verdict of suicide had been declared in court in Florence, Italy between 2007 and 2017. This cohort included 86 men and 25 women. DNA samples were obtained from tissues or blood, and 22 genes from multiple neurobiological pathways previously shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of suicide were analysed. Next-generation sequencing was used to compare these gene sequences with those from a large, normal population. In this study, we identified 19 gene variants that were present at significantly lower frequencies in our Italian cohort than in the general population. In addition, four missense mutations were identified in four different genes: Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA), 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 2 A (HTR2A), Sodium Voltage-Gated Channel Alpha Subunit 8 (SCN8A), and Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 (NOS3). Our study identified several potential genetic links with suicide in a cohort of Italians and supports a relationship between specific genetic variants and suicidal behaviour in this population. Key pointsThis study shows a genetic analysis of suicide.This study examines a cohort of 111 Italians for whom a verdict of suicide had been declared in court in Florence, Italy between 2007 and 2017. DNA samples were obtained from tissues or blood, and 22 genes from multiple neurobiological pathways were investigated.The study supports a relationship between specific genetic variants and suicidal behaviour.

In forensic medical examinations, estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is an important factor. Methamphetamine (MA) is a synthetic stimulant that is commonly abused, and estimation of the PMI after MA abuse has become one of the main tasks in forensic investigation. Microorganisms play a vital role in carrion decomposition. Analysing the bacterial succession patterns can be used as a forensic tool to estimate the PMI. The present study aimed to analyse bacterial succession changes during the decomposition of MA to estimate the PMI. We analysed bacterial communities in rabbits treated with three different concentrations of MA (0, 22.5, and 90 mg/kg) under the natural conditions of 20 °C and 70% humidity by sequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicons using the Illumina MiSeq system. We obtained 2 774 209 high-quality sequences and 2937 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The relative abundances of the bacterial communities varied markedly in response to different MA concentrations. Interestingly, in response to the different concentrations of MA, Bacteroidetes became disparate in the rectum in the late PMI. Increased numbers of bacterial taxa were identified in the rectum and buccal cavity samples, except at the highest concentration of MA in the rectum samples when PMI was 0–h, than were present in live rabbits. Meanwhile, the PMI correlated significantly with bacterial succession at different taxonomic levels. Our results suggested that bacterial community succession could be used as a “microbial clock” to estimate the PMI in cases of MA-related death; however, further study is required to gain a deeper understanding of this concept.KeypointsAs a forensic tool, microbiome succession patterns have great potential for PMI estimation.At different taxonomic levels, the variation in the succession of microorganisms’ under three different concentrations of MA during the processes of decomposition is significantly related to PMI for estimating MA abuse.These findings provide a new idea for the estimation of PMI of MA abused by changes in microorganisms.

Cyanoacrylate fluorescent staining has become a common method for developing latent fingermarks on light-coloured or white objects. The method requires two steps and skilled operation, and the handling process has the risk of damaging the ridge details or even biological samples. To take full advantage of the high-sensitivity fluorescence, recent research efforts on fluorescent cyanoacrylate have aimed to avoid rinsing after staining, add fluorescence to the cyanoacrylate, increase the fluorescence intensity and broaden the fluorescence spectral range. PolyCyano UV is a novel product that can be used to overcome the disadvantages associated with progressing to one-step fuming to directly develop fingermarks. To explore the optimal development conditions and application effects of PolyCyano UV, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy and control variable analysis are used to determine and analyse the best conditions for using the reagent, including temperature, fluorescence excitation band, relative humidity and fuming concentration. The temperature range of the one-step fuming development method is 212.14 °C–275.16 °C, the wavelength range of the excitation light source is 235–580 nm, the relative humidity is 60%–80%, the concentration of the fume is 1–3 g/m3 and the specific value is related to the surface properties of the object and the aged time of the fingermarks. Additionally, fluorescence spectroscopy shows that the excitation wavelength range of the light source is 235–580 nm. Based on the best fuming condition, many common objects were selected to proceed to the application experiments, which allowed for a comparison with the traditional visualisation method, namely the Cyanobloom reagent + dyeing two-step development method. The comparison showed that latent fingermarks on most non-porous smooth surfaces, especially on light-coloured or white objects, were developed successfully. In addition, a comparative study with the conventional cyanoacrylate glue–fluorescent staining experiments showed that the effect of dyeing afterwards with Rhodamine 6 G is better than the one-step method. The effect of dyeing with BBD is basically the same as that of the one-step method. Key points:One-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate fuming can be a promising alternative for fingermarks developing based on PolyCyano UV in forensic science.The optimum application conditions of PolyCyano UV will provide guidance for fingermark examiners.The one-step fuming method based on PolyCyano UV has many advantages over the secondary dyeing method.

