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In every Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment cycle, a multitude of scenarios are assessed, with different scope and emphasis throughout the various Working Group reports and special reports, as well as their respective chapters. Within the reports, the ambition is to integrate knowledge on possible climate futures across the Working Groups and scientific research domains based on a small set of "framing pathways" such as the so-called representative concentration pathways (RCPs) in the Fifth IPCC Assessment Report (AR5) and the shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) scenarios in the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). This perspective, initiated by discussions at the IPCC Bangkok workshop in April 2023 on the "Use of Scenarios in AR6 and Subsequent Assessments", is intended to serve as one of the community contributions to highlight the needs for the next generation of framing pathways that is being advanced under the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) umbrella, which will influence or even predicate the IPCC AR7 consideration of framing pathways. Here we suggest several policy research objectives that such a set of framing pathways should ideally fulfil, including mitigation needs for meeting the Paris Agreement objectives, the risks associated with carbon removal strategies, the consequences of delay in enacting that mitigation, guidance for adaptation needs, loss and damage, and for achieving mitigation in the wider context of societal development goals. Based on this context, we suggest that the next generation of climate scenarios for Earth system models should evolve towards representative emission pathways (REPs) and suggest key categories for such pathways. These framing pathways should address the most critical mitigation policy and adaptation plans that need to be implemented over the next 10 years. In our view, the most important categories are those relevant in the context of the Paris Agreement long-term goal, specifically an immediate action (low overshoot) 1.5 °C pathway and a delayed action (high overshoot) 1.5 °C pathway. Two other key categories are a pathway category approximately in line with current (as expressed by 2023) near- and long-term policy objectives, as well as a higher-emission category that is approximately in line with "current policies" (as expressed by 2023). We also argue for the scientific and policy relevance in exploring two "worlds that could have been". One of these categories has high-emission trajectories well above what is implied by current policies and the other has very-low-emission trajectories which assume that global mitigation action in line with limiting warming to 1.5 °C without overshoot had begun in 2015. Finally, we note that the timely provision of new scientific information on pathways is critical to inform the development and implementation of climate policy. Under the Paris Agreement, for the second global stocktake, which will occur in 2028, and to inform subsequent development of nationally determined contributions (NDCs) up to 2040, scientific inputs are required by 2027. These needs should be carefully considered in the development timeline of community modelling activities, including those under CMIP7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) has proposed multiple model experiments during phases 5 and 6 of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), with the latest set of model experiments proposed in 2015. With phase 7 of CMIP in preparation and with multiple efforts ongoing to better explore the potential space of outcomes for different solar radiation modifications (SRMs) both in terms of deployment strategies and scenarios and in terms of potential impacts, the GeoMIP community has identified the need to propose and conduct a new experiment that could serve as a bridge between past iterations and future CMIP7 experiments. Here we report the details of such a proposed experiment, named G6-1.5K-SAI, to be conducted with the current generation of scenarios and models from CMIP6 and clarify the reasoning behind many of the new choices introduced. Namely, compared to the CMIP6 GeoMIP scenario G6sulfur, we decided on (1) an intermediate emission scenario as a baseline (the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 2-4.5), (2) a start date set in the future that includes both considerations for the likelihood of exceeding 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels and some considerations for a likely start date for an SRM implementation, and (3) a deployment strategy for stratospheric aerosol injection that does not inject in the tropical pipe in order to obtain a more latitudinally uniform aerosol distribution. We also offer more details regarding the preferred experiment length and number of ensemble members and include potential options for second-tier experiments that some modeling groups might want to run. The specifics of the proposed experiment will further allow for a more direct comparison between results obtained from CMIP6 models and those obtained from future scenarios for CMIP7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project evaluated the fingermark imaging ability of several alternate image capturing devices selected for their potential to assist with the recording of fingermarks in difficult-to-reach locations commonly encountered at crime scenes, e.g. the inside surface of door handles. Four small form-factor non-DSLR camera systems — intraoral camera, borescope, fibre-optic camera and an iPhone — were evaluated under controlled conditions for their ability to image fingermarks with sufficient detail for identification. Evaluation was conducted using black powdered fingermarks and standard photographic test targets. A qualitative visual evaluation approach was also developed to gauge whether image quality was appropriate for fingermark identification. The results obtained indicated that most of the systems were capable of capturing fingermark details suitable for identification in controlled environments; however, the inherent contrast of the fingermark had an impact on the success of various imaging devices. The practicality and capability of alternate camera devices for fingermark recovery in pseudo-operational conditions is part of ongoing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) has proposed multiple model experiments during the phases 5 and 6 of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP), with the latest set of model experiment proposed in 2015. With phase 7 of CMIP in preparation, and with multiple efforts ongoing to better explore the potential space of outcomes for different Solar Radiation Modification (SRM) both in terms