Forensic Science International[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Using Kvaal method and machine learning to improve adult dental age estimation with CBCT.
Ren J, Wu J, Dai W … +7 more , Zhan X, Li X, Wei J, Shi Y, Guo Y, Guo Y, Meng H
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41916026 · Publisher ↗
Accurate age estimation in adults remains challenging in forensic practice. This study aimed to improve dental age estimation by using Kvaal method and machine learning with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT sca...
Accurate age estimation in adults remains challenging in forensic practice. This study aimed to improve dental age estimation by using Kvaal method and machine learning with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT scans of 400 Northern Chinese individuals aged 21-70 years were analyzed, and Kvaal-derived indices were measured for selected teeth. Sex-specific multiple linear regression models were developed as baseline methods and compared with two machine-learning regressors: Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). Data measurement reliability was excellent (ICC values exceeding 0.95). Width-related indices showed stronger correlations with age than length-related indices, and Kvaal's indices exhibited significant sex differences. On the independent test set, traditional linear regression models yielded mean absolute error (MAE) of 8.16-11.22 years. Both RF and XGBoost clearly outperformed linear regression, reducing MAE by about 15-25% in most tooth position. The best-performing models for the RF model and the XGBoost model were male maxillary second premolars (tooth 15/25; MAE 6.72 years) and the male mandibular lateral incisors (tooth 32/42; MAE 7.18 years), respectively. These findings indicate that CBCT-based dental age estimation combined with machine learning modestly improves accuracy over the conventional Kvaal approach, better capturing complex patterns in age-related dental changes and providing more reliable age estimates for forensic applications in the studied population. Further validation across diverse populations is necessary. However, the proposed strategy would be a complementary option within forensic dental age estimation.
Unit inconsistency in forensic blood and breath alcohol reporting.
Olson A
Forensic Sci Int Synerg · 2026 Jun · PMID 41907578 · Full text
An inconsistency exists between statutory definitions of blood alcohol concentration as a percent by weight, a mass/mass concentration, and modern forensic laboratory reporting based on mass/volume concentration. Percent...
An inconsistency exists between statutory definitions of blood alcohol concentration as a percent by weight, a mass/mass concentration, and modern forensic laboratory reporting based on mass/volume concentration. Percent by weight (mass/mass) and grams per deciliter (mass/volume) are not equivalent units for whole blood because blood has a density of approximately 1.055-1.06 g/mL at 37 °C. When g/dL values are treated as equivalent to percent by weight, BAC is overreported by approximately 5.5-6%. The same inconsistency affects breath alcohol values when units are not properly reconciled.
Technical note: Issues with proposed chance match probabilities in barefoot morphology.
Hockey D, Cai S
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41905124 · Publisher ↗
Several chance match probabilities have been proposed with regards to barefoot morphology. Unfortunately, those assessed in this technical review have critical errors. Some directly assume that the data collected from ba...
Several chance match probabilities have been proposed with regards to barefoot morphology. Unfortunately, those assessed in this technical review have critical errors. Some directly assume that the data collected from bare feet are independent. One article, the main discussion point, attempts to use principal component analysis (PCA) to circumvent the issue of dependent data. The authors claim that PCA generates new statistically independent variables. PCA creates new variables which are linearly orthogonal and maximally preserve the variance from the data; however, it does not create statistically independent variables. This technical note highlights the flaws with these arguments; therefore, these proposed chance match probabilities should not be used to support the scientific foundation of the discipline.
Exploring multi-step human DNA transfer in semi-controlled scenarios following dog patting.
Monkman H, van Oorschot RAH, Volgin L … +1 more , Goray M
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41905123 · Publisher ↗
Recent studies report detection of human DNA on companion animals, often attributed to the animal's owner(s). Human DNA from dogs can also be secondarily transferred and recovered from the hands of an individual after co...
