The Sydney declaration - Revisiting the essence of forensic science through its fundamental principles

The persistence of fibres following a choreographed assault: A quantitative assessment of the influence of physical activity

The persistence of textile fibres is influenced by activities undertaken by the wearer; however, few studies have exclusively explored this relationship. This study extends the authors' work described in a previous publication on fibre transfer and aimed to address this gap by investigating the short- to medium-term persistence of textile fibres on a cotton T-shirt and polyester/cotton hoody worn by a 'victim' and 'assailant' transferred following a typical assault scenario. The number, length and spatial distribution of fibres recovered at intervals up to four hours was examined. Furthermore, the influence of performing physical activity of varying intensity on persistence behaviour was investigated. Results showed that retentive capacity of the recipient textile bears a strong impact on fibre recovery, highlighting two distinct trends. Persistence of cotton and man-made fibres from donor hoodies recovered from T-shirts generally decreased as intensity of activity increased. In contrast, retention of T-shirt cotton on recipient hoodies appeared greatest after high intensity activity (77.5%). The confounding increased recovery in the initial hour (161.8%) indicated the important contribution of fragmentation and attributes of the donor fibre, in addition to physical activity, on persistence. The proportion of shorter fibres generally increased with time and intensity of activity. Crucially, physical activity was more strongly associated with fibre length than quantity of fibres recovered, which has potential implications on evidential value in practice. The overall project aim was to strengthen the current understanding of fundamental mechanisms implicated in fibre transfer and persistence. This ultimately can be used to inform and support examiners to evaluate fibre findings at the activity level, thereby enhancing the contribution to the judicial system.

A case of contamination by indirect DNA transfer in a sexual assault case: A taste of déjà vu?

In this article, we explore, through a casework example, when it is both appropriate and beneficial to provide possible explanations for contradictory information in a forensic context. We demonstrate that the challenges faced in forensic genetics are similar to those described decades ago in disciplines dealing with trace materials, such as fibres. This case, involving a DNA contamination within police premises by a blanket used by the two persons involved, serves as a reminder that all key players involved at the scene or working with complainants and defendants must remain vigilant in minimizing undesirable transfers of DNA or other traces. We show that rather than working in silos, DNA scientists should capitalise on the knowledge that has been acquired in other forensic disciplines. Based on Best Practice Manuals from several disciplines, we suggest general recommendations to prevent contaminations that can be potentially incriminating. Additionally, this case highlights the importance for members of the judiciary to recognize that all forensic results (e.g., fibres, DNA, mobile phone records), regardless of their strength, must be assessed within the broader context of the case, considering all available evidence rather than relying on a single forensic element.

The crucial role played by material trace analysis in resolving a murder vs. suicide dilemma

In the case of a young woman's death by falling from the window of her boyfriend's sixth-floor apartment, investigators needed to determine whether the fall was suicidal or if the victim was forcibly pushed. The incident occurred at night, with her boyfriend being the only witness to how the fall happened. Establishing the origin of the material traces found on the woman's stockings and shoes, along with other clues, played a crucial role in resolving this dilemma. The traces found on the stockings and samples collected from the building's external wall were analyzed using digital stereomicroscopy, High-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and optical microscopy. Chlorophyll presence on both the victim's stockings and the surface of the building façade was confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. The inorganic traces found on the shoes and the external wall were examined using stereomicroscopy and HRSEM coupled with EDX and were found to be similar in texture and elemental composition. The correspondence between the biological structures and mineral fragments, along with the dynamic friction marks found on the woman's body and shoes, confirmed physical contact between the victim and the external wall. These findings led to the conclusion that the victim struggled for her life and the fall resulted from a criminal act.

African Forensic Sciences Academy (AFSA): An emerging movement in Africa

Forensic science bodies their respective regions and form the foundation for best practice. Until recently, no officially registered body existed that represented all forensic science practitioners across Africa. The African Forensic Sciences Academy (AFSA) was founded in December 2022 for this reason to serve African forensic science practitioners. This article details the progress of AFSA to date, highlights its core values and mission, and outlines the way forward for this newly established Academy.

Forensic science: Where to from Here?

'Where to from Here' (WTFH) was the theme chosen for the 2023 meeting of the International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS). This theme reflects the fact that forensic science is evolving rapidly, not only within individual sub-disciplines but, critically, across the whole forensic science landscape. Identifying and predicting evolutionary change will enable a more focused and constructive future for forensic science. The IAFS meeting originally scheduled for 2020 was cancelled due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, on 18 May 2021, an IAFS Virtual Event launched the Sydney Declaration as an integral part of the WTFH initiative. The Sydney Declaration articulates a definition and seven principles for forensic science and provides a much-needed platform for forensic science into the future. It is aspirational, not focused on organisations, techniques or protocols, and provides a shared understanding of forensic science and its principles. The 2023 IAFS meeting built on the Sydney Declaration, with five themes developed as the basis for eliciting information from delegates related to the WTFH concept. The themes were: (i) integration and harmonisation; (ii) digital transformation; (iii) research; (iv) education and training; and (v) technology. Information across these themes was gathered via short, sharply focused panel discussions in the final session of each of the 22 disciplines represented at the meeting. In addition, there was a panel-based seminar on the Sydney Declaration and a panel-based plenary session on the conference theme. Meeting delegates were also able to provide their thoughts during the meeting, and for a two-week post-conference window, via a dedicated meeting app. Information from all of these sources has been collated to provide a consolidated WTFH landscape for forensic science.

CRISPR-Cas technology in forensic investigations: Principles, applications, and ethical considerations

CRISPR-Cas (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats and CRISPR-associated proteins) systems are adaptive immune systems originally present in bacteria, where they are essential to protect against external genetic elements, including viruses and plasmids. Taking advantage of this system, CRISPR-Cas-based technologies have emerged as incredible tools for precise genome editing, thus significantly advancing several research fields. Forensic sciences represent a multidisciplinary field that explores scientific methods to investigate and resolve legal issues, particularly criminal investigations and subject identification. Consequently, it plays a critical role in the justice system, providing scientific evidence to support judicial investigations. Although less explored, CRISPR-Cas-based methodologies demonstrate strong potential in the field of forensic sciences due to their high accuracy and sensitivity, including DNA profiling and identification, interpretation of crime scene investigations, detection of food contamination or fraud, and other aspects related to environmental forensics. However, using CRISPR-Cas-based methodologies in human samples raises several ethical issues and concerns regarding the potential misuse of individual genetic information. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of potential applications of CRISPR-Cas-based methodologies in several areas of forensic sciences and discuss the legal implications that challenge their routine implementation in this research field.