of deployment strategies and scenarios and in terms of potential impacts, the GeoMIP community has identified the need to propose and conduct a new experiment that could serve as a bridge between past iterations and future CMIP7 experiments. Here we report the details of such a proposed experiment, named G6-1.5K-SAI, to be conducted with the current generation of scenarios and models from CMIP6, and clarify the reasoning behind many of the new choices introduced. Namely, compared to the CMIP6 GeoMIP scenario G6sulfur, here we decided on: 1) an intermediate emission scenario as baseline (the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 2-4.5); 2) a start date set in the future that includes both considerations around the likelihood of exceeding 1.5 ºC above preindustrial and some considerations around a likely start date for an SRM implementation; 3) a deployment strategy for Stratospheric Aerosol Injection that does not inject in the tropical pipe in order to obtain a more latitudinally uniform aerosol distribution. We also offer more details over the preferred experiment length and number of ensemble members, and include potential options for second-tier experiments some modeling groups might want to run. The specifics of the proposed experiment will further allow for a more direct comparison between results obtained with CMIP6 models and those obtained with future scenarios for CMIP7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) is a coordinating framework, started in 2010, that includes a series of standardized climate model experiments aimed at understanding the physical processes and projected impacts of solar geoengineering. Numerous experiments have been conducted, and numerous more have been proposed as "test-bed" experiments, spanning a variety of geoengineering techniques aimed at modifying the planetary radiation budget: stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, surface albedo modification, cirrus cloud thinning, and sunshade mirrors. To date, more than 100 studies have been published that used results from GeoMIP simulations. Here we provide a critical assessment of GeoMIP and its experiments. We discuss its successes and missed opportunities, for instance in terms of which experiments elicited more interest from the scientific community and which did not, and the potential reasons why that happened. We also discuss the knowledge that GeoMIP has contributed to the field of geoengineering research and climate science as a whole: what have we learned in terms of intermodel differences, robustness of the projected outcomes for specific geoengineering methods, and future areas of model development that would be necessary in the future? We also offer multiple examples of cases where GeoMIP experiments were fundamental for international assessments of climate change. Finally, we provide a series of recommendations, regarding both future experiments and more general activities, with the goal of continuously deepening our understanding of the effects of potential geoengineering approaches and reducing uncertainties in climate outcomes, important for assessing wider impacts on societies and ecosystems. In doing so, we refine the purpose of GeoMIP and outline a series of criteria whereby GeoMIP can best serve its participants, stakeholders, and the broader science community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Geoengineering Model Intercomparison Project (GeoMIP) is a coordinating framework, started in 2010, that includes a series of standardized climate model experiments aimed at understanding the physical processes and projected impacts of solar geoengineering. Numerous experiments have been conducted, and numerous more have been proposed as "testbed' experiments, spanning a variety of geoengineering techniques aimed at modifying the planetary radiation budget: stratospheric aerosol injection, marine cloud brightening, surface albedo modification, cirrus cloud thinning and sunshade mirrors. To date, more than one hundred studies have been published that used results from GeoMIP simulations. Here we provide a critical assessment of GeoMIP and its experiments. We discuss its successes and missed opportunities, for instance in terms of which experiments elicited more interest from the scientific community and which didn't, and the potential reasons why that happened. We also discuss the knowledge that GeoMIP has contributed to the field of geoengineering research and climate science as a whole: what have we learned in terms of inter-model differences, robustness of the projected outcomes for specific geoengineering methods and future areas of models' development that would be necessary in the future. We also offer multiple examples of cases where GeoMIP experiments were fundamental for international assessments of climate change. Finally, we provide a series of recommendations, regarding both future experiments and more general activities, with the goal of continuously deepening our understanding of the effects of potential geoengineering approaches, as well as reducing uncertainties in climate outcomes, important for assessing wider impacts on societies and ecosystems. In doing so, we refine the purpose of GeoMIP and outline a series of criteria whereby GeoMIP can best serve its participants, stakeholders, and the broader science community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significance: South Africa is wrestling with increasing climate change impacts and how to respond. The 2022 IPCC Working Group II Report synthesises the latest evidence on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation, and what this means for climate-resilient development. In this commentary, South African authors on the Report reflect on its key findings and the implications for the country. The commentary highlights challenges and opportunities for cities, the food-water-energy-nature nexus, knowledge and capacity strengthening (which includes climate services, climate change literacy, and indigenous and local knowledge), climate finance, equity, justice and social protection, and climate-resilient development pathways. The piece closes with a reflection on research gaps requiring attention and the importance of urgently ramping up climate action to secure a liveable future for all South Africans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Make me comfortable' were the last words of Sergeant First Class Randy Johnson of the United States 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. The investigation into his murder would take seven years, span three countries, and involve forensic and technical exploitation analysis in the United States and the United Kingdom. The purpose of this case study is to discuss the unique aspects of battlefield forensic science