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A carcass is defined as a temporary resource that can support high levels of diversity compared to other resources. The level of diversity often depends on the environmental conditions in which the corpse is found. Calliphoridae (Diptera) are the most important necrophagous insects used in forensic investigations because this family is common, widespread, abundant, and usually the first to colonize a corpse. However, understanding the processes responsible for variation in calliphorid species abundance and richness along gradients in ecology remains a key challenge. In this study, we analyzed the influence of altitude on the abundance and diversity of Calliphoridae species in corpses at three different altitudes (400, 900, and 1500 m a.s.l.) in a mountainous area of southeastern Spain. The results revealed a gradient of decreasing abundance with increasing altitude. An altitudinal substitution of species was observed, with Chrysomya albiceps being found at the lowest altitude and Calliphora vicina at the highest altitude. Seasonal variation was also noted, with Ch. albiceps being the dominant species in the warmer months and C. vicina being the dominant species in winter. Our results confirm the importance of Calliphorids as seasonal, altitudinal, and environmental indicators, given the wide distribution and abundance of this family. This information is of great interest on the interpretation of data in forensic practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) has proven to be a useful tool in forensic and criminal investigations for quite some time. Traditionally, documenting a crime scene for a bloodletting event was completed using manual techniques, physical strings, and a tape measure. In more recent years, laser scanners and 3D software programs have become a preferred method to capture accurate data that improves the validity and reliability of BPA. The initial cost of laser scanning equipment is relatively high, rendering these systems inaccessible to some police and smaller agencies. Recon-3D is a newly developed iPhone application that utilizes the iPhone LiDAR sensor in combination with video data to create 3D point clouds of crime scenes. To assess the viability of Recon-3D for area of origin analysis, two tests were performed. One was a series of bloodstain impacts which were analyzed in FARO Zone 3D software, while the second was a series of 6 repeated Recon-3D scans of two 90-degree walls which was then compared to the FARO Focus S350 scanner using CloudCompare software. A total of eight impact patterns were made at three different distances from a wall. The area of origin was measured and compared to the known location of the blood source. The average total 3D error for the area of origin set at 25, 50, and 100 cm from two perpendicular walls was found to be 6.04, 15.16, and 36.59 cm, respectively. These results are similar to past studies where programs such as HemoSpat have been used. The results of the point cloud comparison show that on average, 95% of the points from Recon-3D fall below a threshold of 3.6 mm when compared to a FARO Focus S350 laser scanner. Thus, the results of this test suggest that Recon-3D is an accurate and affordable scanning application for bloodstain patterns at crime scenes and the data provide acceptable results for area of origin analysis in BPA programs which accept laser scanner data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many criminal cases, the source of who deposited the DNA is not what the prosecutor and the defense are trying to dispute. In court, the question may be how the DNA was deposited at the crime scene rather than who the DNA came from. Although laboratories in many countries have begun to evaluate DNA evidence given formal activity-level propositions (ALPs), it is unknown how much other forensic practitioners know and what they think about activity-level evaluative reporting (ALR). To collect this information, a survey with 21 questions was submitted to international forensic science organizations across Europe, Australia, South America, Canada, Asia, and Africa. The survey combined open-ended and multiple-choice questions and received 162 responses. Responses revealed a wide range of knowledge on the topic. Overall, most respondents were somewhat knowledgeable about ALR, ALP, and current practices in court and expressed their support of the concept. A majority of participants identified gaps and obstacles regarding ALR they would like to see addressed. Examples include (1) need for more education/training at all stakeholder levels, (2) need for more DNA evidence-related data under realistic case scenarios, (3) need to internally implement and validate a formalized and objective approach for reporting, and (4) in some countries the need to achieve court admissibility. This global survey gathered the current concerns of forensic DNA practitioners and outlined several operational concerns. The information can be used to advance the implementation of ALR in laboratories and court testimony worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA), a field of forensic science, there has been active discussion on the estimation of the area of origin of impact spatter. However, there is no established methodology to quantitatively analyze the area of origin of a swing cast-off pattern. To quantitatively analyze the methodology of previous research on estimation of area of origin, a device for generating uniform swing cast-off patterns was produced. Using artificial blood, 10 swing cast-off patterns were generated on porous paper; in each, 10 blood drops were selected for the calculation of the impact angle. Hemospat software was used for individual bloodstain analysis, and an open source code was used for estimation of area of origin. Under the same conditions, an additional 10 swing cast-off patterns were generated, and quantitative analysis was performed using trigonometric functions and an adjustment formula that minimized errors in calculating the impact angle. The adjustment formula was corrected to calculate the impact angle for the bloodstains on the porous surface. As uncertainty decreases, the error increases, and the point at which both uncertainty and error can be minimized is calculated as 75%. The existing formula included the trajectory in the estimated likelihood range in 75% of samples. When the adjustment formula was applied, the accuracy was improved, with the trajectory included in the area with a 90% likelihood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner regularly assumes jurisdiction over deaths that are suspicious, unusual or unattended by a medical professional. In recent years, the presence of counterfeit pills is occasionally suggested by investigatory notes and/or scene findings that document reported consumption of prescription drugs, or prescription drugs on scene, which are not reflected in the final autopsy findings after toxicological analysis of the decedent's blood samples. Counterfeit pill consumption is a major public health hazard worthy of attention from the forensic toxicology community. Seventy-five cases from January 2020 to December 2022 serve as a convenience sample of cases where prescription pills including formulations of alprazolam, oxycodone and hydrocodone were specifically referenced during the death scene investigation as recently consumed, yet an unexpected substance was found during toxicological analysis rather than the expected pharmaceutical drug. Of note, novel benzodiazepines detected included flualprazolam, etizolam, clonazolam metabolite (8-aminoclonazolam), bromazolam, flubromazolam and desalkylflurazepam. Decedents' ages ranged from 16 to 69, across 33 different NC counties. Case notes indicated that eight of the decedents obtained pills through direct personal relationships, six decedents obtained them from "the street" and one decedent likely purchased pills online. Pills were largely consumed orally or through insufflation. Seven case reports contained indication that decedents knew or suspected the counterfeit nature of their pills. This study describes the context and characteristics of 2020–2022 suspected counterfeit pill-involved deaths in NC to further the understanding of the forensic science community, law enforcement partners, public health stakeholders and those potentially at risk through the consumption of counterfeit pills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age estimation is a critical aspect of reconstructing a biological profile in forensic sciences. Diverse biochemical processes