Improving the forensic genetic workflow for countries with small geographical areas: What are the options and how cost effective are they?

Forensic services worldwide often encounter considerable challenges relating to funding and infrastructure. Smaller jurisdictions or areas where forensic resources are scarce are faced with complicated choices in how they approach criminal casework, with a number of options available. Often these involve trade-offs between cost, time and data quality. Faced with such decisions it becomes important for the field to acknowledge the realities facing such jurisdictions, discuss the pros and cons of each approach, and identify a framework for making such decisions. This novel paper, reviews the available literature and identifies three main solutions for consideration: 1) the use of satellite laboratories for sample triage, 2) the use of a main regional laboratory for full forensic analysis and 3) the use of rapid DNA by police for reducing backlogs. Alongside these strategies, the impacts of cost and quality in regard to each of the stated options are considered. While the literature supports the assertion that some methods can reduce downstream costs via the reduction in turnaround times, there is limited data highlighting the business case used to support decision making when considering these options including the use of cost:benefit analyses or case studies, emphasizing the novelty of this paper. This is likely due to the commercialized nature of the forensic sector preventing the publication of a private laboratory's business approach. The lack of emphasis on the 'business case' in forensic literature has the potential to mislead R&D scientists who may consequently fail to consider such factors when performing their own research.

Lipidomics in forensic science: a comprehensive review of applications in drugs, alcohol, latent fingermarks, fire debris, and seafood authentication

Forensic science, an interdisciplinary field encompassing the collection, examination, and presentation of evidence in legal proceedings, has recently embraced lipidomics as a valuable tool. Lipidomics, a subfield of metabolomics, specializes in the analysis of lipid structures and functions, offering insights into biological processes that can aid forensic investigations. While not a substitute for DNA analysis in personal identification, lipidomics complements this technique by focusing on small biological molecules, with distinct sample requirements. This review comprehensively explores the current applications of lipidomics in forensic science. The review commences with an introduction to the concept and historical background of lipidomics, subsequently delving into its utilization in diverse areas such as drug analysis, ethyl alcohol and substitute assessment, latent fingermark detection, fire debris analysis, and seafood authentication. By showcasing the various biological materials and methods employed, this review underscores the potential of lipidomics as a powerful adjunct in forensic investigations.

Advancement and the existing landscape of forensic medicine in Africa: A comparison with developed countries

This article explores the development and challenges of forensic medicine in Africa, comparing it to developed countries. It addresses limited resources, funding, and a shortage of trained professionals. The growth of forensic investigation capabilities and the challenges of funding and technology access are discussed. Training and education have improved, but disparities remain. Partnerships with developed countries and international organizations are crucial to bridge the gap. A comprehensive legal framework is important, but disparities exist among African countries. Harmonizing forensic laws would enhance cooperation. The role of forensic medicine in the criminal justice system is examined, emphasizing the need to build trust in forensic evidence. International collaboration and capacity building are key to advancing forensic medicine in Africa. Investments in infrastructure, funding, training, and legal frameworks are required. By leveraging partnerships, Africa can develop its forensic medicine capabilities for a fair and effective criminal justice system.

The photographic sign and the trichotomy of the trace

This article offers a novel perspective on the specific understanding of the photographic sign, situating the trace at the core of its functioning. The photographic sign is subjected to Peirce semiotics analysis, which reveals its underlying structure. This decomposition allows the establishment of a semiotic model that clarifies the essence and characteristics of photography and draws certain broader lessons about the notion of trace. On this basis, three categories of object are distinguished the trace, the indicant and the print. These three objects constitute what we call the Trichotomy of the trace which takes on its full meaning in the forensic field. Building upon this triadic model and our analysis of photography, we propose a refined definition of the trace.

According to forensic science recommendations, are carbon dots capable of reliably developing latent fingerprints?

Carbon dots (CDs) are zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials that have been subject of considerable interest due to their remarkable electronic and optical characteristics. Their adjustable properties have gathered attention in different fields, including biological sensing, drug delivery, photodynamic therapy, photocatalysis, solar cells, and latent fingerprint development. In forensic science, the frequently reported outstanding photoluminescence behavior and biocompatibility of CDs are particularly important. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to assess the reliability of the results presented in studies proposing CD-based solutions for latent fingerprint development. By standardizing procedures, forensic science guidelines are valuable references that provide a framework for comparing new development materials with established ones. These publications were used to generate key points that allowed for a more objective evaluation of the reviewed studies. Our analysis revealed that most of the studies were conducted under rather limited conditions, with significant potential for bias in the presentation and evaluation of the new results achieved by the new CD-based developmental materials.

Is it time for a unified forensic science taxonomy?

Prompted by disparate data highlighted in responses to a Sydney Declaration survey, this paper examines how forensic science 'disciplines' are defined and described by various professional organizations. A considerable degree of disagreement in taxonomic organization of forensic science 'disciplines' was uncovered. This paper suggests that the global forensic science community come together to develop and implement a standard taxonomic system for defining, describing and classifying the disciplines/subdisciplines within forensic science. Such uniform taxonomic structure could serve to align education and awareness while at the same time contributing to the goal of professionalization. This taxonomy should be built on a foundation based on underlying forensic science philosophies and principles, such as those delineated in the Sydney Declaration.

Forensic intelligence in Australia and New Zealand: Status and future directions

Forensic science is underutilised. Operating models restricted to the support of court outcomes do not address core requirements of contemporary policing and public security, which are to disrupt criminal activity and prevent crime. Forensic intelligence (FORINT) is a principal means of enhancing the role of forensic science, emphasising proactivity and cross-case, cross-crime domain insights. To catalyse implementation, a FORINT Specialist Advisory Group (SAG) has been established under the Australia & New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency (ANZPAA) National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS). The SAG has established a concept of operations with four lines of effort - namely, to (i) promote awareness and consistency, (ii) shape the workforce, (iii) develop information management frameworks and (iv) guide operational implementation. This aims to shift Australia & New Zealand from its present state (of substantial interagency variability) to a state of widespread, consistent and effective FORINT delivery in terms of: (a) culture, (b) information management, (c) education & training, and (d) organisation & operating environment. There are risks to implementing FORINT, in terms of privacy/confidentiality, bias/misinterpretation, and resource impost. However, these are not necessarily FORINT-specific, and solutions or mitigations exist. Moreover, these issues are outweighed by the risks of not implementing FORINT - such as a failure to reveal threats, missed opportunities, and poor resource efficiency. This paper is a call to arms. For policing and laboratories - now is the time to implement and entrench FORINT. For academia - now is the time to build foundations for this future. For supporting industries - now is the time to develop partnerships and facilitate delivery.

