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Fingerprints are unique patterns used as biometric keys because they allow an individual to be unambiguously identified, making their application in the forensic field a common practice. The design of a system that can match the details of different images is still an open problem, especially when applied to large databases or, to real-time applications in forensic scenarios using mobile devices. Fingerprints collected at a crime scene are often manually processed to find those that are relevant to solving the crime. This work proposes an efficient methodology that can be applied in real time to reduce the manual work in crime scene investigations that consumes time and human resources. The proposed methodology includes four steps: (i) image pre-processing using oriented Gabor filters; (ii) the extraction of minutiae using a variant of the Crossing Numbers method which include a novel ROI definition through convex hull and erosion followed by replacing two or more very close minutiae with an average minutiae; (iii) the creation of a model that represents each minutia through the characteristics of a set of polygons including neighboring minutiae; (iv) the individual search of a match for each minutia in different images using metrics on the absolute and relative errors. While in the literature most methodologies look to validate the entire fingerprint model, connecting the minutiae or using minutiae triplets, we validate each minutia individually using n-vertex polygons whose vertices are neighbor minutiae that surround the reference. Our method also reveals robustness against false minutiae since several polygons are used to represent the same minutia, there is a possibility that even if there are false minutia, the true polygon is present and identified; in addition, our method is immune to rotations and translations. The results show that the proposed methodology can be applied in real time in standard hardware implementation, with images of arbitrary orientations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation always begins from scratch as soon as a case against a crime is filed, using the evidence discovered at the incident place and the eyewitnesses present there. based on the information provided by the witnesses to the crime and the offender who committed it. The inquiry procedure gets underway. We implemented a system known as a criminal investigation tracker with suspect identification to lessen the stress of the police officers. This system will assist the officers in accelerating the investigation process and tracking the status of ongoing cases by identifying the primary suspects based on records that include a compendium of the people connected to the case. prior criminal history evidence retrieved from the scene of the crime, etc. An officer may easily check the status of a case online thanks to this digital system, and he is even given the option of adding any relevant new information as it becomes available. The suggested system uses an algorithm for suspect prediction to foretell and suggest suspects in the appropriate sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergency services professionals can encounter human remains on a frequent basis, therefore an ability to locate and recognize skeletal elements would be highly beneficial. While recognizing human bone has a clear utility to those involved in searching for remains, even for first responders who do not aid in the identification and analysis of remains, a basic knowledge of skeletal anatomy—and the ability to differentiate between human and animal bones—may assist both within the escalation process, and in understanding the scene. With this in mind, a workshop was commissioned by South Yorkshire Police in order to provide training on how to identify human bone in the field and differentiate between human and non-human bone. In total, 37 participants completed the workshop, with 100% completing a survey on the usefulness of the workshop regarding their own abilities before and after. Mann–Whitney U tests were run to determine differences in ability before and after the workshop to gauge whether participants noticed any improvement within their abilities. The testing showed that on average participants perceived an increase in their abilities after completing the workshop. Interestingly, when the test was broken into specific groups—Recovery Professionals and Identification Professionals—a difference in abilities both before and after the workshop was noted between groupings, suggesting that experience at crime scenes may aid in education. The results of this workshop show that training to not just first responders, but also to more senior personnel, was highly useful in widening their knowledge of skeletal material, which will help with any future encounters in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research objective was to analyze the irregular automobiles of foreign origin and their correlation with high social impact crimes in Baja California during 2010-2022. The methodology was exploratory because it observes and records official statistical data on the regularization of cars, recognizing that, although it is a phenomenon regularly present in the public agenda, but understudied even though the three branches of government note the presence of irregular cars in 80% of the crime scene. The results suggest that the linkage of irregular cars to the crime scene in the case study of Baja California, statistically was not significant. From the standpoint of international cooperation, the author suggests the alliance of California as a co-responsible partner in the comprehensive solution of what seems to be a “wicked problem”, without a final solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical models can be used to compare support given by evidence to propositions put forward by competing parties during court proceedings. Such models can also be used to evaluate support for activity-level propositions, that is, propositions referring to the nature of activities associated with evidence and how this evidence came to be at a crime scene. Graphical methods can be used to show different scenarios that might explain the evidence in a case and to distinguish between evidence requiring evaluation by a jury and quantifiable evidence from the crime scene. Such visual representations can be helpful for forensic practitioners, police, and lawyers who may need to assess the value that different pieces of evidence make to their arguments. In this article, we demonstrate how chain event graphs (CEGs) can be applied to a drug trafficking case. We show how different evidence (i.e. expert judgement and data from a crime scene) can be combined using a CEG and show how the hierarchical model deriving from the graph can be used to evaluate the degree of support for different activity-level propositions in the case. We also develop a modification of the standard CEG to simplify its use in forensic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, a simple and low-cost polymer, poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) based microchip was fabricated using a compression moulding press for efficient capture and release of DNA from low quantity of human blood sample. Surface functionalization of the microchip was carried out using UV/O3 plasma coupled with 3-amino propyl tri ethoxy silane (APTES) treatment. Chemical composition of amine functionalized microchip was identified using FT-IR and qualitative detection of surface amine groups was done using confocal microscope. Within this microchip, DNA was extracted using alkaline extraction in a time frame of less than 8 minutes from 2 µL of human blood. Further, the DNA yield in the elute was optimized using different DNA elution conditions, such as temperature and pH to obtain the maximum DNA release from the microchip. Fabricated microchips have a high DNA capturing capability as the maximum amount of DNA