Recent studies report detection of human DNA on companion animals, often attributed to the animal's owner(s). Human DNA from dogs can also be secondarily transferred and recovered from the hands of an individual after contact with an animal. Beyond secondary transfer, tertiary transfer has also been noted from the patter's hands to the subsequently handled surfaces. However, data on indirect transfer are limited, hindering a clear understanding of the dog's role as a vector for DNA transfer. This semi-controlled study aimed to evaluate indirect transfer of DNA initially deposited on a dog through contact by a foreign individual to the hands and handled items of the dog owner. In the experiments, one dog (non-shedding) was contacted by one of three different individuals, who did not regularly interact with the dog or its owner, on separate days, after which various scenarios ensued. These scenarios included the owner patting their dog, followed by pre-determined tasks such as using a knife (pre-used by dog owner) or an item of underpants (worn by the dog owner) at different time points, including immediately and 2-, 4- and 6- hours after the initial patting. Samples were collected for DNA profiling from the dog, knives underpants and owner's hand. DNA profiles were generated and analysed to determine the occurrences and extent of transfer of the one-off patter's DNA to the dog's owner and their items (knives and underpants), and persistence of this DNA on their hands and the dog. Direct transfer of the patter to the dog was frequently detected; in 67% of samples taken immediately after patting (6 of 9 samples; underpants experiment only) and in 44% of samples taken 6 h after patting (4 of 9 samples in underpants experiments and 4 of 9 samples in knife experiments). Tertiary indirect transfer of the patter via a dog owner to the owner items was also observed; in 11% of knife samples (always as minor contributors) but not in any of the underpants samples. The data generated in this study adds to the growing knowledge base and data availability regarding the transfer, prevalence, persistence and recovery of DNA through companion animals and will assist those collecting samples during investigations of criminal activity and those conducting activity level evaluations.
Integrative forensic genomics resolves trace DNA in a major transnational drug trafficking case.
Wang M, Chen J, Luo L … +10 more , Yang M, Liu X, Wang Z, He M, Tang R, Ou L, Liang J, Guo M, He G, Liu C
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Jun · PMID 41905019 · Publisher ↗
Illicit drug source tracing increasingly combines forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, and genomics, yet connecting packaging or production to specific individuals remains challenging when touch DNA is limited, deg...
Illicit drug source tracing increasingly combines forensic toxicology, analytical chemistry, and genomics, yet connecting packaging or production to specific individuals remains challenging when touch DNA is limited, degraded, or contaminated. Here, we applied an integrated forensic genomics approach to a major transnational maritime cocaine trafficking case. Touch DNA recovered from multilayer packaging underwent 80 Mb SNP capture targeting autosomal, Y-chromosomal, and mitochondrial loci, with whole-genome sequencing used for comparison. Despite low DNA amounts and varying microbial contamination, the combined capture and imputation process produced usable genomic profiles for seven samples, three of which represented unique contributors. Allele-sharing analyses identified two contributors, UN01 and UN02, as closest to American reference populations, while UN03 showed a more complex profile with American, European, and African ancestries. The paternal lineages of UN01 and UN02 belonged to Q1b1a1a1, common in populations with Native American ancestry, whereas UN03 carried E1b1a1a1a2a1a3b1d1c1a, a lineage broadly linked to African ancestry. Maternal lineage inference added context, with UN03 assigned to the Native American-associated D1f and UN01/UN02 linked to deep Eurasian basal lineages. Identity-by-descent and geolocation analyses indicated stronger connections to South American reference groups for all three contributors, although the accuracy of these results was limited by uneven reference sampling and the structure of the training dataset. Overall, these findings demonstrate that combining SNP capture, genotype imputation, biogeographic ancestry inference, and phylogenetic analysis can produce valuable investigative leads from trace and degraded DNA, while also emphasizing the importance of cautious interpretation and awareness of uncertainty in forensic work.
Case report - Animal abuse by condition falsification in a dog with epileptic seizures caused by citalopram poisoning.
van Herwijnen IR, van Helvoort DGL, Beijer AHA
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41903393 · Publisher ↗
Animal abuse by condition falsification so far has received little scientific attention. This particular form of animal abuse is characterized by an animal caretaker's infliction of harm to an animal by feigning a condit...
Animal abuse by condition falsification so far has received little scientific attention. This particular form of animal abuse is characterized by an animal caretaker's infliction of harm to an animal by feigning a condition with the purpose to get attention or sympathy from others, such as veterinary personnel. We report the case of a young dog with early onset and recurrent epileptic seizures in which post-mortem examination revealed citalopram poisoning. Red flags were in the early onset of the seizures in this dog in combination with previous dogs from the household also suffering epileptic seizures. This case report highlights the importance of considering animal abuse by condition falsification and the relevance of toxicological testing in suspected cases, as to prevent animal suffering and untimely death.