Determination of time since deposition of bloodstains through NIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy - A critical comparison

Time elapsed since bloodstain deposition is a crucial aspect in forensic investigations, where non-destructive spectroscopic methods play a pivotal role. While extensive research has been conducted by UV-Vis spectroscopy, showcasing its utility in specific cases, there is still a paucity of studies based on NIR spectroscopy, which has the potential to overcome the limitations of the UV-Vis-based methods. To compensate for this disequilibrium, the present study aimed to evaluate the NIR applicability for estimating the age of forensic bloodstains and develop a performance comparison with UV-Vis spectroscopy methods. Capillary blood was sampled and subjected to a 16-day aging, during which it was repeatedly analyzed using both spectroscopic methods. Subsequently, chemometric analysis was applied to process the spectral data and independently assess the methods' performance. Classical preprocessing transforms (i.e., Savitzky-Golay derivatives and SNV transform) were used together with more targeted strategies, such as class centering, whose benefit was highlighted by PCA. Lastly, PLS regression models were computed to evaluate the effectiveness of both spectroscopic methods in estimating the time elapsed since blood trace deposition. Comparable root mean square errors in prediction (RMSEP) - 40 and 55 h for UV-Vis and NIR spectroscopy, respectively - were observed for both techniques, featuring an improvement with respect to the existing literature for NIR spectroscopy. Data fusion strategies for a multi-instrumental platform were also explored, evaluating advantages and disadvantages of low-level and mid-level approaches. The results indicated that NIR spectroscopy integrated with adequate chemometric strategies deserves increased appreciation in forensic bloodstain dating.

4th DNA Forensic Symposium: Challenges and future directions in Africa

The 4th Forensic DNA Symposium in Africa underscored the critical role of regional collaboration in advancing forensic sciences, with a particular focus on forensic DNA examinations, databases, and humanitarian initiatives. The symposium aimed to assess the current forensic DNA capabilities across African countries and develop strategies to expand and better utilize DNA platforms. Key findings from the symposium highlight the necessity for enhanced cooperation among African nations to build robust forensic DNA databases and improve data-sharing mechanisms. The symposium also identified significant gaps in current capabilities and the need to develop legal frameworks, infrastructure, and expertise to support forensic initiatives. Moving forward, these findings suggest a strategic focus on capacity building, establishing standardized procedures, and implementing sustainable forensic practices across the continent. Champions were nominated by attending delegates to lead their respective countries in the implementation of these strategies, marking a critical step towards strengthening forensic science in Africa and addressing the pressing challenges related to crime and humanitarian efforts.

Organic and inorganic gunshot residues on the hands, forearms, face, and nostrils of shooters 30 min after a discharge

During the investigation of firearm-related incidents, gunshot residues (GSR) can be collected on the scene and individuals (e.g., shooters or bystanders). Their analysis can give valuable information for the reconstruction of the events. Since GSR collection on persons of interest generally occurs a few minutes to hours after discharge, knowledge is needed to understand how organic (O), and inorganic (I) residues are transferred and persist. In this research, the quantities of OGSR and IGSR were assessed on the right and left hands, forearms, face, and nostrils of four shooters. Specimens were collected immediately before the discharge (shooter's blank specimens) and shortly after (30 min) using carbon adhesive stubs. Organic compounds were first extracted from the collection device and analysed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Subsequently, IGSR particles were detected on the same stub using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS). Shooter's blank specimen analysis revealed background contamination of both O and IGSR in the shooter's environment, predominantly attributed to the presence of an indoor shooting range. However, the background quantities generally remained below the associated 30-minute specimen. Thirty minutes after a discharge, higher quantities were generally detected on the shooter's right and left hands than on other collection regions for both GSR types. Forearms and face emerged as interesting collection alternatives, especially in cases where a person of interest may have washed their hands in the interval between the discharge and collection. In contrast, very low amounts of GSR were detected in the nostrils. Furthermore, the results indicated that OGSR and IGSR have different transfer and persistence mechanisms.

The invisible evidence: Digital forensics as key to solving crimes in the digital age

Digital transformation rapidly changes how we live our lives in the post pandemic world. Unfortunately, digital technology is not limited to law abiding organisations and citizens. Criminal organisations and individuals are quick to identify new opportunities with new technologies, and digital transformation is dramatically changing the character of crimes, terror, and other threats. The fast emergence of new crimes is facilitated by possibilities brought by disruptive technologies such as AI, Internet of Things, drones, and cryptocurrencies that can be disastrous tools in the hands of criminals. Consequently, our society needs far better capacity to prevent and investigate criminal acts to protect organisations and citizens. This brings an urgent need to proactively reform digital forensics to significantly increase our capability to meet the strain on society brought by crimes evolving in the digital transformation era. The future of forensic science is already here, characterized by a mix of opportunities and challenges. It is essential to make it harder to effectively use digital technologies for criminal activities, while leveraging the possibilities of digital technologies by those affected, law enforcement agencies, business and organisations. As digital technologies continue to evolve, we need to stay up to date with the latest developments to effectively investigate and prosecute crimes in the digital age. There is an increased reliance on digital evidence, and the amount of heterogeneous digital evidence in criminal cases keep increasing. The forensic science techniques thus become more sophisticated and play an increasingly important role. However, the scientific area is extremely broad, and beyond the capability of most forensic science labs to keep up with the technology forefront development speed. Besides an urgent need to bring up the subject to the political arena, examples of how we can meet the challenges are discussed such as by extending our cooperation, encourage and facilitate cooperation for training and education to handle the extremely broad and rapid development, working out methods for explaining and visualising evidence for the treatment and legal values of digital evidence in prosecution, and cooperation between product developers and crime investigators for swift innovation of digital forensics tools and methodologies for quickly emerging threats. This paper will highlight specific examples where modern digital techniques are used to solve crimes in the physical world as well as crimes committed in the digital domain and discuss how "good AI" can be used to fight "evil AI" and finally touch on the sensitive balance between the increased power of the new digital forensic tools and private integrity.

