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Mashaly A, Al-Khalifa MS. Exploring the ethical dimensions in forensic entomology: From codes of conduct to professional accountability. Sci Justice 2024; 64:243-249. [PMID: 38431381 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This article investigates a critical part of professional careers: adhering to a code of ethics that defines proper behavior within the context of one's specialized practice. It aims to improve the setting of forensic entomology work by highlighting the ethical issues that frequently emerge. The primary goal is to uncover common ethical issues involved in this field's everyday activities and provide informed advice on appropriate resolution options. This investigation dives into the complex interaction of religious beliefs, cultural aspects, and issues of ethics, evaluating their relevance in forensic entomology. It examines a wide range of ethical issues, from the ethics involved in collecting samples at crime scenes and morguesto the ethics created into scientific investigations, report writing, and court testimony. These guiding principles are critical in setting scientific standards and building public trust in forensic entomology's ability to provide exceptional services. Notably, regardless of whether the forensic entomology service provider is accredited by any validating organization, these ethical requirements remain critical, emphasizing their global application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Mashaly
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Minia University, El Minia 61519, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed S Al-Khalifa
- Department of Zoology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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2
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Indra L, Lösch S, Errickson D, Finaughty D. Forensic experiments on animal scavenging: A systematic literature review on what we have and what we need. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 353:111862. [PMID: 37931469 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate scavengers frequently affect forensic casework by feeding on human remains or by scattering body parts and bones. Therefore, animal activity can influence complete recovery of bodies, trauma analysis, and the estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI), potentially hampering identification of the deceased and elucidation of the perimortem circumstances. Experimental research is well suited to investigate scavengers and their impact on carcasses over time, generating knowledge on the forensic relevance of certain scavenger species or communities. However, there are currently no systematised standards to conduct these investigations with a forensic focus, impeding comparison and synthesis of the studies. In our work, we performed a systematic literature review and found 79 publications featuring terrestrial experiments on vertebrate scavenging and/or scattering within a forensic context. We extracted 21 variables describing the study environment, experimental design and the specimens. The results show that there is considerable inconsistency in the study designs and that some of the variables are insufficiently reported. We point out research questions and areas that require attention in future studies, stressing the importance of infrequently mentioned or applied variables. Furthermore, we recommend guidelines to include and report a list of variables in forensic scavenging and scattering experiments. These guidelines will help standardising future research in the field, facilitating inter-study consolidation of results and conclusions, and consequently, inform forensic casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Indra
- Department of Physical Anthropology, Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Sandra Lösch
- Department of Physical Anthropology, Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - David Errickson
- Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University, College Road, MK43 0AL Cranfield, United Kingdom
| | - Devin Finaughty
- School of Chemistry and Forensic Science, Division of Natural Sciences, Ingram Building, University of Kent, CT2 7NH, Canterbury, United Kingdom; Division of Clinical Anatomy and Biological Anthropology, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa
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Carew RM, French J, Morgan RM. Drilling down into ethics: A thematic review of ethical considerations for the creation and use of 3D printed human remains in crime reconstruction. Sci Justice 2023; 63:330-342. [PMID: 37169458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
The existing literature contains some exploration of the ethics concerning human remains in forensic and virtual anthropology. However, previous work has stopped short of interrogating the underlying ethical concepts. The question of how people understand and apply these concepts in practice, and what it means to act ethically, remain underexplored. This thematic review explores the ethical considerations that contribute to the creation and use of 3D printed human remains for forensic purposes. The three main branches of ethical theory are outlined to explore how they may apply to forensic practice. Key themes relating to 3D printing human remains in forensic contexts were explored to better understand the ethics landscape, ethical challenges, and the current guidelines in place. Through this thematic review, nine ethics principles were identified as key principles for guiding best practice: anonymity, autonomy, beneficence, consent, context, justice, non-maleficence, proportionality, and transparency. It is suggested that these principles could be incorporated into adaptable guidelines going forward to support ethical practice. The findings also suggest that holistic ethics cognition training may have value in supporting forensic scientists in ethical decision-making, together with procedural and structural design that may promote best practice and reduce cognitive load.
