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Spectroscopy and chromatography methods have become the most preferred techniques for detecting ingredients in e-liquid analysis. Both methods are widely used for separating and quantifying volatile compounds in a sample, providing individual chemical information in complex mixtures. This paper aims to review the detection and quantification of nicotine and other chemical ingredients in e-liquid used in e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes use the evaporationcondensation principle of aerosolization to produce an inhaled vapor containing nicotine, excipients, and flavoring agents. This review covers sample preparation, identification, and quantification of nicotine and other ingredients using chromatography and spectroscopy analysis. The spectroscopy methods are useful for quickly identifying and quantifying volatile compounds, including propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycol (VG), and nicotine, while spectroscopic methods, particularly the Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) method, have lower analytical performance compared to chromatography methods in detecting nicotine and other chemical ingredients. Based on the review, chromatographic methods are the primary option for analyzing nicotine in all e-liquid samples, offering a better alternative for a future study with the presence of multiple detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of close-range firearm shootings on fishing vessels in Malaysia has been increasing every year. The challenge faced by law enforcement agencies is to demonstrate how these shooting crimes are carried out. To address this problem, a model of shooting angles and ricochets within a confined space needs to be constructed. This study examines the effects of shooting with the CZ 75 SP-01 Shadow semi-automatic pistol, manufactured by the Czech Republic, using 9mm FMJ bullets weighing 7.45 grams on three types of wood commonly used in fishing vessel construction: Resak, Seraya, and Balau. The factors of shooting distance (1, 3, 5, and 10 meters), shooting angles (15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°), ricochet angles, and the type of wood material (Resak, Seraya, and Balau) are investigated. The results indicate that only 114 out of 432 shots resulted in ricochets. Shots on Resak wood produced several bullet ricochets at shooting angles of 15° and 30° and a distance of 1 meter. An equation model relating ricochet angles and successful shots was developed. For Seraya wood, only a few ricochets were observed at a shooting angle of 15° and a distance of 1 meter, and statistical tests showed that an equation model could not be constructed. For Balau wood, an equation model relating ricochet angles and shooting distance was successfully established. Validation tests on the Resak and Balau wood models showed that the Resak model achieved an accuracy of 90%. However, the Balau wood model did not yield any reliable results and thus cannot be trusted. In conclusion, the three factors examined are insufficient to explain bullet ricochet occurrences when shooting is performed at close range in an enclosed space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drastic rise in the cybercrime rate associated with the surge of users' dependence on the Internet has elevated the concern of digital forensic examiners toward the footprints of perpetrators left in a virtual environment. However, suspect identification is a big challenge in network forensics due to the anonymous nature of data transmission across the network. This study utilises the decision tree classification approach to characterise users from their behavioural web navigation pattern using the meta-data of captured network packets (Destination IP, Protocol, Port Source, and Port Destination). A total of 95,795,379 network packet headers from 96 subjects were successfully collected. Their meta-data header packets were statistically profiled to generate digital fingerprints that try to link their action on the network to their identity accurately. Hence, CHAID decision tree modelling using Destination IP, Unique protocols, and a combination of the two, including Port source and Port destination, resulted in an accuracy of 4.07%, 6.34%, and 6.36%, respectively. However, the modelling could not create a reliable decision tree for the Port source and destination. The validation study on all the combined variables had a similar accuracy of 6.36%, indicating model created had reproducibility capability. Despite the outcome, the proposed method is not yet sufficiently strong for suspect identification. Further enhancement to improve its accuracy is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheiloscopy is recognized as a toolfor personal identification due to its strength in criminalistics. In this study, the Up print of Malaysian Chinese population in Kiang Valley was used for gender determination using lipstick-cellophane technique. 412 subjects (203 males and 209females) were selected conveniently. Lipstick wasfirst applied on the Ups and the Up print was lifted using cellophane tape prior to pasting them onto a plain A4 paper and analysis using magnifying glass. Six topography areas of Up prints were classified using Suzuki and Tsuchihashi s classification, including upper left, upper middle, upper right, lower right, lower middle and lower left. Chi-square test showed that all Up sections were significantly different from each other (p < 0.05). Type II was the dominant pattern in four Up sectionsfor both genders: upper left (male 81.3%,female 57.4%), upper right (male 71.9%,female 42.9%), lower left (male 98.0%,female 90.0%) and lower right (male 96.1%,female 86.1%). Type IV was the dominant patternfor both middle part of the Ups; upper middle (male 56.2%,female 50.7%) and lower middle (male 62.6%,female 50.2%). The results showed that gender can be differentiated based on Up print patterns. This finding suggested that cheiloscopy could be used in aidingpersonal identificationforforensic investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deaths due to blunt force trauma to the head as a result of assault are some of the most common cases encountered by the practicing forensic pathologist. Previous studies have shown inflicting injury to the head region is one of the most effective methods of murder. The important factors that determine severity of trauma include the type of weapon used, type and site of skull fracture, intracranial haemorrhage and severity of brain injury. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of blunt force trauma to the skull produced by different instruments. Nine adult monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) skulls were used as models. Commonly found blunt objects comprising of Warrington hammer, hockey stick and open face helmet were used in this study. A machine calibrated force generator was used to hold the blunt object in place and to hit the skulls at forces of 12.5N and 25N. Resultant traumatic effects and fractures (linear, depressed, basilar, comminuted, and distastic) were analyzed according to type of blunt object used; surface area of contact and absolute force (N/cm²) delivered. Results showed that all investigated instruments were capable of producing similar injuries. The severity of trauma was not related to the surface area of contact with the blunt objects. However, only high absolute forces produced comminuted fractures. These findings were observational, as the samples were too small for statistical conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]