Internal validation of the Mini25A system: The six-dyes labelled kit for forensic degraded samples.
Jin X, Chen Z, Mao L … +3 more , Cheng X, Zhu W, Liu Y
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41903392 · Publisher ↗
Short tandem repeats (STRs) represent the gold-standard genetic markers for individual identification and kinship analysis in forensic genetics. However, the relatively large amplicon sizes of STR loci in conventional co...
Short tandem repeats (STRs) represent the gold-standard genetic markers for individual identification and kinship analysis in forensic genetics. However, the relatively large amplicon sizes of STR loci in conventional commercial kits often hinder their utility for analyzing aged or degraded biological samples, where fragmented DNA is prevalent. MiniSTR technology addresses this limitation by redesigning primers to target regions closer to the STR core repeats, thereby shortening amplicon lengths and enabling robust genotyping of compromised samples. Despite this advantage, most currently available miniSTR kits incorporate a limited number of loci, which translates to insufficient cumulative forensic efficiency to meet the rigorous demands of forensic casework. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive performance validation of the commercial NHID Mini25A kit, evaluating key forensic metrics including species specificity, genotyping precision, platform concordance, allelic peak height balance, and so on. The validation results demonstrated that the NHID Mini25A kit exhibits stringent species specificity, yielding unambiguous genotyping profiles exclusively from human DNA. Allele calling precision was high, with standard deviations consistently below 0.1, and the kit showed full compatibility with both ABI 3130 and 3500 Genetic Analyzer platforms. Moreover, the kit maintained favorable heterozygote balance, as well as robust intra-dye and inter-dye peak height balances. It achieved a high sensitivity of 0.031 ng, with no evidence of allele dropout even at this low DNA input. Additionally, the NHID Mini25A kit displayed a notable tolerance to common forensic inhibitors and demonstrated strong efficacy in analyzing mixtures across a range of contributor ratios, successfully identifying alleles derived from minor contributors. Most notably, compared with the conventional 25A casework kit, the NHID Mini25A kit exhibited substantially superior performance for different degree of degraded samples, retaining the ability to effectively genotype ≥ 88% of its targeted loci. In conclusion, the NHID Mini25A kit demonstrated stable and reliable performance across all critical validation parameters, rendering it an efficient and practical tool for the detection and analysis of challenging degraded samples in forensic genetics research.
Forensic toxicology perspectives and trends on abused drugs in Adana, Turkiye: A five-year overview (2019-2023).
Efeoglu Ozseker P, Koca Yavuz T, Cekin N … +1 more , Yavuz B
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41903391 · Publisher ↗
Monitoring toxicological findings in forensic cases offers valuable data on substance use patterns. This study aims to characterise long-term trends in illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) in a strategical...
Monitoring toxicological findings in forensic cases offers valuable data on substance use patterns. This study aims to characterise long-term trends in illicit drugs and new psychoactive substances (NPS) in a strategically important transit region of Turkiye and to evaluate their implications for forensic intelligence and public health surveillance. In this retrospective study, we analyzed toxicological results from than 100,000 forensic cases examined between 2019 and 2023 at the Council of Forensic Medicine, Adana. Biological samples such as blood, urine, and hair etc. collected from both antemortem and postmortem cases were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) techniques. The findings revealed a significant change in the regional drug landscape, characterised by substantial increases in amphetamines, NPS, and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives, particularly pregabalin and gabapentin. In contrast, opioids showed a declining trend. Antemortem cases predominantly reflected stimulant and NPS use, whereas postmortem cases were associated with higher proportions of benzodiazepines and opioids. This study is among the most comprehensive toxicological analyses conducted in Turkiye so far. The results revealed changing trends in drug use, especially the increase in NPS and prescription medications, and emphasize the importance of continuous forensic and public health monitoring. Incorporating toxicological data into national substance surveillance systems is advised to enhance prevention efforts and policy development.
Advantage of analysing drug paraphernalia in cause-of-death investigations.
Kriikku P, Pelander A, Jylhä A … +3 more , Ketola RA, Kivinen A, Ojanperä I
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41903390 · Publisher ↗
In the current poly-drug use context, the contribution of each detected drug to the cause of death in a fatal poisoning may be difficult to assess. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the analysis of drug para...