have been studied in their correlation with age, and the results have driven DNA methylation to the forefront as a promising biomarker. DNA methylation, an epigenetic modification, has been extensively studied in recent years for developing age estimation models in criminalistics and forensic anthropology. Epigenetic clocks, which analyze DNA sites undergoing hypermethylation or hypomethylation as individuals age, have paved the way for improved prediction models. A wide range of biomarkers and methods for DNA methylation analysis have been proposed, achieving different accuracies across samples and cell types. This review extensively explores literature from the past 5 years, showing scientific efforts toward the ultimate goal: applying age prediction models to assist in human identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular physics plays a pivotal role in various fields, including medicine, pharmaceuticals, and broader industrial applications. This study aims to enhance the methods for producing specific optically active materials with distinct spectroscopic properties at the molecular level, which are crucial for these sectors, while prioritizing human safety in both production and application. Forensic science, a significant socio-economic field, often employs hazardous substances in analyzing friction ridges on porous surfaces, posing safety concerns. In response, we formulated novel, non-toxic procedures for examining paper evidence, particularly thermal papers. Our laboratory model utilizes a polyvinyl alcohol polymer as a rigid matrix to emulate the thermal paper's environment, enabling precise control over the spectroscopic characteristics of 1,8-diazafluoro-9-one (DFO). We identified and analyzed the cyclodimer 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DAK DFO), which is a non-toxic and biocompatible alternative for revealing forensic marks. The reagents used to preserve fingerprints were optimized for their effectiveness and stability. Using stationary absorption and emission spectroscopy, along with time-resolved emission studies, we verified the spectroscopic attributes of the new structures under deliberate aggregation conditions. Raman spectroscopy and quantum mechanical computations substantiated the cyclodimer's configuration. The investigation provides robust scientific endorsement for the novel compound and its structural diversity, influenced by the solvatochromic sensitivity of the DFO precursor. Our approach to monitoring aggregation processes signifies a substantial shift in synthetic research paradigms, leveraging simple chemistry to yield an innovative contribution to forensic science methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aesthetic depiction of the Black corpse raises questions about scopic pleasure, empathy, and the futility of evidence. This essay engages aesthetic speculation about intended justice through Paul Stopforth’s Elegy (1981) and the Biko Series (1980), drawings of Steve Biko’s corpse that are all oriented toward a counter-evidentiary logic whose aim is to disprove the evidence provided by the apartheid police. I posit that this investment in evidence (alternative, or otherwise), capitulates to the terms of the dominant regime by participating in the struggle for evidence (alternative or otherwise) in the first place. I also engage the entanglement between scopophilia and negrophobia/negrophilia in the image of the Black dead, not merely as features of Stopforths’ individual unconscious, but as civil society’s/culture’s most consistent dreamwork. Questioning the political promise of aesthetic mobilization of the corpse, I ask: Why is it necessary for the world to see the image of the corpse (again) in aesthetic practice, in order to reflect on violence, and what modes of recognition and identification are produced? My curiosity lies in what is enacted by recruiting the viewer to adopt such forensic seeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminal cases involving questioned documents often cause the loss of a huge amount of money in a country. Red ballpoint pen inks found on threatening notes, or any official documents are potentially encountered by a forensic document examiner as questioned documents. Identifying sources of the questioned ink entries is paramount to revealing the authenticity or sources of the document. Despite the multitude of works being devoted to discriminating pen inks by their sources, very little is focused on the volatile fractions. In this study, the volatile compositional profiles of ten types of red ballpoint pen inks as acquired by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) were studied using various multivariate exploratory tools. Scores plot of principal component analysis reveals that inter-pen brand variation is higher than the inter-pen type variation. Meanwhile, hierarchical clustering analysis showed that 6 of the 10 pen types and all five pen brands could be discriminated. In conclusion, volatile organic compositions of red pen inks are useful in classifying the pen inks by brands. The outcome of the study will provide vital insight into the potential of volatile organic profiles in discriminating red pen inks sold in Malaysia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental data describing the uniaxial compression and relaxation of brain tissue are compared to the predictions from a rheological model developed by Yarin and Kosmerl ["Rheology of brain tissue and hydrogels: A novel hyperelastic and viscoelastic model for forensic applications," Phys. Fluids 35, 101910 (2023)]. A qualitative agreement between the model and experiments with swine brain tissue is confirmed, and the uniformly valid values (i.e., valid in all rheometric experiments without any change) of the rheological parameters are established. These are the values of the following four parameters: G (the shear modulus), κ (the bulk modulus), α (the dimensionless degree of hyperelasticity), and θ (the viscoelastic relaxation time). In addition, the present rheological model with the established rheological parameters is incorporated into a dynamic model of bullet penetration into brain tissue after a short-range shooting, when muzzle gases and/or air fill the bullet channel leading to its widening, wave propagation, fragmentation, and backspatter of brain tissue. This problem is of significant interest in forensic science because there is an urgent need to provide physics-informed models to reconstruct and analyze crime scenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces a novel methodology for the detection and classification of fission track (FT) clusters in microscope images, employing state-of-the-art deep learning techniques for segmentation and classification (Elgad in nuclear forensics—fission track analysis—star segmentation and classification using deep learning, Ben-Gurion University, 2022). The U-Net model, a fully convolutional network, was used to carry out the segmentation of various star-like patterns in both single-class and multi-class scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a sexual assault, survivors have the option of seeking a medical forensic exam, which includes medical evaluation and treatment, as well as forensic evidence collection. Forensic evidence is collected in a sexual assault evidence kit (SAEK) and typically released to police to aid in the investigation and potential prosecution of the assault. However, 20% to 25% of survivors who have a SAEK collected do not report their assault to police at that time and choose instead to have their SAEK stored for possible future use. This study sought to understand the reasons for not reporting among this group of survivors. We examined medical records of 296 individuals aged 18 and older who had documented their reasons for not reporting to police in their medical record and used a non-theory-driven coding framework to conduct a reflexive thematic analysis based on that data. We identified four themes: Reporting Won't Help, Reporting Will Harm, Not Now, and Not What I'm Here For. These data illustrate that survivors are making an active choice which, for many, was based on concerns that reporting would not meaningfully help their situation or may even make their situations worse. For some survivors, the decision to have forensic evidence collected without a police report was based on their needs at that moment, whereas for other survivors it was based on their desire to move on from the assault more permanently. Practice and policy recommendations are discussed, including the importance of providing survivors