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Choi H, Choi J, Kwak K, Kim Y, Kim E, Lim SK. Rapid ABO genotyping method using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and real-time PCR. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:751-756. [PMID: 38091067 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03144-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Analyzing all biological evidence at a crime scene presents serious time, budget, and labor constraints. Therefore, selecting valid evidence is crucial for efficient screening. The ABO blood group is a marker that can serve as valid evidence for identifying investigative leads in criminal case. Conventional identification of ABO blood groups using serological methods has only been for blood and is difficult to apply to other body fluids. ABO genotyping was conducted by analyzing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) representative of each blood group. However, this method is time-consuming, expensive, and requires sophisticated instruments. In this study, we developed rapid ABO genotyping method using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Three SNP sites in the ABO gene (nt 261, 526, and 803) were selected to classify the ABO genotypes. For the specificity test, we performed sequencing of 60 saliva samples to confirm that the genotyping. We conducted experiments to apply ABO genotyping using two amplification methods to mock forensic sample using cotton swab and filter paper. As a result, using LAMP, we successfully identified six ABO genotypes within 30 min at a constant temperature (65 ℃). Moreover, by using multiple real-time PCR, it was possible to detect not only the major group but also the subgroup of the ABO genotype (ex. cis-AB). The amplification results using the new methods were in concordance with the sequencing results. Therefore, these ABO genotyping methods are expected to select valid evidence successfully and efficiently at the crime scene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hokwon Choi
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Sungkyunkwan University, 16419, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwoo Choi
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Sungkyunkwan University, 16419, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunghyeon Kwak
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Sungkyunkwan University, 16419, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yebin Kim
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Sungkyunkwan University, 16419, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunbyeol Kim
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Sungkyunkwan University, 16419, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Si-Keun Lim
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Graduate School of Sungkyunkwan University, 16419, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
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Fantinato C, Gill P, Fonneløp AE. Investigative use of human environmental DNA in forensic genetics. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2024; 70:103021. [PMID: 38335776 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Individuals leave behind traces of their DNA wherever they go. DNA can be transferred to surfaces and items upon touch, can be released into the air, and may be deposited in indoor dust. The mere presence of individuals in a location is sufficient to facilitate either direct or indirect DNA transfer into the surrounding environment. In this study, we analyzed samples recovered from commonly touched surfaces such as light switches and door handles in an office environment. We evaluated two different methods to isolate DNA and co-extract DNA and RNA from the samples. DNA profiles were compared to the references of the inhabitants of the different locations and were analyzed taking into consideration the type of sampled surface, sampling location and information about the activities in a room during the sampling day. Results from DNA samples collected from surfaces were also compared to those from air and dust samples collected in parallel from the same areas. We characterized the amount and composition of DNA found on various surfaces and showed that surface DNA sampling can be used to detect occupants of a location. The results also indicate that combining information from environmental samples collected from different DNA sources can improve our understanding of DNA transfer events in an indoor setting. This study further demonstrates the potential of human environmental DNA as an investigative tool in forensic genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Fantinato
- Forensic Genetics Research Group, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Peter Gill
- Forensic Genetics Research Group, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ane Elida Fonneløp
- Forensic Genetics Research Group, Department of Forensic Sciences, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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3
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Capistran BA. Implementation of SPME and Rapid GC-MS as a Screening Approach for Forensic Fire Debris Applications. Forensic Chem 2024; 38:10.1016/j.forc.2024.100562. [PMID: 38496790 PMCID: PMC10938352 DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2024.100562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Analysis of ignitable liquids in fire debris samples can be a time-consuming process, from extraction of volatile compounds to instrumental analysis. Rapid gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a screening technique that can be utilized prior to confirmatory GC-MS analysis to provide an informative screening approach and possibly reduce the need to further analyze negative samples. Though rapid GC-MS is fast (less than two minutes), extraction techniques such as passive headspace extraction remain a bottleneck for decreasing overall workflow times. In this work, solid phase microextraction (SPME) was implemented with rapid GC-MS for ignitable liquid analysis for a faster, more sensitive screening approach compared to extraction with passive headspace. Using optimized inlet conditions, limits of detection as low as 27 ng/mL per compound were achieved. Gasoline and diesel fuel were extracted and analyzed, and major compounds in each liquid were identified in the resulting chromatograms. Extracted ion profiles (EIPs) and deconvolution methods were useful for additional compound identifications. Lastly, the SPME-rapid GC-MS workflow was extended to the analysis of gasoline and diesel fuel in mock burn samples using carpet and wood substrates. From SPME sample extraction to rapid GC-MS instrumental analysis and data processing, the total workflow for a single sample was reduced to under 20 min. These results indicate that SPME is a suitable injection technique for rapid GC-MS to provide a fast and sensitive screening approach for fire debris applications.
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Huang L, Liang X, Xiao G, Du J, Ye L, Su Q, Liu C, Chen L. Response of salivary microbiome to temporal, environmental, and surface characteristics under in vitro exposure. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2024; 70:103020. [PMID: 38286081 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
The microbiome of saliva stains deposited at crime scenes and in everyday settings is valuable for forensic investigations and environmental ecology. However, the dynamics and applications of microbial communities in these saliva stains have not been fully explored. In this study, we analyzed saliva samples that were exposed to indoor conditions for up to 1 year and to different carriers (cotton, sterile absorbent cotton swab, woolen, dacron) in both indoor and outdoor environments for 1 month using high-throughput sequencing. The analysis of microbial composition and Mfuzz clustering showed that the salivary flora, specifically Streptococcus (cluster7), which was associated with microbial contamination, remained stable over short periods of time. However, prolonged exposure led to significant differences due to the invasion of environmental bacteria such as Pseudomonas and Achromobacter. The growth and colonization of environmental flora were promoted by humidity. The neutral model predictions indicated that the assembly of salivary microbial communities in outdoor environments was significantly influenced by stochastic processes, with environmental characteristics having a greater impact on community change compared to surface characteristics. By incorporating data from previous studies on fecal and vaginal secretion microbiology, we developed RF and XGBoost classification models that achieved high accuracy (>98 %) and AUC (>0.8). Additionally, a RF regression model was created to determine the time since deposition (TsD) of the stains. Time inference models yielded a mean absolute error (MAE) of 7.1 days for stains exposed for 1 year and 14.2 h for stains exposed for 14 days. These findings enhance our understanding of the changes in the microbiome of saliva stains over time, in different environments, and on different surfaces. They also have potential applications in assessing potential microbial contamination, identifying body fluids, and inferring the time of deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Litao Huang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Xiaomin Liang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Guichao Xiao
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Jieyu Du
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Linying Ye
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Qin Su
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China; National Anti-Drug Laboratory Guangdong Regional Center, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Ling Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Forensic Multi-Omics for Precision Identification, School of Forensic Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510515, China.
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Shi Q, Wang G, Wang S, Zhang C, Wei Z, Guo Z, Zhang D, Yun K, Fu S. Liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric method for determination of 52 antibiotics in human whole blood and urine and application to forensic cases. Forensic Toxicol 2024:10.1007/s11419-024-00688-y. [PMID: 38642241 DOI: 10.1007/s11419-024-00688-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A rapid and reliable method was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of 52 antibiotics (cephalosporins, penicillins, carbapenems, lincosamides, quinolones, nitroimidazoles, macrolides, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, glycopeptide) in urine and whole blood by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). METHOD Analytes were extracted by dilution or protein precipitation and analyzed on an Agilent 1260 HPLC system coupled to an Agilent 6470 Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer. RESULTS The method attended method validation criteria. The limits of detection were equal or lower than 2.0 ng/mL, whereas the limits of quantification ranged from 0.1 to 10.0 ng/mL, from 0.1 to 5.0 ng/mL, in urine and whole blood, respectively. For all analytes, the bias and intra- and inter-day precision values were less than 14.7%. The ranges of recovery values of all antibiotics were 76.5-124.5% in whole blood and 76.3-121.8% in urine, values of the effects were lower than 25% in two matrices. No evidence of carryover was observed. The study of sample stability showed that almost all analytes were stable at 24 °C for 24 h, all analytes were stable at -20 °C for 14 days and at -80 °C for 30 days. Freeze-thaw cycles stability showed that antibiotics were stable except for imipenem. Autosampler stability study showed that all analytes were stable for 24 h, except for imipenem and amoxicillin. Applicability was proven by analyzing authentic whole blood (n = 86) and urine (n = 79) samples from patients under antibiotics treatment. Therefore, this method was applied to the analysis 3 forensic allergy cases, which were positive for at least one analyte. CONCLUSIONS A simple, sensitive and high-throughput method for the simultaneous determination of different classes of antibiotics in urine and whole blood samples was developed and applied. This sensitive method was successfully applied to forensic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwen Shi
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Gege Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Shuhui Wang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Zhiwen Wei
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Zhongyuan Guo
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China
| | - Keming Yun
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China.
| | - Shanlin Fu
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi, 030600, China.
- Centre for Forensic Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Pertek H, Kamaşak M, Kotan S, Hatipoğlu FP, Hatipoğlu Ö, Köse TE. Comparison of mandibular morphometric parameters in digital panoramic radiography in gender determination using machine learning. Oral Radiol 2024:10.1007/s11282-024-00751-9. [PMID: 38625432 DOI: 10.1007/s11282-024-00751-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the usability of morphometric features obtained from mandibular panoramic radiographs in gender determination using machine learning algorithms. MATERIALS AND METHODS High-resolution radiographs of 200 patients aged 20-77 (41.0 ± 12.7) were included in the study. Twelve different morphometric measurements were extracted from each digital panoramic radiography included in the study. These measurements were used as features in the machine learning phase in which six different machine learning algorithms were used (k-nearest neighbor, decision trees, support vector machines, naive Bayes, linear discrimination analysis, and neural networks). To evaluate the reliability, we have performed tenfold cross-validation and we repeated this 10 times for every classification process. This process enhances the reliability of the results for other datasets. RESULTS When all 12 features are used together, the accuracy rate is found to be 82.6 ± 0.5%. The classification accuracies are also compared using each feature alone. Three features that give the highest accuracy are coronoid height (80.9 ± 0.9%), condyle height (78.2 ± 0.5%), and ramus height (77.2 ± 0.4%), respectively. When compared to the classification algorithms, the highest accuracy was obtained with the naive Bayes algorithm with a rate of 84.0 ± 0.4%. CONCLUSION Machine learning techniques can accurately determine gender by analyzing mandibular morphometric structures from digital panoramic radiographs. The most precise results are achieved by evaluating the structures in combination, using attributes obtained from applying the MRMR algorithm to all features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanife Pertek
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Kamaşak
- Computer and Informatics, Department of Computer Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Soner Kotan
- Department of Computer Education and Instructional Technologies, Atatürk Faculty of Education, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Fatma Pertek Hatipoğlu
- Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey
| | - Ömer Hatipoğlu
- Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey.
