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An alternate method for casting of three‐dimensional footwear imprints in snow and sand

Great Stuff™ is presented as an alternative material for the casting and preservation of three‐dimensional footwear impressions located in snow and sand. This method generates a detailed, 1:1 foam cast of questioned footwear imprints. Great Stuff™ is a readily available commercia...

Quality issue management and disclosure in forensic science: A survey of practice and...

Addressing calls for transparency regarding errors and limitations in forensic processes is an ongoing concern for the forensic science service provider community and the stakeholders it serves worldwide. Foundational to this goal is developing a consistent approach to the identi...

Method for estimating real‐scale 3D human body shape from an image based on 3D camera...

The combination of computer vision (CV) and computer graphics (CG) is being developed for use in many fields. Consequently, reverse projection photogrammetry, which identifies geometric properties of a subject based on accurate reproduction of the image content, is beginning to r...

Chemical profiling of developmental stages in three major flies via direct infusion mass...

Forensic entomology has become an essential tool for estimating the minimum postmortem interval (mPMI), especially in scenarios where traditional methods are limited. This study aimed to characterize and differentiate the chemical profiles of three major forensically relevant fly...

Decision trees for combining morphological traits and measurements of the skull for...

Forensic anthropologists commonly estimate osteological sex using separate metric and morphological analyses, without integrating both data types into a single statistical model. Combining data types into one classification model has the potential to increase sex classification a...

A preliminary study of the evaluation of breech face impressions produced by various...

During cartridge case comparisons, firearm examiners must distinguish between different markings found on the cartridge cases. These characteristics can be classified into class, subclass, or individual characteristics. There is potential for a false identification if firearm exa...

Psychotherapeutic treatment outcome of a female filicide patient

A case of double filicide of both her children admitted to a forensic psychiatric facility is described. According to the CARE guidelines (for CAse REports), a full description of the patient, clinical and diagnostic scenarios, the crime, psychotherapy treatment, and changes in p...

Seasonal decomposition and the effect of clothing in Cape Town, South Africa

Unidentified, unclaimed human remains are a substantial problem in many developing nations, including South Africa. Most forensic cases in Cape Town involve clothed individuals found in thicketed environments. To assist in local medico‐legal death investigations, we gathered taph...

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Examining the effects of 3D printed projectiles on firearm identification

In recent years, 3D printers have become more affordable for the average consumer to purchase, and new printers require less user input, making the process accessible to anyone who can download files online. Due to these factors, these printers are being used to manufacture firea...

The dermestid beetle (Dermestes maculatus) as a biotic taphonomic agent: Further...

The dermestid beetle (Dermestes maculatus) has become renowned in the laboratory as an aid to skeletonization of remains. However, little attention has been paid to the potential effects these insects can have on hard tissues and whether their traces may be mistaken for trauma or...

Lab‐based evaluation of first‐ and second‐generation gamma‐hydroxybutyrate test strips and...

Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB) has been used as a drug to facilitate sexual assault. Commercial testing devices are available for bars and patrons to test drinks that may have been spiked with GHB. In this study, six first‐generation GHB test devices were evaluated for the detection...

From theory to practice: Protocol adaptations for swift victim identification in the...

The October 7, 2023, massacre in Israel posed unprecedented challenges for disaster victim identification (DVI), requiring adaptations to international forensic protocols to address extreme conditions, including active conflict, fragmented remains, and cultural and religious cons...

Characteristics and toxicology of adult deaths due to quetiapine toxicity in Australia,...

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic that has been associated with both intentional and unintentional deaths. We aimed to determine, stratified by intentionality: (1) The characteristics and circumstances of adult deaths attributed solely to quetiapine toxicity in Australia, 2...

Digital otoscopic examination of tympanic membranes in confirmed suicidal hanging deaths:...

A crucial factor in cases of apparent hanging deaths is establishing whether an antemortem hanging or postmortem suspension has occurred. Hanging diagnosis relies upon the history, scene investigation, and gross examination of the body including the ligature furrow and possible r...

Authentication of forged inked fingerprints utilizing silicone molds

Although the use of forged inked fingerprints is not common in criminal cases, it is gradually increasing in civil cases. This study introduces a rapid and nondestructive method for detecting forged inked fingerprints using Raman spectral, morphology, and deep learning. To develo...

Phosphatidylethanol in post‐mortem blood: A comparative study of blood matrices and its...

Determination of alcohol markers in post‐mortem cases can be useful to classify drinking habits and potential alcohol habituation prior to death. Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is a direct alcohol marker and is already commonly used in a variety of contexts. However, its use in the f...

Micro‐CT for the differentiation between live birth and stillbirth: A pilot study

The distinction between live births and stillbirths is crucial for determining the appropriate legal consequences. Historically, researchers have operated under the principle that an infant's lungs will be filled with air upon death, whereas a fetus's lungs will not. Th...

Study on efficiency of the half‐volume GlobalFiler™ PCR protocol: Internal validation,...

Due to its versatility, the GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit is commonly used in forensic analyses. The half‐volume protocol used in our laboratory was validated by manually and automatically assembled PCRs involving increased number of PCR cycles. Validation parameters include...

Probabilistic genotyping replicate analysis of FaSTR clustered single sperm aSTR...

Analysis of individual single sperm can assist in mixture deconvolution when there are multiple perpetrators to a sexual assault or instances in which limited sperm are available for analysis. This not only allows for reconstitution of the sperm donor's genotype but also all...