In the current poly-drug use context, the contribution of each detected drug to the cause of death in a fatal poisoning may be difficult to assess. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the analysis of drug paraphernalia found at the death scene could assist in the cause-of-death determination. Over a period of about four years, drug paraphernalia were analysed whenever paraphernalia was available for the analysis and a drug-related death was suspected. A total of 134 syringes and other kinds of paraphernalia were analysed in 77 death cases. Amphetamine, buprenorphine, and alprazolam were the most common findings. One single substance was detected in 51% of the analysed items, but some items contained up to 5 different substances, typically amphetamine or buprenorphine together with a benzodiazepine. Of the cases in which drug paraphernalia were analysed, in 57%, at least one detected substance was finally implicated as the cause of death in fatal poisonings, and in 14%, the detected substance was assessed as a contributing factor to death. Analysis of drug paraphernalia generated completely new drug findings in only a few cases. Comparing the results of the analysis of drug paraphernalia recovered at the death scene with the results of post-mortem toxicology allows for better understanding of circumstances of death, and in some cases enables more accurate determination of the cause of death by identifying the freshly administered drugs. In cases with new psychoactive substances, the analysis of paraphernalia can provide information that could otherwise be difficult to obtain as the concentrations in biological samples can be low.
Investigation of the utility of vitreous humour drug concentrations when compared to peripheral blood using the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality database.
Morley SR, Copeland CS
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41895191 · Publisher ↗
Peripheral blood (PB) remains the standard matrix for postmortem toxicological analysis, yet its interpretive reliability is often compromised by postmortem redistribution (PMR), trauma, or decomposition. Vitreous humour...
Peripheral blood (PB) remains the standard matrix for postmortem toxicological analysis, yet its interpretive reliability is often compromised by postmortem redistribution (PMR), trauma, or decomposition. Vitreous humour (VH), due to its anatomical isolation and reduced susceptibility to PMR, has emerged as a promising alternative matrix. This study investigates the correlation between VH and PB drug concentrations using data from the National Programme on Substance Use Mortality (NPSUM), aiming to enhance interpretive accuracy and forensic utility of VH. A total of 110 cases with paired VH and PB drug concentrations were identified. Quantitative toxicology data were extracted from coronial submissions across the UK, with analysing laboratories accredited by UKAS or an international equivalent. Statistical comparisons were performed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and coefficients of determination (R²) to assess correlation strength. Drug concentrations were consistently lower in VH than PB, yet all drugs detected in PB were also present in VH. Strong correlations were observed for pregabalin (R²=0.86), methadone (R²=0.81), gabapentin (R²=0.76), and codeine (R²=0.70), while cocaine (R²=0.56) showed moderate correlation. Weak correlations were noted for BZE (R²=0.44), EDDP (R²=0.20), and morphine (R²=0.19). These findings suggest that VH concentrations reflect systemic levels for certain drugs, particularly those with limited PMR and favourable physicochemical properties. The study highlights VH's value as a confirmatory matrix, especially when PB is unavailable. However, the variability in VH-PB correlations underscores the need for matrix-specific interpretive frameworks. Factors such as lipophilicity, protein binding, and molecular size appear to influence VH penetration more than PMR alone. This work represents one of the most comprehensive evaluations of VH-PB drug correlations to date and supports the development of a systematic reference database. Future research should expand case numbers and incorporate additional covariates to refine VH-based interpretive models. VH offers a viable alternative for postmortem toxicology, but its evidential weight depends on drug-specific characteristics and robust reference data.
Handwriting classification in a forensic intelligence context using binary logistic regression (BLR) and classification & regression tree (CRT) models.
Song CR, Morelato M, Brown J … +1 more , Roux C
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41895190 · Publisher ↗
Despite the digital transformation of society, handwritten documents continue to be collected in various investigations, such as fraud investigations and drug trafficking. Recent research highlighted that handwriting off...