| | - Taha Emre Köse
- Department of Oral, Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Rize, Turkey
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Smiley-McDonald HM, Keyes KA, Wire S, Greenwell K, Santos NA, Ropero-Miller JD. The impacts of governing agency: A comparison of resources in the patchwork of medicolegal death investigation systems. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2024; 8:100467. [PMID: 38638873 PMCID: PMC11024903 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
In the United States, medical examiners and coroners (MECs) fill critical roles within our public health and public safety systems. These professionals are primarily charged with determining the cause and manner of death as they investigate deaths and respond to associated scenes and mass fatalities and can also help identify trends in public health crises through medicolegal death investigations. Despite their instrumental role, they are organized in disparate systems with varying governing structures, functions, staffing, caseload, budget, and access to resources. This paper examines data from the 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroners to evaluate MEC operations in the United States. The findings show that MEC offices' organizational and operational governance structures greatly influence resources, workloads, and access to information and services. Standalone MEC offices were generally better resourced than those affiliated with law enforcement, public health, forensic science, district attorneys, or other agencies.1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly A. Keyes
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Sean Wire
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Kathryn Greenwell
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Nelson A. Santos
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Jeri D. Ropero-Miller
- RTI International, 3040 East Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
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Guéganton-Lecat M, Provost R, Delabarde T, Saccardy C, Ducloyer M, Ben Salem D. CT analysis of skull contents in naturally mummified human corpses, a multicentric study. J Neuroradiol 2024:S0150-9861(24)00115-9. [PMID: 38588919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2024.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to assess skull contents, brain appearance, and density on postmortem computed tomography in naturally mummified corpses. MATERIAL AND METHODS For this purpose, a retrospective multicentric study, including mummified corpses from two French centers (Brest and Nantes) and from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (USA), was performed by analyzing postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) focused on the head and neck of partially or fully mummified corpses discovered between 2011 and 2022. The PMCT analysis provided data on the CT appearance of brains, allowing them to be classified into four different categories (desiccation, liquefaction, dura mater only (DMO), and absence), and to measure densities (HU) of the brain remains. In addition, data on postmortem intervals (PMI) from Nantes and Brest centers were collected and analyzed to test the link between brain densities and PMIs. RESULTS 54 cases of naturally mummified corpses were included. The brains were classified as liquefied (56%), desiccated (17 %), DMO (20 %), and absent (7 %) based on their CT appearance. Dehydrated brains were significantly (p < 0.004) denser (median 102 HU, interquartile range (IQR) 41) than either liquefied brains (median 39.5 HU, IQR 9) or brains with DMO (median -25 HU, IQR 57). However, the density of brain remains was not significantly affected by where the bodies were found (p = 0,41). Analysis of PMI and brain densities was performed on 22 cases. The results showed that brain remains were significantly (p = 0.039) denser when they were found after a PMI of more than six months. CONCLUSION Brain desiccation was the aspect with the highest densities on PMCT, and for which we were able to highlight great preservation of anatomical structures observable in living organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Romain Provost
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France
| | - Tania Delabarde
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Paris, UMR8045 CNRS Université de Paris, France
| | - Claire Saccardy
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of Brest, 29609 Brest, France
| | - Mathilde Ducloyer
- Department of Forensic Medicine, University Hospital of Nantes, 44093 Nantes, France; Centre for Anthropobiology and Genomics of Toulouse - UMR 5288 (CNRS/UT3), University of Toulouse, France
| | - Douraied Ben Salem
- Neuroradiology, Forensic Imaging Unit, University Hospital of Brest, 29609 Brest, Latim, Inserm, UMR 1101, Univ Brest (UBO), 29200 Brest, France
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Zampa F, Bandey H, Bécue A, Bouzaid E, Branco M, Buegler J, Kambosos M, Kneppers S, Kriiska-Maiväli K, Mattei A, Zatkalikova L. ENFSI 2022 multidisciplinary collaborative exercise: organisation and outcomes. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2024; 8:100465. [PMID: 38596784 PMCID: PMC11002892 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The use of collaborative exercises (CE) and proficiency tests (PT) as part of the governance programme for any forensic science laboratory has become commonplace and recommended by several international organisations. Traditionally these have been discipline-specific exercises testing a laboratory's ability in a single area of forensic science. However, the "real" world is normally more complex and, in many instances, forensic material must be examined for a number of different evidence types. This article summarises the concepts, planning, design, preparation, implementation, co-ordination and evaluation of the 2022 Multidisciplinary Collaborative Exercise (2022-MdCE) covering a range of forensic disciplines, specifically DNA, fingerprint, documents and handwriting. The exercise consisted of a questioned letter with typescript text and a signature. In addition, the letter contained a visible bloody fingermark in the area of the signature, a visible staining in the lower left-hand corner, a latent fingermark and an indented impression. The analysis of the results showed that, in the investigation of the bloody fingermark, the priority was given to the DNA examination. Some critical issues emerged in relation to the biological (DNA)/ink sampling strategies when applied before fingermark visualisation. Another outcome of the exercise has been to demonstrate the importance of indented impressions, which have been underestimated by a significant number of participants. As setters, more in-depth studies are needed to produce consistent samples. This concerns all the disciplined involved but especially DNA and fingermarks. Based on this exercise, it is believed that this approach to testing of forensic disciplines allows the analysis of good practice within the various scientific areas, as well as scrutinising the process and sequence of events for examining the material within a forensic laboratory in the best conservative way for all kind of evidences.
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Affiliation(s)
- F. Zampa
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche (R.I.S.), Parma, Italy
| | - H. Bandey
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Porton Down, SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - A. Bécue
- École des Sciences Criminelles (School of Criminal Justice), University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - E. Bouzaid
- Service National de Police Scientifique, Laboratoire de Marseille, Division Identification de la Personne, France
| | - M.J. Branco
- LEDEM - Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - J. Buegler
- Bavarian State Criminal Police Office, Forensic Science Institute, Munich, Germany
| | | | - S. Kneppers
- Division of Biological Traces, Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), the Netherlands
| | | | - A. Mattei
- Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche (R.I.S.), Messina, Italy
| | - L. Zatkalikova
- Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Interior, Slovakia
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Zhang J, Yan M, Ji A, Sun Q, Ying W. Mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis of biological stains identifies body fluids specific markers. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 357:112008. [PMID: 38522320 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The identification of biological stains and their tissue resource is an important part of forensic research. Current methods suffer from several limitations including poor sensitivity and specificity, trace samples, and sample destruction. In this study, we profiled the proteomes of menstrual blood, peripheral blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal fluid with mass spectrometry technology. Tissue-enhanced and tissue-specific proteins of each group have been proposed as potential biomarkers. These candidate proteins were further annotated and screened through the combination with the Human Protein Atlas database. Our data not only validates the protein biomarkers reported in previous studies but also identifies novel candidate biomarkers for human body fluids. These candidates lay the foundation for the development of rapid and specific forensic examination methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Zhang
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China; State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China
| | - Anquan Ji
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China
| | - Qifan Sun
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China.
| | - Wantao Ying
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, Beijing Proteome Research Center, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing, China.
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Xiao Y, Tan M, Song J, Huang Y, Lv M, Liao M, Yu Z, Gao Z, Qu S, Liang W. Developmental validation of an mRNA kit: A 5-dye multiplex assay designed for body-fluid identification. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2024; 71:103045. [PMID: 38615496 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Identifying the sources of biosamples found at crime scenes is crucial for forensic investigations. Among the markers used for body fluid identification (BFI), mRNA has emerged as a well-studied marker because of its high specificity and remarkable stability. Despite this potential, commercially available mRNA kits specifically designed for BFI are lacking. Therefore, we developed an mRNA kit that includes 21 specific mRNA markers of body fluids, along with three housekeeping genes for BFI, to identify four forensic-relevant fluids (blood, semen, saliva, and vaginal fluids). In this study, we tested 451 single-body-fluid samples, validated the universality of the mRNA kit, and obtained a gene expression profile. We performed the validation studies in triplicates and determined the sensitivity, specificity, stability, precision, and repeatability of the mRNA kit. The sensitivity of the kit was found to be 0.1 ng. Our validation process involved the examination of 59 RNA mixtures, 60 body fluids mixtures, and 20 casework samples, which further established the reliability of the kit. Furthermore, we constructed five classifiers that can handle single-body fluids and mixtures using this kit. The classifiers output possibility values and identify the specific body fluids of interest. Our results showed the reliability and suitability of the BFI kit, and the Random Forest classifier performed the best, with 94% precision. In conclusion, we developed an mRNA kit for BFI which can be a promising tool for forensic practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Xiao
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Mengyu Tan
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Jinlong Song
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Yihang Huang
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Meili Lv
- Department of Immunology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Miao Liao
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China
| | - Zailiang Yu
- Suzhou Microread Genetics Co.,Ltd, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Zhixiao Gao
- Suzhou Microread Genetics Co.,Ltd, Suzhou, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Shengqiu Qu
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
| | - Weibo Liang
- Department of Forensic Genetics, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, PR China.
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12
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Olckers A, Ben Khelil M. The Sydney Declaration - An unique opportunity for Africa. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 357:111969. [PMID: 38428217 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
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.
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13
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Nakanishi H, Takada A, Yoneyama K, Hara M, Sakai K, Saito K. Estimating bloodstain age in the short term based on DNA fragment length using nanopore sequencer. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 358:112010. [PMID: 38581825 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
We used a nanopore sequencer to quantify DNA fragments > 10,000 bp in size and then evaluated their relationship with short-term bloodstain age. Moreover, DNA degradation was investigated after bloodstains were wetted once with water. Bloodstain samples on cotton gauze were stored at room temperature and low humidity for up to 6 months. Bloodstains stored for 1 day were wetted with nuclease-free water, allowed to dry, and stored at room temperature and low humidity for up to 1 week. The proportion of fragments > 20,000 bp in dry bloodstains tended to decrease over time, particularly for fragments > 50,000 bp in size. This trend was modeled using a power approximation curve, with the highest R2 value (0.6475) noted for fragments > 50,000 bp in size; lower values were recorded for shorter fragments. The proportion of longer fragments was significantly reduced in bloodstains that were dried after being wetted once, and there was significant difference in fragments > 50,000 bp between dry conditions and once-wetted. This result suggests that even temporary exposure to water causes significant DNA fragmentation, but not extensive degradation. Thus, bloodstains that appear fresh but have a low proportion of long DNA fragments may have been wetted previously. Our results indicate that evaluating the proportion of long DNA fragments yields information on both bloodstain age and the environment in which they were stored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Nakanishi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan.