obtained in the eluent was 0.4ng/µL. The amount of DNA recovered in the elute increased depending on temperature and pH changes. The STR profile generated using DNA elute was comparable with STR profile generated with DNA captured on the microchip. In conclusion, this microchip can become the ideal platform for fast, low cost, efficient on-chip DNA extraction from trace forensic samples recovered from the crime scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Varied hypothetico-deductive reasoning styles impact trace search and collection. • CSIs could benefit from external knowledge for investigation's many decision points. • There is no clear consensus over how much information CSIs should receive. • CSIs need better tools to aid in reasoning processes and improve CSI outcomes. Crime scene investigations are highly complex environments that require the CSI to engage in complex decision-making. CSIs must rely on personal experience, context information, and scientific knowledge about the fundamental principles of forensic science to both find and correctly interpret ambiguous traces and accurately reconstruct a scene. Differences in CSI decision making can arise in multiple stages of a crime scene investigation. Given its crucial role in forensic investigation, CSI decision-making must be further studied to understand how differences may arise during the stages of a crime scene investigation. The following exploratory research project is a first step at comparing how crime scene investigations of violent robberies are conducted between 25 crime scene investigators from nine countries across the world. Through a mock crime scene and semi-structured interview, we observed that CSIs have adopted a variety of investigation approaches. The results show that CSIs have different working strategies and make different decisions when it comes to the construction of relevant hypotheses, their search strategy, and the collection of traces. These different decisions may, amongst other factors, be due to the use of prior information, a CSI's knowledge and experience, and the perceived goal of their investigation. We suggest the development of more practical guidelines to aid CSIs through a hypothetico-deductive reasoning process, where (a) CSIs are supported in the correct use of contextual information, (b) outside knowledge and expertise are integrated into this process, and (c) CSIs are guided in the evaluation of the utility of their traces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mueller polarimetry develops latent fingerprints and removes their backgrounds. • The procedure is non-destructive, so it preserves evidence for further analysis. • The method is flexible and robust against measurement errors. • The proposed instrument is inexpensive which makes it accessible for any crime lab. • The Mueller polarimeter is portable so it is suitable for crime scene work. In this article we have explored the use of Mueller polarimetry for the simultaneous and non-destructive latent fingerprint development and background elimination. This proposal not only expands previously reported uses of the polarization state of light for fingerprint development, but offers some advantages. Samples of a few donors, taken on different heavily back grounded substrates, were measured and processed. Several strategies for background removal were applied. The results are very promising, since the background was successfully erased in all cases and the quality of the developed fingerprints was excellent for most substrates and donors. Considering that the method is non-destructive and that the proposed measurement instrument is inexpensive and portable the method could be tried in real cases with no risk for the evidence. In addition, the success of the procedure for background removal raises the possibility of exploring if it would work for the enhancement of fingerprints developed with other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• RACs in dust impressions were similar size/larger than their test impression mates. • RACs with positional and geometric similarity occurred between unrelated outsoles. • A minimum of 3.1% of shoes had a non-zero RAC-RMF based on features = 2.8 mm. • A maximum of 32% of shoes had a non-zero RAC-RMF based on features of any size. This study serves as Part II of an investigation into the random match frequency of randomly acquired characteristics (RAC-RMF) in footwear evidence. In Part I, RAC-RMF was estimated in a dataset of laboratory-simulated crime scene impressions deposited in blood. For Part II, a second dataset was created composed of impressions deposited in dust on paper or tile, with the latter lifted using gelatin or Mylar film. A total of 1,513 RACs were identified from more than 160 dust impressions and compared to RACs with positional similarity in test impressions from 1,299 non-mated outsoles. RACs of any size deposited in dust exhibited a 31% decrease in shoes with non-zero RAC-RMFs as compared to their mated test impressions, while those deposited in blood exhibited a 45% increase. When only considering shoes with at least one RAC deemed forensically-reliable (length ⩾ 2.8 mm), 3.1% of shoes contributing dust impressions and 3.4% of shoes contributing blood impressions exhibited relative RAC-RMFs at a value ⩾ 0.0008. Although each dataset resulted in a comparable rate for encountering non-zero RAC-RMFs, the estimate for dust was based on twice the number of RAC comparisons (154,477) than those performed when assessing blood (77,566). While these results are considered specific to the non-mated impressions and methods of analysis described herein, and continued work is required before rates can be fully understood and reported in forensic casework, this study encountered non-zero RAC-RMFs for shoes exhibiting at least one forensically-reliable RAC at a more frequent rate than any estimates previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• RACs in blood impressions were often smaller than their test impression mates. • RACs with positional and geometric similarity occurred between unrelated outsoles. • A minimum of 3.4% of shoes had a non-zero RAC-RMF based on features = 2.8 mm. • A maximum of 34% of shoes had a non-zero RAC-RMF based on features of any size. The aim of this study was to estimate random match frequency of randomly acquired characteristics (RAC-RMF) for laboratory-simulated crime scene impressions. Part I of this investigation reports this metric using a dataset of more than 160 questioned impressions created in blood and deposited on tile. A total of 759 RACs were identified in the blood impressions and compared to RACs with positional similarity in test impressions from 1,299 unrelated outsoles. Geometric similarity was quantified using a combination of visual comparisons and mathematical modeling based on percent area overlap. Results indicated that RACs in blood impressions were typically smaller, and therefore exhibited a two-thirds increase in the number of indistinguishable pairs compared to their mated test impressions. For shoes contributing at least one RAC, relative RAC-RMF values ⩾ 0.0008 were encountered at a rate between 3.4% and 34% for the blood impressions examined in this study. Part II of this investigation provides analogous results based on dust impressions deposited on paper and tile. Although the results in Part I and Part II are specific to randomly acquired characteristics and do not translate into an impression-wide RMF estimate, this research shows that RACs in questioned impressions of the type expected in casework co-occur in position and geometry with RACs in non-mated test impressions. Since theoretical models have traditionally been the basis for estimating RAC-RMF in footwear, the overall contribution of this research to the forensic footwear community is a calibration of this estimate based on empirical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the stage of investigation and consideration of the case in