From frequented environments to the crime scene: Evaluating findings of fibre comparisons in complex transfer scenarios

The evaluation of the results from a fibre comparison given activity level propositions is well established when considering only a single group of potential primary transfers. However, secondary transfers are less prevalent in the literature despite their potential value, especially in cases where the primary transfers are not sufficiently informative. In particular, one can consider the fibres from frequented environments of the person of interest (POI) identified in a struggle. If the POI did struggle with the complainant, these fibres can potentially be recovered in small quantities on the surface of the complainant as a result of secondary or higher order transfers. Therefore, these fibres may provide useful information that can resolve competing propositions involving struggles, as well as forensic intelligence in the form of linkages or investigative leads. If a non-differentiation is indeed found between recovered fibres and fibres from the frequented environments of the POI, these results need to be properly interpreted. In this paper, a model, based on an object oriented Bayesian network (OOBN), for evaluating such findings along with its implementation is proposed. Using available data from the literature and other sources, the model was then used to assess a few hypothetical scenarios involving secondary transfers. The results provided useful insights into secondary transfer that help to validate the model and demonstrate the potential utility that can be gained by considering transfers beyond the primary order. Moreover, these results can be used to help guide future research by identifying gaps in the literature. Finally, the direct application to a case study was conducted to demonstrate the practical aspects of such a model.

Fuzzy-defined entities: A key concept to strengthen forensic science foundations?

According to the Sydney Declaration, "Forensic science is [… an] endeavour to study traces […] through their detection, recognition, recovery, examination and interpretation to understand anomalous events of public interest (e.g., crimes, security incidents)." This science is focused on establishing the nature and relationships among entities related to events having a potential legal impact. Entities can be (groups of) persons, objects, activities and their corresponding sources, events and traces. Although uniqueness of an entity has been traditionally accepted as a principle of forensic science, this paper argues and illustrates that such uniqueness is illusory: Not only can an entity evolve spatially and temporally, but at any specific instant, it differs from itself according to the level of precision at which it is considered. Its characteristics vary based on when, how and by whom it is perceived. We introduce the concept of fuzzy entities - defined to formally include some essential uncertainty or imprecision. The essential impreciseness and subjectivity of an entity gives a new perspective that allows us to revisit Kirk's principle of individuality and to propose to replace it with a new principle of fuzzy unicity. We believe that this new perspective has the potential to strengthen forensic science foundations and bring closer its disciplines, which is an important step towards a harmonized forensic science.

Contextual analysis strategy leads to rise in conviction rate for sexual assault cases

Sexual assault cases typically involve intense physical contact between victim and perpetrator, resulting in a high chance of trace transfer. In addition the victim's, and sometimes the suspect's, declaration is available, and can help direct the forensic investigation. However, many cases are still closed because of insufficient proof or an unknown perpetrator.Previously in Belgium, the forensic analysis strategy was often limited to the detection of human sperm fluid and if not found, the forensic part of the case was closed.Therefore, the Forensic Advice service from the Belgian National Institute for Criminalistics and Criminology (NICC) together with the public prosecutor's office of the Judicial district Antwerp, department Antwerp started "Project code 37". In Belgium every type of crime receives a code and sexual assault cases are categorized under code 37. Because a forensic advisor focuses on the potential of forensic examination on physical objects, the project focused on cases with samples taken on the victim or clothing available.The goal of the project was to perform a contextual analysis in order to go beyond the standard sperm fluid-orientated approach and evaluate if this had a positive impact on the conviction rate. The project also aimed to evaluate the impact of the consistent use of toxicological analyses on conviction rates. Through this systematic contextual analysis, it became clear that four clear categories could be defined: (1) cases with an unknown perpetrator, (2) cases where the suspect denies all contact, (3) cases where the suspect denies (part of) the sexual contact, and (4) cases where only the consent of the victim is disputed. These categories all assumed one female victim and one male perpetrator. Together with the NICC's DNA, trace evidence and toxicology lab, an analysis strategy was drafted for the four categories. All cases that do not fit this description were gathered in a fifth category (custom-made cases), as the victim's/perpetrator's sex has a significant effect on the forensic analysis strategy. At the end of the project, a comparison was made with the same set of cases from another judicial year where the standard analysis strategy was used. For all the categories for which data was available, there was a rise of the conviction rate and a decrease in the number of dismissed cases.

Kafka's beautiful eyes: Forensic intelligence utilisation of phenotypic information

Franz Kafka had beautiful eyes. So striking, that many of the famous author's friends and peers commented on them - but quite variously ('dark', 'brown', 'grey' & 'blue'). Eye colour as perceived by an observer is subjective, being influenced by physiological, environmental, and even sociocultural factors. In a policing context, this does not mean that trait information such as eye colour is not valuable (far from it), but that it must be managed carefully. The Australian Federal Police has recently implemented a forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP, aka. physical trait prediction or PTP) capability, utilising massively parallel sequencing DNA technology to predict an individual's eye colour, biogeographical ancestry and sex from a crime scene sample. This information alone is not itself 'intelligence', but can be used to generate intelligence through holistic analyses undertaken within a transdisciplinary, all-source forensic intelligence (FORINT) framework. FORINT outputs posit abductive propositions typically at the activity/offence level, to provide insight and influence decision making. However, the use of predicted traits requires that they are compared to something; all Australian police databases include fields for physical traits, but no uniform standard is applied across all agencies. Moreover, collection is inconsistent and no automated systems are in place to capture such data systematically. Consider the 'Kafka problem': his peers gave multiply divergent descriptions of his eyes. If a Biology unit had predicted the eye colour of an 'unidentified author' using DNA - how would Kafka be confidently nominated as the contributor? We posit three maxims for law enforcement: (1) To expand the operational utility of forensic science in line with police demands, forensic science should operationalise FDP (e.g. operationally to rank a list of persons of interest, focus lines of enquiry in serious & organised crime, or assist with human remains identification). (2) Such advanced biological techniques are best delivered through an all-source FORINT framework, to maximise opportunities and minimise risk. (3) One cannot pursue techno-scientific advancements in isolation; it is also necessary to influence the operational posture for their implementation. In this paper we explore these issues and provide recommendations relating to (a) police practices, (b) image capture systems, and (c) research opportunities. Phenotypic trait prediction has great potential and can be operationalised effectively through a rigorous FORINT framework. However, there is (continual) work to be done to enhance the operational capabilities that are complementary to - but necessary for - effective forensic science contribution to investigations.