| | - Aya Takada
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan; Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 4-21-18, Otsuka, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan
| | - Katsumi Yoneyama
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan
| | - Masaaki Hara
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan
| | - Kentaro Sakai
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 4-21-18, Otsuka, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Saito
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan; Department of Forensic Medicine, Saitama Medical University, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama, Saitama 350-0495, Japan; Tokyo Medical Examiner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Government, 4-21-18, Otsuka, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo 112-0012, Japan
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14
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Schyma C, Berthold M. New alginate-gelatine method for casting of staining inside firearm barrels. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03213-3. [PMID: 38519639 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03213-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Contact shots to the head often leave behind biological traces inside firearm barrels, a phenomenon of great forensic interest. Until now, the visualization and preservation of these traces presented a significant challenge, lacking a reliable method. This study addresses this gap by searching for a suitable method to extract the traces within a casting. Using alginate or gelatine as suitable materials, the results were hampered by serious adhesion issues and their extraction out of the firearm barrel was impeded. Finally, the combination of 11% gelatine with 1% alginate, introduced into the barrel around a 'central spine', succeeded to consistently produce replicable castings. Experimental contact shots displayed a distinct staining gradient from the muzzle to the rear of the barrel, as revealed through endoscopy and proved in the macroscopic casting. The technique proved effective for various common handgun barrels and successfully preserved blood and gunshot residue (GSR) patterns within the barrel. This method offers the dual benefits of visually mapping staining patterns and securing localized samples for targeted molecular genetic analysis in forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Schyma
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, Bern, CH-3008, Switzerland.
| | - Matthias Berthold
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 26, Bern, CH-3008, Switzerland
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15
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Ghavate VR, Pawar AM, Atram J, Vinay V, Wahjuningrum DA, Luke AM, Rezallah NN. Retrospective evaluation of the morphometric properties of intact maxillary sinus using cone-beam computed tomography for sex estimation in an Indian population. PeerJ 2024; 12:e16991. [PMID: 38525283 PMCID: PMC10960526 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sex estimation is crucial to forensic examinations. In order to estimate sex, intact bones are used if the majority of bones are severely deformed and recovered in fragments. This study aims to analyze sexual dimorphism in intact maxillary sinuses using CBCT scanning to evaluate morphometric properties for sex identification. Methods A total of 318 subjects, consisting of 159 males and 159 females, aged between 20 and 60 years without sinus pathology were included in this diagnostic, retrospective cross-sectional study. Bilateral measurements of the volume, height, width, and length of the maxillary sinuses were obtained and compared to evaluate the differences between sexes. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis using mean and standard deviation was performed, followed by a comparison between sexes with a p-value being less than 0.05 and Student's t-test. Finally, a discriminant analysis was performed separately for the right and left maxillary sinuses. Results Males and females showed statistically significant variations in the length, width, and volume of the maxillary sinuses. Specifically, on the right side, males had longer maxillary sinuses than females (t = 5.6203, p < 0.0001). Meanwhile, on the left side, females had wider maxillary sinuses than males (t = 8.621, plt0.0001). In addition, males had greater volumes of maxillary sinuses on the right (t = 6.373, p < 0.0001) and left (t = 3.091, p < 0.0001) sides than females. The results of the discriminant analysis showed that the left width parameter had the highest accuracy of sex estimation (74.21%), followed by the Right Length (70.07%) and left volume (66.66%) parameters. The left height parameter had the lowest accuracy of sex estimation (49.37%). Conclusion In forensic odontology, the volume of maxillary sinus can serve as a valid radiographic indicator of sex estimation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ajinkya M. Pawar
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Jatin Atram
- Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vineet Vinay
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Sinhgad Dental College and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dian Agustin Wahjuningrum
- Department of Conservative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya City, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Alexander Maniangat Luke
- Department of Clinical Science, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
- Center of Medical and Bio-allied Health Sciences Research, Ajman University, Al-Jurf, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nader Nabil Rezallah
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, City University Ajman, Sheikh Ammar Road, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
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16
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Jie Z, Qin S, Liu F, Xu D, Sun J, Qin G, Hou X, Xu P, Zhang W, Gao C, Lu J. Analysis on dynamic changes of etizolam and its metabolites and exploration of its development prospect using UPLC-Q-exactive-MS. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2024; 240:115936. [PMID: 38183733 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2023.115936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
As one of the most widely abused designer benzodiazepines in the world, etizolam has been found in many cases in many countries. In this study, UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS was used for the first time to establish a dynamic change model of etizolam and its metabolites in rats. Compared with previous studies, the detection sensitivity and reproducibility of the instrument were higher. In the experiment, we optimized the traditional pharmacokinetic model based on Gauss function. According to the significant difference of etizolam in the plasma elimination phase of rats, a new pharmacokinetic model based on Lorentz function was established to describe the dynamic changes of etizolam more rigorously, which made the error effects lower and the accuracy of the pharmacokinetic parameters was improved. At the same time, the pharmacokinetic parameters of etizolam were compared with four other designer benzodiazepines reported in previous studies in rats, and we found the direct reason for the popularity of etizolam in the NPS market and explored the future development of etizolam for the first time. In addition, 21 metabolites were found through rat experiments to effectively detect etizolam abuse for a long time, of which 4 metabolites had the longest detection window and could be used as long-acting metabolites for experiments, which greatly prolongs the detection window and extends the time range in which etizolam was detected in real cases. This study is the first to conduct a systematic and comprehensive study on the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of etizolam and find out the direct reason for the prevalence of etizolam abuse, and we also discuss the development trend of etizolam in the future market of new psychoactive substances, which is beneficial for forensic experts to assess the trend of drug abuse and can provide reference for relevant drug control and drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaowei Jie
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Shiyang Qin
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Fubang Liu
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Duoqi Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, Shanghai 200063, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China
| | - Ge Qin
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Xiaolong Hou
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Drug Monitoring, Control and Anti drug Key Technologies of the Ministry of Public Security, Anti drug Information Technology Center of the Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Wenfang Zhang
- Forensic Science Service of Beijing Public Security Bureau, Key Laboratory of Forensic Toxicology, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100192, China.
| | - Chunfang Gao
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China.
| | - Jianghai Lu
- Drug and Food Anti-doping Laboratory, China Anti-Doping Agency, 1st Anding Road, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China.
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17
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Mondello C, Micali A, Baldino G, Cardia L, Alibrandi A, Asmundo A, Sapienza D, Puzzolo D, Ventura Spagnolo E. "Immunohistochemical analysis of Sigma-1 receptor (σ-1R) expression in human pineal gland in relation to different causes of death". Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 69:102434. [PMID: 38493555 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2024.102434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Sigma-1 receptor (σ-1R) modulates cellular signaling pathways, probably acting as a ligand operated chaperone. When activated, the receptor translocates from the interface mitochondrion associated membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum to the cell membrane. σ-1R was demonstrated in some brain regions, including the pineal gland, and was proposed to be involved in several cerebral processes, including neuroprotective responses against homeostasis alterations. On this basis, the immunohistochemical expression of σ-1R in human pineal glands was evaluated, with particular regard to the different causes of death. Thirty-eight pineal glands obtained from forensic autopsies were divided into five groups according to the cause of death: sudden death, drowning, fire fatality, hanging, and hemorrhagic shock, and examined with hematoxylin-eosin stain and immunohistochemistry for σ-1R. Both pinealocytes and perivascular spaces were evaluated. The pineal glands from sudden death were only mildly positive for σ-1R, while a more evident immunopositivity was observed in hanging, fire fatality, hemorrhagic shock, and drowning. These results were confirmed in a two-by-two comparison between the sudden death group and other groups. Our data demonstrate for the first time with immunohistochemical techniques the presence of σ-1R expression in the human pineal gland and propose a direct correlation between σ-1R expression and duration of the death process, in particular when hypoxic conditions and/or excessive psychological stress are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Mondello
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Micali
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Gazzi, Italy
| | - Gennaro Baldino
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Luigi Cardia
- Department of Human Pathology of Adult and Childhood "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Gazzi, Italy
| | - Angela Alibrandi
- Department of Economics, Unit of Statistical and Mathematical Sciences, University of Messina, Via dei Verdi 75, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Asmundo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Sapienza
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Puzzolo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Elvira Ventura Spagnolo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy.
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18
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Czado N, Houston R, Hughes S. Evaluation of metal ions and DNA recovery from the surface of fired and unfired brass ammunition to improve STR profiling. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03200-8. [PMID: 38433135 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03200-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Interest in recovering DNA from the surface of ammunition evidence for genotyping has increased over the past few years. Numerous studies have examined a variety of methods to maximize DNA recovery from these types of challenging samples, but successful DNA profiling has been inconsistent. Low amounts of DNA and PCR inhibition due to metal ions have been suggested as the leading causes of poor results; however, no study quantitatively examined the presence of metal ions at various stages of the DNA analysis workflow from DNA collection through to amplification. In this study, the effectiveness of six different DNA collection and purification methods commonly used by forensic laboratories to process brass ammunition for DNA evidence was investigated. The amount of copper, zinc, and other metals co-recovered from fired and unfired brass casings during DNA collection (using numerous soaking, swabbing, and direct PCR protocols) was quantified via Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). This same panel of metals was subsequently quantified after DNA lysis and purification steps. Results demonstrated that low amounts of DNA, DNA damage, and degradation are more detrimental to STR typing results than PCR inhibition, as metal ions were successfully removed by all DNA purification methods tested. Furthermore, the use of metal ion chelators increased the amount of DNA recovered and number of reportable STR alleles. This research informs the forensic community on the most effective way to collect and process trace amounts of biological material from brass ammunition and similar evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Czado
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Rachel Houston
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Sheree Hughes
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, 1003 Bowers Blvd, Huntsville, TX, USA.