court, in order to identify criminals, great importance is attached to the identification of person, collection of evidence and research. The use of digital computer methods in forensic expertise is important and involves the entire system, from the crime scene to the court. These methods combine many capabilities which are the basis for better confrontation with new and evolving threats. On the other hand, these actions should be carried out without violating the fundamental principles of law, and on the other hand, research methodologies based on modern achievements of science should be used as much as possible. Advances in digital computer technology in criminalistic are mainly used for two purposes: for fixation and automated identification. During fixation, the crime scene, fact, object and traces are fixed, and during identification, the research objects are automatically being compared with each other. It is possible to intervene in the product created for fixation using fixation means only for better depiction of traces and other evidence. In the case of comparison systems, they reflect only approximate results about similar searched objects, which are finally checked by an expert and give a conclusion. According to the procedural legislation of the criminal law of Georgia, both the product obtained using the fixation means and the research results reflected in the expert document with the help of comparative systems are important for the investigation and the court, which means that they have the appropriate evidentiary value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firearms violence results in hundreds of thousands of criminal investigations each year. To try to identify a culprit, firearms examiners seek to link fired shell casings or bullets from crime scene evidence to a particular firearm. The underlying assumption is that firearms impart unique marks on bullets and cartridge cases, and that trained examiners can identify these marks to determine which were fired by the same gun. For over a hundred years, firearms examiners have testified that they can conclusively identify the source of a bullet or cartridge case. In recent years, however, research scientists have called into question the validity and reliability of such testimony. Judges largely did not view such testimony with increased skepticism after the Supreme Court set out standards for screening expert evidence in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Instead, the surge in judicial rulings came more than a decade later, particularly after reports by scientists shed light on limitations of the evidence. In this Article, we detail over a century of case law and examine how judges have engaged with the changing practice and scientific understanding of firearms comparison evidence. We first describe how judges initially viewed firearms comparison evidence skeptically and thought jurors capable of making firearms comparisons themselves-without an expert. Next, judges embraced the testimony of experts who offered more specific and aggressive claims, and the work spread nationally. Finally, we explore the modern era of firearms case law and research. Judges increasingly express skepticism and adopt a range of approaches to limit in-court testimony by firearms examiners. In December 2023, Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence was amended, for the first time in over twenty years, specifically due to the Rules Committee's concern with the quality of federal rulings regarding forensic evidence, as well as the failure to engage with the ways that forensic experts express conclusions in court. There is perhaps no area in which judges, especially federal judges, have been more active than in the area of firearms evidence. Thus, the judging of firearms evidence has central significance for the direction that scientific evidence gatekeeping may take under the revised Rule 702 in federal, and then state courts. We conclude by examining lessons regarding the gradual judicial shift toward a more scientific approach. The more-than-a-century-long arc of judicial review of firearms evidence in the United States suggests that, over time, scientific research can displace tradition and precedent to improve the quality of justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to establish the significance and impact of using DNA data in forensics. The study employed the anamnestic method, descriptive analysis, and forecasting. The conducted research identified the key problems of creating and using DNA databases, including insufficient logistical and laboratory support, understaffing, lack of special legislation, low level of security, slow filling of databases, disregard of the public position, and the need to establish international cooperation. It was established that DNA analysis enables identifying the identity of the deceased or a person who cannot identify himself; determining the number of persons at the crime scene; establishing whether DNA traces belong to a suspect; establishing a connection between several crimes by matching DNA samples taken from the scene; establishing those accused of crimes. It is proposed to increase the effectiveness of law enforcement activities through the development of an International Strategy for the Influence of the Use of DNA Databases and ensure international cooperation on the exchange of DNA information in forensics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Hexagon OBTI test is a commercial kit made for the purpose of forensically identifying human blood. The test process is straightforward and does not need for a lab environment. To reduce between-sampling variation, all samples (blood) were taken from the researcher, a healthy male who was 33 at the time of collection. Blood thinners were created using liquid blood supplies and deionized water in the following dilutions: 1:10, 1:100, 1:1000, 1:100,000, 1:1,000,000, 1:10000000, and 1:100000000. The samples were analyzed by Hexagon OBTI and Kastel-Meyer, and the findings of both tests were positive up to a dilution of 1:1000 in the case of the former and 1:1000000 in the case of the latter. The result was a more sensitive OBTI test than Kastel-Meyer, the OBTI test is therefore suitable for identification of human blood at crime scenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forensic techniques, determining the age of human blood spots is crucial, but it can be challenging because there is no widely used, trusted method for doing so. An innovative technology called Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was utilized to calculate the age of blood spots from one day to 42 days. Six healthy male and female donors provided six blood samples, the ages of the donors ranged from (14-32) years, and samples were taken at different times, the blood splatter storage conditions closely resembled actual crime scenes. When analyzing the samples, it was observed that there were peaks related to amide A, I, II and III in all samples, which are considered diagnostic features of human blood using the FTIR device. In samples 1, 2, and 3, it was observed that there were beaks (3564 – 3960) indicating the presence of moisture or water particles in the sample, and the reason for this may be due to the failure to dry the sample properly, or that it. It was also observed that there were beaks (1968 – 2973) related to lipids in plasma and (1055-1062) related to glucose in samples 1-2-3, which were preserved for a period of (10-42) days, and their absence in samples that were kept for a period of (1-3) days, and this may indicate decomposition of blood samples as time progressed and breakage. The fast, simple, and non-destructive properties of FTIR spectroscopy make it an excellent tool for forensic medicine. This is one of the most recent studies showing how FTIR spectroscopy can be a useful technique for determining the age of bloodstains in made-up crime scenes. Global bio spectral information from aging blood