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Indra L, Errickson D, Young A, Lösch S. Uncovering Forensic Taphonomic Agents: Animal Scavenging in the European Context. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11040601. [PMID: 35453800 PMCID: PMC9027482 DOI: 10.3390/biology11040601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary In forensic cases of exposed human bodies, vertebrate animals frequently pose challenges concerning remains recovery, identification, and the interpretation of circumstances of death. For instance, they can remove body parts, destroy skeletal features, and create “pseudo-lesions” that complicate trauma analysis. With this review, we highlight vertebrate scavengers in Europe that are of forensic relevance, including their typical behaviour and their inflicted lesions on bones and soft tissues. Here, we support forensic practitioners in recognising animal activity at the site of discovery and in interpreting the circumstances of death. Our review serves as a guide for the examination of animal-altered human remains and their found state by providing ecological backgrounds on various vertebrate species. In addition, this study provides an overview of the current state of research in the field of animal scavenging in forensics. Abstract Animal scavenging by vertebrates can significantly alter human bodies and their deposition site. For instance, vertebrate animals can cause postmortem modification to a body, alter perimortem trauma, influence decomposition rates, disarticulate and scatter body parts or evidence, and affect the identification of the deceased. Animal scavenging is a relatively common occurrence in forensic investigations. Even so, studies on the subject are scattered and rare, with most focussing on geographical areas outside of Europe. For that reason, we intend to collate the literature to provide an account of forensically relevant vertebrate scavengers in Europe, their impacts on human remains, and their implications for forensic investigations. Here, we provide an overview of forensic aspects where the knowledge of animal scavenging is crucial, as well as an account of potential scavengers of human remains in Europe and their typical alterations to soft tissue and, in particular, to bones. In addition, we are the first to provide a guide for forensic practitioners to identify the presence of vertebrate scavenging and subsequently inform outdoor search strategies for affected human remains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Indra
- Department of Physical Anthropology, Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland;
- Correspondence:
| | - David Errickson
- Cranfield Forensic Institute, Cranfield University, Bedford MK43 0AL, UK;
| | | | - Sandra Lösch
- Department of Physical Anthropology, Institute of Forensic Medicine Bern, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland;
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5
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Indra L, Lösch S. Forensic anthropology casework from Switzerland (Bern): Taphonomic implications for the future. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL: REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2021.100222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Bisker C, Taylor G, Carney H, Ralebitso-Senior TK. A Combined Application of Molecular Microbial Ecology and Elemental Analyses Can Advance the Understanding of Decomposition Dynamics. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.605817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducing animal carbon-source to soil initiates biochemical and microbial processes that lead to its decomposition and recycling, which subsequently cause successional shifts in soil microbial community. To investigate the use of soil microbial community to inform criminal investigation, this study was designed to mimic clandestine graves. It compared the decomposition of stillborn piglets (Sus scrofa domesticus), as human analogues, to oak (Quercus robur) leaf litter and soil-only controls outdoors for 720 days. Environmental and edaphic parameters were monitored and showed soil microbial community alignment with temperature seasonality, which highlighted the importance of this abiotic factor. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) data were used to calculate Hill numbers and diversity indices of the bacterial 16S rRNA community did not distinguish mammalian- from plant-based decomposition consistently during the first or second year of the study. In contrast, the fungal 18S rRNA community allowed clear differentiation between different treatments (beta diversity) throughout the 720-day experiment and suggested the moment of the decomposing mammalian skin rupture. 16S rRNA-based NGS facilitated the identification of e.g., Pirellulaceae, Acidobacteria ii1-15_order and Candidatus xiphinematobacter as Year 2 bacterial markers of gravesoil at family, order and species taxonomic levels, respectively, and confirmed the similarity of the calculated Hill diversity metrics with those derived from DGGE profiling. Parallel soil elemental composition was measured by portable X-ray Fluorescence where calcium profiles for the piglet-associated soils were distinct from those without carrion. Also, soil calcium content and PMI correlated positively during the first year then negatively during the second. This study is one of the first to apply a multidisciplinary approach based on molecular and physicochemical analytical techniques to assess decomposition. It highlights the recognised potential of using soil microbial community in forensic investigations and provides a proof-of-concept for the application of a combined molecular and elemental approach to further understand the dynamics of decomposition. In addition, it sets the scene for further research in different conditions based on Hill numbers metrics instead of the classic ecological indices for soil necrobiome richness, diversity and evenness.