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19
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Smith J. Forensic training- bridging the gap between education and workplace. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2024; 8:100463. [PMID: 38496345 PMCID: PMC10940938 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Outreach initiatives involves mentoring students, university collaboration, and program creation to diversify roles between academia and forensic practitioners. Mixer exercises foster student-forensic scientist interaction. Emphasis is placed on improving understanding of forensic science, particularly in regions like Southern Africa, where media portrayals often distort perceptions. The outreach initiative aims to correct these misconceptions, promote evidence-based forensic education, and address research shortages through collaboration between forensic laboratories and universities. A permanent committee within the Southern Africa Regional Forensic Science Forum is proposed to facilitate cooperation and coordination. By fostering collaboration and encouraging participation in conferences and research publication, the initiative aims to meet the region's forensic scientist needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- J.H. Smith
- School of Criminal Justice, University of South Africa, South Africa
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20
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Dawson BM, Ueland M, Carter DO, Mclntyre D, Barton PS. Bridging the gap between decomposition theory and forensic research on postmortem interval. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:509-518. [PMID: 37491634 PMCID: PMC10861637 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the decomposition of vertebrate animals has advanced considerably in recent years and revealed complex interactions among biological and environmental factors that affect rates of decay. Yet this complexity remains to be fully incorporated into research or models of the postmortem interval (PMI). We suggest there is both opportunity and a need to use recent advances in decomposition theory to guide forensic research and its applications to understanding the PMI. Here we synthesise knowledge of the biological and environmental factors driving variation in decomposition and the acknowledged limitations among current models of the PMI. To guide improvement in this area, we introduce a conceptual framework that highlights the multiple interdependencies affecting decay rates throughout the decomposition process. Our framework reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach to PMI research, and calls for an adaptive research cycle that aims to reduce uncertainty in PMI estimates via experimentation, modelling, and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake M Dawson
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia.
| | - Maiken Ueland
- Centre for Forensic Science, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - David O Carter
- Forensic Sciences Unit, School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Donna Mclntyre
- Graduate Research School, Federation University, Mount Helen, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
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21
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Dias HC, Manco L. Predicting age from blood by droplet digital PCR using a set of three DNA methylation markers. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 356:111950. [PMID: 38301433 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Evaluation of DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns is a promising tool for age estimation. The duplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method has been recently investigated for DNAm evaluation, revealing to be a potential methodology for DNAm evaluation and molecular age estimation. In this study, we evaluated DNAm levels of CpGs located at the three age-associated genes ELOVL2, FHL2 and PDE4C using ddPCR to develop an age prediction model. Blood-derived DNA samples from 58 healthy individuals (42 women and 16 men; aged 1-93 years old) were submitted to bisulfite conversion followed by ddPCR using dual-labeled probes targeting methylated and unmethylated DNA sequences. Simple linear regression statistics revealed a strong correlation between DNAm levels and chronological age for FHL2 (R = 0.948; P = 1.472 × 10-29) and PDE4C (R = 0.819; P = 3.917 × 10-15), addressing only one CpG for each gene. For the ELOVL2 gene, evaluating five CpG sites in simultaneous, revealed a strong age correlation (R = 0.887; P = 2.099 × 10-20) in a simple linear regression statistics and very strong age correlation (R = 0.926; P = 2.202 × 10-25) when using quadratic regression statistics. The multivariable regression analysis, using methylation information captured on ELOVL2 (squared), FHL2 and PDE4C genes, revealed a very strong age correlation (R = 0.970; P = 5.356 ×10-33), explaining 93.7 % of age variance, displaying a mean absolute deviation (MAD) between chronological and predicted age of 4.657 years (RMSE = 6.044). We postulate that the ddPCR method should be further investigated for DNAm-based age prediction, because it is a relatively simple and an accurate method that can be routinely used in forensic laboratories for testing a few numbers of markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Correia Dias
- Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Licínio Manco
- Research Centre for Anthropology and Health (CIAS), University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Shiga M, Asari M, Takahashi Y, Isozaki S, Hoshina C, Mori K, Namba R, Okuda K, Shimizu K. DNA methylation-based age estimation and quantification of the degradation levels of bisulfite-converted DNA. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2024; 67:102336. [PMID: 37923589 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation modifications are known to influence epigenetic phenomena and have been a focus of forensic science research for some time. Degraded DNA after bisulfite treatment is widely used in DNA methylation analysis. In this study, we analyzed methylation levels at 12 CpG sites of four selected genomic regions by pyrosequencing after bisulfite treatment. DNA was extracted from buccal swab samples collected from 102 Japanese individuals who were 21-77 years old. We also developed a simple method to quantify the degradation levels of bisulfite-converted DNA by real-time PCR, and evaluated the effect of DNA degradation on age estimation. We found that the methylation levels and chronological ages were highly correlated in the four selected regions, and the mean absolute deviation (MAD) between chronological and estimated ages was low at 3.88 years. These results indicated that pyrosequencing analysis at the 12 CpGs was useful for age estimation in the Japanese population. To develop a sensitive quantification method, we analyzed the amplification efficiency of short and long fragments from 10 regions by real-time PCR. The amplification efficiency was highest for CCDC102B, and the degradation levels of bisulfite-converted DNA for the 102 samples were categorized as moderately or heavily degraded. For the younger age groups (20-49 years), the MADs were lower for moderately degraded DNA than they were for heavily degraded DNA. This finding indicates that degradation levels affected the accuracy of age estimation in most of the samples; the exception was the samples from the 50-77 years age group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihiro Shiga
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keiyukai Medical Foundation Yoshida Hospital, Asahikawa 070-0054, Japan
| | - Masaru Asari
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan.
| | - Yuta Takahashi
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Shotaro Isozaki
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara 259-1193, Japan
| | - Chisato Hoshina
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Kanae Mori
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Ryo Namba
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Okuda
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Keiko Shimizu
- Department of Legal Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
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Abstract
Forensic Odontology (FO) identification compares antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) dental datasets and is widely accepted as a primary identifier. Traditionally, a PM dental examination is undertaken in the same manner as a dental examination conducted for a living patient. Recently, the increased forensic application of computed tomography (CT) offers an alternative source of PM data. While charting from PMCT is widely accepted as less accurate, the impact on reconciliation is unknown. This study aims to determine if reconciliation outcome differs when PM dental data is collected from PMCT, compared with conventional PM examination. PMCT data was reviewed for 21 cases previously completed using conventional PM dental examination. Operators blinded to original identification outcomes charted from CT images before comparing to AM data to form an opinion regarding identity. Opinions formed were compared with original identification outcomes. Differences in PM dental charting between the two methods and the evidentiary value of AM and PM datasets were assessed to determine driving factors of differences in identification outcome. Compared to conventional PM dental examination, PMCT examination resulted in similar or less certain identification outcomes. Discrepancies in outcome were driven by the quality of AM and PM datasets rather than inaccuracies in charting from PMCT. Based on the results of this study, both conventional and PMCT methods of PM dental examination can reach similar identification outcomes. However, operators remained more certain in establishing identity when conducting conventional PM dental examinations especially when AM data was lacking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Maley
- Forensic Odontology Unit, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
| | - Denice Higgins
- Forensic Odontology Unit, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
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Rivaldería N, Moreno-Piedra A, Álvarez A, Gutiérrez-Redomero E. Study of the fingerprints of a Spanish sample for the determination of the hand and finger. Sci Justice 2024; 64:216-231. [PMID: 38431379 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemí Rivaldería
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales (IUICP), Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ariadna Moreno-Piedra
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Álvarez
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esperanza Gutiérrez-Redomero
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Vida, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales (IUICP), Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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25
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Pego AMF, Knaven EJ, van de Plas APC, Brouwers JF, Cuypers E, Flinders B, Heeren RMA, van Asten AC, de Rooij BM. Untargeted metabolomics for lifestyle biomarker discovery in human hair. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 356:111938. [PMID: 38301432 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.111938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
There is a risk of crimes remaining unsolved when no matching DNA profiles or fingermarks are found. If this is the case, forensic investigations are faced with a significant shortage of evidence and information regarding the unknown perpetrator and/or victim as well as any missing persons. However, a rather commonly found biological trace encountered at crime scenes is human hair. As hair acts as a biochemical reservoir, it may contain valuable information regarding one's characteristics and habits. This study aimed to build an analytical method capable of determining a marker set of relevant metabolites in hair, eventually building up a profile of its donor. To find potential markers, an untargeted metabolomics approach was developed to select and identify statistically significant features. For that purpose, a total of 68 hair samples were collected at several hairdresser shops in varying neighbourhoods. Compound extraction was achieved via methanolic incubation overnight and analysis performed using a high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) Orbitrap Q Exactive Focus. The acquired data was uploaded and statistically evaluated using two free online software/libraries, where a total of eight compounds have given a match on both tools. Their presumptive identity was confirmed using reference standards and consequently added to a dynamic target donor profiling list. These results show the potential of using untargeted metabolomics for the search for lifestyle biomarkers capable of differentiating individuals. Such tools are of paramount importance in a forensic setting with little or no evidence available and no clear tactical leads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M F Pego
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands; Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, NY, USA.
| | - Edward J Knaven
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Anke P C van de Plas
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Jos F Brouwers
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Eva Cuypers
- Toxicology and Pharmacology, KU Leuven, Belgium; M4I, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute, University Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Bryn Flinders
- M4I, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute, University Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ron M A Heeren
- M4I, The Maastricht MultiModal Molecular Imaging institute, University Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Arian C van Asten
- van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Co van Ledden Hulsebosch Center, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ben M de Rooij
- Research group Analysis Techniques in the Life Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands
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Smith JH. Towards ethical forensic practice: Undertaking research on biomaterials and applications for forensic science. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2024; 8:100459. [PMID: 38445266 PMCID: PMC10912828 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2024.100459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The article by Maseme, Gardner and Mahomed discusses the need for clarifications and amendments to South Africa's legal framework, particularly the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), 4 of 2013, which governs broad consent for biobank research. The authors emphasise the importance of addressing conflicts between POPIA and the ethical standards stipulated by the Department of Health. The article calls for collaboration between the forensic science community and the Academy of Science of South Africa, to develop a uniform code of conduct, as per the requirements of POPIA. The authors stress the imperative of a DNA statistical population profile database for diverse representation in forensic science. The article highlights the significance of voluntary informed consent and compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards, with a view to mitigating potential risks and ethical concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Hendrik Smith
- School of Criminal Justice, University of South Africa, Preller St, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa
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27
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Hamidi O, Afrasiabi M, Namaki M. GADNN: a revolutionary hybrid deep learning neural network for age and sex determination utilizing cone beam computed tomography images of maxillary and frontal sinuses. BMC Med Res Methodol 2024; 24:50. [PMID: 38413856 PMCID: PMC10898185 DOI: 10.1186/s12874-024-02183-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The determination of identity factors such as age and sex has gained significance in both criminal and civil cases. Paranasal sinuses like frontal and maxillary sinuses, are resistant to trauma and can aid profiling. We developed a deep learning (DL) model optimized by an evolutionary algorithm (genetic algorithm/GA) to determine sex and age using paranasal sinus parameters based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS Two hundred and forty CBCT images (including 129 females and 111 males, aged 18-52) were included in this study. CBCT images were captured using the Newtom3G device with specific exposure parameters. These images were then analyzed in ITK-SNAP 3.6.0 beta software to extract four paranasal sinus parameters: height, width, length, and volume for both the frontal and maxillary sinuses. A hybrid model, Genetic Algorithm-Deep Neural Network (GADNN), was proposed for feature selection and classification. Traditional statistical methods and machine learning models, including logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP), and deep learning (DL) were evaluated for their performance. The synthetic minority oversampling technique was used to deal with the unbalanced data. RESULTS GADNN showed superior accuracy in both sex determination (accuracy of 86%) and age determination (accuracy of 68%), outperforming other models. Also, DL and RF were the second and third superior methods in sex determination (accuracy of 78% and 71% respectively) and age determination (accuracy of 92% and 57%). CONCLUSIONS The study introduces a novel approach combining DL and GA to enhance sex determination and age determination accuracy. The potential of DL in forensic dentistry is highlighted, demonstrating its efficiency in improving accuracy for sex determination and age determination. The study contributes to the burgeoning field of DL in dentistry and forensic sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Hamidi
- Department of Science, Hamedan University of Technology, Hamedan, Iran
| | - Mahlagha Afrasiabi
- Department of Computer Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, Hamedan, Iran.