and key factors that can lead to the prosecution of foreign terrorist fighters to meet obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2396 (2017) and 2322 (2016) for member states to investigate foreign terrorist fighters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Oil fingerprinting is concerned with determining the chemical profile of a spilled oil to determine its origin, whether that be a vessel, well or other source. Asphaltenes are typically discarded in this process even though they are considered refractory in comparison to the volatile fraction and have the ability to provide valuable information in oil fingerprinting. A heavy fuel oil was exposed to evaporative and photochemical conditions to determine if the asphaltene fraction and asphaltene profiling were influenced by weathering. It was found that although evaporative weathering had a strong effect on the volatile fraction of the oil, it had no influence on the asphaltene fraction, and profiling of the asphaltene fraction using previously published methods was still possible. When the oil was exposed to photo-oxidative conditions using natural sunlight, the mass of the asphaltene fraction increased significantly. Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) analysis demonstrated that the oxygen level in the asphaltene fraction also increased with photochemical weathering compared to evaporative weathering alone. Even though the asphaltene fraction changed under photo-oxidative conditions, it could still be used for source determination using previously published ATR-FTIR and pyrolysis GC-MS methods for profiling of the asphaltene fraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building and factory fires pose a great risk to human and environmental health, due to the release of hazardous by-products of combustion. These hazardous compounds can dissipate into the environment through fire water run-off, and the impact can be immediate or chronic. Current laboratory-based methods do not report hazardous compounds released from a fire scene at the time and location of the event. Reporting of results is often delayed due to the complexities and logistics of laboratory-based sampling and analysis. These delays pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of the environment and exposed community. Recent developments in person-portable instrumentation have the potential to provide rapid analysis of samples in the field. A portable gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) was evaluated for the on-site analysis of water samples for the identification of hazardous organic compounds at fire scenes. The portable GC-MS was capable of detecting and identifying a range of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in fire water run-off, and can be used in conjunction with conventional laboratory analysis methods for a comprehensive understanding of hazardous organics released at fire scenes. Deployment of this portable instrumentation provides first responders with a rapid, on-site screening tool to appropriately manage the run-off water from firefighting activities. This ensures that environmental and human health is proactively protected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in person-portable instrumentation have resulted in the potential to provide contemporaneous results through rapid in-field analyses. These technologies can be utilised in emergency response scenarios to aid first responders in appropriate site risk assessment and management. Large metropolitan fires can pose great risk to human and environmental health due to the rapid release of hazardous compounds into the atmosphere. Understanding the release of these hazardous organics is critical in understanding their associated risks. Person-portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was evaluated for its potential to provide rapid on-site analysis for real-time monitoring of hazardous organic compounds at fire scenes. Air sampling and analysis methods were developed for scenes of this nature. Controlled field testing demonstrated that the portable GC-MS was able to provide preliminary analytical results on the volatile organic compounds present in air samples collected from both active and extinguished fires. In-field results were confirmed using conventional laboratory-based air sampling and analysis procedures. The deployment of portable instrumentation could provide first responders with a rapid on-site assessment tool for the appropriate management of scenes, thereby ensuring environmental and human health is proactively protected and scientifically informed decisions are made for the provision of timely advice to stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fingermark deposits are left on surfaces touched with the bare hands, and these traces can be exploited as potential evidence. While many methods exist for the detection of fingermarks on common substrates, significant ongoing research is being directed at improved sensitivity via new approaches or the optimization of existing methods. Research is also being directed at obtaining a more fundamental understanding of fingermark residues, their physical and chemical properties, and how they behave on various substrates over time. The aim is to improve detection success rates to increase the chance of developing and recording potentially identifiable fingermarks in any given situation. The fingerprint identification process – where recorded fingermarks are compared against known fingerprints to determine if there is a common source – has come under increased scrutiny over the last 15 years, particularly with respect to the perceived lack of fundamental research and the subjective nature of current practices. Related research is being pursued by a number of research groups around the world. The International Fingerprint Research Group (IFRG) holds biennial meetings to discuss current research related to fingermark evidence. This article summarizes the fingermark detection and identification research presented at the 2015 and 2017 meetings of this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,2-Indanedione is considered the most sensitive amino acid reagent currently available for routine use as a fingermark detection technique on porous substrates. The method is generally applied by treating items with a solution of the reagent, followed by the application of heat to accelerate the reaction. Despite the high sensitivity demonstrated by this technique, the use of organic solvents and heat can be problematic for some substrates. For example, polar solvents and heat will darken thermal printer paper. Polar solvents will also diffuse writing inks on documents and may also remove other forensic traces such as explosive and illicit drug residues. The