information about what police reporting would look like in specific circumstances as well as ensuring that financial concerns are not a barrier to survivors receiving post-assault medical care without forensic evidence collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of cyber incidents in which the Internet of Things (IoT) device or system is present is increasing every day, requiring the opening of forensic investigations that can shed light on what has occurred. In order to be able to provide investigators with proper solutions for performing complete and efficient examinations in this new environment, IoT systems and devices are being studied from a forensic perspective so that tools and procedures can be designed accordingly. In this article, besides reviewing the proposals from the community on this matter, the multi-purpose IoT operating system Ubuntu Core is studied to determine in what way a forensic investigation of this system should be performed, detailing how to approach the acquisition and analysis phases. In addition, both the volatile and non-volatile artifacts that might hold useful information are listed and described, and a forensic tool is presented for their recovery as well as for the acquisition of the non-volatile memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: In veterinary forensic science, accurately determining the postmortem interval (PMI) is crucial for identifying the causes of animal deaths. Autolysis, a significant postmortem process, influences PMI estimation, but its relationship with humidity is not well understood. Objective: This study aimed to improve the accuracy of PMI estimates in veterinary forensic cases by looking into how different humidity levels affect autolysis in different organs of rats. Methods: The study involved 38 male rats, examining histopathological changes in their heart, liver, and pancreas. These organs were subjected to controlled humidity levels (20%, 55%, and 80%) at a constant 22°C. Tissue samples were collected at several intervals (0 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 days, and 8 days) for comprehensive analysis. Results: Distinct autolytic characteristics in animal organs emerged under varying humidity conditions. The low-humidity environment rapidly activated autolysis more than the high-humidity environment. In addition, it was found that lower humidity caused nuclear pyknosis, cytoplasmic disintegration, and myofiber interruption. The liver, in particular, showed portal triad aggregation and hepatocyte individuation. The pancreas experienced cell fragmentation and an enlarged intracellular space. High humidity also caused the loss of striations in cardiac tissues, and the liver showed vacuolation. Under these conditions, the pancreas changed eosinophilic secretory granules. Conclusions and Relevance: The study successfully established a clear connection between the autolytic process in PMIs and relative humidity. These findings are significant for developing a more accurate and predictable method for PMI estimation in the field of veterinary forensic science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child abuse is a serious concern that can cause the death of a child. In such cases the medico-legal evidence is often pivotal but complex, drawing across multiple medical disciplines and techniques. One key specialism is histopathology, which is considered the gold standard for estimating the age of individual fractures. Another is micro-CT imaging, which can visualise the location of trauma across the body. This case report demonstrates how micro-CT was used to contextualise the histological evidence in the Criminal Justice Proceedings of a fatal child abuse case. This was achieved by overlaying the aged fracture evidence from histopathology onto the visuals rendered from micro-CT imaging. The case was a suspected child abuse of a deceased 1-month old infant who was reported unresponsive by their parents. The child was taken to hospital where they were pronounced dead. Suspicion was raised and post-mortem imaging confirmed head trauma and rib fractures, and the case was escalated for a forensic investigation. This case report details how the micro-CT imaging was merged with the gold standard of histopathology for visualisation of trauma, and how the court presentation was planned alongside Senior Investigating Officers and various medical experts. The presentation was used in court by the histopathologist to present the evidence. The resulting presentation provided additional clarity to jury members regarding the location, severity, frequency, and timings of the injuries. From the perspective of the investigating police force, the resulting presentation was crucial in ensuring understanding of the medico-legal evidence of how the infant died. The prosecuting lawyer noted that combining the histological and micro-CT evidence in this way allowed the evidence to be presented in a sensitive, clear, and impactful manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Using memes enhances the student perception of fun within taught content. • Creating and using memes improves the perception of knowledge retention. • Students' demographics did not appear to affect students' experiences of using memes as a learning tool. Meme-making is an effective method for engaging students and enhancing the learning environment. Memes are a social media cultural phenomenon that the majority of those in Higher Education are exposed to on an almost daily occurrence. This research examined the use of meme-making within the forensic sciences to allow students to reflect on their knowledge. Students studying modules in forensic science across six universities in the UK and USA participated in the study. At the end of a teaching session, students produced a meme (using Meme Generator) to reflect on what they had learned; memes were then shared with the class anonymously via Padlet. This allowed all class members to see and engage with the memes created. At the end of the activity students were anonymously surveyed on their experience using Microsoft Forms and analysis of the results were undertaken using SPSS software. Meme-making was found to be an inclusive learning activity with no limitations, including age (part-time, distance learning and visually impaired students were not part of the study parameters). Results showed that not only did students find the practice fun, but it also helped with the retention of the class content suggesting that the meme-making process is an effective way to enhance the learning environment while engaging students. Student feedback suggests that to maximise participation the educator should stress reflection and learning as the key purpose of generating a meme, rather than being witty or entertaining. The forensic science educator should be mindful of selecting appropriate subject matter for this often-humorous activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microbes were the only lifeform for almost three quarters of Earth's history. • Microbes form the main target for extraterrestrial search for past or extant life. • The fossilised breath of microbes is a large and durable sign of life. • Ways to convey complex science to the general public could be valuable for forensics. • Similar techniques can be used in both spoken and written presentations. A new method for looking for life outside the Earth is used as an example to demonstrate how ways of presenting complex scientific concepts to the general public, used in planetary science, could be used in forensic science. The work led to a pared down, practical definition of detectable Life for planetary exploration, An organised system capable of processing energy sources to its advantage. For nearly three quarters of Earth's history the only lifeforms were microbes, which are the target for looking for extraterrestrial life. Microbes are microscopic and may be sparsely distributed, but their metabolic products can form large, durable rocks, much easier to find and which may contain the organisms or their remains. There are similar challenges in presenting astrobiological and forensic science. Both may have to deal with very large or very small numbers which are not immediately comprehensible but can be understood by analogy. To increase the impact on the listener or reader, dramatic analogues are valuable, for example, referring to the mineralised microbial metabolic products as, "fossilised breath of bacteria" demands the audience's attention and engages them before more detailed explanations are given. The power of practical experiments or