| | - Marjan Namaki
- Department of Computer Engineering, Hamedan University of Technology, Hamedan, Iran
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28
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Wu ZX, Bu WQ, Tang Y, Guo YX, Guo YC, Wang F, Meng HT. Sex estimation using maxillary sinus volume for Chinese subjects based on cone-beam computed tomography. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:253. [PMID: 38374033 PMCID: PMC10875788 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04010-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex estimate is a key stage in forensic science for identifying individuals. Some anatomical structures may be useful for sex estimation since they retain their integrity even after highly severe events. However, few studies are focusing on the Chinese population. Some researchers used teeth for sex estimation, but comparison with maxillary sinus were lack. As a result, the objective of this research is to develop a sex estimation formula for the northwestern Chinese population by the volume of the maxillary sinus and compare with the accuracy of sex estimation based on teeth through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS CBCT images from 349 samples were used to establish and verify the formula. The volume of both the left and right maxillary sinuses was measured and examined for appropriate formula coefficients. To create the formula, we randomly picked 80% of the data as the training set and 20% of the samples as the testing set. Another set of samples, including 20 males and 20 females, were used to compare the accuracy of maxillary sinuses and teeth. RESULTS Overall, sex estimation accuracy by volume of the left maxillary sinus can reach 78.57%, while by the volume of the right maxillary sinus can reach 74.29%. The accuracy for females, which can reach 91.43% using the left maxillary sinus, was significantly higher than that for males, which was 65.71%. The result also shows that maxillary sinus volume was higher in males. The comparison with the available results using measurements of teeth for sex estimation performed by our group showed that the accuracy of sex estimation using canines volume was higher than the one using maxillary sinus volume, the accuracies based on mesiodistal diameter of canine and first molar were the same or lower than the volume of maxillary sinus. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrates that measurement of maxillary sinus volume based on CBCT scans was an available and alternative method for sex estimation. And we established a method to accurately assess the sex of the northwest Chinese population. The comparison with the results of teeth measurements made the conclusion more reliable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Xuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Qing Bu
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Xin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Cheng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
- College of Medicine and Forensics, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 West Yanta Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hao-Tian Meng
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 98 XiWu Road, Xi'an, 710004, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
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29
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Newton PN, Chesson LA, Mayxay M, Dondorp A, Tabernero P, Howa JD, Cerling TE. Forensic investigation of falsified antimalarials using isotope ratio mass spectrometry: a pilot investigation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3995. [PMID: 38369604 PMCID: PMC10874941 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54168-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
We explored whether isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is useful to investigate the origin of falsified antimalarials. Forty-four falsified and genuine antimalarial samples (artesunate, artemether-lumefantrine, dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine and sulphamethopyrazine-pyrimethamine) were analyzed in bulk for carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O) element concentrations and stable isotope ratios. The insoluble fraction ("starch") was extracted from 26 samples and analyzed. Samples of known geographical origin maize, a common source of excipient starch, were used to produce a comparison dataset to predict starch source. In both an initial (n = 18) and a follow-on set of samples that contained/claimed to contain artesunate/artemether (n = 26), falsified antimalarials had a range of C concentrations less than genuine comparator antimalarials and δ13C values higher than genuine comparators. The δ13C values of falsified antimalarials suggested that C4 plant-based organic material (e.g., starch derived from maize) had been included. Using the known-origin maize samples, predictions for growth water δ18O values for the extracted "starch" ranged from - 6.10 to - 1.62‰. These findings suggest that IRMS may be a useful tool for profiling falsified antimalarials. We found that C4 ingredients were exclusively used in falsified antimalarials versus genuine antimalarials, and that it may be possible to predict potential growth water δ18O values for the starch present in falsified antimalarials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul N Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | | | - Mayfong Mayxay
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute of Research and Education Development (IRED), University of Health Sciences, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Arjen Dondorp
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Mahidol Oxford Research Unit (MORU), Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Patricia Tabernero
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Public Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | | | - Thure E Cerling
- IsoForensics, Inc, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Department of Geology and Geophysics and Department of Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Ghorbanyjavadpour F, Jamali K, Roayaei Ardakani M, Rakhshan V. Morphometric variations and nonmetric anatomical traits or anomalies of the primary molar teeth, plus the molars' size thresholds for sex identification. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:200. [PMID: 38326901 PMCID: PMC10848364 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-03908-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Morphological and morphometric features of the teeth are of interest to various clinical and academic dental and medical fields including prosthodontics, orthodontics, anatomy and anthropology, pathology, archeology, and forensic dentistry. These have been more or less researched in the case of the permanent dentition. However when it comes to the primary dentition, the literature is scarce and controversial. No study worldwide exists on the cutoff points (thresholds) for sex identification; no study exists on metric or nonmetric traits of deciduous teeth in Iranians. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess both the metric and nonmetric traits of primary molars, as well as their cut-off points for sex identification. METHODS In this epidemiological cross-sectional study, pretreatment casts of 110 children (51 boys and 59 girls) aged 6 to 12 years were collected. Maxillary and mandibular first and second primary molars were evaluated regarding their metric traits (mesiodistal and buccolingual widths) and 9 nonmetric traits (Accessory cusp on the upper D, Accessory cusp on the lower D, Fifth cusp on the upper E, Carabelli's cusp on the upper E, Protostylid on the lower E, Fifth cusp on the lower E, Sixth cusp on the lower E, Tuberculum intermedium [metaconulid] on the lower E, and Deflecting wrinkle on the lower E). ROC curves were used to identify cut-off points for sex determination as well as the usefulness of metric measurements for this purpose. Data were analyzed using independent-samples and paired-samples t-tests, McNemar, Fisher, and chi-square tests, plus Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients (α = 0.05). RESULTS All the primary molars' coronal dimensions (both mesiodistal and buccolingual) were extremely useful for sex identification (ROC curves, all P values ≤ 0.0000099). Especially, the mandibular primary molars (areas under ROC curves [AUCs] between 85.6 and 90.4%, P values ≤ 0.0000006) were more useful than the maxillary ones (AUCs between 80.4 and 83.1%, P values ≤ 0. 0000099). In the mandible, the first primary molar (maximum AUC = 90.4%) was better than the second molar (maximum AUC = 86.0%). The optimum thresholds for sex determination were reported. Sex dimorphism was significant in buccolingual and mesiodistal crown widths of all the primary molars (all P values ≤ 0.000132), but it was seen only in the case of 2 nonmetric traits: Deflecting wrinkle (P = 0.001) and Tuberculum intermedium (metaconulid, P = 0.029) on the lower Es, taking into account the unilateral and bilateral cases. The occurrence of nonmetric traits was symmetrical between the right and left sides (all P values ≥ 0.250). All mesiodistal and two buccolingual molar measurements were as well symmetrical (P > 0.1); however, two buccolingual measurements were asymmetrical: in the case of the maxillary E (P = 0.0002) and mandibular D (P = 0.019). There were three weak-to-moderate correlations between the nonmetric traits of the mandibular second molars (Spearman correlations between 22.7 and 37.5%, P values ≤ 0.045). Up to 6 concurrent nonmetric traits were observed in the sample, with 53.6% of the sample showing at least 2 concurrent nonmetric traits at the same time, without any sex dimorphism (P = 0.658). CONCLUSION Sex dimorphism exists considerably in primary molars' sizes, but it is not as prevalent in their nonmetric traits or abnormalities. Primary molars' crown sizes are useful for sex identification; we calculated optimum cut-off points for this purpose, for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fataneh Ghorbanyjavadpour
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Kosar Jamali
- Dentist, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Maryam Roayaei Ardakani
- Department of Pediatric dentistry, School of Dentistry, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Vahid Rakhshan
- Department of Anatomy, Dental School, Azad University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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31
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López-García J, Piña MA, Clark B, Hall MJR, Martín-Vega D. Methods for the optimal preservation of blow fly intra-puparial forms for morphological analysis in forensic casework. Int J Legal Med 2024:10.1007/s00414-024-03172-9. [PMID: 38326653 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03172-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Accurate minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI) estimations often rely on a precise age determination of insect developmental stages, which is significantly influenced by environmental temperature. An optimal preservation of the entomological samples collected at crime scenes is pivotal for a reliable aging of immature insect samples. For blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae), the most widely used insect indicators in forensic investigations, an appropriate preservation of tissues is particularly important in the case of puparial samples because aging methods for intra-puparial forms usually depend on morphological analyses; however, although informative soft tissues and structures could be discoloured and/or distorted if they are not properly fixed, there is a lack of studies to assess different methods for the optimal preservation of intra-puparial forms collected in forensic investigations. The present study compares three preservation methods for intra-puparial forms of the blow fly Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830: (i) direct immersion into 80% ethanol, (ii) puncturing of the puparium and hot water killing (HWK) prior to preservation in 80% ethanol, and (iii) HWK without puncturing before preservation in 80% ethanol. External and internal morphological analyses of intra-puparial forms of different ages were conducted to assess the quality of preservation. The results indicate that direct immersion in ethanol led to poor preservation, affecting both external and internal tissues. Both methods with HWK resulted in a better preservation, but puncturing resulted, in some cases, in physical damage of the specimens. HWK without puncturing emerged as the optimal preservation method, consistently yielding high preservation scores for both external and internal morphological analyses. These findings have practical implications for forensic practitioners and emphasise the need for updating some published guidelines and protocols in forensic entomology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mario A Piña
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | | | | | - Daniel Martín-Vega
- Universidad de Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
- Natural History Museum, London, UK
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Liechti JM, Lory M. Hair fixative traces on footwear - Establishing a link between footwear and the victim's hair after kicks to the head. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 355:111918. [PMID: 38181632 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Kicking a person laying on the floor in the head is a crime whose forensic investigation could profit from additional microtraces capable of linking a suspected footwear, and by extension its owner, to the victim and their injuries. The transfer of hair fixatives (hair gel, hair wax, hair spray, hair foam, etc.) represents such a trace and was consequently practically evaluated throughout this study. This study consists of two parts: The first part, the differentiation study, encompasses the visual, and instrumental analysis of a variety of different hair fixatives to determine their analysability and differentiation potential. The visual examination was conducted using alternate light sources and filter lenses. Subsequently, the instrumental analysis was carried out, whereby the focus lay on Fourier Transform Infra-red (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The second part is comprised of different experiments including a test-transfer and pendulum experiments to assess the process and the potential variables of the transfer of hair fixative traces between hair and fabric shoes during a kick. This helped to determine the effect of the kick strength and the behaviour of differing hair products. Retrieval methods to secure hair fixative traces of footwear and from the hair of a victim were developed. These were subsequently tested out on an acute case example..
