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The development of fingerprints in blood on a dark-coloured surface can be difficult. Contrast between the bloodmark and the surface can be difficult to achieve using photography and chemical reagents. The use of haem-reagent ortho-Phenylenediamine (OPD) and Zar-Pro™ strips in the enhancement of bloody impressions were investigated. Depletions of bloodmarks were deposited on black ceramic tiles and aged up to 90 days. OPD, Acid Yellow 7, and Hungarian Red were applied to these tiles and the developed fingermarks were compared using a numerical score system. Zar-Pro™ strips were applied to chemically treated and untreated bloodmarks alike. OPD proved to be effective at developing bloodmarks aged up to 90 days, including latent marks. Despite this capability, OPD did not perform as well as Acid Yellow 7 and so the continued use of Acid Yellow 7 is recommended. Zar-Pro™ strips were able to lift bloodmarks aged up to 90 days as well as those chemically treated with either: OPD, Hungarian Red, Acid Yellow 7, or Amido Black although ridge detail was poor. Additional investigation into the capabilities of Zar-Pro™ strips for this purpose is recommended.

Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence and establish some risk factors associated with the acquisition of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in school children in Accra, Ghana. Results The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was 15%. Giardia lamblia (10%) and Schistosoma mansoni (1.7%) were the common parasites found. Out of the 15% students postive for intestinal parasites, 13.6% had single parasites and 1.3% had double parasitic infections. Children between the ages of 4–5 and 6–7 years (20% each) had the most parasitic infections. The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection was not significantly related to gender (p = 0.1451), and source of drinking water (p = 0.8832). However, a statistically significant association between children infected with parasites and close proximity to domestic animals or pets was observed (p = 0.0284). Continuous education on personal hygiene, environmental sanitation and deworming of domestic animals or pets are required to reduce the prevalence of intestinal parasites in school children in Accra.

Introduction Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) in school children are a public health problem in most developing countries. Methods and principal findings A cross sectional survey was conducted from May to July 2016 with school children living in overcrowded urban slums in Accra, Ghana. A simple random sample of 300 children aged 2–9 years was collected. The study used structured pre-tested questionnaire and stool tests to obtain information on epidemiological, sanitation habits, employment and education status of parents and children. Data were analysed using appropriate descriptive, univariate and multivariable logistic tools of analyses. The mean age of participants was 6.9 years and 49% were males and 51.3% were females. Giardia lamblia was found in males (10.95%) and females (7.79%). Very low prevalences for Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, Taenia species, and Entamoeba coli were detected. Whilst children from mothers (62.2%) and fathers (55.6%) with no education were often infected, a few children from fathers (22.2%) and mothers (6.7%) with no jobs were infected. Most of the infected children’s (93.7%) parents did not have any knowledge of IPIs. The educational and employment status of the mothers [p = 1.0 and p = 0.422] was not significant, however, the family size was a predisposing factor (p = 0.031) for parasitic infections. Conclusions Intestinal parasites were prevalent in children from overcrowded families and with no knowledge of IPIs. Educative programmes on IPIs, improving hygiene, and application of supportive programmes to elevate socioeconomic conditions may help reduce the burden of intestinal parasite carriage in children.

This study investigated people's preferences for different water sources and factors that predict such preferences using a blind taste test. Water preferences of 143 participants for one name-brand bottled water, one groundwater-sourced tap water, and one indirect potable reuse (IDR) water were assessed. For predictors of water preference, we measured each participant's PTC taste sensitivity and assessed two personality traits (Neuroticism, Openness to Experience). We also explored participants' descriptions of each water source. Results indicate a preference for water treated with Reverse Osmosis (RO) (bottled and IDR water) over groundwater-sourced water, which had higher pH levels and lower concentrations of Ca and HCO3-. PTC taste sensitivity did not predict preferences, while Openness to Experience and Neuroticism predicted preference for IDR water. Positive relations between Openness to Experience and preferences for bottled and IDR water were moderated by gender and were stronger among females. Participants described water primarily by its taste and texture. Findings suggest that (1) tap water treated by RO is equally preferable to some bottled water, (2) personality traits may affect water preferences, and (3) prior findings of gender differences in preferences for bottled water may reflect personality characteristics. Efforts to increase acceptance for sustainable water alternatives, such as IDR, may be more successful by assuring consumers about taste and addressing personality traits that encourage or inhibit use.

Determining that a fire is the result of arson is a challenging task. Since many arsonists use some form of ignitable liquid, such as petrol, investigators may attempt to recover ignitable liquid residue (ILR) from a fire scene to help indicate if the fire was deliberately lit. Analysing debris for ILR can become difficult when debris cannot be transported to a laboratory for testing, such as when ILR is on a fixed concrete surface. Therefore, other techniques that are suitable for fieldwork must be considered. In this paper, four techniques for recovering ILR from a concrete surface are compared. The first three techniques involve covering the surface with an absorbent material: cat litter, absorbent matting or cotton pads. Each of these conditions requires an additional, laboratory-based extraction stage before it can be analysed for ILR. The fourth technique uses a new device that can perform the extraction procedure within the crime scene, thereby providing samples that are ready for analysis. This ne...