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Reevaluating skeletal sex estimation practices in forensic anthropology

Understanding practitioner preferences in method selection and reporting for skeletal sex estimation is a necessary step toward the standardization of biological profile estimation within forensic anthropological practice in the United States. To better understand the current sta...

Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy/laser ablation coupled to inductively coupled plasma...

The tandem LIBS/LA‐ICPMS technique is a desirable tool for the multi‐elemental determination, characterization, and classification of alloys as forensic evidence. In this study, LIBS/LA‐ICPMS is validated for the forensic evaluation of lead‐free solder alloys, which form valuable...

Potential for DNA loss during collection and packaging of fired cartridge cases at a crime...

DNA recovery from fired cartridge cases (FCCs) found at a crime scene is complicated by the limited DNA amounts typically available for collection. While this challenge is unavoidable, recovery rates may be improved by optimizing handling and packaging processes to better preserv...

Screening for clandestine graves via the analysis of infrared images and temperature...

Locating a clandestine grave is a challenging yet crucial step in a criminal investigation and eventual prosecution. Many techniques have been used to locate clandestine graves, including light detection and ranging and ground penetrating radar. Recently, thermal imaging has also...

Research on temperature‐dependent visualization and enhancement mechanism of latent...

In arson cases, the accelerants are typically stored in steel containers where fingermarks may be preserved. To explore the effects of heat on latent fingermark visualization deposited on steel surfaces and the corresponding mechanisms, 304 stainless steel and tinplate were selec...

Human identification through smile photographs: Comparison of two methods based on selfies

This study aimed to compare the accuracy of two human identification methods based on selfies. The maxillary teeth of five adults were three‐dimensionally acquired via intraoral scanning — being the simulated postmortem (PM) records. To simulate antemortem (AM) records, the fiv...

Understanding the link between autism and self‐harm from a forensic lens

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication difficulties, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Individuals with ASD, particularly females, are at an increased risk of self‐injurious behavior (SIB), whic...

Improved DNA recovery and STR profile development from weathered Bos taurus bones using...

Current processing techniques for harvesting DNA from osseous elements are destructive, and success rates vary widely. When skeletal elements are homogenized into a fine powder, endogenous DNA may be subjected to fragmentation, and the likelihood of introducing co‐purified inhibi...

Analysis of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and its metabolites using LC–MS/MS for forensic...

Ayahuasca contains N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT), the primary alkaloid responsible for its psychedelic effects. DMT oxidative deamination yields indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) as the predominant metabolite, while N‐oxidation produces N,N‐dimethyltryptamine‐N‐oxide (DMT‐NO) as the seco...

Characterization and differentiation of aluminum powders used in improvised explosive...

Determining the extent to which sources of aluminum (Al) powders, often used as fuel in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), can be differentiated is important for forensic investigations and gathering intelligence. Previous work developed effective methods of characterizing Al p...

ASB Newsletter – March 14, 2025

ASB Newsletter – March 3, 2025

Applicability, reliability, and accuracy of age‐at‐death estimation methods on a...

This research tested the applicability, intra‐ and inter‐observer reliability, and accuracy of nine macroscopic methods for estimating age‐at‐death from skeletal elements. The sample included 400 individuals from the contemporary CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection, equally d...

Tusi but not 2C: A Miami‐Dade medical examiner case series highlighting the variable drug...

Eight fatalities between September 2020 and July 2024 in Miami‐Dade County involving the ingestion of colored powders, referred to as "tusi," "tucibi," or "pink cocaine," are reported. For each case, a description of the terminal event, the postmorte...

Development of forensic blood substitute: Focusing on luminol reaction functionality

Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is essential for reconstructing crime scenes using the shape and distribution of bloodstains. Luminol, which emits blue light in a chemiluminescent reaction with hemoglobin, is commonly used to detect latent blood. Artificial blood substitutes, d...

False negative ELISA screen for benzoylecgonine in blood using the Neogen® assay

Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a common analytical tool for screening samples in forensic toxicology laboratories, but it can be susceptible to interferences. The analysis of paired blood and oral fluid samples from the same subject led to the identification of a fa...