spots can be extracted and analyzed via chemical analysis, which has proven to be successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In forensic science, latex gloves are used to prevent law enforcement personnel from contaminating crime scenes or evidence with DNA or marks from the hands. Law enforcement personnel, however, are not the only people who want to avoid leaving DNA or latent marks at a crime scene. Perpetrators of crimes may also wear latex gloves. Alas, several forensic scientists reported that in certain cases even while wearing latex gloves, fingerprints transferred to adhesive tapes while attempting to process the tape for latent marks. Pressure sensitive tapes tend to be ideal surfaces for recovering latent marks and are commonly encountered in criminal cases involving drug packaging, explosive devices, or violent crimes (e.g., binding a victim's hands and feet). When a latent mark is developed on the adhesive surface of the tape, it may not be obvious if the latent mark was made by a bare finger or a gloved finger. Knowing that a suspect wore gloves could sometimes discourage the investigation unit from performing fingermark development procedures, as the odds to recover evidence successfully are limited. This study examines the feasibility of the transfer of friction ridge details through latex gloves to different types of adhesive tapes and uncovers the required conditions and a possible mechanism for the occurrence of this phenomenon. The findings of this work show that it is possible to develop and identify fingermarks transferred originally by gloved fingers. This study also shows that visualization of ridge details on adhesive tapes surfaces contain unique characteristics, which aid differentiating between bare or gloved hands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Safety & Security Sciences Review / Biztonságtudományi Szemle is the property of Obuda University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Today's global human remains trade – how it operates on and offline, where remains come from, and how algorithmic amplification allows for complex networks to form between buyers, sellers, and middlemen – has seen an increasing amount of research and media attention. Underpinning this increasing interest is the growing realization that poorly regulated trafficking inflicts genuine psychological harm on the living (whether relatives of body donors or descendant communities), as well as accrues losses to the archaeological record or risks the jeopardization of crime scenes. Much of this work, however, has focused on the global north. Within the global south, Australia is recognized as an emerging market country for many categories of cultural heritage trafficking, including human remains. This paper reviews the function and socio-legal context of a specific seller's tactic so far seen only among Australian human remains collectors, whereby photographs of human remains are offered for sale, with the bones themselves included as a "gift". From a network analysis of text from a corpus of anonymized posts from Facebook, conducted using t-SNE and Voyant Tools, 11 key discourse themes are identified that point to how and why this sales tactic is used. Better understanding its function is a necessary first step to closing this loophole within Australian law, but also to identifying similar tricks at work within collector networks elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood is important evidence that can assist an investigator in solving a crime. It connects the suspect to a crime and aid in the reconstruction of the crime scene. Criminals frequently attempt to wipe away blood stained evidence at a crime scene. These efforts may result in the modification or partial or total elimination of blood on the stained parts. Numerous presumptive tests are employed to identify bloodstains on floor surfaces since they are frequently cleansed after a crime using various surfactants. However, the traces of stains remain there and if analysed with appropriate reagents will give conclusive results. In This study Blood-stained floor surfaces were cleaned using a commercially available and widely used floor cleaners and After repeated washings, the Kastle-Meyer (KM), Leucomalachite green (LMG), and Tetra methylbenzidine (TMB) tests were employed to determine the presence of blood on these surfaces, and their sensitivity were assessed, this study will help the forensic investigator to select the appropriate reagents for detection of blood stains on the various washed floor surfaces and effectiveness of reagents for detection of blood stains washed with various floor cleaners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fingerprint analysis has long been a cornerstone in criminal investigations for suspect identification. Beyond this conventional role, recent efforts have aimed to extract additional demographic information from fingerprints, such as gender, age, and nationality. While studies have demonstrated promising accuracy in gender classification based on fingerprints, practical implementation faces challenges, including the often low quality of crime scene fingerprints. This study presents a pioneering comparison of gender classification across diverse datasets, considering variations in fingerprint image quality. We examine the results from four databases, encompassing both public and private sources, employing state-of-the-art Data-Centric AI (DCAI) approaches for enhanced classification. Our findings reveal that a conservative Convolutional Neural Network (CNN)—specifically VGG—proves effective, achieving an accuracy ranging from 70% to 95% based on fingerprint quality. DCAI methods contribute a noteworthy 1–4% improvement. Notably, for partial or low-quality fingerprints, the periphery emerges as a critical determinant of gender classification. This study contributes insights into practical gender classification from fingerprints, emphasizing the significance of the fingerprint periphery. Furthermore, we provide the source code for future research and accessibility in real-world applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zbornik Radova Pravnog Fakulteta u Nisu is the property of Law Faculty in Nis and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cyberbullying on social networking sites (SNS bullying) is an emerging societal challenge related to the deviant use of technologies. To address the research gaps identified in the literature, we draw on crime opportunity theory and the affordance perspective to propose a meta-framework that guides our investigation into SNS bullying. The meta-framework explains how SNS affordances give rise to the evaluation of favorable SNS environmental conditions for SNS bullying, which, in turn, promote SNS bullying. The research model was empirically tested using a longitudinal online survey of 223 SNS users. The results suggest that the evaluation of SNS environmental conditions predict SNS bullying, and SNS affordances influence the evaluation of these environmental conditions. This work offers a new theoretical perspective to study SNS bullying, highlighting the critical impacts of environmental conditions in shaping such behavior. It also provides actionable insights into measures that combat SNS bullying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA recovery from fired cartridge cases (FCCs) remains challenging due to the limited DNA amounts available for collection, hence efforts to retain the available DNA are essential. Here we use DiamondTM nucleic acid dye staining to show that DNA may be lost from an FCC to the inside of its packaging after collection at a crime scene. A novel cartridge collection device mitigated this DNA loss under the conditions tested and could be beneficial for casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This project evaluated the fingermark imaging ability of several alternate image capturing devices selected for their potential to assist with the