Despite the digital transformation of society, handwritten documents continue to be collected in various investigations, such as fraud investigations and drug trafficking. Recent research highlighted that handwriting offers not only comparative value (i.e. helping address a source question), but it also has the potential to infer a writer's background profile (i.e. helping address other questions than source). This study compared binary logistic regression (BLR) and classification & regression tree (CRT) models to infer a writer's cultural background based on handwriting features. An experimental two-step modelling approach was employed to distinguish Australian, Korean, and Vietnamese writers (N = 196) using categorical handwriting features coded from scanned handwritten texts. The first step was classifying Australian from non-Australian writers, and the second step was further specifically classifying non-Australians into Korean and Vietnamese. The results demonstrated how a two-step modelling framework could be operationalised for early-stage writer classification and highlighted its practical strengths and limitations. The BLR model provided statistical depths for detailed interpretation, and it achieved higher classification accuracy, 93.4% and 97.8% in each step. The CRT model also achieved a high accuracy rate, but lower than BLR with 86.7% and 94.2%. Furthermore, blind test results reflected the practical challenges and strengths of each model. The CRT model correctly classified six out of seven blind specimens while the BLR correctly classified three out of seven blind specimens. Each model presented distinct strengths as the BLR model provided rich detailed statistical outputs, such as odds ratios and significance levels, while the CRT model offered greater accessibility and usability for non-statistical experts. These findings suggest that model selection should balance interpretability, robustness and accuracy. Although more work is required until such models can be applied in practice, this study highlights the potential to extract operational insights from handwriting beyond traditional comparison methods, supporting intelligence-led workflows even when no comparison material is available.
Preliminary evaluation of gunshot residue pattern analysis using flash-pulse infrared thermography and multi-task deep learning.
Sokol M, Hejda J, Volf P … +3 more , Valenta M, Vávra R, Kutílek P
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41895189 · Publisher ↗
Gunshot residue pattern assessment can support forensic reconstruction, particularly for shooting distance evaluation, but commonly used approaches may be time-consuming, costly, or dependent on subjective visual interpr...
Gunshot residue pattern assessment can support forensic reconstruction, particularly for shooting distance evaluation, but commonly used approaches may be time-consuming, costly, or dependent on subjective visual interpretation, which can be especially difficult on challenging substrates. At the same time, no prior study, to our knowledge, has combined flash-pulse infrared thermography with multi-task deep learning for simultaneous prediction of multiple ballistic attributes from thermographic deposition patterns on textiles. In this proof-of-concept study, we investigated whether these patterns associated with firearm discharge residues and damage on textile targets can support complementary ballistic screening under controlled laboratory conditions. Using a dataset of 312 ballistic samples, we developed a hybrid multi-task neural network to classify weapon category, firearm model, and ammunition type, while also estimating shooting distance. The final model achieved mean accuracies of 94.3% for weapon category classification, 85.1% for firearm model classification, and 92.6% for ammunition type classification, together with a mean absolute error of 7.92 cm for shooting distance estimation. The proposed approach outperformed the evaluated traditional machine-learning baselines and single-task neural-network models within this experimental setting. These findings support the feasibility of combining flash-pulse infrared thermography and multi-task deep learning as a rapid, non-destructive, and objective complementary tool for ballistic screening and shooting distance assessment in controlled conditions. However, because the study was limited to a restricted set of firearms, ammunition types, textile conditions, and laboratory-controlled samples, the method should be regarded as a preliminary screening approach rather than a confirmatory forensic identification method.
Corrigendum to "Towards activity-level interpretation in forensic explosives investigations: Studying perchlorate trace transfer from flash powder" [Forensic Sci. Int. 383 (2026) 112900].
van Damme IM, Corver ME, Soemai CS … +7 more , Lazeroms S, Wagemakers SJC, Allers S, Bezemer KDB, Kokshoorn B, Hulsbergen AWC, van Asten AC
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jun · PMID 41887952 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
HPLC-DAD method development and validation for the quantification of CBD, CBDA, Δ9-THC AND Δ9-THCA in Cannabis-based products.
Figueiredo JMM, Pereira AR, de Almeidados JVM … +6 more , Dos Santos Conceição N, França HS, Kuster RM, Pegoretti VCB, Romão W, Dos Santos NA
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41886906 · Publisher ↗
The therapeutic use of Cannabis has significantly expanded in recent years, increasing the demand for robust, accessible, and reliable analytical methods capable of ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of the plant...