A common framework to situate digital and physical traces in time

In this article, three main approaches to situate forensic traces in time were revisited under the prism of the Sydney Declaration and adapted to be applicable to a large range of physical and digital traces. The first approach is based on time tags which are time-based characteristics produced as the result of an activity at a specific time. They can either be directly related to time (i.e., time stamps) or indirectly (i.e., time indicators). While relatively straightforward, time tags require scientific knowledge to be correctly interpreted and to account for the risks of desynchronisation, anomalies and manipulation. The second approach is based on time dynamics and aim at measuring changes that occur as a function of time, such as caesium pulsation (i.e., on which international atomic time is based) or body cooling after death (i.e., from which time since death can be inferred). However, time dynamics phenomena are generally also influenced by other case-specific factors (e.g., environmental factors), and thus more difficult to reliably implement in practice. Finally, the third approach relies on relative sequences, using information unrelated to time, such as relative positions or dynamics of traces at the scene. As each approach has its potential and limitations, a combination of traces from different (both material and digital) sources and approaches is recommended to answer time questions in practice (When? How long? In which succession?) and enhance the reliability of the dating endeavours. It is strongly recommended to consider the principles of the Sydney Declaration when implementing or developing dating methods, as they point at potential issues that are often forgotten in forensic research and practice, such as uncertainties linked to the concept of trace, scene investigation, the asymmetry of time, the importance of context and the multiplicity of purposes. Future research should focus on improving the reliability of these dating approaches by combining and systematising their usage in investigative practice, as well as in broader intelligence processes.

Signs of how the Sydney Declaration article is received in the forensic science literature

The Sydney Declaration is an initiative led by an informal group of forensic scientists with diverse backgrounds. It offers a vision of forensic science based on the trace, as a vestige of a past event related to security or a possible law violation. An article published in Forensic Science International (FSI) introduces to this view [1]. Our investigation delves into how the forensic science literature has received this article (the SD article), nearly two years after its publication. One of the main challenges of this exploratory study was to define the appropriate scope of forensic scientific literature, within which the SD article must be located. In general, the publishing domain is quickly evolving, with many competing players, while still being structured around standard academic disciplines. The forensic literature, meanwhile, is scattered and poorly connected. This reflects the fragmentation of practice and research in forensic science, and the difficulty of situating a scientific activity in such a way as to bring out its forensic substance. Nonetheless, the SD article fills a gap. By deciphering the critical concept of trace, it highlights how pivotal forensic science is in addressing societal challenges. Scholarly literature expresses clear quantitative interest in the SD article. It has received significant qualitative citations on multiple levels and dimensions, in a highly relevant manner and in accordance with its aim of providing a forensic foundation for various debates that have been conducted separately, notably over the last fifteen years.

Operational relevance of the Sydney Declaration: The example of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Forensics Command

In 2022, a group of eminent forensic scientists published The Sydney Declaration - Revisiting the essence of forensic science through its fundamental principles in Forensic Science International. The Sydney Declaration was delivered to revisit "the essence of forensic science, its purpose, and fundamental principles". At its heart, revisiting these foundational principles is hoped to "benefit forensic science as a whole to be more relevant, effective and reliable". But can these principles be translated operationally by a forensic services provider to achieve the benefits prescribed? How do we make the leap from a theoretical concept and begin to put it into practice to bring about the real and meaningful change that the declaration hopes to achieve? In this paper we will attempt to discuss how the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Forensics Command has reflected on the Sydney Declaration by relating reforms developed and implemented to our operating model with some selected principles. We hope to show that while the Sydney Declaration could be perceived as academic and disconnected from operations, it has the potential to impact and positively influence reforms and changes for forensic science providers. The AFP Forensics Command experience shows the operational relevance of The Sydney Declaration.

Kirk's 'Ontogeny of Criminalistics' revisited under the lens of the Sydney Declaration

The present commentary reviews the considerations of the famous American criminalist Paul Kirk in his seminal publication of 'The Ontogeny of Criminalistics,' written sixty years ago, regarding the status of forensic science and its fundamental principles. Professor Kirk aimed to examine forensic science as an independent scientific discipline, resulting in the identification of six key topics: 1) The need for fundamental principles; 2) the distinction between 'identification' and 'individualization;' 3) the qualifying elements of a profession; 4) the qualifying aspects of a science; 5) the need for a research-oriented basis; 6) the need for application of statistics and probability. In particular, Kirk deemed the nature of the progress made during his time as technical, practical, and transient at the cost of being fundamental, theoretical, and permanent. Predominantly, it is still the case today, with a post-effect fragmentation of forensic science into a myriad of ultra-specialized subdisciplines and applications. The lack of proper articulation of the most fundamental principles of forensic science was one of Kirk's most pressing concerns. The Sydney Declaration aimed to recapture the current fundamental (ontological and epistemological) status of forensic science, resulting in the redefinition of forensic science and its prime object of study, the trace, and in the consolidation of seven principles. The present commentary attempts to address Kirk's arguments in the Ontogeny in the context of the principles of the Declaration, with particular emphasis on the fundamental principles as well as Kirk's distinction between 'identification' and 'individualization,' which is considered critical to understanding the overall scope of forensic science.

The impact of climate change and sustainability initiatives on forensic practice

The climate change crisis affects all aspects of our lives, and this includes national and global scientific endeavours. The forensic sciences are no different but are yet to engage meaningfully with this agenda or to consider what it means for future practice. This paper explores and discusses a range of impacts on forensic and crime scene practice derived from climate change and proposes the potential implications. The paper concludes by laying out a way forward and a programme of activity to support the forensic sciences to manage the implications of climate change and related sustainability initiatives on the criminal and medico-legal investigative community.