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Pittner S, Bugelli V, Benbow ME, Ehrenfellner B, Zissler A, Campobasso CP, Oostra RJ, Aalders MCG, Zehner R, Lutz L, Monticelli FC, Staufer C, Helm K, Pinchi V, Receveur JP, Geißenberger J, Steinbacher P, Amendt J. The applicability of forensic time since death estimation methods for buried bodies in advanced decomposition stages. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243395. [PMID: 33296399 PMCID: PMC7725292 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Estimation of the postmortem interval in advanced postmortem stages is a challenging task. Although there are several approaches available for addressing postmortem changes of a (human) body or its environment (ecologically and/or biochemically), most are restricted to specific timeframes and/or individual and environmental conditions. It is well known, for instance, that buried bodies decompose in a remarkably different manner than on the ground surface. However, data on how established methods for PMI estimation perform under these conditions are scarce. It is important to understand whether and how postmortem changes are affected under burial conditions, if corrective factors could be conceived, or if methods have to be excluded for respective cases. We present the first multi-methodological assessment of human postmortem decomposition carried out on buried body donors in Europe, at the Amsterdam Research Initiative for Sub-surface Taphonomy and Anthropology (ARISTA) in the Netherlands. We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate postmortem changes of morphology, skeletal muscle protein decomposition, presence of insects and other necrophilous animals as well as microbial communities (i.e., microbiomes) from August to November 2018 associated with two complete body exhumations and eight partial exhumations. Our results clearly display the current possibilities and limitations of methods for PMI estimation in buried remains and provide a baseline for future research and application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Pittner
- Dept. of Forensic Medicine, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Valentina Bugelli
- Dept. of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - M. Eric Benbow
- Dept. of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Dept. of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
- Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | | | - Angela Zissler
- Dept. of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Carlo P. Campobasso
- Dept. of Experimental Medicine, University L. Vanvitelli of Campania, Naples, Italy
| | - Roelof-Jan Oostra
- Dept. of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC – location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maurice C. G. Aalders
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam UMC – location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard Zehner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lena Lutz
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Christian Staufer
- Dept. of Forensic Medicine, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Katharina Helm
- Dept. of Forensic Medicine, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Vilma Pinchi
- Dept. of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Joseph P. Receveur
- Dept. of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States of America
| | | | | | - Jens Amendt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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Oostra RJ, Gelderman T, Groen WJM, Uiterdijk HG, Cammeraat ELH, Krap T, Wilk LS, Lüschen M, Morriën WE, Wobben F, Duijst WLJM, Aalders MCG. Amsterdam Research Initiative for Sub-surface Taphonomy and Anthropology (ARISTA) - A taphonomic research facility in the Netherlands for the study of human remains. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 317:110483. [PMID: 32947241 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A taphonomic research facility for the study of human remains was recently realized in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to systematically investigate the decomposition of the human body under known conditions. Governmental authorization was obtained to make use of the body donation program of the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location Academic Medical Center, for this specific purpose. In contrast to the small number of comparable initiatives elsewhere, this facility specifically allows for the study of buried bodies e.g. with the use of telemetry and remote sensing. Here, we discuss the concept of body donation in the Netherlands, its role in taphonomic research, and the sequence of events that preceded the realization of this facility, which is the first of its kind in Europe. In addition to offering novel research options to the scientific community, we hope that it will also pave the way for the successful realization of similar initiatives in other locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roelof-Jan Oostra
- Dept. of Medical Biology, section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers - location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, P.O.Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Tamara Gelderman
- Ars Cogniscendi Foundation for Legal and Forensic Medicine, Zuiderzeestraatweg 404, 8091 PB, Wezep, the Netherlands; Dept. of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - W J Mike Groen
- Laboratory for Human Osteoarchaeology, Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden University, PO Box 9514, 2300 RA, Leiden, the Netherlands; Forensic Anthropology and Archaeology Unit, Division of Special Services and Expertise, Netherlands Forensic Institute, PO Box 24044, 2490 AA, The Hague, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - H Gepke Uiterdijk
- AMC Research Office, Amsterdam University Medical Centers - location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, PO Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Erik L H Cammeraat
- Dept. of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Tristan Krap
- Dept. of Medical Biology, section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers - location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, P.O.Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Ars Cogniscendi Foundation for Legal and Forensic Medicine, Zuiderzeestraatweg 404, 8091 PB, Wezep, the Netherlands; Department of Life Sciences and Technology-Biotechnology-Forensic Science, Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences, PO Box 1528, 8901 BV, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands; Dept. of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Leah S Wilk
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers - location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, P.O.Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Mark Lüschen
- Team Special Search Techniques, Division Special Operations, Central Forensic Service Center, Netherlands National Police, Hoofdstraat 54, 3972 LB Driebergen-Rijsenburg, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - W Elly Morriën
- Dept. of Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 94240, 1090 GE, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Frans Wobben
- Asset Data & Monitoring, Sweco Nederland B.V., K.P. van der Mandelelaan 41-43, 3062 MB, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Wilma L J M Duijst
- Ars Cogniscendi Foundation for Legal and Forensic Medicine, Zuiderzeestraatweg 404, 8091 PB, Wezep, the Netherlands; Dept. of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Maurice C G Aalders
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers - location Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, P.O.Box 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; CLHC-Amsterdam Center for Forensic Science and Medicine, Science Park - Building 904 (Room C2.243), 1098 XH, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Revolution in death sciences: body farms and taphonomics blooming. A review investigating the advantages, ethical and legal aspects in a Swiss context. Int J Legal Med 2020; 134:1875-1895. [DOI: 10.1007/s00414-020-02272-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Earwaker H, Nakhaeizadeh S, Smit NM, Morgan RM. A cultural change to enable improved decision-making in forensic science: A six phased approach. Sci Justice 2020; 60:9-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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