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Maria Liechti
- Zurich Forensic Science Institute, Gueterstrasse 33, 8010 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Martin Lory
- Zurich Forensic Science Institute, Gueterstrasse 33, 8010 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Molina CM, Wisniewski KD, Salamanca A, Saumett M, Rojas C, Gómez H, Baena A, Pringle JK. Monitoring of simulated clandestine graves of victims using UAVs, GPR, electrical tomography and conductivity over 4-8 years post-burial to aid forensic search investigators in Colombia, South America. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 355:111919. [PMID: 38218100 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
In Colombia there are estimated to be over 121,000 missing people and victims of forced disappearances. Forensic investigators therefore need assistance in determining optimal detection techniques for buried victims, to give victims' families closure and for the wider community to see that justice is being served. Previous research has created 12 controlled simulated clandestine graves of typical Colombian murder victim scenarios at 0.5 m - 1.2 m depths in savannah and rainforest sites in Colombia. The 0-3 years of geophysical monitoring results of were published, with this paper reporting on 4-8 years monitoring of both UAV drone results and geophysical data. The UAV results from the year 8 survey, published for first time from Colombia, showed that the simulated graves could still be located using NDVI and NIR multi-spectral data, but not using optical or other multi-spectral data. The 0-3 years of geophysical data found the simulated clandestine graves could be detected with electrical resistivity and GPR methods, with the 4-8 year surveys evidencing that they could still be detected using bulk ground conductivity surveys, GPR horizontal time slice datasets and 2D ERT profiles. Research implications suggest initial use of UAV remote sensing technology to pinpoint likely search areas, before subsequent ground reconnaissance, geophysical surveys and their interpretation, before intrusive investigation methods are employed for detecting missing and disappeared persons in Colombia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Martín Molina
- Facultad de Ingeniería Ambiental y Civil, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Kristopher D Wisniewski
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffs ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Andrés Salamanca
- Unidad de Búsqueda de Personas dadas por Desaparecidas Unidad, Colombia
| | - Miguel Saumett
- GeoSense, Cra. No. 127-48 Oficina 1007, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlo Rojas
- Subsuelo 3d, Cra. 12a #77a45, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Héctor Gómez
- Unidad de Búsqueda de Personas dadas por Desaparecidas Unidad, Colombia
| | - Alejandra Baena
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jamie K Pringle
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffs ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
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Tynan P. Closing remarks on "The integration and implications of artificial intelligence in forensic science". Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2024:10.1007/s12024-024-00785-9. [PMID: 38265555 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-024-00785-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
This commentary examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic science, highlighting its benefits in enhancing accuracy and efficiency across a number of forensic disciplines, including medicine, anthropology, forensics, and taphonomy. However its use, also raises concerns about privacy, data protection, bias, fairness, and the reliability of AI systems. The commentary emphasises the importance of scrutiny, standardized procedures, and ongoing dialogue to ensure AI is responsibly advanced in forensic science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Tynan
- Department of Applied Science, Wrexham University, Plas Coch Campus, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AW, UK.
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Yadav S, Kumari P, Sinha A, Tripathi V, Saran V. Salivary microbiomes: a potent evidence in forensic investigations. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2024:10.1007/s12024-023-00759-3. [PMID: 38175312 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00759-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Saliva components combine with oral cavity microorganisms, blood cells, and airway secretions after entering the oral cavity via salivary ducts; these factors provide relevant information about persons' health state, quality of life, and lifestyle, in addition to their age and gender due to which salivary microbiome has emerged as a subject of significant interest in the forensic domain. This study aims to provide an extensive review of the possible applications of the salivary microbiome in characterizing the habit-specific microbiomes. Thirty-three relevant articles were selected for inclusion in this study. The study highlighted the influence of habits on the salivary microbiome suggesting smokers have distinct bacteria like Synergistetes, Streptococcus, Prevotella, and Veillonella in relation to age; people of higher age have more Prevotella; further, dental plaque can be corelated with Streptococci and Actinomycetes. Likewise, dietary habits, alcoholism, and consumption of coffee also affect bacteria types in oral cavities. The study underscores the added benefits of salivary microbiome profiling in forensics, as it is evident that microbial DNA profiling holds substantial promise for enhancing forensic investigations; it enables the characterization of an individual's habits, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and dietary preferences; bacteria specific to these habits can be identified, thereby helping to narrow down the pool of potential suspects. In conclusion, the salivary microbiome presents a valuable avenue for forensic science, offering a novel approach which not only enhances the prospects of solving complex cases but also underscores the rich potential of microbiome analysis in the realm of forensic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubham Yadav
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, U.P, India.
| | - Pallavi Kumari
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, U.P, India
| | | | - Vijay Tripathi
- Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Clement Town, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vaibhav Saran
- Department of Forensic Science, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, U.P, India
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Abstract
This commentary explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic science and its potential implications. The applications of AI in forensic disciplines such as medicine, forensic anthropology, digital forensics, and taphonomy have enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of identification processes and the analysis of digital evidence. However, this rapid advancement prompts critical considerations in privacy, data protection, bias and fairness, and the accuracy and reliability of AI systems. The inherent challenges of the "black box" nature of AI algorithms call for transparency and accountability to maintain trust and uphold the integrity of forensic investigations. Ethical use, legal compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, education, data integrity, standardization, human oversight, and societal impact, along with sustainability are identified as pivotal areas requiring urgent attention. The discussion underscores the need for rigorous scrutiny, standardized operating procedures, and proactive dialogue to ensure the responsible advancement of AI in forensic science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Tynan
- Department of Applied Science, Wrexham University, Plas Coch Campus, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AW, UK.
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Stojanović I, Stefanović A, Ilić G. DNA degradation of bloodstains on cotton fabric caused by different washing procedures. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2024:10.1007/s12024-023-00768-2. [PMID: 38175311 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00768-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
DNA degradation in biological material needs to be better understood. Bloodstains on washed clothing are disturbed by washing procedures, sometimes transferred to other fabrics, often with latent bloodstains and usually with significantly degraded DNA. The samples (cotton fabric with bloodstains) are divided into six main groups, depending on the washing method regarding water temperature (95, 60, and 30 °C) and the detergent use. After completing the washing process, samples were stored for a certain period (1 day to 6 months) and subsequently analyzed. Analyses were performed using standard protocols and commercial kits to measure the remaining DNA quantity (concentration) and DNA degradation index in the processed samples. Our results revealed that the high washing temperature (60 and 95 °C) and the application of detergent have a synergic action on DNA degradation, while at 30 °C this effect is absent. Furthermore, the effect of detergent on accelerated DNA degradation is observed about a month after the washing. This delayed effect of detergent has no explanation in current literature data. To obtain optimal results from the bloodstains, we recommended that the period from the crime event and attempted cleaning by a perpetrator to the laboratory analysis should be less than 1 month.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Stojanović
- Department of Biological Evidence and DNA Analysis, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute of Forensic Medicine Nis, University of Nis, Dr Zoran Djindjic Blv. 81, 18000, Nis, Serbia.
| | - Aleksandra Stefanović
- DNA Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, The Institute of Forensic Medicine Nis, University of Nis, Dr Zoran Djindjic Blv. 81, 18000, Nis, Serbia
| | - Goran Ilić
- Faculty of Medicine, The Institute of Forensic Medicine Nis, University of Nis, Dr Zoran Djindjic Blv. 81, 18000, Nis, Serbia
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Templ M, Gonzalez-Rodriguez J. Advancing forensic research: An examination of compositional data analysis with an application on petrol fraud detection. Sci Justice 2024; 64:9-18. [PMID: 38182317 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, numerous studies have examined the chemical compounds of petrol and petrol data for forensic research. Standard quantitative methods often assume that the variables or compounds do not have compositional constraints or are not part of a constrained whole, operating within an Euclidean vector space. However, chemical compounds are typically part of a whole, and the appropriate vector space for their analysis is the simplex. Biased and arbitrary results result when statistical analysis are applied on such data without proper pre-processing of such data. Compositional analysis of data has not yet been considered in forensic science. Therefore, we compare classical statistical analysis as applied in forensic research and the new proposed paradigm of compositional data analysis (CoDa). It is demonstrated how such analysis improves the analysis in petrol and forensic science. Our study shows how principal component analysis (PCA) and classification results are affected by the preprocessing steps performed on the raw data. Our results indicate that results from a log ratio analysis provides a better separation between subgroups of the data and leads to an easier interpretation of the results. In addition, with a compositional analysis a higher classification accuracy is obtained. Even a non-linear classification method - in our case a random forest - was shown to perform poorly when applied without using compositional methods. Moreover, normalization of samples due to laboratory/unit-of-measurement effects is no longer necessary, since the composition of an observation is in compositional thinking equivalent to a multiple of it, because the used (log) ratios on raw and log ratio transformed data are equal. Petrol data from different petrol stations in Brazil are used for the demonstration. This data is highly susceptible to counterfeit petrol. Forensic analysis of its chemical elements requires non-biased statistical analysis designed for compositional data to detect fraud. Based on these results, we recommend the use of compositional data methods for gasoline and petrol chemical element analysis and gasoline product characterization, authentication and fraud detection in forensic sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Templ
- Institute for Competitiveness and Communication (ICC), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW), Riggenbachstrasse 16, 4600 Olten, Switzerland.
| | - J Gonzalez-Rodriguez
- School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool Campus, LN6 7TS Lincoln, UK.
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Wickenheiser R, Cadau A, Muro C, Whitfield S, McGinnis C, Murray L, France M, Niles L, Barron D, Valentin L. The forensic educational outreach initiative - Bridging the gap between education and workplace. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2023; 8:100448. [PMID: 38229688 PMCID: PMC10788423 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2023.100448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
Skills and knowledge gaps frequently exist between forensic educational programs and practical forensic laboratory needs. An educational outreach project involving three post-secondary academic institutions and a large multidisciplinary forensic laboratory was created to provide lectures to students, enable mentorship with forensic scientists, and provide an interactive experience within the forensic laboratory. Mentorship mixer exercises encouraged meaningful interactions between students and scientists, creating opportunities for practical discussion on employment requirements, optimal class selections based on students' interests and forensic science requirements, and better understanding of the daily tasks and duties of operational forensic scientists. Feedback from students, professors, and forensic mentors have resulted in program improvements which will inform the educational outreach initiative going forward, including broader community outreach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanda Cadau
- New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Claire Muro
- New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, Albany, NY, USA
| | | | - Carrie McGinnis
- New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Lola Murray
- New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Melissa France
- New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Lyn Niles
- New York State Police Crime Laboratory System, Albany, NY, USA
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Doi M, Nakagawa T, Asano M. A practical workflow for forensic species identification using direct sequencing of real-time PCR products. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 51:17. [PMID: 38091117 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08980-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Forensic scientists are often required to identify species of unknown biological samples. Although methods based on sequencing of DNA barcode regions are the gold standard for species identification in single-source forensic samples, they are cumbersome to implement as routine work in forensic laboratories that perform many tests, including human DNA typing. We have developed a species identification workflow that incorporates direct sequencing with real-time PCR products (real-time PCR-direct sequencing) as the technical trick for easy testing in forensic practice. METHOD AND RESULTS Following our workflow, DNA samples from vertebrates, such as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish, were subjected to species identification using vertebrate universal primers targeting each of the four DNA barcode regions. In real-time PCR melting curve analysis, humans and animals (nonhuman) could be differentiated by comparing melting temperatures, and subsequent real-time PCR-direct sequencing contributed to simplified sequencing. Searches against public DNA databases using the obtained sequences were compatible with the origin of the samples, indicating that this method might be used to identify animal species at the genus level. Furthermore, this workflow was effective in actual casework, which provided rapid test results according to the needs of the investigating agencies. CONCLUSIONS The species identification workflow will simply sequence as much as possible and can be integrated into routine forensic practice. The real-time PCR-direct sequencing used in this workflow might be beneficial not only for species identification but also for DNA sequencing by using the Sanger method for a variety of life sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Doi
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ehime Prefectural Police Headquarters, 2-2 Minamihoribatacho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8573, Japan.