Quality Management in forensic science: A closer inspection

An international survey was conducted on the benefits and limitations of accreditation to ISO17025 in forensic science, and how quality management could be improved to reflect the complexities of the end-to-end process. The survey was in response to growing concern within the forensic science community that the standard ISO17025 (and ISO17020), which is the backbone of forensic science accreditation, does not have sufficient depth and reach to properly address the quality of both the inputs (crime scene traces) and outputs (e.g., opinions in a report) of forensic science. The survey was developed around three themes: (1) fitness for purpose, (2) competences and (3) education & training. It targeted directors and senior managers, including quality managers, of forensic science laboratories/facilities. The survey was developed by the research team and disseminated with the cooperation of the International Forensic Strategic Alliance (IFSA) and six regional Networks: the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), the European Network of Forensic Science institutes (ENFSI), the Australian and New Zealand Forensic Executive Committee (ANZFEC) (formerly SMANZFL), Acadamia Iberoamericana de Criminalistica Estudios Forenses (AICEF), Asian Forensic Sciences Network (AFSN) and Southern Africa Regional Forensic Science Network (SARFS). What emerged for each of the three themes of the survey are areas of concern where the forensic science community should reconsider its approach to quality management if it is to have continuing value and relevance into the future. The results are evaluated and discussed. Briefly, the results include evidence of a lack of fitness for purpose of ISO17025 as a standard for the forensic science continuum, a lack of agreement on what forensic science is and poor levels of recognition of crime scene investigation, many competences, particularly cognitive competences, are not identified, monitored or assessed and the incentive to gain accreditation and maintain continuous improvement is intrinsic rather than customer driven.

Quality management system in forensic science: An African perspective

Critical issues in forensic science quality management have emerged in recent decades. The debate on accrediting quality management systems of forensic laboratories is relevant to the African context. Neuteboom, Ross, Bugeja, Willis, Roux, and Lothridge (2022) have conducted a comprehensive survey exploring critical issues in their article "Quality Management in Forensic Science: A Closer Inspection." Their work is a crucial foundation for our discussion, urging the African forensic community to engage in more in-depth conversations. This letter briefly describes the survey, discussing embracing the Sydney Declaration (SD) for Forensic Sciences and issues of quality management systems comprising standards, accreditation, and potential regulation, and highlights the issue of cognitive competency from an African perspective. This underscores the urgent need for critical dialogue, emphasizing that the time for action is now, and urges practitioners, particularly in Africa, to enhance quality management systems to deliver superior forensic products.

The Sydney Declaration - An unique opportunity for Africa

The Sydney Declaration (SD) has the inherent virtue of shifting the focus from the tools used in forensic science to the fundamental characteristics of appropriate forensic practice analysis of a situation and all related trace data for the purpose of resolving a case. Though several differences might be observed between countries regarding the technologies used, the fundamental principle of forensic logical reasoning are universally applicable to all contexts and environments and not only restricted to sophisticated, well-resourced, established forensic science laboratories based in countries that offer adequate resources, strong networks and legal frameworks. In Africa, several countries lack resources to train practitioners and to develop forensic science institutes, laboratories and other relevant institutions. The SD can serve as departure point to attain appropriate forensic science outcomes. Upholding its sound guidance can help forensic science practitioners remain faithful to their science, acknowledge their limits, give expert opinions based solely on facts and scientific analysis and interpretation, whilst also enhancing communication with their stakeholders. As forensic science develops in Africa, the SD presents a timely opportunity for us to proceed with a common understanding and a solid foundation through which our field can grow.

Towards a forensic semiotics

For years, forensic science has been criticized for its lack of scientific foundations, explaining its methodological drawbacks. Notwithstanding recommendations to upgrade quality management and counter cognitive biases, the ontology of the trace and the very nature of forensic science amplified by its decision context is rarely invoked as sources of inescapable errors. Understanding what (forensic) science is could even reconcile the prescriptive approach and the descriptive cognitive reality, through an unexplored pathway, Peirce's semiotics. The implementation of a semiotic line of arguments could concur to the transparency of scientific opinions for security and justice purposes, with rich potentialities in sight.

Study of the fingerprints of a Spanish sample for the determination of the hand and finger

The individuality and permanence of fingerprints make of them a very useful feature in the identification of individuals. There are now automated computer programmes that allow a quick comparison between a fingermark and a database. However, in order to assess the strength of evidence in fingerprint identification, complementary information on the frequencies of the different morphological features of the dermopapillary ridges is required. This idea is used in this work as a starting point to evaluate the frequencies of the parameters used in the determination of the hand and finger in a large sample of 2600 fingerprints taken from 134 male and 127 female Spanish population. Based on these fingerprints, the frequencies of different categories of the following parameters were obtained: type of pattern, slope of the apex ridge, subtype of two-delta pattern, ridge tracing, major angle, major ridge count, bisector, rotation of the central ridge, assimilation to loops and slant. Moreover, the results have shown that these characters are useful for the determination of the hand in whorls (two-delta pattern) and loops (one-delta pattern), but not for the determination of the finger. The most useful and classificatory parameter when determining the hand of origin of a two-delta fingerprint is the slope of the apex ridge, and for the one-delta pattern, knowing the location of the delta allows the correct estimation of the hand of a fingerprint in more than 93% of the cases. The data presented in this paper are novel and can be used by latent print examiners to improve the statistical basis of their decisions in reaching conclusions.

QHFSS DNA laboratory - ISO/IEC 17025 conformance and accreditation

This paper reviews evidence placed before a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) established by the State of Queensland, Australia, to consider the quality and reliability of DNA evidence. It also assesses whether the criticism levied in that report, of ISO/IEC 17025 being insufficient to assure the quality and reliability of DNA evidence, is warranted. The main conclusion drawn is that properly applied and embraced as a means of continuous improvement, conformance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 alone is sufficient to assure the quality and reliability of the scientific outputs from a forensic science laboratory. Furthermore, it is clear from the observations and findings of the CoI and those recorded in this paper that the forensic science laboratory in question did not conform to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. Had it done so then the risk of the quality failures that led to the CoI would at least have been reduced and perhaps even avoided.

CSI-CSI: Comparing several investigative approaches toward crime scene improvement

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.

The use of mantrailing dogs in police and judicial context, future directions, limits and possibilities - A law review

The extraordinary capabilities of the canine nose are increasingly being used by law enforcement agencies in many countries to solve and reconstruct crimes. As a result, this type of forensic evidence can be and is still being challenged in the courts. So far, only a few publications have addressed the jurisprudence concerning mantrailing. We provide an overview of the jurisprudence in Germany and the USA, as well as insights from France. Relevant databases were searched, and 201 verdicts from Germany and 801 verdicts from the USA were analyzed. As a result, 16 published verdicts on the topic of mantrailing were found for Germany, and 44 verdicts since 2010 were found for the USA. The use of mantrailers and human scent discrimination dogs is employed in the investigative process in all three countries. The results derived from these methods are admissible as evidence in court, albeit not as sole evidence.