recording of fingermarks in difficult-to-reach locations commonly encountered at crime scenes, e.g. the inside surface of door handles. Four small form-factor non-DSLR camera systems — intraoral camera, borescope, fibre-optic camera and an iPhone — were evaluated under controlled conditions for their ability to image fingermarks with sufficient detail for identification. Evaluation was conducted using black powdered fingermarks and standard photographic test targets. A qualitative visual evaluation approach was also developed to gauge whether image quality was appropriate for fingermark identification. The results obtained indicated that most of the systems were capable of capturing fingermark details suitable for identification in controlled environments; however, the inherent contrast of the fingermark had an impact on the success of various imaging devices. The practicality and capability of alternate camera devices for fingermark recovery in pseudo-operational conditions is part of ongoing research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generating degraded DNA samples can be useful for forensic DNA research as this can mimic the condition of crime scene samples and results from such samples. Methods which use quick and cost-effective ultraviolet light (UV) exposure can be utilized to degrade DNA but are not well documented. This study aimed to establish a procedure and define the parameters required to generate Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiles at different degradation levels. UV exposure times between 0 and 60 s were tested using genomic and control DNA. Sample eluates were quantified with QuantifilerTM Trio pre- and post-UV exposure, and select samples were profiled using PowerPlex® 21. Quantification data and STR profiles were analysed to identify metrics which indicated degradation severity. Samples were observed to be degraded by UV exposure as evidenced by established DNA degradation markers. No specific metric was identified to reliably determine the severity of sample degradation, but it was noted that UV exposure between 5 and 10 s resulted in mild degradation, between 15 and 25 s generated moderate degradation, and between 45 and 60 s resulted in severe degradation in STR profiles. This study indicates that quantification before and after UV exposure may be useful to estimate the degree of degradation via one quantification target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hair samples are one of the most important resources in the forensic analysis of crime scenes, often providing valuable information that can lead to the identification of a suspect or a victim. This study was conducted to HPTLC quantitative evaluation of Cannabis and Pregabalin residues in hair and serum. Thirty Wistar male rats were grouped into three groups; first group kept as negative control, second group (Cannabis group) administered Cannabis by gastric tube at a dose of 3 mg/kg b.wt.) and third group (Pregabalin group) administered Pregabalin by gastric tube at a dose of 30 mg/kg b.wt. daily for eight weeks. Results revealed that Cannabis and Pregabalin were both deposited in hair and serum compared with control groups. Using of hair samples is strongly recommended as routine test for pregabalin and cannabis abuse beside blood and urine tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabric is a commonly found piece of physical evidence at most crime scenes. Forensic analysis of fabric is typically performed via microscopic examination. This subjective approach is primarily based on pattern recognition and, therefore, is often inconclusive. Most of the fabric material found at crime scenes is colored. One may expect that a confirmatory identification of dyes can be used to enhance the reliability of the forensic analysis of fabric. In this study, we investigated the potential of near-infrared Raman spectroscopy (NIRS) in the confirmatory, non-invasive, and non-destructive identification of 15 different dyes on cotton. We found that NIRS was able to resolve the vibrational fingerprints of all 15 colorants. Using partial-squared discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), we showed that NIRS enabled ~100% accurate identification of dyes based on their vibrational signatures. These findings open a new avenue for the robust and reliable forensic analysis of dyes on fabric directly at crime scenes. Main conclusion: a hand-held Raman spectrometer and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) approaches enable highly accurate identification of dyes on fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a digital adversary or an insider compromised a framework, cloud Forensic examiners can simply lay out the scene of the crime and reconstruct how the event took place using scientific evidence to determine when, why, and how it happened. Be that as it may, computerized proof procurement in a cloud environment is confounded and demonstrated troublesome, Despite modern scientific securing tool compartments. Multi-occupancy, Geo-area, and Administration Level Understanding have added another layer of complexity to obtaining computerized proof from a cloud environment. To moderate these intricacies of proof procurement in the cloud environment, we want a system that can forensically keep up with the reliability and respectability of proof. In this review, we plan and execute a Blockchain-based Forensic in Cloud (BBFC) structure, utilizing a Cloud Forensic methodology (CFA). The outcomes from our single contextual analysis will exhibit that BBFC will alleviate the difficulties and intricacies looked at by computerized forensic specialists in getting acceptable advanced proof from the cloud biological system. Moreover, a quick exhibition observing the proposed Blockchain based measurable in cloud structure was assessed. BBFC will guarantee dependability, respectability, validness, and non-renouncement of the proof in the cloud. The proposed BBFC framework was also subjected to performance evaluation, considering factors such as latency, bandwidth, energy and resource utilization, and failure points. This evaluation provides insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of the framework in real-world cloud forensic scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of bite marks provides crucial elements that contribute towards identifying the biter. In many cases, it assumes importance when bite marks are detected on the body of a victim of violence, but it could also be relevant when the bite marks are seen on food substances at the crime scene. In both circumstances, comparing the bite marks with a suspect's dentition can be decisive in confirming or excluding the culpability. In this case report, a bun (bread roll) with the sign of a bite was found at the crime scene. We report a pilot study using 3D reproduction of the bite mark on the bun and dental models of the alleged biter and the victim. A reverse engineering process was used to obtain digital 3D models of the bitten bun and the dental models by taking numerous photographs and stitching them together using a software called Metashape by Agisoft. The last step was to compare the bitemark to the two dental models, evaluating the spatial distance, the degree of overlap, and the degree of interpenetration. The results confirmed the usefulness of reverse engineering in forensic investigations showing the compatibility between the victim's teeth and the bite mark on the bun. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current investigative process, digital technology has become an essential tool that helps forensic specialists and law enforcement organizations retrieve electronic evidence that is vital to solving crimes. Obtaining electronic evidence from crime scenes is seen as a challenging investigative task, particularly in light of the rise in cybercrime techniques. In order to find some hints or evidence or assess their significance using scientific and technical data that neither the judge nor the investigator have access to, it takes professional investigators and technical experts. This study examines the value of digital technology in the recovery of electronic evidence and its practical use at crime scenes. Through an analysis of many methodologies, instruments, and obstacles, this research illuminates the dynamic field of digital forensics and its function within the criminal justice structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil is commonly collected from an outdoor crime scene, and thus it is helpful in linking a suspect and a victim to a crime scene. The chemical profiles of soils can be acquired via chemical instruments such as Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC). However, the UPLC chromatogram often interferes with an unstable baseline. In this paper, we compared the performance of five baseline correction (BC) algorithms, i.e. asymmetric least squares (AsLS), fill peak, iterative restricted least squares, median window (MW), and modified polynomial fitting, in discriminating 30 chromatograms of brownish soils by five locations of origin, i.e. PP, HK, KU, BL, and KB. The performances of the preprocessed sub-datasets were first visually inspected through the mean chromatograms and then further explored via scores plots of principal component analysis (PCA). Eventually, the predictive performances of the partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models estimated from 1 000 pairs of training and testing samples (i.e. prepared via iterative random resampling split at 75:25) were studied to identify the best BC method. Mean raw chromatograms of the 10 soil samples were different from each other, with evident fluctuated baselines. AsLS and MW corrected chromatograms demonstrated the most significant improvement compared with the raw counterpart. Meanwhile, the scores plot of PCA revealed that most of the sub-datasets produced three separate clusters. Then, the sub-datasets were modelled via the PLS-DA technique. MW emerged as the excellent BC method based on the mean prediction accuracy estimated using 1 000 pairs of training and testing samples. In conclusion, MW outperformed the other BC methods in correcting the UPLC data of soil. Key points UPLC data of soil interfere with baseline drifts. BC can improve the quality of the pixel-level UPLC data. MW emerges as the most desired algorithm in improving the quality of UPLC data of soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One size does not fit all in assessment and intervention for people with convictions for sexual offences. Crime scene indicators and risk-related variables have been used to identify distinct clusters of people with convictions for sexual offences, but there is a need for more robust typologies that identify clusters based on psychologically meaningful risk factors that can be targeted in treatment. Aims: To use robust modelling techniques to identify latent profiles of people with convictions for sexual offences based on indicators of dynamic risk. Method: Adult male participants, who had been convicted for sexual offences and assessed for eligibility for the prison-based Core Sex Offender Treatment Programme delivered by His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (UK), were randomly allocated to a test (n = 1577: 70.2%) or validation (n = 668: 29.8%) data-set. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to select measures of dynamic risk from psychological test data. EFA indicated four factors, from which six measures were selected for inclusion in latent profile analysis. Results: Five latent profiles were identified in the test and validation data-sets. These were labelled low psychological impairment, impulsive, distorted thinker, rape preoccupied and child fantasist. Profiles varied in individual characteristics, offence histories, victim preferences and level of risk. Conclusions: Our findings should be used to guide assessment and intervention practices that are tailored to distinct psychological profiles consistent with principles of risk, need and responsivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on body disposal methods in cases of sexual homicide primarily focused on the movement of the victim's body from the crime scene to the dump site. Comparatively, little work has looked at whether crime scene analysis can indicate the final manner of disposal (i.e., how the body is found at the scene), despite the knowledge that these unique behaviors can aid investigators narrowing down suspects using readily available information from the crime scene. The current study used 662 solved cases of extrafamilial sexual homicide from an international database in a sequential logistic regression to test various predictors against the method of body disposal. Results indicate that inserting foreign objects into the victim, dismembering the victim, or engaging in post-mortem sexual activity is predictive of not openly displaying the body. Furthermore, the body is less likely to be openly displayed if the victim is a sex worker. Overkill is more likely to lead to the body being openly displayed. Implications for investigations of sexual homicide include the need to examine more than just infrequent unusual acts and to look at the entirety of the criminal event to gain a more well-rounded understanding of how offender behaviors can indicate particular body disposal methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in photogrammetry, particularly within the realm of forensic investigation represents a relatively novel approach and has gained increased attention. By measuring the distances and positions of the scene's components, it is feasible to document and visualize the scene using the photographs that were taken for the purpose of assisting investigators. Capturing accurate crime scene data within a short time frame is always a challenge. Conventionally, photographs were used to document the scene, but the technical qualities of the photographs depended on the skill of the present forensic personnel. The use of 3-Dimensional (3D) photogrammetry enables the production of highly realistic and detailed 3D documentation of a given scene. As this technique involves capturing a series of photographs, it can be a time-consuming process. Therefore, this study aims to explore an alternative approach that enables the rapid acquisition of the scene while preserving the intricate details, thus ensuring efficiency without compromising the accuracy of the resulting documentation. The study employs a methodological approach wherein data are collected from a simulated crime scene situated within a confined and hard-to-reach area. The data collection is facilitated through the utilization of micro UAVs. The acquired data are then processed utilizing photogrammetry software, leading to the generation of a 3D model point cloud. The collected data will be subjected to a comparative analysis with data generated using a Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) as a reference, alongside Vernier Calliper (VC) measurements. The findings indicate that the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the integrated point clouds from TLS and micro UAVs compared to the conventional method is approximately ±0.217 cm. It can be deduced that the integration of data derived from micro UAVs and TLS in forensic photogrammetry within a confined crime scene is viable and yields a high-precision 3D model point cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At a crime scene, investigators are faced with a multitude of traces. Among them, biological traces are of primary interest for the rapid genetic-based identification of individuals. "Touch DNA" consists of invisible biological traces left by the simple contact of a person's skin with objects. To date, these traces remain undetectable with the current methods available in the field. This study proposes a proof-of-concept for the original detection of touch DNA by targeting