In 2017, the Republic of Kazakhstan began the phased transition of its alphabet from Cyrillic to Latin script. This transition has presented significant challenges to Kazakhstani document examiners, who have yet to develop appropriate methodologies for the analysis of handwriting samples written in the Kazakh language using Latin letters. This study aims to identify distinguishing macro and micro features of letters within Kazakh writing samples produced using the Latin alphabet and determine their frequencies of occurrence and discriminating power indices. Micro features were examined using the four most frequently appearing letters: “a”, “y”, “e” and “n”. A comparative analysis of tested Latin letters with those of a similar configuration in Cyrillic demonstrated differences in the number of distinguishing features, as well as in the frequency of occurrence and discriminating power indices of similar features. These results show that separate statistical bases should be used for Latin and Cyrillic letters when analysing handwriting samples based on the frequencies of occurrence of micro and macro writing features.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an urgent need to produce accurate and sensitive tests. However, there have been instances where a positive nucleic acid test turns negative after treatment, and then positive again. This case report describes such an instance from the tropical region of Hainan, China. The patient was a 61-year-old female who went to Hainan on vacation from Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Symptoms appeared 9 d after arriving in Hainan, and it was confirmed that the nucleic acid test was positive after 4 repeats. Her condition declined rapidly, her heart stopped beating, and she was admitted in a coma to the ICU. After treatment, the SARS-CoV-2 virus nucleic acid test of several nasopharyngeal swabs were negative, and tests on whole blood, anal swabs, and urine were also negative. Later, however, nucleic acid tests on a lower respiratory tract sputum swab and lower respiratory tract lavage fluid were positive. An autopsy examination was carried out 12 h after her death, and multi-organ secretions were extracted for nucleic acid testing. The SARS-CoV-2 virus nucleic acid was only detected in the swabs from the end of the bronchus, which was confirmed by the visualization of the coronavirus by electron microscopy. Autopsy confirmed that the damage was mainly concentrated in the lungs and immune organs and tissues throughout the body. Epidemiology indicated that none of the people she came into contact with after arriving in Hainan, including close contacts, were infected. This is in sharp contrast to the highly contagious virus in Wuhan in the temperate zone during the same period. This case report indicates: (1) The high temperatures in tropical areas may have an impact on the spread and harm of COVID-19, and (2) The reason why nucleic acid testing for COVID-19 was initially negative and then positive after treatment may be related to the survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in deep lung tissues.

Forensic imaging is a non-invasive examination process during the forensic investigation. It is mainly used in forensic pathology as an adjunct to the traditional autopsy. In the past two decades, forensic imaging has been vigorously developed by forensic experts from computed tomography (CT) to multiple augmented techniques through CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The application field of forensic imaging has also been broadened as its advantages are recognised by more forensic practitioners. In addition to the forensic pathology, this technique has been used in other forensic disciplines, including forensic anthropology, forensic odontology, forensic ballistics and wildlife forensics, etc. This article reviews the development of forensic imaging as the practice and research development in different forensic disciplines based on the relevant literature analysis.

Disaster victim identification issues are especially critical and urgent after a large-scale disaster. The aim of this study was to suggest an automatic detection of natural teeth and dental treatment patterns based on dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) using deep learning to promote its applicability as human identifiers. A total of 1 638 DPRs, of which the chronological age ranged from 20 to 49 years old, were collected from January 2000 to November 2020. This dataset consisted of natural teeth, prostheses, teeth with root canal treatment, and implants. The detection of natural teeth and dental treatment patterns including the identification of teeth number was done with a pre-trained object detection network which was a convolutional neural network modified by EfficientDet-D3. The objective metrics for the average precision were 99.1% for natural teeth, 80.6% for prostheses, 81.2% for treated root canals, and 96.8% for implants, respectively. The values for the average recall were 99.6%, 84.3%, 89.2%, and 98.1%, in the same order, respectively. This study showed outstanding performance of convolutional neural network using dental panoramic radiographs in automatically identifying teeth number and detecting natural teeth, prostheses, treated root canals, and implants.