- Department of Legal Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Toshifumi Nakagawa
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ehime Prefectural Police Headquarters, 2-2 Minamihoribatacho, Matsuyama, Ehime, 790-8573, Japan
| | - Migiwa Asano
- Department of Legal Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan
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Liang Y, Dou S, Zhao G, Shen J, Fu G, Fu L, Li S, Cong B, Dong C. Prediction of BMI traits in the Chinese population based on the gut metagenome. Microb Cell Fact 2023; 22:250. [PMID: 38066544 PMCID: PMC10704812 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02255-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identifying individual characteristics based on trace evidence left at a crime scene is crucial in forensic identification. Microbial communities found in fecal traces have high individual specificity and could serve as potential markers for forensic characterization. Previous research has established that predicting body type based on the relative abundance of the gut microbiome is relatively accurate. However, the long-term stability and high individual specificity of the gut microbiome are closely linked to changes at the genome level of the microbiome. No studies have been conducted to deduce body shape from genetic traits. Therefore, in this study, the vital role of gut bacterial community characteristics and genetic traits in predicting body mass index (BMI) was investigated using gut metagenomic data from a healthy Chinese population. RESULTS Regarding the gut microbial community, the underweight group displayed increased α-diversity in comparison to the other BMI groups. There were significant differences in the relative abundances of 19 species among these three BMI groups. The BMI prediction model, based on the 31 most significant species, showed a goodness of fit (R2) of 0.56 and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.09 kg/m2. The overweight group exhibited significantly higher α-diversity than the other BMI groups at the level of gut microbial genes. Furthermore, there were significant variations observed in the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) density of 732 contigs between these three BMI groups. The BMI prediction model, reliant on the 62 most contributing contigs, exhibited a model R2 of 0.72 and an MAE of 1.56 kg/m2. The model predicting body type from 44 contigs correctly identified the body type of 93.55% of the study participants. CONCLUSION Based on metagenomic data from a healthy Chinese population, we demonstrated the potential of genetic traits of gut bacteria to predict an individual's BMI. The findings of this study suggest the effectiveness of a novel method for determining the body type of suspects in forensic applications using the genetic traits of the gut microbiome and holds great promise for forensic individual identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liang
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Shujie Dou
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Guangzhong Zhao
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Jie Shen
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Guangping Fu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Lihong Fu
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Shujin Li
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Bin Cong
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Chunnan Dong
- College of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China.
- Department of Pathogen Biology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050017, Hebei, China.
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Kuehn M, Bates K, Tyler Davidson J, Monjardez G. Evaluation of handheld Raman spectrometers for the detection of intact explosives. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 353:111875. [PMID: 37924573 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The detection of intact explosives in the field provides a unique challenge for investigators, considering the sensitive and dangerous nature of these samples. Handheld Raman instruments have grown in popularity for the analysis of unknown samples in the field, combining speed of data collection and reliability with a size that allows for the instruments to be field portable. Handheld Raman instruments are used commonly in the field, and yet there is very little research on the detection capabilities of these instruments, specifically for explosive compounds. The present study aimed to evaluate the detection capabilities of two handheld Raman spectrometers, the Rigaku ResQ-CQL and the Field Forensics HandyRam™, using explosives analytical standards, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), nitromethane (NM), ammonium nitrate (AN) and smokeless powder components such as diphenylamine (DPA), ethyl centralite (EC), and methyl centralite (MC). The spectrometers were evaluated on their sensitivity, the repeatability of the data, and the performance of the internal library when available. In addition, an interference study with glass and plastic containers was also performed. Finally, authentic intact explosive samples, including TNT flakes, a mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO), smokeless powder and nitromethane were analyzed to evaluate the developed method and test the detection capabilities of the spectrometers with authentic samples. Spectra were reproducible for all the analytes across both instruments, with regards to the peak location and the intensity. Spectra obtained with the Rigaku ResQ-CQL displayed better resolution for all analytes, including the authentic samples. In addition, its wider scan range allowed for the detection of more detailed peaks below 400 cm-1. Identifying the detection capabilities of these handheld instruments can therefore help guide investigators on how to best utilize them in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makenzie Kuehn
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Kevin Bates
- Montgomery County Fire Marshal's Office, Conroe, TX, USA
| | - J Tyler Davidson
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA
| | - Geraldine Monjardez
- Department of Forensic Science, College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX, USA.
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Angelakopoulos N, Franco A, Sezgin N, Cevik ZA, Canturk N, Panciera MC, Pinto PHV, Alves da Silva RH, Balla SB, Kumagai A, Zolotenkova G, Silveira Sousa AM, Ferrante L, Cameriere R. Ear identification: A multi-ethnic study sample. Morphologie 2023; 107:100602. [PMID: 37230829 DOI: 10.1016/j.morpho.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The external human ear is considered to be highly variable among individuals. Hence, forensic applications could be explored for human identification. This research compares the usefulness of Cameriere's ear identification method, in samples originating from six different countries (Brazil, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa and Turkey) in order to examine possible differences in their accuracy values. A sample of 2,225 photographs of the external human ear (1,134 left and 1,091 right ears) from 1,411 individuals (633 females and 778 males) was collected. The samples included healthy subjects with no systemic disorders and without any craniofacial trauma, maxillofacial abnormalities, auricular anomalies, ear diseases or previous auricular surgery. Cameriere's ear identification method was applied and measurements were performed on the images of each ear, considering four anatomic regions: helix, antihelix, concha, and lobe. The quantified measurement values were converted into a proposed coded number system. A search for identical codes was accomplished to find out the distinctiveness of the morphology of the human ear. The combined codes of left and right ears of each of the 814 subjects were not repeated in this multi-ethnic study sample. Dirichlet's distribution and the inherent study equation showed that the probability of two different individuals having the same code (false-positive identification) was found to be <0.0007. Because of the distinctive metrics of the ratios of external human ears, studies with Cameriere's ear identification method may be valuable for human identification. Studying the differences between the left and right ears of the same individual and across different ethnic groups could contribute to the development of supplementary tools for human identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Angelakopoulos
- Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 7, 3010 Bern, Switzerland; Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, AgEstimation Project, Campobasso, Italy.
| | - A Franco
- Division of Forensic Dentistry, Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Campinas, Brazil
| | - N Sezgin
- Department of Forensic Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kutahya, Turkey
| | - Z A Cevik
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical School, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - N Canturk
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical School, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - M C Panciera
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, USP - University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - P H V Pinto
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, USP - University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - R H Alves da Silva
- Department of Stomatology, Public Health and Forensic Odontology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP - University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - S B Balla
- La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia
| | - A Kumagai
- Department of Forensic Science, Division of Forensic Odontology and Disaster Oral Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan
| | - G Zolotenkova
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A M Silveira Sousa
- School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP-University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - L Ferrante
- Polytechnic University of Marche, Center of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medical Information Technology, Department of Biomedical Science and Public Health, Ancona, Italy
| | - R Cameriere
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "Vincenzo Tiberio", University of Molise, AgEstimation Project, Campobasso, Italy
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Aberle MG, de Caritat P, Robertson J, Hoogewerff JA. A robust interpolation-based method for forensic soil provenancing: A Bayesian likelihood ratio approach. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 353:111883. [PMID: 37977061 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Soil is a complex and spatially variable material that has a demonstrated potential as a useful evidence class in forensic casework and intelligence operations. Here, the capability to spatially constrain police search areas and prioritise resources by triaging areas as low and high interest is advantageous. Conducted between 2017 and 2021, a forensically relevant topsoil survey (0-5 cm depth; 1 sample per 1 km2) was carried out over Canberra, Australia, aiming to document the distribution of chemical elements in an urban/suburban environment, and of acting as a testbed for investigating various aspects of forensic soil provenancing. Geochemical data from X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF; for total major oxides) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS; for trace elements) following a total digestion (HF + HNO3) of the fused XRF beads were obtained from the survey's 685 topsoil samples (plus 138 additional quality control samples and six "Blind" simulated evidentiary samples). Using those "Blind" samples, we document a likelihood ratio approach where for each grid cell the analytical similarity between the grid cell and evidentiary sample is attributed from a measure of overlap between the two Cauchy distributions, including appropriate uncertainties. Unlike existing methods that base inclusion/exclusion on an arbitrary threshold (e.g., ± three standard deviations), our approach is free from strict binary or Boolean thresholds, providing an unconstrained gradual transition dictated by the analytical similarity. Using this provenancing model, we present and evaluate a new method for upscaling from a fine (25 m x 25 m) interpolated grid to a more appropriate coarser (500 m x 500 m) grid. In addition, an objective method using Random Match Probabilities for ranking individual variables to be used for provenancing prior to receiving evidentiary material was demonstrated. Our results show this collective procedure generates more consistent and robust provenance maps when applied to two different interpolation algorithms (e.g., inverse distance weighting, and natural neighbour), with different grid placements (e.g., grid shifts to the north or east) and by different theoretical users (e.g., different computer systems, or forensic geoscientists).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Aberle
- National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory 2617, Australia.
| | - Patrice de Caritat
- National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory 2617, Australia; Geoscience Australia, GPO Box 378, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - James Robertson
- National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory 2617, Australia
| | - Jurian A Hoogewerff
- National Centre for Forensic Studies, University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory 2617, Australia
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45
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Loiseau M, Guerard P, Paraf F, François-Purssell I, Gilard-Pioc S. "Clandestine" home delivery with mifepristone. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2023; 19:563-567. [PMID: 36445505 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-022-00561-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Denial of pregnancy is a rare psychic process associated with an increased risk of infant death. Forensic examinations to determine viability at birth can heavily influence the legal proceedings in cases of clandestine deliveries that result in the death of the infant. A 32-year-old woman who experienced a denial of pregnancy up to 30 weeks of amenorrhea reported giving birth at home at an estimated term of 35 weeks of amenorrhea. No one witnessed the delivery. She claimed the infant was stillborn. Forensic examinations revealed characteristic features of a live born infant. The mother tested positive for mifepristone. Mifepristone is an anti-progestin drug used for early abortion and to induce labor in cases of in-utero fetal death in later pregnancy. Even if mifepristone crosses the placenta, it has no direct toxic effect on the fetus. Our observations suggest premature live birth caused by mifepristone, followed by asphyxia due to meconium inhalation syndrome associated with lung immaturity especially since the birth occurred at home and no medical care was provided after the birth. The tragic outcome of this clinical case calls for vigilance and global management, including the psychiatric care of parturients in the context of late discovery of pregnancy. In France, this situation showed a legal gap between the consideration of the fetus and laws concerning abortion. To our knowledge, in France, this case has allowed the court to set a legal precedent as a similar case had never been reported elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Loiseau
- Forensic Medicine Department, Dijon University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, 21000, Dijon, France.