demonstrations is most important to reinforce what might otherwise be a fairly abstract concept. Surprisingly, most of these approaches can be made to work equally well in both spoken and written forms as well as in both sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The article aims to explain the various concepts, tasks and interfaces of criminalistics, and to explore their relationship with police and forensic science, which often vary from author to author. Methodology: The study provides a synthesis by analysing domestic and foreign literature. Findings: Criminalistics is a possible and forward-looking formulation of the general methodology of fact-finding for law enforcement purposes, a scientific cognition within a legal framework, for legal purposes. It has a co-extensive relationship with law enforcement, with numerous interfaces and mutual interactions throughout their history. Forensic science is framed by criminalistics, but they are not identical. Value: The paper presents the complex relationship between forensic science and criminalistics, attempts to define forensic science, and discusses the Sydney Declaration and its significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media platforms have completely revolutionized human communication and social interactions. Their positive impacts are simply undeniable. What has also become undeniable is the prevalence of harmful antisocial behaviors on these platforms. Cyberbullying, misinformation, hate speech, radicalization, and extremist propaganda have caused significant harms to society and its most vulnerable populations. Thus, the social media forensics field was born to enable investigators and law enforcement agents to better investigate and prosecute these cybercrimes. This paper surveys the latest research works in the field to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are being utilized in social media forensics investigations. We examine how natural language processing can be used to identify extremist ideologies, detect online bullying, and analyze deceptive profiles. Additionally, we explore the literature on GNNs and how they are applied in social network modeling for forensic purposes. We conclude by discussing the key challenges in the field and suggest future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The calcaneus has a significant role in the foot due to its location. It is used together with the pelvis and skull bones in gender determination. In this study, it was aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics of the calcaneus and determine the suitability of these measurement locations for gender estimation. Material and Method: In the study, seven measurements were taken bilaterally from 1,080 lateral foot radiographs of 540 individuals aged 20-65 years. For foot bone height (FBL), the distance between the anterior end of the distal phalanx of the most distal toe and the most posterior end of the foot was taken, while for maximum calcaneal length (maxCaL), the distance between the anterior end of the calcaneus and the posterior end of the calcaneus was taken. SPSS 21 program was used for statistical analyses and the ratio of gender prediction performances was examined by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: All length measurements were higher in males than females (p<0.05), and foot bone height (FBL) (p=0.035) and maximum calcaneus height (maxCaH) (p=0.007) were higher on the right side than on the left side. The study also found a weak negative correlation between age and the right-sided medial calcaneus length parameter (rmedCaL) and strong correlations between certain measurements. Foot bone length (FBL) was found to have the highest accuracy in predicting gender (AUC=0.913). Conclusion: The findings provide useful information for forensic cases, provide reference data for diagnosis and treatment processes in the clinic, and provide data for the development of machine learning software that can be used in medical and forensic cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image forgery detection has become a hot research topic in security and forensics applications. Keypoints (KPs) based image forgery detection extracts image KPs and utilizes local visual features for identifying forgery regions which shows excellent performance on the basis of memory and robustness over attacks. But, these methods are lacking in handling the cases when forgeries in small regions, in which KPs are limited. To address these challenges, this work introduces a fast and efficient forgery detection using the processes like pre-processing, feature extraction and optimal classification. Initially, the RGB image is converted into L*a*b color space. Then, the KPs are determined using the Eigenvalue Asymmetry (EAS) and after determining the KPs, the texture features like Haralick and skewness are extracted. Then, these features are classified by the deep learning (DL) classifier Deep belief network (DBN) with an adaptive crow search algorithm (ACSA). The proposed DBN-ACSA classifier categorizes the detected image as a normal or forgery image. The experimental results are carried out on the Vision, UCID and CoMoFoD datasets and achieved accuracy, precision, F1 score, recall and ROC values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of cryptographic systems presents both opportunities and challenges in the realm of digital forensics. In an era where the security of digital information is crucial, the ability to non-invasively detect and analyze cryptographic configurations has become significant. As cryptographic algorithms become more robust with longer key lengths, they provide higher levels of security. However, non-invasive side channels, specifically through electromagnetic (EM) emanations, can expose confidential cryptographic details, thus presenting a novel solution to the pressing forensic challenge. This research delves into the capabilities of EM side-channel analysis (EM-SCA), specifically focusing on detecting both cryptographic key lengths and the algorithms employed utilizing a machine-learning-based approach, which can be instrumental for digital forensic experts during their investigations. Through meticulous data processing and analysis, the Support Vector Machine (SVM) model, among others, demonstrated a notable accuracy of 94.55% in distinguishing between AES and ECC cryptographic operations. This capability significantly enhances digital forensic methodologies, offering a novel avenue for noninvasively uncovering encrypted data's cryptographic settings. By identifying key lengths and algorithms without invasive procedures, this research contributes substantially to the advancement of forensic investigations in encrypted environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While traditional woven textiles have been the subject of many forensic investigations, non-woven fabrics have received minimal attention thus far. Given the expansion of commercial applications of non-woven fabrics, a preliminary investigation of household wipes has been carried out to characterize the compositions of these widely available non-woven fabrics. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to identify the fibre type and additives of three types of commercial wipes. Polyester and/or viscose fibres were found to be the main components and, along with the identification of binders, enable source types to be differentiated. The predicted different sensitivities of the fibre types to biodeterioration highlights the importance of future environmental studies for the correct characterization of non-woven fabrics in evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distinct and species-specific chemical compounds found on the insect cuticle have demonstrated effectiveness in various applications, including species identification. Accurate identification of fly species becomes challenging when only damaged empty puparial cases are available, making it difficult to use traditional morphological and molecular identification methods. This study aimed to analyze the chemical compositions of puparial exuviae from three forensically and medically important fly species; Lucilia sericata, Chrysomya albiceps, and Chrysomya marginalis. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed to assess the chemical profiles of these exuviae and evaluate their accuracy in identifying Dipteran insects. The study revealed the presence of twelve classes of chemical compounds across the three species, with retention times ranging from 18.78 to 35.03. A total of forty-two compounds with chain lengths ranging from C12 to C45 were identified. The profiles of Ch. albiceps and L. sericata displayed similarities, with alcohol being the most abundant compound (28.6%) in L. sericata. However, alkanes, including n-alkanes, branched alkanes, and cycloalkanes, constituted the main components of the cuticles in the three species, with Ch. marginalis displaying the highest percentage. These findings represent an initial step towards utilizing hydrocarbon composition as a practical tool for distinguishing between forensic species in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of forensic science standards in the legal system. It highlights the role of standards in determining the admissibility of scientific evidence and stresses the importance of judicial education in forensic science. It focuses on the activities of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and its Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science.