This article describes the forensic odontological analysis of the events of the 2015 Nepal earthquake. It identifies the problems encountered in the aftermath, lessons learned, and prospective future advances aimed at reducing the subjectivity in disaster victim identification (DVI). During a crisis, dental practitioners, particularly forensic odontologists, can make a substantial contribution to DVI, as highlighted in this article. It also promotes best practices in forensic dentistry that may be used by anyone in situations with few resources or people to deal with comparable scenarios.

Anthropologists are often the custodians of long-term unidentified human remains though their positions as curators of university or museum skeletal collections. Various factors decrease the solvability of these legacy cases including the passage of time, the loss of provenience for specific cases, and lack of documentation or case records. While anthropologists can contribute important information toward identification, it is often necessary to explore novel and cross-disciplinary strategies to resolve difficult cold cases.In long cold cases, the postmortem interval, in particular, may be difficult to estimate leading to further challenges in achieving identification. Modern advances in radiocarbon bomb pulse dating, isotope analysis, and actualistic studies have contributed to positive identification of unidentified human remains in some legacy cases, but may not be available to all forensic practitioners and law enforcement from resource-poor agencies. Pooling resources, as well as collaborating with professionals outside of forensic anthropology, is a useful strategy to pursue when anthropological methods are exhausted.The case study presented here demonstrates a collaborative approach between forensic anthropologists, forensic genetic genealogists, and law enforcement in a century-old homicide. The dismembered and mummified parts of a male body were recovered in a remote cave in 1979 and again in 1991. Despite forensic anthropologists creating and updating the biological profile over the decades from recovery to present, no identification was made until the application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) to the case in 2019. New interpretations of bone microstructure and trauma analysis are presented for the case, alongside the historical documentation and “proof of life” evidence used by the genealogy team. A review of the FGG methods underscores the challenges in this case (e.g. significant endogamy, multiple aliases used by the victim) and the steps taken toward resolution. Ultimately, a combined anthropology and genealogy approach resulted in a confirmed identity for a man who was murdered in 1916.Key pointsForensic scientists should leverage a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach toward human identification.When combined with forensic anthropology methods, forensic genetic genealogy is a valuable tool linking biological and cultural-historical aspects of identity.Forensic anthropologists should review challenging cases in their labs as new methods are introduced and new resources become available.

Forensic anthropologists are often responsible for the management of long-term unidentified individuals. Others have contextualised these decedents—many of whom likely belonged to socially, politically, and/or economically marginalised groups in life—as part of a larger identification crisis in the United States. However, there has been little discussion surrounding how this humanitarian crisis has manifested in academic institutions, where anthropologists often provide medicolegal consultation and act as long-term stewards of the unidentified. The Identification & Repatriation Initiative was created at the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University (FACTS) to recognise and investigate unidentified human remains in long-term storage. Our paper outlines common challenges that were encountered during our initial reassessment of unidentified cases at FACTS, emphasising the detrimental impacts of inconsistent procedures, loss of context, and case fatigue. It is likely that other academic institutions face similar challenges, and by highlighting these issues we hope to help initiate a larger conversation concerning ethical stewardship of human remains in these settings. By incorporating humanitarian perspectives into forensic casework, anthropologists in academia can better advocate for the long-term unidentified.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2022.2035063 .

Violence against the neck can result in a range of macromorphological and micromorphological findings. However, the forensic relevance of the carotid sinus in cases of violence against the neck remains controversial. In this follow-up study of 22 cases of suicidal and accidental strangulations, carotid bifurcations were examined histologically for morphological changes implying direct trauma, including haemorrhage and immunohistochemical expression of heat-shock proteins 27, 60, and 70 and aquaporin-3. These cases were compared with a control group (82 cases) without neck compression or head trauma and with variable causes of death. No relevant histopathological findings implying direct trauma of the carotid bifurcation were found. No cases showed positive aquaporin-3 staining and only five cases showed positive heat-shock protein-27 staining, all of which were hangings. Without massive trauma of the carotid bifurcation, histological alterations cannot be expected. Without signs of rapid death, findings of acute circulatory failure, macromorphological and micromorphological findings of neck compression, and reliable markers indicating relevant impact on the carotid bifurcation the diagnosis of a lethal reflex cannot be verified.Key pointsAmong 22 cases of strangulation causing death, there were 16 cases of hanging and 6 cases of ligature strangulationFew cases showed small haemorrhages located predominantly in the surrounding fat and connective tissues; however, the haemorrhages did not have any effects on the tissuesNeck compression had minimal effects on heat shock protein 27 expression in carotid artery tissueAquaporin-3 staining suggested it is not a useful marker for relevant neck pressure, or that there had not been any relevant neck impactOur findings suggested no direct evidence for reflex cardiac death resulting from a brief force against the neck