solvent-free application of amino acid reagents has been investigated by a number of research groups as a means of overcoming such issues. Examples include vacuum sublimation (low-pressure vaporization) and "dry-transfer" methods. For the latter, items to be treated are sandwiched between sheets of reagent-impregnated paper. Solventless methods can alleviate the need for the storage and use of large volumes of potentially hazardous solvents, including solvents that are being phased out because of their global warming potential. In this study, a method for applying indanedione under vacuum using a commercially available vacuum oven was optimized and applied to treat fingermarks on a range of substrates. The results were compared against those obtained using conventional and dry-transfer techniques. Although a vacuum method was found to be feasible, it was generally outperformed by conventional indanedione treatment. However, encouraging results were obtained on some nonporous surfaces, and this shows promise for future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental forensic investigations can be complex because pollutants are often not visible, making it difficult to determine the types of pollutants and their source. Emergency scenarios require immediate action to protect environmental and/or human health, and having limited knowledge of these pollutants makes this complicated. Recent advancements in field-portable instrumentation pave the way for rapid on-site analyses for real-time monitoring of hazardous compounds at incident sites, thereby providing valuable intelligence to direct subsequent actions. Fires can pose significant risk to human and/or environmental health through the release of hazardous compounds in smoke or run-off water from firefighting activities. Monitoring the release of hazardous organic compounds from fires typically requires complex sampling and laboratory-based protocols. Results from such protocols are not immediately available to first responders. Site risk assessment and management would therefore benefit from accurate in-field identification of the release of hazardous organic compounds. A portable Gas Chromatograph - Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) was evaluated for the identification of hazardous organic compounds in air and water samples at fire scenes. Preliminary results demonstrated that deployment of such instrumentation has the potential to provide first responders with a rapid on-site assessment tool, allowing for more proactive protection of environmental and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the role of nurses assisting people with degenerative illness in advance care planning (ACP) for a time when they may lose decision-making capacity. It looks at the concept of advance decisions to refuse treatment (ADRT), as defined in the Mental Capacity Act 2005, exploring the legal, ethical and philosophical ramifications of carrying out, or overriding, formerly expressed wishes of someone who has subsequently lost decision-making capacity. It uses an illustrative composite case study of an individual with Huntington's disease whose prognosis includes future deterioration in swallowing, together with consideration of whether to have or refuse a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. The author, who as part of his role cares for people with neurodegenerative conditions, including Huntington's disease, discusses the difficulties and dilemmas that nurses experience with ADRTs, drawing on personal experience. He suggests that, rather than focusing on ADRTs, ACP may be most effective in preparing people and their surrogates to make real-time decisions, based on a shared understanding of the individual's values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical Developer (PD) is an underutilized technique for the development of latent marks on porous surfaces that have been wet, or as a subsequent technique in a development sequence. It is a multistep technique that works by selectively reducing silver ions to silver metal at nucleating sites in fingermark residue. Its use is associated with a plethora of issues, largely surrounding the inherent instability of the working solution. Recently, one of the components of the working solution, Synperonic N, has ceased production, and the recommended replacement is Tween 20. This article addresses factors during PD processing using Tween 20, other than reagent formulations that should be considered when using the technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensic biometrics is the application of forensic science principles to physical and behavioral characteristics. Forensic biometrics is a secondary sub‐system in the forensic science "system of systems," which describes forensic science as a sub‐system in the larger criminal justice, law enforcement, intelligence, and military system. The purpose of this paper is to discuss biometrics in the military domain and integration into the wider forensic science system of systems. The holistic system thinking methodology was applied to the U.S. biometric system to map it to the system of systems framework. The U.S. biometric system is used as a case study to help guide other countries to develop military biometric systems that are integrated and interoperable at the whole‐of‐government level. The aim is to provide the system of systems framework for agencies to consider for proactive design of biometric systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of gelatin lifters as a method of latent fingermark recovery. Such a capability may be important in covert operations where rapid, nondestructive techniques need to be applied. A preliminary trial was conducted to determine the best surface types for fingermark recovery using black gelatin lifts, with the resulting lifted impressions imaged using an optical method referred to as episcopic coaxial illumination (ECI). As expected, it was found that fresh, sebum-rich fingermarks on smooth, nonporous surfaces produced the best results. A more extensive study was then conducted using natural fingermarks from multiple donors and fingermarks aged for periods up to six weeks. Both black and white gelatin lifters were assessed, as well as the impact of reattaching the protective plastic film provided to cover the lifted impressions. The best results were obtained using black lifters applied to nonporous surfaces that contained sebum-rich, relatively fresh impressions (i.e., aged for a short period of time). Lifts that were left uncovered prior to ECI imaging also resulted in higher quality fingermarks. The use of a commercially available ECI accessory was found to be a cost-effective method for the recording of lifted impressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]