The article examines the emergence of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) in criminal investigations, particularly highlighted by its role in identifying the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo. It delves into the technological and ethical implications of FIGG, emphasizing the need for judicial oversight and regulation to safeguard privacy, civil liberties, and the integrity of criminal investigations.

Background: Development of obscured fingerprints on a diverse range of surfaces is a crucial aspect of forensic investigations. Aims and Objectives: In this particular study, the utilization of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels (Jamun) seed powder was examined for the purpose of revealing hidden fingerprints on a variety of surfaces, including both permeable and impermeable substrates. Materials and Methods: The seed powder was extracted using a simple process and was analysed using multiple analytical techniques. The efficacy of the jamun seed powder in developing latent fingerprints was evaluated. Results: The findings of this investigation demonstrate that the jamun seed powder was capable of producing fingerprint patterns of exceptional quality and clarity on numerous surfaces. Conclusion: This research highlights the potential use of jamun seed powder as a practical and effective alternative for the development of hidden fingerprints in forensic investigations, while also providing cost-effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the number of attacks and cyberincidents affecting Internet of Things (IoT) devices on the rise, the need for carrying out forensic investigations to determine what has happened has grown at the same pace. However, due to the characteristics and requirements of this environment, the solutions used until now in the field are not suitable to be followed, as they are not able to guarantee the effective retrieval and study of the pieces of evidence. Under these circumstances, new ways of interacting with IoT units are needed, and the edge computing paradigm has emerged as an interesting asset to complement IoT networks. Attack, anomaly and intrusion detection, or data encryption are some of the fields in which this approach has been successfully applied. Following this concept, this article presents an IoT forensic methodology that integrates the edge computing technology in order to assist in the investigation process, trying to address some of the issues that are hindering the effectiveness of examinations in this scenario. In addition, this proposal is compared with the existing ones in the research community, and evaluated by testing it in two case studies representing real-life scenarios, ultimately demonstrating suitability to be used for IoT forensic examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has played a fundamental role in our understanding of the world, and has applications across a broad range of disciplines. The introduction of PCR into forensic science marked the beginning of a new era of DNA profiling. This era has pushed PCR to its limits and allowed genetic data to be generated from trace DNA. Trace samples contain very small amounts of degraded DNA associated with inhibitory compounds and ions. Despite significant development in the PCR process since it was first introduced, the challenges of profiling inhibited and degraded samples remain. This review examines the evolution of the PCR from its inception in the 1980s, through to its current application in forensic science. The driving factors behind PCR evolution for DNA profiling are discussed along with a critical comparison of cycling conditions used in commercial PCR kits. Newer PCR methods that are currently used in forensic practice and beyond are examined, and possible future directions of PCR for DNA profiling are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forensics investigation of WordPress applications hosted on containerized cloud environment is critically important due to their increased adaptation and an exponential increase in cybercrimes. Investigation of containerized environments is complex due to their volatile nature and dynamic allocation. This paper explores the forensic analysis of WordPress applications deployed inside a containerized environment. In this paper, we have used a log analysis approach to perform the digital forensics investigation of different attacks on WordPress applications running over Kubernetes. To investigate these events, we collected a large number of operational logs generated by these applications. Log filtrations techniques are applied to analyze only the relevant logs for a specific event to perform the forensic investigation efficiently. The experimental results confirm the proposed approach's effectiveness as we could trace all the malicious events to conduct the digital investigation on the WordPress applications running inside Kubernetes. The scheme successfully identified the attacker's information like incident time, incident source, duration of attack etc. Moreover, the proposed solution also provided forensics readiness for the WordPress applications running in a container-based cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Image analysis techniques have been applied and shown to be a valuable tool in nuclear forensics analysis. The interlaboratory exercise reported here has tested quantitative and qualitative approaches for characterizing nuclear materials. Particle size, surface features and morphology descriptions were compared by four laboratories on a common image set generated by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Digital Light Microscopy. Quantitative analysis of the image sets through the Morphological Analysis for MAterials software highlighted the strength of image analysis, but also that the application of the software alone can introduce significant bias in the analysis. Qualitative morphology descriptions following the process outlined by Tamasi et al. (J Radioanal Nuclear Chem 307:1611–1619, 2015) were compared with a discussion on the robustness and reproducibility of the results. Future work should continue to focus on proficiency and standardization of image analysis through continued exercises within the extended nuclear forensics community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homicide followed by suicide (HS) is a tragic event with varied characteristics across countries and regions. Compared to Western countries, there are limited studies on HS in Asian countries. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the characteristics of recent HS cases by examining forensic autopsy records from 2008 to 2020 collected from the Department of Legal Medicine, Chiba University, in Japan. A total of 77 HS cases were identified, involving 77 perpetrators (52 completed suicides, 25 attempted suicides), with 28 perpetrator and 89 victim autopsies. Our findings showed that older adults accounted for nearly half of the victims; victims were mostly females, whereas most perpetrators were male. The most common HS relationship was that between a parent and a child. Autopsy findings showed that the most common cause of death was strangulation, and illegal drugs were detected only in a few cases; however, psychotropic drugs were detected in child victims. No obvious evidence of past child physical abuse by caregivers was found. In contrast, intimate partner violence (IPV) was present, with a history of IPV found in half of HS cases involving adult intimate partner relationships. Notably, gender differences in age and relationship to the victim were identified. Likewise, some perpetrators may have expressed their plans and intentions for HS before the event, which may represent an important sign for HS prevention. However, to accurately reveal the course of HS, nationwide integrated statistics, forensic autopsies, including toxicological analyses of the deceased; and forensic psychiatric perspectives, including psychological autopsy, are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fingerprint patterns are unique and reliable for identification. This research paper focuses on a comparative analysis to determine the inheritance of fingerprint patterns within Indian families. The sample collection process for this comparative analysis involved working with 10 families. The study aims to gain insights into the hereditary aspects of fingerprint characteristics among the Indian population. The research methodology involves the collection of fingerprints and the analysis of patterns using microscopes, magnifying lenses, and software. The results reveal both class and individual characteristics within fingerprints, contributing to our understanding of dermatoglyphics. The average class characteristics percentage totals around 71.5%, with an average individual characteristic percentage of approximately 13.6%. The research has implications for forensic investigations, genetics, and personal identification systems. Further studies with larger sample sizes and genetic analysis integration are recommended for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study delves into the perspectives of psychiatric nurses in South Africa regarding safety enhancements in forensic units. Working in forensic units is linked to safety concerns due to frequent incidences of interpersonal violence and the nature of patients admitted to such units. As such, the need to explore measures to address safety concerns arose. In-depth interviews and reflexive thematic analysis revealed a consensus among nurses on the importance of various interventions, including improving security measures, enhancing the physical environment, fostering collaboration among staff members, increasing staffing levels, and garnering support from management. Notably, support from management emerges as a crucial factor in facilitating open discussions and sustained engagement in safety improvement initiatives. The study underscores the pivotal role of management support in realizing safer forensic units. The findings offer valuable insights applicable to forensic units in psychiatric settings globally, where safety concerns for both personnel and patients persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the importance and impact of DNA databases in forensic investigations. It responds to a recent publication by Kostiuchenko, Vynohradova, Sereda, Svoboda, and Polunina (2024), highlighting challenges in setting up and using DNA databases. These challenges include logistical, staffing, legal, security, growth, public interest, and international cooperation issues. By examining South Africa's successful NFDD implementation, the authors stress the need for thorough planning and implementing a comprehensive value chain. Drawing insights from South Africa's successful NFDD implementation, the authors emphasise the importance of meticulous planning and implementing a value chain. This value chain should cover DNA evidence collection, follow-up investigations, and presenting evidence in court. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on digital forensic investigations of the databases used in an instant messenger application. Instant messengers store and manage user data in databases, which can be encrypted for privacy protection. We proposed a method to identify and decrypt an SQLite version 3.40.0 database encrypted using wxSQLite3 version 4.9.1, and then we examined the LINE instant messenger application to validate the proposed method. As a result, we successfully acquired the wxSQLite3 passphrase, which was used to decrypt the database of the LINE messenger application. We also performed artifact analysis to enumerate the data from a digital forensics perspective. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to propose a method to identify and decrypt of wxSQLite3-encrypted database and its applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reconstruction of traffic accidents has grown as an interdisciplinary field, encompassing bodies of research from automotive engineering, traffic and transport engineering, biomechanics, and forensic sciences. In this work, a method is proposed by which the value of the force in the safety belt buckle can be determined provided the belt buckle is equipped with a pretensioning system with a pyrotechnic trigger in the pretensioner tube, PBP—Pyrotechnical Buckle Pretensioner, or PLP—Pyrotechnical Lap Pretensioner type. The anti-return system of the pretensioner mechanism, which prevents the passenger's body from moving forward, contains a set of balls that block the movement of the piston in the pretensioner tube after its activation. When limiting the movement, the force the human body exerts on the safety belt webbing is transformed into the deformation of the pretensioner tube by the balls of the anti-return system. Depending on the magnitude of the force, the marks left by the balls differ. This is an alternative method for determining the force that occurs in a seatbelt and causes injury to the occupants of a vehicle. The advantage of this method is that the force in the seatbelt buckle cable can be determined relatively quickly and accurately by analyzing the deformations in the pretensioner tube, without a need for expensive laboratory equipment. The limitation of the model resides in the consideration of a static system with rigid bodies. The correlation between the normal force causing the deformation of the tube and the force in the belt buckle cable is obtained by means of a mechanical model that explains the operation of the anti-return system. By comparing the values of the normal force given by the proposed model and the elastoplastic model, a good correlation is found. Finally, a regression curve is determined to help the expert in approximating the force in the buckle cable depending on the deformation size in the pretensioner tube. The value of this force also enables biomechanical or medical specialists to correlate the degree of injury to occupants of a vehicle depending on the force in the seatbelt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Trace evidence such as fingerprints, biological fluids, fibres, glass, hairs, soils, and cosmetics have been considered most of the important materials on the crime scene, which can be potentially transferred or exchanged between two surfaces when one makes contact to another. Cosmetic products are one of the valuable trace pieces of evidence on crime scene that are generally used for beautification, moisturize, reinforcement of the skin, nutritiveness, and improve the feeling or sensory aspects. In this study, different lip cosmetic products including wax lipstick, liquid lipstick, gloss and lip balm were investigated as forensic evidence. For this, 102 of lip cosmetic samples (20 of lipstick, 14 of lip gloss, 22 of lip balm and 46 of liquid lipstick) were analyzed by using Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The differentiation between lip cosmetic products is detected. The effect of environmental conditions is studied. For this, lip cosmetic products are kept in various water medium such as simulated sea water, tap water, and distilled water in order to track the chemical stability by FTIR. Moreover, they are kept in different time of intervals from 1 day to 1 month to investigate the change over time. Staining of lip products to various substrates including fabric, glass and paper towel have been also explored. The effect of substrate type, lip cosmetic products, time and water sources have been systematically explored by FTIR and video spectral comparator (VSC). All the samples have been examined under different light sources such as visible light, UV-A (365 nm), infrared (695 nm) and spot (fluorescence) to observe the distinctive features of lip cosmetic samples on different substrates. The results have demonstrated that lip products including wax, liquids lipstick, gloss and lip balm have distinguishing character which is observed by FTIR and VSC8000. Moreover, the chemical stability of lip cosmetic products under different water sources could be characteristic tools for differentiating of lip cosmetic products. The outcomes show that cosmetic trace evidence found in water source could be critical evidence in crime scene investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This meta-analysis addresses the use of mandibular computed tomography (CT) scans for age and/or sex determination in forensic science. Methods. Six databases were searched until June 2023, using the keyword "mandible" combined with keywords related to "multislice computed tomography" (MCT) or "cone-beam computed tomography" (CBCT) and keywords related to "skeletal age determination" or "sex determination analysis." Main Results. Among the 23 studies included, 11 used MCT and 12 used CBCT to perform forensic assessments. Age determination was the aim of a single study, sex and age determinations were the objective of five studies, and the other studies investigated the determination of sex only. Metaanalysis could be performed only for sex determination. Conclusions. Mandible measurements are useful in sex determination, as the bicondylar and bigonial breadth are larger in males than in females. For the mandible angle, the meta-analysis results confirm sex dimorphism in CBCT scans but not in MCT scans. For age estimation, further studies are needed to prove that the mandible hole is a reliable parameter for age estimation. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021260967. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dental pulp chamber volume is a fundamental measurement in the field of endodontics, but also in forensic sciences, teaching and training, or tissue engineering. This study evaluates the precision of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in comparison with computed micro-tomography (micro-CT) in evaluating the pulp chamber volume of the upper central incisors ex vivo. The intra-operator and inter-operator errors were evaluated, and the results for the two techniques were compared with those of a T-test for paired samples. The intra-operator and inter-operator errors were >0.05, indicating adequate reproducibility in each operator and no significant differences between their measurements. On the other hand, no significant differences between the two measurement techniques were found. The present results demonstrate that CBCT is a precise, feasible, and reproducible technique for the evaluation of the dental pulp chamber volume ex vivo. The results provided with this method are useful for different medical domains but also for the teaching and training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Furthermore, the findings of this study carry significant clinical implications, as the accurate assessment of the pulp chamber volume is critical in the diagnosis and treatment of various endodontic conditions. The ability of CBCT to provide reliable 3D dental anatomy measurements can enhance the planning of endodontic treatments by allowing for a better understanding of the internal tooth morphology. Additionally, the precision and reproducibility of CBCT in assessing the pulp chamber volume can contribute to improved clinical outcomes and reduced complications during endodontic procedures. These findings further support the increasingly vital role of CBCT in modern clinical practice and underscore its value as an indispensable tool in the field of dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Nitrogen mustards (NMs) are blistering chemical warfare agents. The ability to detect NMs in environmental samples is very important for obtaining forensic evidence. The most common analytical techniques for NM detection are gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, which detects NMs in their intact form but is disadvantaged by high limits of detection (LODs), and liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐MS/MS) of their hydrolysis products, which do not provide robust evidence to support NM use. Methods: We developed a novel approach to detect and identify NMs using LC/ESI‐MS/MS after chemical derivatization. The method is based on ethoxide‐promoted ethanolysis prior to analysis. The effects of reaction time, temperature, ethoxide concentration and chromatography behavior were studied and optimized. In the developed procedure, 0.1% (v/v) sodium ethoxide solution is added to the NMs in ethanol and agitated for 2 h at 50°C, followed by LC/ESI‐MS/MS, without any other pretreatment. Results: The ethanolysis reaction efficiencies were evaluated in ethanolic extracts from soil, asphalt, and ethanol contaminated with 0.5% (v/v) diesel fortified with NMs at a five‐point calibration curve. The calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 0.05–1 ng/mL, with an R2 value of 0.99, and were similar to those of LC/MS‐grade ethanol, with almost no observable matrix effects. The derivatization products were stable at room temperature, with LODs of 10 pg/mL, in all investigated extracts. Conclusions: Through this newly developed strategy, the derivatization of active NMs by ethanolysis was achieved for the first time, and these derivatization products can serve as specific indicators for the use and presence of NMs. The methodology can also verify trace levels of NM chemical warfare agents collected in war or terror scenarios in forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We outline issues with a recent publication by Mein and Williams (2023), which is primarily based on the morphology and quantification of osteocyte lacunae, microscopic cavities that house cells (osteocytes) which sustain bone tissue in living vertebrates. Using 26 rats (Rattus rattus) of unreported age and sex, the authors propose a method whereby post-mortem bone degradation on a short timescale can be quantified by analysing subtle shape changes of osteocyte lacunae. However, a lack of consideration is given to the natural variation and other biological factors influencing osteocyte lacunar morphology; the proposed diagenetic composition of lacunae is not determined; and the methods employed, including the animal model used, are unfit for the purpose of the study. Given these issues, we believe the conclusions presented by the authors should be treated cautiously and not extended to forensic investigations of post-mortem interval, particularly in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile forensics, particularly in the Android ecosystem, is a rapidly evolving field that demands continuous advancements to address the growing complexity and diversity of mobile devices. This article emphasizes the importance of developing techniques for digitally analyzing Android smartphones, which dominate the smartphone market. The primary objective of this research is to contribute to the development of effective forensic investigation strategies tailored specifically for Android mobile devices, providing insights into the tools and methods used for this purpose. The objective of this study is to improve the precision and effectiveness of forensic examinations pertaining to Android mobile phones. It discusses the fundamental functionality of mobile devices as a source of digital evidence and provides an overview of tools and methodologies for collecting and analyzing such evidence. The importance of comprehending the hardware and software architecture of Android handsets in order to choose the right forensic tools is also highlighted in the article. Furthermore, it proposes future enhancements for Andriller, a popular digital forensic tool, to improve its effectiveness in Android forensic investigations. These enhancements include advancements in data extraction techniques, compatibility with new Android versions, support for additional data types, integration with advanced analysis methods, and addressing identified limitations. Additionally, the paper stresses the need for robust methodologies for conducting cloud forensics on Android devices, particularly in the context of data stored in cloud storage services. The proposed work aims to enhance the capabilities of Andriller and improve the efficiency of digital forensic investigations on Android devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary Taphonomy aims not only to study the analysis of the degradation of biological remains and their transformation into deposits from the past (Palaeontology and Archaeology) but also, together with other disciplines, such as Forensic sciences and Ecology, the study of depositional and postdepositional events concerning the degradation of biological remains in the present. Due to these interactions, Taphonomy has reached a new status as a transdisciplinary area that supports the interpretation of degradation processes in a broad sense, which would be applicable in the immediate future to other areas such as Material