Adapting forensic case reporting to account for marginalization and vulnerability

Scholarship of forensic sciences has shown politicalization of human remains and potential biases in criminal investigations. Specifically, concerns have been raised regarding how forensic anthropology analysis and documentation may hinder identification processes or obfuscate other data. As part of this scholarship, some have suggested that forensic anthropologists expand their reporting to include broader public health and safety information as well as reconsider who should be included in reports of anthropological findings. In response to these burgeoning discussions, this piece provides examples of ways anthropologists may formulate reports that capture evidence of marginalization or structural vulnerability. Documentation of findings can occur in myriad formats, including, but not limited to, individual case reports, reports on population analyses from cases, collaborative end-of-year reporting conducted with other medicolegal professionals, and collaborative databasing. This piece provides various templates and suggestions for reporting this kind of data while encouraging further discussion on related merits and concerns.

An exercise in scientific problem-solving: Illustrating the utility of the principles of the Sydney Declaration

In forensic science, scientific problem-solving is characterized by the recognition of traces as part of iterative reasoning processes to assign meaning to those traces in order to interpret and reconstruct events. Through a set of fundamental principles, the Sydney Declaration presents a foundation of forensic science through the lens of a scientist. The distinction between a scientist and a technician may require clarification-where a prototypical technician follows a prescribed set of 'standard operating procedures' and may be limited in the interpretation of the resultant data, the scientist utilizes knowledge, skills, experience and imagination to identify the issue at hand and develop lines of inquiry for testing and interpretation. This case report draws on the Sydney Declaration in order to highlight the importance of learning about events from careful consideration of both obvious and less obvious traces. A case involving the assault of a police officer is examined to illustrate the use of the Principles: the problem originally defined by investigators at the scene and later by prosecutors resulted in incorrect analysis and interpretation of traces, hampering efforts at an accurate reconstruction of events. This exercise serves to demonstrate that in order to engage in scientific problem-solving, it is necessary to apply observation and reasoning in forensic investigations in order to yield an outcome that can be clearly articulated. The overarching goal is to support the drive to improve forensic science practice, education, and research through a case illustrating the value of the principles of the Sydney Declaration.

The impact of substrate dampness on the transfer of glass fragments to upper garments when breaking windows

Glass fragments are often recovered from garments worn by the authors of certain types of crimes and are useful as they present strong connections to the scene at both the source and activity level. It is known that the transfer of glass fragments is impacted when recipient garments are dampened, such as by rain, however, the details of the effect are not clear. This research aimed to determine the impact of substrate dampness on glass retention. Across the three test garments, a cotton t-shirt was found to increase in retentiveness with increasing dampness, while a wool/polyester blend jumper and a cotton hoodie were both found to increase only to a point, before decreasing again when the garment was saturated. This is attributed to the construction of the fabrics, as it does not appear to be related to the identity of the textile itself. It was also found that the size distribution of fragments changed with dampness. All the garments retained a smaller proportion of fragments less than 0.5 mm in size when saturated or dampened than when dry, along with an increase in the proportion of fragments in the 1-1.5 mm and greater than 1.5 mm size categories. These results indicate that is important to consider the impact of substrate dampening when relevant, and that this consideration must be done holistically as different substrates respond to dampening in different ways. It also indicates that consideration of the size distribution in fragment populations may reveal additional information in complex scenarios.

The transfer of fibres between garments in a choreographed assault scenario

Our fundamental understanding of fibre transfer remains based on early seminal transfer studies that were largely mechanical simulations. However, transfer events in the real world are uncontrolled in nature. This study takes a novel approach to address this discrepancy, with skilled jiu-jitsu practitioners performing a choreographed 'standard' assault scenario to investigate the transfer of fibres between a cotton T-shirt and cotton/polyester hoody. Garments were collected immediately after the scenario and examined for the number, length and zonal distribution of transferred fibres. It was observed that cotton transferred the most fibres, on average twice as many from blended hoodies than T-shirts; whilst polyester transferred the least. Shorter fibres transferred and were recovered more readily than longer fibres; however, it was more likely to recover polyester fibres> 5 mm. The number and length of fibres transferred from the attacker's garment mainly depended on the construction of the donor textile (including sheddability) and properties of the fibres. Conversely, properties of the recipient textile were more significant factors when considering transfer from the victim's garment. Location of recovered fibres was found to be dependent on the wearer's role, but generally, upper zones and sleeves of both garments were most populated. Overall, these results will contribute to grow our current knowledge base regarding fibre transfer between donor and recipient textiles in a common assault situation. This will ultimately aid experts support evaluation with regards to competing hypotheses such as in a Bayesian framework.

A footwear marks database in Western Switzerland: A forensic intelligence success

Footwear marks database has been the subject of numerous research projects over the past decades with a strong focus on the automation of the process of retrieving candidates for comparison. However, to date, there is still no tool able to perform a fully automate treatment of unknown crime scene marks. Making the assumption that a fully automated tool would not be available before a long time and not necessarily required, a project has emerged in Western Switzerland with the aim to commonly exploit footwear marks across several states. As this type of evidence is mainly collected in the context of volume crime, the exploitation of the footwear marks is mainly focused on the detection of links between cases in order to create forensic intelligence. Nevertheless, the search for associations between unknown marks and seized shoes is also carried out. This project resulted in a database developed in-house and now in operation. Through this tool, several forensic services are able to share their footwear marks, compare them and detect series. The links detected through this database are also shared with criminal analysis and intelligence systems. This project does not exploit any particular technological advance but have led to an operational database. This paper will highlight some of the factors that have led to the development and implementation of a successful footwear marks database connecting several police services.

Introducing a Rapid DNA Analysis Procedure for Crime Scene Samples Outside of the Laboratory-A Field Experiment

Technological innovations enable rapid DNA analysis implementation possibilities. Concordantly, rapid DNA devices are being used in practice. However, the effects of implementing rapid DNA technologies in the crime scene investigation procedure have only been evaluated to a limited extent. In this study a field experiment was set up comparing 47 real crime scene cases following a rapid DNA analysis procedure outside of the laboratory (decentral), with 50 cases following the regular DNA analysis procedure at the forensic laboratory. The impact on duration of the investigative process, and on the quality of the analyzed trace results (97 blood and 38 saliva traces) was measured. The results of the study show that the duration of the investigation process has been significantly reduced in cases where the decentral rapid DNA procedure was deployed, compared to cases where the regular procedure was used. Most of the delay in the regular process lies in the procedural steps during the police investigation, not in the DNA analysis, which highlights the importance of an effective work process and having sufficient capacity available. This study also shows that rapid DNA techniques are less sensitive than regular DNA analysis equipment. The device used in this study was only to a limited extent suitable for the analysis of saliva traces secured at the crime scene and can mainly be used for the analysis of visible blood traces with an expected high DNA quantity of a single donor.