| | - Pascal Guerard
- Toxicology Department, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - François Paraf
- Forensic Medicine Department, Pathology Department, Dupuytren University Hospital, Limoges, France
| | - Irène François-Purssell
- Forensic Medicine Department, Dijon University Hospital, 14 Rue Paul Gaffarel, 21000, Dijon, France
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Nakagawa T, Doi M, Nishi K, Sugahara T. Cross-species amplification from non-human primate DNAs in commercial human DNA assay kits. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 68:102369. [PMID: 38325235 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Species specificity of commercial human DNA quantification kits and short tandem repeat (STR) profiling kits was examined using primate DNA samples. These samples comprised 33 individuals from eight primate species, each with gender and kinship data, including human (Homo sapiens), chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) of Hominidae family, and Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata), long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas), and savannah monkey (Chlorocebus sp.) of Cercopithecidae family. The findings revealed varying levels of cross-species amplifications in all non-human DNA samples that correlated with their evolutionary proximity to humans, both kit types. Moreover, cross-species amplification, including female DNA samples, was observed in a Y-chromosomal STR profiling kit. Additionally, species specificity differed among the commercial kits examined. The cross-species amplification data presented in this study offer valuable assistance in interpreting the results of individual human identification in forensic cases involving non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshifumi Nakagawa
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ehime Prefectural Police Headquarters, 2-2 Minamihoribatacho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8573, Japan.
| | - Masanori Doi
- Forensic Science Laboratory, Ehime Prefectural Police Headquarters, 2-2 Minamihoribatacho, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8573, Japan
| | - Kosuke Nishi
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8566, Japan; Food and Health Sciences Research Center, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8566, Japan
| | - Takuya Sugahara
- Department of Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8566, Japan; Food and Health Sciences Research Center, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8566, Japan
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Di Nunzio M, Della Valle A, Serino A, Corrado F, Di Nunzio C. How the forensic multidisciplinary approach can solve a fatal dog pack attack. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2023:10.1007/s12024-023-00746-8. [PMID: 37940786 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-023-00746-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
The authors present the case of a 61-year-old man found dead in an agricultural plot. The first investigation of the scene revealed the corpse laid face up in a spot of partially dried blood, next to an olive tree. His face, arms, legs, and abdomen showed signs of severe contusion and laceration of dogs' bite wounds. Next to the victim, an olives bin had been found overturned on the ground. A multi-disciplinary approach, including crime scene analysis, autopsy findings, veterinary animals review, odontologist bite mark study, and forensic genetics DNA correlations, was performed. The present case is a documented watchdogs lethal pack attack and provides an example of how to recognize the more active participants thanks to their odontological alterations. It could be considered the first described dog pack attack case solved by dysgnathia alteration. Comparisons between the dental casts obtained from the dogs and the inflicted wounds were made, resulting in positive correlations between the injuries and the dental arches from two of the six involved dogs, thanks to dental abnormalities and DNA founding. The victim's clothes were also compared with the dogs' dental casts, confirming that they were the most active participants during the pack attack. Dogs' DNA was finally matched with saliva traces found on victim's clothes and skin bite marks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - A Serino
- Hospital of Caserta, Caserta, Italy
| | - F Corrado
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno, Portici, Italy
| | - C Di Nunzio
- CEINGE, Napoli, Italy
- Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II, Napoli, Italy
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48
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Xiong J, Ma Y, Cao Y, Yang X, Ma J, Zhang J, Wan C, Huang P. Age estimation by modified Suchey-Brooks method using three-dimensional reconstructed CT images of Chinese Han population. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 65:102304. [PMID: 37562072 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
The method proposed by Suchey-Brooks for adult age estimation based on the surface morphology of the pubic symphysis has been widely accepted. The applicability of the method varies considerably in different populations. The present study established a virtual reference sample and aimed to develop population-specific criteria that can be used for age estimation in different skeletal samples. First, The dry bone specimens from 100 individuals were compared with their corresponding three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction model and showed high inter-method agreement (k = 0.743-0.811), suggesting that the virtual bone model and physical bone specimens have comparable performances in describing the surface morphology of the pubic symphysis. We retrospectively collected clinical computed tomography (CT) data from 895 Chinese patients to create a virtual reference sample of the pubic symphysis. Based on the original Suchey-Brooks method, each of the 895 reference samples was assigned a phase, for each sex and phase, data on the mean age, standard deviation, and 95% age range of the corresponding sample were obtained, which was then used as the "method modified for Chinese" (modified method) and compared to the "SB method". Compared to the SB method, modified method had a lower inaccuracy in dry bones for males over 35 years and females over 45 years, in dry bone CT test sample for males over 55 years and females over 45 years, and in postmortem CT test sample for males over 35 years and females over 55 years. The modified method can improve the accuracy of age estimation for older samples over 40 years. It has shown considerable reliability when applied as a population-specific criterion, but its accuracy is still not sufficient, and caution is needed when using it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Xiong
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Guiyang 550004, PR China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Yonggang Ma
- Department of Medical Imaging, 3201 Hospital Affiliated, Xi'an Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Hanzhong 723000, PR China
| | - Yongjie Cao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China
| | - Xiaotong Yang
- School of Forensic Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030001, PR China
| | - Jiwei Ma
- School of Basic Medical Science, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Nei Mongol 010110, PR China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China.
| | - Changwu Wan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Guiyang 550004, PR China.
| | - Ping Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou Guiyang 550004, PR China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Shanghai Forensic Service Platform, Academy of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Shanghai 200063, PR China.
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Xiao C, Li Y, Chen M, Yi S, Huang D. Improved age estimation from semen using sperm-specific age-related CpG markers. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 67:102941. [PMID: 37820545 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Accurate age estimation from semen has the potential to greatly narrow the pool of unidentified suspects in sexual assault investigations. However, previous efforts utilizing semen age-related CpG (AR-CpG) markers have shown lower accuracy compared to blood AR-CpG-based methods. This discrepancy may be attributed to DNA methylation (DNAm) interferences from "round cells" such as leukocytes and immature sperm cells in semen. This study aimed to develop age calculators based on sperm-specific AR-CpG markers and to achieve performance-improved age estimates from sperm DNA. Through an analysis of publicly available MethylationEPIC microarray data from 90 sperm samples of healthy males aged 22-51 years, we identified 31 sperm-specific AR-CpG markers with absolute Pearson's R values > 0.5 and Benjamini-Hochberg adjusted p values < 0.013. The top 19 AR-CpG markers with the largest absolute R values and beta ranges > 0.10, along with 3 reported semen AR-CpG markers (cg06304190, cg06979108, and cg12837463), were integrated into two methylation SNaPshot panels (Ⅰ and Ⅱ), each containing 11 markers. The 21 qualified AR-CpG markers showed absolute R values ≥ 0.427 in an independent validation cohort of 253 sperm DNA samples (22-67 years), with cg21843517 exhibiting the strongest age correlation (R = 0.853). The optimal models, constructed using sperm DNAm data of the training set (n = 214, 22-67 years) and markers from panel Ⅰ (n = 11), panel Ⅱ (n = 10), or both panels, achieved mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 2.526-4.746, 3.890-5.715, and > 9.800 years on the test sets of sperm (n = 39, 23-64 years), semen (same donors as the sperm test set), and whole blood (n = 40, 22-65 years), respectively. The simplified models incorporating 3, 5, 9, or 14 AR-CpG markers (MAE = 2.918-4.139 years for sperm) still outperformed the Lee et al. original model (MAE = 6.444 years for semen) and the reconstructed panel Lee model (MAE = 6.011 years for sperm). The final models, utilizing all sperm DNAm data (n = 253) and markers from panel Ⅰ, panel Ⅱ, or both panels, yielded mean MAEs of 2.587, 2.766, and 2.200 years, respectively, on the 50 test sets generated by 5 repeats of 10-fold cross-validations. Additionally, multiple markers in both panels demonstrated the ability to discern sperm or semen from blood with 100% accuracy. In summary, our study substantiates the potential of sperm-specific AR-CpG markers for precise age estimation from sperm DNA, providing an improved toolset for forensic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Xiao
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of the Forensic Science, Hubei University of Police, Wuhan, Hubei 430035, PR China.
| | - Ya Li
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Maomin Chen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Shaohua Yi
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Daixin Huang
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
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50
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Chen H, Hu S, Yang R, Hu S, Yao Q, Zhao Y, Lian J, Ji A, Cao Y, Sun Q. The screening and validation process of miR-223-3p for saliva identification. Leg Med (Tokyo) 2023; 65:102312. [PMID: 37603982 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2023.102312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
More accurate identification of the types of body fluids left at a crime scene is indispensable for improving the judicial chain of evidence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have become recognized as ideal molecular markers for the identification of body fluids in forensic science due to their short length, stability and high tissue specificity. In this study, small RNA sequencing was performed on 20 samples of five types of body fluids (peripheral blood, menstrual blood, saliva, semen, and vaginal secretions) with the BGISEQ-500 sequencing platform, and the specific miRNA markers of saliva and vaginal secretions were screened by bioinformatics methods, including differential expression analysis and significant enrichment analysis. Through RT-qPCR validation of 169 samples, we confirmed that miR-223-3p can be used as a saliva-specific marker. In addition, we considered miR-223-3p in combination with four other miRNA molecules (miR-451a, miR-891a-5p, miR-144-5p, miR-203a-3p) that had been previously screened and verified in our laboratory, and seven body fluid prediction models based on machine learning algorithms were constructed and verified. The results showed that a kernel density estimation (KDE) model based on the five miRNA markers for body fluid identification could achieve 100% accuracy in the samples tested in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixiang Chen
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China; Faculty of Forensic Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Sheng Hu
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Shuxiao Hu
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China; School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Qianwei Yao
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China; Faculty of Forensic Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, Shanxi, China
| | - Yixia Zhao
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China
| | - Jie Lian
- School of Investigation, People's Public Security University of China, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Anquan Ji
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China.
| | - Yang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
| | - Qifan Sun
- MPS's Key Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, National Engineering Laboratory for Crime Scene Evidence Investigation and Examination, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Beijing 100038, China.
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