sciences or Medicine. However, such a wide and complex research panorama requires an agreement on common terminology. This is crucial in relation with the use of the concepts preservation and conservation, which are widely used in many scientific areas and represent nowadays a dilemma incorporated into Taphonomy. Using the Scopus database and network software analysis tools, we have explored the relationships between concepts and disciplines implicated in the taphonomic analysis. Our results show that both terms have acquired different nuances over time in each scientific discipline implicated in the study of degradation and, depending on the circumstances and language, are sometimes used as synonymous or even misused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body fluid identification is fundamental in forensic science as it links a specific biological source to a genetic profile, thus providing critical clues for crime scene reconstruction. Blood is one of the most common body fluids found on the crime scene, and several strategies have been developed for its identification in recent decades. Usually, after a preliminary (or presumptive) test to determine the presence of blood (both human and non-human), a confirmatory test is needed to prove that the sample is human blood. Out of the confirmatory tests, immunochromatographic (IC) assays are the most commonly and widely used. This work gives a review of the use of commercial kits specifically developed to detect human hemoglobin or glycophorin A (a surface protein of human red cells) in forensics. Claimed sensitivity varies broadly (ranging from 0.06 to 75 nanoliters of fresh blood), but different values (as low as 0.002 nL) were found during validation procedures. Specificities are high, and the possibility of cross-reaction (with the risk of false-positive results) is so low that it can be considered negligible. False-negative results, however, can be found due to the so-called "hook effect" as well as to the target degradation/modification, which interferes with the Ag-Ab binding. In addition, the chemical compositions of the presumptive test, detergents, and washing can also promote false negative outcomes in peculiar situations. Although IC assays are rapid, inexpensive, specific, and easy to use even on the crime scene, their major limitation is represented by the destructive approach required by this kind of confirmatory test. Since the final goal of the forensic investigation is the genetic typing of a bloodstain, we will describe the strategies developed for IC assays of faint stains as well as the strategies adopted to ensure that exactly the same sample undergoes human blood identification and DNA typing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species identification of biological specimens can provide the valuable clues and accelerate the speed of prosecution material processing for forensic investigation, especially when the case scene is inaccessible and the physical evidence is cumbersome. Thus, establishing a rapid, simple, and field-adapted species identification method is crucial for forensic scientists, particularly as first-line technology at the crime scene for initial rapid screening. In this study, we established a new field-adapted species identification method by combining multiplex multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA), lateral flow dipstick (LFD) system, and universal primers. Universal primers targeting COX I and COX II genes were used in multiplex MIRA-LFD system for seven species identification, and a dedicated MIRA-LFD system primer targeting CYT B gene was used to detect the human material. DNA extraction was performed by collecting DNA directly from the centrifuged supernatant. Our study found that the entire amplification process took only 15 min at 37 °C and the results of LFDs could be visually observed after 10 min. The detection sensitivity of human material could reach 10 pg, which is equivalent to the detection of single cell. Different common animal samples mixed at the ratio of 1 ng:1 ng, 10 ng:1 ng, and 1 ng:10 ng could be detected successfully. Furthermore, the damaged and degraded samples could also be detected. Therefore, the convenient, feasible, and rapid approach for species identification is suitable for popularization as first-line technology at the crime scene for initial rapid screening and provides a great convenient for forensic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the decomposition of vertebrate animals has advanced considerably in recent years and revealed complex interactions among biological and environmental factors that affect rates of decay. Yet this complexity remains to be fully incorporated into research or models of the postmortem interval (PMI). We suggest there is both opportunity and a need to use recent advances in decomposition theory to guide forensic research and its applications to understanding the PMI. Here we synthesise knowledge of the biological and environmental factors driving variation in decomposition and the acknowledged limitations among current models of the PMI. To guide improvement in this area, we introduce a conceptual framework that highlights the multiple interdependencies affecting decay rates throughout the decomposition process. Our framework reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach to PMI research, and calls for an adaptive research cycle that aims to reduce uncertainty in PMI estimates via experimentation, modelling, and validation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the resolution of ground penetrating radar (GPR) signals, the Compensated Time-Reversal (CTR) method is applied, especially in lossy media, where the conventional time reversal method has the negative effect of dispersion and loss in the propagation medium. To create the CTR method, Time-Reversal (TR) processing combined with attenuation compensation based on continuous wavelet transform is applied. The application of both the TR and CTR methods to synthetic data showed a significant improvement of the radargram resolution, effectively differentiating anomalies within a low-loss medium, especially when the latter approach was implemented. To test the method in a real-world situation, a forensic GPR investigation was carried out to detect the body of a climber buried by a snow avalanche in the Karkas Mountains, Natanz, Iran. Both the TR and CTR methods successfully located the body, but the CTR method provided better definition of both the body and nearby reflectors related to the subsurface features like specific layers of snow. These results demonstrate that the CTR application is efficient at enhancing the spatial resolution of GPR radargrams and proves to have substantial promise as a GPR processing technique, although the method is relatively time consuming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How do forensic examiners know if they have altered an image stream when converting a digital image from one codec or file container to another for analysis? Forensic standards and best practices recommend avoiding alteration or degradation of multimedia data during transcoding. An image stream hashing method was recently introduced to the forensic science community to answer the question above. This paper offers an initial validation study of image stream hashing method that may answer the question above. The first half of the study's experiments tested the image stream hashing method to measure fitness for use in forensic science while identifying errors and limitations. The study's second phase analyzed the systematic errors detected in initial tests to discover error causation. Causation analysis identified four method limitations subsequently used to develop proposed standard controls of method operations. The final study phase repeated the initial experiments used in the first phase while implementing the proposed standard controls of method operations. Initial test results indicated the method had significant error rates, limiting the effectiveness of the method to only three of the five file types used in the study. The final testing phase revealed that implementing proposed standard controls of method operations reduced the potential systematic errors to a negligible level when using the image stream hashing method for content verification. The validation study concluded that examiners could use the image stream hashing method for forensic science only by implementing error mitigation techniques that utilize the proposed standard controls of method operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]