Managing large volume data sets in the process of identifying missing persons: Contributions from the International Commission on Missing Persons
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Feb 2. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15474. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe process of locating and identifying missing persons presents a complex challenge that hinges on the collection and comparison of diverse data sets. This commentary offers an overview of some of the difficulties and considerations associated with data management in the context of large-scale missing person identifications. Such complexities include the uniqueness of each disaster event, the response time to the event, the variable quality and quantity of data, and the involvement of numerous stakeholders, all of which contribute to t...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - February 3, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Adnan Rizvic Asim Krticic Amir Mandzuka Muris Pucic Edin Jasaragic Soren Blau Source Type: research
Epigenetic-based age prediction in blood samples: Model development
This study presents a new age estimation model developed for the Turkish population using blood samples. Eight CpG sites in loci TOM1L1, ELOVL2, ASPA, FHL2, C1orf132, CCDC102B, cg07082267, and RASSF5 were selected based on their correlation with age. Methylation patterns of these sites were analyzed in blood samples from 100 volunteers, grouped into age categories (20-35, 36-55, and ≥56). Sensitivity analysis indicated a reliable performance with DNA inputs ≥1 ng. Statistical modeling, utilizing Multiple Linear Regression, underscores the reliability of the primary 6-CpG model, excluding cg07082267 and TOM1L1. This mod...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - February 3, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Gonul Filoglu Sumeyye Zulal S ımsek Gokhan Ersoy Kadriye Can Ozlem Bulbul Source Type: research
Sexual assault/rape and serial sexual homicide: Clinical and investigative considerations
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Feb 2. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15472. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe frequent absence of a documented history of sexual assault/rape in the prior research on serial sexual murderers is curious. In order to address several methodological problems in prior research, a closed-case archival review of a nonrandom national sample of 53 serial sexual homicide cases was conducted which identified 14 offenders with a history of sexual assault/rape for an overall prevalence rate of 26.4%. Of the 14 offenders with a prior known history of sexual assault/rape, 11 (78.6%) sexually penetrated at least one of their...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - February 2, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Louis B Schlesinger Tirza Z Ben Ari Source Type: research
Comparison of feature selection and data fusion of Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy for identifying watercolor ink
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 30. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15468. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe identification of different kinds of watercolor inks is an important work in the field of forensic science. Four different kinds of watercolor ink Spectroscopy data fusion strategies (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy) combined with a non-linear classification model (Extreme Learning Machine) were used to identify the brand of watercolor inks. The study chose Competitive Adaptive Reweighted Sampling (CARS), Random Frog (RF), Variable Combination Population Analysis-Genetic Algorithm (VCPA-GA), and Varia...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 31, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Yingfang Zou Aolin Zhang Xiaobin Wang Lei Yang Meng Ding Source Type: research
Forensic odontology in disaster victim identification
In conclusion despite increased usage of DNA, dental ID has not been eliminated and remains a major contributor to DVI. Dental ID continues to develop through increased application of advanced imaging technology. Despite DNA's rapid advancement and application to DVI, the multidisciplinary approach to scientific identification should remain in the near future. Therefore, comparative dental ID will remain an important and reliable contributor to DVI.PMID:38291611 | DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.15471 (Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences)
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 31, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Raymond G Miller Source Type: research
OPG-based dental age estimation using a data-technical exploration of deep learning techniques
This study explores the impact of convolutional neural network hyperparameters, model complexity, training batch size, and sample quantity on age estimation. EfficientNet-B4, DenseNet-201, and MobileNet V3 models underwent cross-validation on a dataset of 3896 orthopantomograms (OPGs) with batch sizes escalating from 10 to 160 in a doubling progression, as well as random subsets of this training dataset. Results demonstrate the EfficientNet-B4 model, trained on the complete dataset with a batch size of 160, as the top performer with a mean absolute error of 0.562 years on the test set, notably surpassing the MAE of 1.01 at...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 31, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Bark ın Büyükçakır Jeroen Bertels Peter Claes Dirk Vandermeulen Jannick de Tobel Patrick W Thevissen Source Type: research
Development of a novel five-dye panel for human identification insertion/deletion (INDEL) polymorphisms
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 30. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15475. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTDNA analysis of forensic case samples relies on short tandem repeats (STRs), a key component of the combined DNA index system (CODIS) used to identify individuals. However, limitations arise when dealing with challenging samples, prompting the exploration of alternative markers such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertion/deletion (INDELs) polymorphisms. Unlike SNPs, INDELs can be differentiated easily by size, making them compatible with electrophoresis methods. It is possible to design small INDEL amplicons (<200 b...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 31, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Lucio L Avellaneda Damani T Johnson Ryan Gutierrez Lindsey Thompson Kelly A Sage Sarah A Sturm Rachel M Houston Bobby L LaRue Source Type: research
A study of DNA transfers onto plastic packets placed in personal bags