cell-derived fragments in addition to DNA. More specifically, adhesive-structure proteins (laminin, keratin) as well as carbohydrate patterns (mannose, galactose) have been detected with keratinocyte cells derived from a skin and fingermark touch-DNA model over two months in outdoor conditions. Better still, this combinatory detection strategy is compatible with DNA profiling. This proof-of-concept work paves the way for the optimization of tools that can detect touch DNA, which remains a real challenge in helping investigators and the delivery of justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, many new cultivars have been taken abroad illegally, which is now considered an international issue. Botanical evidence found at a crime scene provides valuable information about the origin of the sample. However, botanical resources for forensic evidence remain underutilized because molecular markers, such as microsatellites, are not available without a limited set of species. Multiplexed intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq) and its analysis method, identification of not applicable (iD-NA), have been used to determine several genome-wide genetic markers, making them applicable to all plant species, including those with limited available genetic information. Camellia cultivars are popular worldwide and are often planted in many gardens and bred to make new cultivars. In this study, we aimed to analyze Camellia cultivars/species through MIG-seq. MIG-seq could discriminate similar samples, such as bud mutants and closely related samples that could not be distinguished based on morphological features. This discrimination was consistent with that of a previous study that classified cultivars based on short tandem repeat (STR) markers, indicating that MIG-seq has the same or higher discrimination ability as STR markers. Furthermore, we observed unknown phylogenetic relationships. Because MIG-seq can be applied to unlimited species and low-quality DNA, it may be useful in various scientific fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lip balm may be encountered as physical evidence in cases involving sexual assaults, homicides, and kidnappings. Lip balm can be used as corroborative evidence by providing a potential link between the victim, accused, and the crime scene. For lip balms to be used as evidence, it is important to understand the diversity and their aging process under different conditions. Therefore, in this study, ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy in conjunction with chemometric tools such as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) has been used for the objective identification and differentiation of 20 brands of lip balms. Moreover, lip balms on different substrates and wearing effects over time were also investigated. The results show that the PCA‐LDA training accuracy was 92.5%, whereas the validation accuracy comes out to be 83.33%. A blind study using pristine samples was also performed which resulted in 80% PCA‐LDA accuracy. PCA‐LDA prediction of samples on various substrates showed a higher chemometric prediction accuracy for nonporous substrates (glass, plastic, and steel), than for porous substrates (cotton cloth, cotton swab stick, dry tissue paper, and white paper) for samples kept in room temperature and under sunlight for 15 days. The substrate study showed that the samples from various substrates could effectively generate respective spectra which can help in brand‐level identification even after several days. The present method demonstrates a potential for lip balm samples to be used in forensic casework applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of patterns in dried blood droplets has made it possible to generate strategies to detect health problems in patients and to address problems in forensic sciences. Therefore, studying various forms of droplet drying could enhance the efficiency of pathology diagnosis and the comprehension of crime scenes. In this paper, we report the study of the pattern formation generated by drying pendant blood droplets with different initial volumes (V = 3–24 μ L ). We find two distinct groups of deposits: dried drops with radial symmetry (Group I) and dried drops with lateral deposition of blood serum (Group II). Lateral deposition arises from drop collapse induced by hematocrit agglomeration at the drop apex. Our findings reveal that the collapse process consistently takes place at an angle 11 degrees below the initial contact angle, irrespective of the initial droplet volume. Finally, we provide evidence that the mass contained in a droplet promotes the occurrence of the unstable drying mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fingermarks left at a crime scene can indicate the presence of an individual and his/her involvement in the crime. Fingermarks, usually invisible, can appear on any surface and may be contaminated by any exogenous substances, including drug substance. Recovery of fingermarks contaminated by drug substance is crucial to link an individual with the drug-related crimes. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the recovery and visualisation of methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks from various non-porous surface materials. Methods: In this study, fingermarks were deposited on 11 types of surface materials varied by the presence of methamphetamine contamination, immediacy of deposition, and their concentration levels. Each fingermark was then developed using white and black fingerprint powders, graded, and compared based on the different settings. Results: Application of fingerprint powder was good in developing fingermarks; however, its suitability depends on the nature of the surface materials. Black fingerprint powder produced better visualisation where the fingermarks on all the 11 surface materials tested in this study were successfully recovered compared to white fingerprint powders. Methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks could still be recovered using the fingerprint powder dusting method, but the fingermark grade was reduced due to the presence of exogenous substance. Conclusion: To conclude, the recovery and visualisation of methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks on non-porous surfaces were successfully carried out through the application of fingerprint powder. A more severe contamination might lead to lower fingermark grade showing lesser ridge details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, more and more sciences are involved in strengthening the work of law enforcement authorities. Scientific documentation is evidence highly respected by the courts in administering justice. As the involvement of science in solving crimes increases, so does human subjectivism, which often leads to wrong conclusions and, consequently, to bad judgments. From the above arises the need to create a single information system that will be fed with scientific evidence such as fingerprints, genetic material, digital data, forensic photographs, information from the forensic report, etc., and also investigative data such as information from witnesses' statements, the apology of the accused, etc., from various crime scenes that will be able, through formal reasoning procedure, to conclude possible perpetrators. The present study examines a proposal for developing an information system that can be a basis for creating a forensic ontology—a semantic representation of the crime scene—through descriptive logic in the owl semantic language. The Interoperability-Enhanced information system to be developed could assist law enforcement authorities in solving crimes. At the same time, it would promote closer cooperation between academia, civil society, and state institutions by fostering a culture of engagement for the common good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crime scene investigation (CSI) is the complex act of reconstructing the dynamics that led to a crime and