Mutations might challenge the paternity index calculation in forensic identification. While many studies have focussed on the autosomal short tandem repeats (A-STR), the mutation status of sex chromosomes and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) remain blank. Next generation sequencing (NGS), known as high throughput and large sequence polymorphism, is a promising tool for forensic genetics. To describe the mutation landscapes in the paternity cases with genetic inconsistencies, a total of 63 parentage confirmed paternity cases contained at least one mismatched locus have been collected. The mutations were subsequently evaluated using Verogen’s MPS ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Kit and a microsatellite instability (MSI) detection kit. The result showed 98.41% (62/63) of the cases had no additional autosomal mutations even when the number of A-STRs increased to 27. As for the sex chromosomes, about 11.11% (7/63) of the cases exhibited either X-STR or Y-STR mutations. D2S1338, FGA and Penta E were the most frequent altered STRs, which suggested they might be the mutation hotspots. In addition, a male with sex chromosome abnormality was observed accidently, whose genotype might be 47, XXY, rather than MSI. Nearly 56.90% of the STR loci possessed isoalleles, which might result in higher STR polymorphisms. No Mendelian incompatibility was detected among the SNP markers, which indicated that SNP was a more reliable genetic marker in the genetic-inconsistent paternity cases.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2021.2009631 .

Toolmarks, particularly those found on bulky, inaccessible or immovable items, can be recovered by casting. To allow for subsequent comparative examinations, the casting material, typically polysiloxanes or silicones, must be able to capture and preserve fine details within a toolmark accurately. To study the stability of such details after exposure to heat, toolmark casts were heated at either 60 °C for 2 h, or 90 °C for 1 h. These casts were subsequently compared to casts that had not been exposed to heat, using traditional optical comparison microscopy, as well as virtual comparison microscopy. Digitised toolmark signatures were also extracted from the casts and compared pairwise to obtain quantitative similarity scores based on cross-correlation, consecutive matching striae and Mann-Whitney U-statistic. Our results show that the fine surface details captured on all four commercial toolmark casting materials tested herein remained stable after exposure to heat. This study shows that the above heating protocols are viable viral inactivation methods for toolmark casts that are potentially contaminated with human coronaviruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Our findings also apply to other scenarios, such as for casts that were left in a vehicle parked under the sun.

Disaster victim identification (DVI) entails a protracted process of evidence collection and data matching to reconcile physical remains with victim identity. Technology is critical to DVI by enabling the linkage of physical evidence to information. However, labelling physical remains and collecting data at the scene are dominated by low-technology paper-based practices. We ask, how can technology help us tag and track the victims of disaster? Our response to this question has two parts. First, we conducted a human–computer interaction led investigation into the systematic factors impacting DVI tagging and tracking processes. Through interviews with Australian DVI practitioners, we explored how technologies to improve linkage might fit with prevailing work practices and preferences; practical and social considerations; and existing systems and processes. We focused on tagging and tracking activities throughout the DVI process. Using insights from these interviews and relevant literature, we identified four critical themes: protocols and training; stress and stressors; the plurality of information capture and management systems; and practicalities and constraints. Second, these findings were iteratively discussed by the authors, who have combined expertise across electronics, data science, cybersecurity, human–computer interaction and forensic pathology. We applied the themes identified in the first part of the investigation to critically review technologies that could support DVI practitioners by enhancing DVI processes that link physical evidence to information. This resulted in an overview of candidate technologies matched with consideration of their key attributes. This study recognises the importance of considering human factors that can affect technology adoption into existing practices. Consequently, we provide a searchable table (as Supplementary information) that relates technologies to the key considerations and attributes relevant to DVI practice, for readers to apply to their own context. While this research directly contributes to DVI, it also has applications to other domains in which a physical/digital linkage is required, and particularly within high stress environments with little room for error.Key Points:Disaster victim identification (DVI) processes require us to link physical evidence and digital information. While technology could improve this linkage, experience shows that technological “solutions” are not always adopted in practice.Our study of the practices, preferences and contexts of Australian DVI practitioners suggests 10 critical considerations for these technologies.We review and evaluate 44 candidate technologies against these considerations and highlight the role of human factors in adoption.