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 30. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15460. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe ability to detect low level DNA brings with it the uncertainty of whether the detected DNA is a result of transfer. To address this uncertainty, a simulation study was conducted in which a mock illicit drug packet was placed into the personal bags of individuals. When the average transit time of the packets was increased from around 2 h to more than 14 h, the percentage of the DNA profiles recovered from the packets which could be attributed to the individuals increased greatly from 5.3% to 48.6%. We found that drug packers who wer...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 30, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Li Yen Candy Lee Yong Sheng Lee Jiayu Tan Jun Yu Lee Christopher Kiu-Choong Syn Source Type: research
The relevance of current forensic firearms examination techniques when applied to 3D printed firearms
In conclusion, the Liberator can be used reliably for one shot and will not yield any evidence for Firearms and Toolmark Examination.Highlights It is crucial to understand if markings caused by 3D printing are relevant to the firearm examination. Understanding the impact of absent rifling and firing pin impressions is critical in firearms examination. It is important to understand the feasibility of manufacturing completely 3D-printed firearms.PMID:38282520 | DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.15467 (Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences)
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 29, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Zara Ellen Wenzinger Stephanie Wetzel Benjamin Bernarding John Viator Brian Kohlhepp Pamela Marshall Source Type: research
Prevalence and blood concentrations of benzodiazepines and opioids in opioid-positive death investigations in Ontario, Canada, from 2017 to 2021
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 28. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15463. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of benzodiazepines in opioid-positive death investigations, including trends in frequency and combination of drugs, as well as demographic data and blood concentrations, where available. Additionally, naloxone concentrations in polysubstance compared to opioid-only cases were analyzed. This was a retrospective study that consisted of all post-mortem toxicology cases in Ontario, Canada, from January 01, 2017, to December 31, 2021, with an opioid finding in any analyzed autopsy speci...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 28, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Cora Mocanu Karen L Woodall Patricia Solbeck Source Type: research
Epigenetic age prediction using costal cartilage for the investigation of disaster victims and missing persons
In this study, we developed a costal cartilage-based age prediction tool that uses massive parallel sequencing (MPS) of age-associated DNA methylation markers. Costal cartilage samples were obtained from 85 deceased Koreans, aged between 26 and 89 years. An MPS library was prepared using two rounds of multiplex polymerase chain reaction of nine genes (TMEM51, MIR29B2CHG, EDARADD, FHL2, TRIM59, ELOVL2, KLF14, ASPA, and PDE4C). The DNA methylation status of 45 CpG sites was determined and used to train an age prediction model via stepwise regression analysis. Nine CpGs in MIR29B2CHG, FHL2, TRIM59, ELOVL2, KLF14, and ASPA wer...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 26, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Ju Yeon Jung Moon Hyun So Kyu-Sik Jeong Sang-In Kim Eun Jin Kim Ji Hwan Park Eungsoo Kim Hwan Young Lee Source Type: research
Visualization of latent fingerprints using fluorescence lifetime imaging on paper emitting strong fluorescence
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 23. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15461. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLatent fingerprints were successfully visualized using fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) on paper which emits strong fluorescence with a lifetime close to that of fingerprints and thus from which it is difficult for time-resolved spectroscopy to visualize fingerprints. Latent fingerprint samples on paper were excited using a 450 nm or 532 nm nanosecond pulsed-laser, and time-resolved fluorescence images were obtained at a delay time of 6-16 ns in intervals of 1 ns, to the excitation pulse. The excitation beam was expanded using a le...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 24, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Hidetoshi Kakuda Norimitsu Akiba Kazuhito Hibino Ken'ichi Tsuchiya Kosuke Tanabe Kazunari Shibasaki Source Type: research
Toward multidimensional information: A derivatization-free UHPLC-QqQ MS/MS method for amino acid components of fingerprint
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 23. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15464. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe analysis of fingerprint chemical composition is a meaningful way to excavate the multidimensional information of fingerprint, including the donor profiling information and the age of a fingerprint, which broadens the evidential values of fingerprint, especially for the partial and distorted fingerprint. But the research remains still in the pilot phases or is ongoing. Amino acids are the dominant organic substances in latent sweat fingerprint and influenced by many donor factors. Hence, their content reflects personal information o...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 24, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Shisi Tian Yanyan Wang Shuo Liu Zhaolun Liu Ya-Bin Zhao Source Type: research
Effects of kinetic energy and firearm-to-target distance on fracture behavior in flat bones
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 22. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15462. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThis research implements a fractographic approach to investigate the relationships between kinetic energy, firearm-to-target distance, and various aspects of fracture behavior in gunshot trauma. Gunshot experiments were performed on pig scapulae (n = 30) using three firearms generating different muzzle (initial) kinetic energies, including a 0.32 pistol (103 J), 0.40 pistol (492 J), and 0.308 rifle (2275 J). Specimens were shot from two distances: 10 cm (n = 15) and 110 cm (n = 15). Features evaluated in fractographic analysis such as ...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 22, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Delaney Edwards Mariyam Isa Source Type: research
Isolated injury of the caudate lobe of the liver due to cardiopulmonary resuscitation
J Forensic Sci. 2024 Jan 17. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15459. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTChest compressions are the mainstay of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Secondary injuries are frequently reported, most frequently to the thorax and less frequently to the abdomen. Review of existing literature highlights liver lacerations as the most common abdominal injury following cardiopulmonary resuscitation; however, an isolated hepatic caudate lobe injury due to CPR has not yet been reported. We discuss existing literature regarding resuscitation-related injuries, report a case of an isolated hepatic caudate lobe injury due to c...
Source: Journal of Forensic Sciences - January 18, 2024 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Nadia Lee Shijia Chan Source Type: research