the circumstances of its perpetration. Crystallizing the CSI is a difficult task for the forensic pathologist; however, it is often requested by the public prosecutor and many judicial cases remain unsolved precisely for this reason. Recent years have seen an improvement in the ability of 3D scanning technology to obtain dense surface scans of large-scale spaces, for surveying, engineering, archaeology, and medical purposes such as forensics. The applications of this new technology are growing every day: forensic measurement of wounds in clinical reports, for example, reconstruction of traffic accidents, bullet trajectory studies in gunshot wounds, and 3D bloodstain pattern analysis. A retrospective analysis was conducted across all crime scene investigations performed by the forensic staff of the Department of Forensic Pathology of the University of Catania from January 2019 to June 2022. Inclusion criteria were the use of a laser scanner (LS), the use of a camera, a full investigative scene, and collection of circumstantial data thanks to the help of the judicial police. Cases in which the LS was not used were excluded. Out of 200 CSIs, 5 were included in the present study. In case number 1, the use of the LS made it possible to create a complete scale plan of the crime scene in a few hours, allowing a ship to be quickly returned to the judicial police officer. In case 2 (fall from a height), the LS clarified the suicidal intent of the deceased. In case number 3 it was possible to reconstruct a crime scene after many years. In case 4, the LS provided a great contribution in making a differential diagnosis between suicide and homicide. In case 5, the LS was fundamental for the COVID team in planning the study of COVID-19 pathways and areas within a hospital with the aim of reduction of nosocomial transmission. In conclusion, the use of the LS allowed the forensic staff to crystallize the investigative scene, making it a useful tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining when DNA recovered from a crime scene transferred from its biological source, i.e., a sample's 'time-since-deposition' (TSD), can provide critical context for biological evidence. Yet, there remains no analytical techniques for TSD that are validated for forensic casework. In this study, we investigate whether morphological and autofluorescence measurements of forensically-relevant cell populations generated with Imaging Flow Cytometry (IFC) can be used to predict the TSD of 'touch' or trace biological samples. To this end, three different prediction frameworks for estimating the number of day(s) for TSD were evaluated: the elastic net, gradient boosting machines (GBM), and generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) LASSO. Additionally, we transformed these continuous predictions into a series of binary classifiers to evaluate the potential utility for forensic casework. Results showed that GBM and GLMM-LASSO showed the highest accuracy, with mean absolute error estimates in a hold-out test set of 29 and 21 days, respectively. Binary classifiers for these models correctly binned 94–96% and 98–99% of the age estimates as over/under 7 or 180 days, respectively. This suggests that predicted TSD using IFC measurements coupled to one or, possibly, a combination binary classification decision rules, may provide probative information for trace biological samples encountered during forensic casework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the interesting characteristics of crime data is that criminal cases are often interrelated. Criminal acts may be similar, and similar incidents may occur consecutively by the same offender or by the same criminal group. Among many machine learning algorithms, network-based approaches are well-suited to reflect these associative characteristics. Applying machine learning to criminal networks composed of cases and their associates can predict potential suspects. This narrows the scope of an investigation, saving time and cost. However, inference from criminal networks is not straightforward as it requires being able to process complex information entangled with case-to-case, person-to-person, and case-to-person connections. Besides, being useful at a crime scene requires urgency. However, predictions from network-based machine learning algorithms are generally slow when the data is large and complex in structure. These limitations are an immediate barrier to any practical use of the criminal network geared by machine learning. In this study, we propose a criminal network-based suspect prediction framework. The network we designed has a unique structure, such as a sandwich panel, in which one side is a network of crime cases and the other side is a network of people such as victims, criminals, and witnesses. The two networks are connected by relationships between the case and the persons involved in the case. The proposed method is then further developed into a fast inference algorithm for large-scale criminal networks. Experiments on benchmark data showed that the fast inference algorithm significantly reduced execution time while still being competitive in performance comparisons of the original algorithm and other existing approaches. Based on actual crime data provided by the Korean National Police, several examples of how the proposed method is applied are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mummification is regarded as a particular form of decomposition. External factors such as sun, wind, humidity, and temperature are known to accelerate or slow down the mummification period. The process can take weeks or months to complete. Consequently, the diversity of external factors makes postmortem interval (PMI) estimations difficult. This case study reports on the first example of precocious natural mummification in Northern Cyprus and involves a 20-year-old male found hanging from the railing in the stairwell of an unfinished building. The individual had been missing only seven days. The body underwent complete computed tomography scanning, autopsy, and toxicology analysis. A fractured hyoid with associated ecchymosis is documented, indicating death by asphyxiation. The crime scene environmental factors and seven-day weather report during which the individual was missing were assessed to understand the factors that influenced this rapid mummification. Reporting on this case contributes to PMI studies in studies in Cyprus and other locations with similar environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Latent fingermarks contain precise information about the identities of individuals present at the crime scene. Cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming is a popular and effective technique for fingermark development on non-porous surfaces, but few approaches have been proposed for processing vehicles. We report the use of a large CA fuming chamber for latent fingermark development in vehicles related to serious crimes in Brasilia, Brazil. The chamber consists of a fuming compartment with a stainless-steel structure and is supplied with movable heating trays, air circulation fans, humidifying system, gas evacuation system, and an integrated control unit for process monitoring. Processing an entire regular vehicle requires 16 g of liquid CA and ~2 h. Identifiable fingermarks were recognized on the exterior and interior of the examined vehicles, including the door handles and the seat belt metallic tongue. Detected fingermarks were positively matched to individuals whose involvement in criminal activities was confirmed. The results support the efficiency of the CA fuming technique for fingermark development in the interior and exterior of vehicles and indicate certain parts of vehicles as being of potential interest. Considering the efficiency of the CA polymerization reaction for fingermark development in vehicles involved in crimes, large-scale chambers may offer important advantages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]