Estimation of changes in breech face and firing pin marks over consecutive discharges and its impact on an IBIS ® Heritage™ System
Every time a firearm is discharged, the same mechanical and chemical processes are followed to fire the bullet and eject the cartridge case. A number of markings are left on the cartridge case that can be used for comparison as a result of this process. The three marks that are commonly used for comparison are the breech face, firing pin, and ejector marks. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 29, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Justin Kirk, Eric Law, Keith Morris Source Type: research
DNA barcoding allows identification of European Fanniidae (Diptera) of forensic interest
Various arthropods have a close association with animal and human bodies. The aim of forensic entomology is to study the association of insects with cadavers and their biology for subsequent application in forensic practice [1]. Particularly, the use of entomological evidence allows for an accurate estimation of the post-mortem interval (PMI), which often coincides with the period of insect activity [2]. Thus, accurate species identification is a prerequisite for any further analysis of the collected material [2,3]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 29, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Andrzej Grzywacz, Dominika Wyborska, Marcin Piwczy ński Source Type: research
Lethal suicide attempt with a mixed-drug intoxication of metoprolol and propafenone − a first pediatric case report
Metoprolol, a commonly prescribed selective β1 adrenergic receptor blocker, is widely used to treat patients with various cardiovascular diseases. Blockade of the β1 receptor in the heart reduces the heart rate and myocardial contractility. It also blocks β-adrenergic receptors in the kidney and reduces plasma renin activity. Orally admini stered metoprolol is almost completely absorbed, although first-pass metabolism reduces its systemic availability by about 50%. Its lipophilicity and a low degree of binding to plasma proteins (about 12%) facilitate extensive distribution in and penetration into the central nervous sy...
Source: Forensic Science International - June 29, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ivana Kacirova, Milan Grundmann, Martin Kolek, Erika Vyskocilova-Hrudikova, Romana Urinovska, Petr Handlos Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
1H and 31P benchtop NMR of liquids and solids used in and/or produced during the manufacture of methamphetamine by the HI reduction of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine
The synthesis of methamphetamine from pseudoephedrine/ephedrine using hydriodic acid (HI) either directly or in situ is well documented [1 –4]. The manufacture of methamphetamine in New Zealand is almost exclusively carried out via this method, where HI is produced in situ, using iodine and either hypophosphorous acid, phosphorous acid or red phosphorus and water. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 29, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ben Bogun, Sarah Moore Source Type: research
Lack of effects of a “sobering‘ product, “Eezup!’, on the blood ethanol and congener alcohol concentration
The quest for “sobering” compounds to counteract the effects of alcohol and to alleviate hangover symptoms reaches far back into ancient times. While such a remedy was recommended placing a wreath of parsley on the head, more recent times have seen a popular rise in the use of commercially available “booze busting” products. In Germany, products with names like “Pekasin,” “Elektrovid,” “Contra,” “Stop,” “Promill-Ex,” “Mobiletten,” “Neukamm-Limonade,” “Party-Plus,” or “Break Down,” to name a few [1], each briefly caught the attention of the media, when they were la unched on the m...
Source: Forensic Science International - June 28, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Cora Wunder, Sarah Hain, Sarah C. Koelzer, Alexander Paulke, Marcel A. Verhoff, Stefan W. Toennes Source Type: research
Sudden infant death from neonate carnitine palmitoyl transferase II deficiency
Carnitine palmitoyl transferase II (CPT2) deficiency is a fatty acid oxidation deficiency (FAD) caused by lack of CPT2, which is used in fatty acid beta oxidation. Fatty acids provide energy for cells and participate in a series of biochemical reactions through beta oxidation. The fatty acid beta oxidation process includes a series of enzymes, and any defects in these enzymes can lead to fatty acid oxidation metabolic disorders. Long chain fatty acids are a major constituent of the fatty acids. They are normally transported into the mitochondrial matrix for beta oxidation by a system that relies on carnitine [1]. (Source: ...
Source: Forensic Science International - June 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Si-Hao Du, Fu Zhang, Yan-Geng Yu, Chuan-Xiang Chen, Hui-Jun Wang, Dong-Ri Li Tags: Case Report Source Type: research
The Use of Unburned Propellant Powder for Shooting-Distance Determination. Part II: Diphenylamine Reaction
Conventional inorganic gunshot residues (GSR) consist of heavy metal such as lead, antimony and barium [1,2]. These target molecules for inorganic GSR-analysis are not present in sintox ammunition. A common component in any ammunition is nitrocellulose (NC) which is the main propellant powder product [3]. The only exception is black powder ammunition, which is almost not relevant for forensic case work. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 27, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Rolf Hofer, Philipp Wyss Source Type: research
Voyaging into the third dimension: A perspective on virtual methods and their application to studies of juvenile sex estimation and the ontogeny of sexual dimorphism
The accurate estimation of sex from skeletal remains is an essential step in reconstructing the biological profile of an individual. In estimating the sex of an individual, a morphological method is often favoured over the use of molecular methods due to the cost and time involved with DNA extraction and amplification, along with concerns over the potential for degradation and contamination of DNA in archaeological material [1,2]. In contrast to the well-established and highly accurate morphological methods available for sexing adult skeletons [3 –6], juvenile sex estimation is widely recognised as a difficult task that ...