The therapeutic use of Cannabis has significantly expanded in recent years, increasing the demand for robust, accessible, and reliable analytical methods capable of ensuring the quality, safety, and efficacy of the plant-derived products. In this context, the present study aimed to develop and validate a chromatographic method using HPLC-DAD for the identification and quantification of four cannabinoids (CBD, CBDA, Δ-THC, and Δ-THCA) in different matrices - oil and marijuana. Method validation confirmed its selectivity, linearity, precision, and accuracy, in accordance with the criteria established by applicable guidelines. Recovery values ranged from 81.2% to 107.9% for oil samples and from 80.3% to 107.7% for Cannabis plant material. Limits of detection (LOD) ranged from 0.0258 µg mL to 0.2043 µg mL, while limits of quantification (LOQ) varied from 0.0851 µg mL to 0.6744 µg mL. Intermediate precision ranged from 2.5% to 7.8% for oil and from 6.0% to 10.9% for Cannabis plant material. Repeatability ranged from 2.7% to 9.4% for oil, and from 5.5% to 9.1% for Cannabis plant material. The developed method was successfully applied to three samples, enabling the identification of one CBD-rich oil and two Δ-THC/Δ-THCA-predominant samples, one oil and one plant material. The results demonstrate that the method is suitable for quality control of Cannabis-based products and can be effectively applied to both oil and plant-based matrices.
Observations and investigation of STR genotype inconsistencies due to mutations, silent alleles, and uniparental disomy in South African populations.
Swanepoel DN, Fisher MC, Wessels L … +1 more , Ehlers K
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Jun · PMID 41886905 · Publisher ↗
The fundamental concept of parentage and kinship testing is that a child inherits DNA in accordance with the principles of Mendelian inheritance. A child receives half of its DNA from each parent. However, sometimes the...
The fundamental concept of parentage and kinship testing is that a child inherits DNA in accordance with the principles of Mendelian inheritance. A child receives half of its DNA from each parent. However, sometimes the observed genotype patterns between a child and its purported parents do not fully align with Mendelian inheritance, which can result in a false conclusion regarding parentage. Mutations, silent alleles, and uniparental disomy (UPD) are examples of events that can produce non-Mendelian results. This study examines STR profiles from South African parentage testing data to assess the frequency of mutations, silent alleles, and UPD within the dataset. Mutations and population-specific silent allele rates are estimated for up to 26 STR loci. Results show the highest mutation rate was observed at SE33 (0.00657), whilst the lowest was at TH01 (0.000061). The paternal mutation rate was 5.6 times higher than the maternal rate. The overall silent allele rate was notably high at SE33 and vWA, especially within the South African Black and Coloured populations when tested with Promega's PowerPlex® chemistries. This suggests a potential underrepresentation of these groups in commercial kit research and development. Although the dataset was screened for UPD cases, no clear evidence of its occurrence was found. The data also present 'out of marker range' alleles and instances of partially amplified DNA template. The findings and frequencies provided by this study offer population-specific information for the South African population, enabling more appropriate likelihood ratios to be generated in forensic and kinship testing. Additionally, this paper offers practical guidance for analysts involved in kinship testing, facilitating the recognition and understanding of the potential impact of non-Mendelian events in specific cases.
Organizational culture and forensic science reliability: A lifecycle analysis of latent error pathways.
Kessler MP
Forensic Sci Int Synerg · 2026 Jun · PMID 41884317 · Full text
Reliability in forensic science is often inferred from accreditation and standards compliance. These controls are necessary, but they do not, by themselves, demonstrate stable performance under routine casework condition...
Reliability in forensic science is often inferred from accreditation and standards compliance. These controls are necessary, but they do not, by themselves, demonstrate stable performance under routine casework conditions. This conceptual synthesis treats reliability in the scientific systems sense: the capacity of a forensic science system to maintain stable performance and to interrupt error under ordinary operating constraints. Drawing on forensic science, safety science, and organizational research, it describes three mechanism-consistent pathways by which reliability can erode without overt nonconformance: latent conditions embedded in workload and review design; attenuation of weak signals as concerns are summarized or administratively closed; and lifecycle propagation, where early constraints shape later analysis, interpretation, reporting, and testimony. The Marshall Hale wrongful conviction is used as an illustrative mechanism map of how procedural completion can coexist with reduced corrective leverage across institutional boundaries.
DNA profiling after fingermark development: Evaluation of silver mirror chemical delamination technique.