"Blood, Bucks and Bias": Reliability and biasability of crime scene investigators' selection and prioritization of blood traces

When crime scene investigators (CSIs) encounter crime scenes with large volumes of blood, some selection and prioritization is often needed, and this will impact on what blood is and is not available for forensic analysis. What factors influence CSIs decision making process is largely unknown. This study examines the effects of awareness of limited resources and irrelevant contextual case information indicating either a homicide or a suicide on CSIs collection of blood traces. To this end, two scenario-based experiments with CSIs and novices were conducted. Overall, the results suggest that even when CSIs decisions are made under identical conditions, their trace selection varies both when it comes to numbers and locations. Furthermore, awareness of limited resources made CSIs collect fewer traces and their selections also varied following the contextual case information, showing similarities and differences with novices. Since blood traces can be used to establish both activity and identity the findings can have important implications for the subsequent investigation as well as trial.

Mind the gap: The challenges of sustainable forensic science service provision

Recent worldwide humanitarian and security efforts reflect the growth of forensic science as a global practice supporting peace, prosperity, and justice. While the dominance of the Global North in published research and public attention may suggest that this practice is universally well-developed, many Global South jurisdictions are at a stark disadvantage in resourcing and technological capabilities. Continued development of forensic science as an international endeavour requires a narrowing of inequalities between jurisdictions, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Here we propose a framework of principles for the sustainable provision of transparent, high-quality forensic services meeting jurisdictional needs and limitations. We illustrate how this concept of 'frugal forensics' can be applied in the context of latent fingermark detection in two Global South jurisdictions, and how quality assurance frameworks can be developed to support this service.

Towards more relevance in forensic science research and development

Many different issues have been identified in forensic science for more than 10 years. While quality management has often been suggested as a path forward, research is generally considered as an essential part of the solution. Through an overview of current forensic science research, this paper aims at evaluating if and how research answer the challenges forensic science is currently facing. While forensic related publications have massively increased over the years, approximately half of the publications were published in non-forensic sources, indicating that forensic science research tends to be led by other disciplines. Over the years, forensic science research has remained largely oriented towards methodological and technological development rather than relevance to the forensic science discipline and practice. Practical implementation of the techniques is rarely discussed from a forensic perspective, and thus research rarely move from the "proof-of-concept" stage to its utilisation in case investigation. The digital transformation also generated a massive increase of data, making it challenging to find the relevant pieces of information in the mass of "forensic" publications available on-line. Thus, we propose to refocus forensic science research on forensic fundamental and practical questions to strengthen the discipline and its impact on crime investigation and security issues. Our propositions represent an incentive to further discuss forensic science research and knowledge transmission through the definition of a common culture within the community, focusing on common fundamental knowledge such as a better understanding of the concept of trace and its case-based information content.

DNA as in-formation

Traces are fundamental vectors of information. This is the first of seven forensic principles formulated by the 2022 Sydney declaration. To better understand the trace as information, this article proposes the notion of in-formation. DNA is matter in becoming. DNA changes as it travels across forensic sites and domains. New formations occur as humans, technologies and DNA interact. Understanding DNA as in-formation is of particular relevance vis-à-vis the increase of algorithmic technologies in the forensic sciences and the rendering of DNA into (big) data. The concept can help identifying, acknowledging and communicating those moments of techno-scientific interaction that require discretion and methodical decisions. It can assist in tracing what form DNA will take and what consequences this may have. This article is categorized under:Crime Scene Investigation > From Traces to Intelligence and EvidenceForensic Biology > Ethical and Social ImplicationsForensic Biology > Forensic DNA Technologies.

The added value of behavioural information in crime scene investigations

Forensic and behavioural science are often seen as two different disciplines. However, there is a growing realization that the two disciplines should be more strongly integrated. Incorporating psychological theories on human behaviour in forensic science could help solving investigative problems, especially at the crime scene. At the crime scene it is not just about applying scientific methods to analyse traces; these traces must first be perceived and categorized as relevant. At the crime scene, the behavioural perspective of an investigative psychologist could play an important role. In this study, we examine to what extent (1) investigative psychologists detect deviant behavioural cues compared to forensic examiners when investigating a crime scene, (2) forensic examiners can find the relevant traces that can be associated with this behaviour and (3) the availability of a psychological report highlighting these behavioural cues helps forensic examiners in finding more relevant traces. To this end, a total of 14 investigative psychologists and 40 forensic examiners investigated a virtual 3D mock crime scene. The results of this study show that investigative psychologists see significantly more deviant behavioural cues than forensic examiners, and that forensic examiners who receive a psychological report on these cues recognize and collect significantly more traces that can be linked to deviant behaviour and have a high evidential value than examiners who did not receive this information. However, the study also demonstrates that behavioural information is likely to be ignored when it contradicts existing beliefs.

The transparency and reproducibility of systematic reviews in forensic science

Systematic reviews are indispensable tools for both reliably informing decision-makers about the state of the field and for identifying areas that need further study. Their value, however, depends on their transparency and reproducibility. Readers should be able to determine what was searched for and when, where the authors searched, and whether that search was predetermined or evolved based on what was found. In this article, we measured the transparency and reproducibility of systematic reviews in forensic science, a field where courts, policymakers, and legislators count on systematic reviews to make informed decisions. In a sample of 100 systematic reviews published between 2018 and 2021, we found that completeness of reporting varied markedly. For instance, 50 % of reviews claimed to follow a reporting guideline and such statements were only modestly related to compliance with that reporting guideline. As to specific reporting items, 82 % reported all of the databases searched, 22 % reported the review's full Boolean search logic, and just 7 % reported the review was registered. Among meta-analyses (n = 23), only one stated data was available and none stated the analytic code was available. After considering the results, we end with recommendations for improved regulation of reporting practices, especially among journals. Our results may serve as a useful benchmark as the field evolves.