Source: Forensic Science International - June 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: L.A.B. Wilson, L.T. Humphrey Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Crime scene reconstruction —Sex prediction from blood stained foot sole impressions
The study and reconstruction of crime scene has always intrigued common man. Determination of the identity of individuals relevant to a crime scene plays an integral role in forensic investigation and the associated medico-legal practices [1]. Forensic anthropology particularly deals with the building of an antemortem profile of an individual from skeletal as also other remains left by the body of an individual in a crime scene. The body remains which are often left at a crime scene range from footprint marks to hair strands etc. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nabanita Basu, Samir Kumar Bandyopadhyay Source Type: research
Finding the Way Forward for Forensic Science in the US − A commentary on the PCAST report
This paper is dedicated to the memory of Bryan Found who did so much to advance the profession of forensic scientist through his work on calibrating and enhancing the performance of experts under controlled conditions. He will be sorely missed. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: I.W. Evett, C.E.H. Berger, J.S. Buckleton, C. Champod, G. Jackson Tags: Review Article Source Type: research
Nanoscale characterization of forensically relevant epithelial cells and surface associated extracellular DNA
Epithelial cells of various types line the exterior skin and interior cavities of human bodies. In the case of skin, the outermost layer is composed of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelial cells. In contrast, tissues that line the inside of the mouth, or the esophagus are composed of non-keratinized, stratified squamous epithelial cells.[1] Both kinds of epithelial cells are important in various forensic contexts owing to cellular and DNA transfer onto surfaces through contact with skin and saliva, respectively. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 26, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Congzhou Wang, Cristina E. Stanciu, Christopher J. Ehrhardt, Vamsi K. Yadavalli Source Type: research
Spheno-occipital synchondrosis: Examining the degree of fusion in a South African Black skeletal sample
Age can be one of the most problematic biological features for a physical/forensic anthropologist to assess. It forms an essential component of a biological profile by aiding in the narrowing down of possible missing persons [1 –5]. Establishing an age range of a set of skeletal remains is often compounded by numerous factors, such as the experience of the individual conducting the analysis and the type and state of preservation of the remains presented for examination [2,3]. The spheno-occipital synchondrosis is an impo rtant skeletal developmental marker that can be used in estimating the age-of-death in sub-adult skel...
Source: Forensic Science International - June 20, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Trisha-Jean Mahon, Louise Jacqui Friedling, Guinevere Marianne Gordon Tags: Forensic Anthropology Population Data Source Type: research
Forensic Aspects of Homicides by Insulin Overdose
Insulin is a hormone which regulates glucose concentration. It consists of two peptide chains (A and B chains) which are connected by a disulfide bond. The molecular weight of insulin is 5807.69. The plasma half-life of insulin is short, approximately 4 –6min [1–4]. Proinsulin molecules also consist of two chains along with a connecting peptide (C-peptide) before secretion. Equimolar amounts of C-peptide and insulin will be released into circulation when insulin is secreted following hyperglycemia [5–8]. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 20, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Fang Tong, Rongqi Wu, Wen Huang, Yi Yang, Lin Zhang, Biao Zhang, Xin Chen, Xiaohui Tang, Yiwu Zhou Source Type: research
Precision and accuracy of commonly used dental age estimation charts for the New Zealand population
Dental age estimation methods range from dental development charts to complex biometric analysis. Dental development charts are not the most accurate method of dental age estimation, but are time saving in their use. They are an excellent screening tool, particularly for post-mortem identification purposes, and for assessing variation from population norms in living individuals. (Source: Forensic Science International)
Source: Forensic Science International - June 19, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Stephanie Baylis, Richard Bassed Source Type: research
Population Variation in Skeletal Sexual Dimorphism
Reliable estimation of the sex in the analysis of human skeletal remains represents an important and frequently encountered goal of forensic anthropology. Sex estimation is a key component of the individual biological profile that skeletal analysis seeks to construct [1,2]. Historically, it represents one of the deep-rooted features of skeletal analysis in forensic anthropology [3]. Techniques of sex estimation generally fall into one of two categories: those methods concentrating on size and robusticity of features and those involving evaluation of features of the pelvis related to the female child-bearing functions. (Sou...
Source: Forensic Science International - June 19, 2017 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Douglas H. Ubelaker, Cassandra M. DeGaglia Tags: Forensic Anthropology Population Data Source Type: research
