Forensic anthropology in the global investigation of humanitarian and human rights abuse: Perspective from the published record
Forensic anthropologists have played key roles in the historical development of forensic science applications to global humanitarian and human rights issues. These anthropological initiatives can be traced back to the Smithsonian seminar organized by T. D. Stewart in 1968 and published in 1970. Key developments include the 1984 delegation sent by the American Association for the Advancement of Science to Argentina and the formation of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team. Subsequent highlights include major anthropological involvement in support of investigations by international criminal tribunals, formation of forens...
Source: Science and Justice - November 9, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Douglas H. Ubelaker, Austin Shamlou, Amanda E. Kunkle Tags: Review Source Type: research
Unusual sources of Sn in GSR. An experimental study by SEM and IBA
Gunshot Residue (GSR) produced by the discharge of a firearm often provides very useful information in criminal investigations in cases involving the use of firearms. Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) is typically used worldwide to visualize micrometric particles constituting GSR and to analyse their elemental composition. The 2017 ASTM Standard guide for gunshot residue analysis by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy specifies that “Particles classified as characteristic of GSR will have one of the following elemental compositions: ...
Source: Science and Justice - November 5, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Francesco Saverio Romolo, Melanie J. Bailey, Janella de Jesus, Luigi Manna, Matteo Donghi Source Type: research
IFC: Editorial Board
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - November 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM1: Events Guide
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - November 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
BM2: Council Information
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - November 1, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
The importance of dark adaptation for forensic examinations; an evaluation of the Crime-lite Eye ™
Forensic practitioners are recommended to dark adapt their eyes prior to conducting evidential searches in the dark. The dark adaptation process remains poorly standardised across the discipline, with little quantified regarding the benefits of such preparative steps. Herein, we report the findings of a study that recruited 50 participants to assess the effectiveness of the Crime-lite Eye ™, a darkness adaptation device developed to assist forensic practitioners both in the laboratory and in field. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - October 29, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Beth McMurchie, Roberto S.P. King, Paul F. Kelly, George E. Torrens Source Type: research
Editorial –science and justice 58(6)
Welcome to the sixth, and final, issue of Science and Justice for 2018. Looking back over my first year as Editor-in-Chief, there are many things that I have enjoyed about this role, but the most interesting aspect has been the amazing range of research topics and methodologies in the manuscripts that are submitted. It is no surprise that forensic science research and practice is inherently multidisciplinary, and it is this aspect of Science and Justice that made me interested in the Editor role in the first place, but I am now able to more fully appreciate the range of disciplines and techniques which are applied to crimi...
Source: Science and Justice - October 26, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Lisa Smith Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Resolving differing expert opinions
This paper explores procedural mechanisms to resolve differing conclusions when two experts have initially worked independently. These experts can be two human examiners or one of them may be a computer-based model. The resolving process is presented as part of the ACE-V protocol adopted widely in pattern recognition areas (e.g. fingerprints, footwear marks, toolmarks or handwritings/signatures comparisons). It set the conditions of operations and delineates a resolving process that is based on the principles of transparency and detailed argumentations. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - October 23, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Isabelle Montani, Raymond Marquis, Nicole Egli Anthonioz, Christophe Champod Source Type: research
Visualising the past – An evaluation of processes and sequences for fingermark recovery from old documents
This study aimed to collect data on the effectiveness of most of the fingermark visualisation reagents currently used on porous surfaces on fingermarks aged for up to 90 years, significantly extending the timescales for which such information exists. A limited subset of the variables associated with processing of old fingermarks was explored, with a focus on the use of 1,8 diazafluoren-9-one (DFO), 1,2-indandione, ninhydrin, and physical developer. These techniqu es were used in sequence on batches of cheques between 11 and 32 years old, and on documents dating from the 1920s and 1940s. (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - October 23, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: S. Bleay, L. Fitzgerald, V. Sears, T. Kent Source Type: research
Targeting relevant sampling areas for human biological traces: Where to sample displaced bodies for offender DNA?
Sampling strategy is one of the deciding factors in DNA typing success rates. Small amounts of bodily fluid traces and (skin) contact traces are currently not visualized in standard forensic practice. Trace recovery is usually based on the information available in a particular case and on the experience and ‘forensic common sense’ applied by the trace recovery expert. Interactions between an offender and a victim may have characteristic features, resulting in specific trace patterns. Understanding these interactions, and their resulting trace patterns, might improve crime related trace recovery as well as DNA typing su...
Source: Science and Justice - October 21, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Matthijs Zuidberg, Matthijs Bettman, LHJ Aarts, Marjan Sjerps, Bas Kokshoorn Source Type: research
Identification of an exhumed corpse by DNA extraction from bulb swab. A disputed parentage case report
Genotyping procedures from post-mortem remains, including those that had undergone putrefaction, are generally performed for human identification, after a mass disaster or in parentage disputes involving deceased people. The environmental conditions accelerate the decomposition of human remains and, in these situations, human hard tissues such as bones and teeth represent the most common DNA sources [1 –4]. Some authors suggest to use femur shafts and teeth, since cortical bone and dental tissue with the calcium matrix, unlike spongy bone, provide protection to DNA from post mortem degradation, guaranteeing a good yield ...
Source: Science and Justice - October 20, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Anna Rocchi, Silvano Presciuttini, Enrica Chiti, Simone Pierotti, Isabella Spinetti Tags: Case review Source Type: research
Publication of the second edition of the FIRMS good practice guide for isotope ratio mass spectrometry
(Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - October 15, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Source Type: research
Environmental effects on magnetic fluorescent powder development of fingermarks on bird of prey feathers
A comparison study of the effects of environmental conditions on the development of latent fingermarks on raptor feathers using green magnetic fluorescent powder was undertaken using both sebaceous loaded and natural fingermark deposits. Sparrowhawk feathers were stored in indoor conditions for 60 days (Study 1), and buzzard feathers were left exposed to two different environmental conditions (hidden and visible) for 21 days (Study 2), with developments made at regular ageing periods. In Study 1, latent fingermarks were successfully developed (Grade 1–4) on the indoor feathers up to 60 days after deposition – 9...
Source: Science and Justice - October 10, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: H. McMorris, K. Sturrock, D. Gentles, B.J. Jones, K.J. Farrugia Source Type: research
Hyperostosis frontalis interna as an age-related phenomenon – Differences between males and females and possible use in identification
Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) is a condition manifested by thickening of the inner surface of the frontal bone and it could be useful when dealing with the identification of human remains in various anthropological and forensic investigations. We compared the macroscopic appearance and morphologic (metric) features of the skulls in cases with and without HFI, in both sexes, and wanted to establish whether age determined occurrence of HFI. To achieve this aim, we performed prospective autopsy study, covering ten-year period (2007 –2016). (Source: Science and Justice)
Source: Science and Justice - September 27, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Danica Cvetkovi ć, Slobodan Nikolić, Voin Brković, Vladimir Živković Source Type: research
A review of quality procedures in the UK forensic sciences: What can the field of digital forensics learn?
With a reliance on the various forms of forensic science evidence in complex criminal investigations, the measures for ensuring its quality are facing increasing scrutiny. Improvements to quality management systems, to ensure both the robust application of scientific principles and the accurate interpretation and reporting of results, have arisen as a consequence of high-profile rebuttals of forensic science evidence, combined with process improvements driven by evaluation of current practice. These improvements are crucial to ensure validity of results as well as providing assurance for all those involved in the Criminal ...
Source: Science and Justice - September 27, 2018 Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Helen Page, Graeme Horsman, Anna Sarna, Julienne Foster Source Type: research