Accioly RJ, Kisberi JB, Silva EG … +2 more , Mariotti KC, Fridman C
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41880782 · Publisher ↗
The combination of fingermark and genetic forensic methods for human identification has been investigated to maximize the information obtained from the same fingermark sample. This study assessed the feasibility of gener...
The combination of fingermark and genetic forensic methods for human identification has been investigated to maximize the information obtained from the same fingermark sample. This study assessed the feasibility of generating DNA profiles using the recently developed silver mirror chemical delamination technique, specifically created to detect and enhance fingermarks deposited on mirror surfaces. The novel method avoids direct manipulation of the fingermark; thus, the preservation of the trace suggests good potential for subsequent DNA profiling. Half of the fingermarks developed with the mirror delamination method generated profiles containing at least 8 of 20 STR markers from the extended CODIS set and were considered useful for human identification. In addition, the results revealed that genetic tests provided useful information in two of the three samples that were initially not viable for dactyloscopy comparison, reinforcing the idea that conservative fingermark techniques can be combined with the genetic approach to increase the likelihood of obtaining useful information for identification purposes. Therefore, this research indicates that the silver mirror chemical delamination is a fingermark enhancement technique that also enables subsequent genetic evaluation.
Separating sperm from cell mixtures by using a bubble-based acoustofluidic filtration device for forensic DNA analysis.
Hwa HL, Wan TY, Su CW … +4 more , Lee TT, Tzeng LY, Lu YW, Lee JC
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Jun · PMID 41880769 · Publisher ↗
Forensic DNA analysis of a victim's oral or vaginal swab containing an offender's sperm is crucial in sexual assault investigations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a bubble-based acoustofluidic filtration (BAF...
Forensic DNA analysis of a victim's oral or vaginal swab containing an offender's sperm is crucial in sexual assault investigations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a bubble-based acoustofluidic filtration (BAF) device for separating sperm from mixtures of sperm and buccal or vaginal epithelial cells to enhance downstream male DNA contributor analysis. Sperm were separated from 32 two-person (1 man and 1 woman) and 33 three-person (2 men and 1 woman) samples. Autosomal and Amelogenin short tandem repeat genotyping was performed on both pre-BAF and post-BAF samples. Amelogenin Y-to-X allele peak height ratios and mean male-contributor(s)-specific allele peak height proportions were calculated for the pre-BAF and post-BAF samples. Male contributor(s) assignment was conducted using EuroForMix. The Amelogenin Y-to-X allele peak height ratio increased in 90.6% (29/32) of the two-person mixtures and 87.9% (29/33) of the three-person mixtures after BAF processing. The mean male-contributor(s)-specific allele peak height proportion increased in 96.9% (31/32) of the two-person mixtures and 97.0% (32/33) of the three-person mixtures after BAF processing. Male contributor assignment accuracy improved from 93.8% (30/32) to 100% in the two-person samples and from 84.8% (28/33) to 100% in the three-person samples after BAF processing. These results demonstrate that BAF effectively separates sperm from sperm/epithelial cell mixtures and can considerably enhance the accuracy of male DNA contributor identification.
The limits of accreditation: Monopoly, insularity, and the need for openness in forensic science.
Olson A, Pridgen B
Forensic Sci Int Synerg · 2026 Jun · PMID 41868012 · Full text
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation serves as the primary benchmark for forensic laboratories to demonstrate their commitment to quality and the delivery of reliable analytical results. In the courtroom, this accreditation is fr...
ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation serves as the primary benchmark for forensic laboratories to demonstrate their commitment to quality and the delivery of reliable analytical results. In the courtroom, this accreditation is frequently accepted as a guarantee of scientific accuracy. However, several recent events underscore the limitations of such an assumption. High-profile instances of laboratory errors-including the Randox toxicology scandal, the Maryland State Police laboratory's decade-long use of single-point calibration for blood alcohol testing, and methodological failures at the University of Illinois Chicago Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory-demonstrate how significant scientific problems can persist for years within accredited laboratories. In the United States, this issue is complicated by a highly centralized system in which just two organizations accredit more than 99% of providers. This oversight process relies heavily on a peer-review model, in which assessor pools are drawn largely from within the forensic laboratory community. Such a closed system can allow serious methodological flaws to go undetected. Reforms are needed to increase transparency, strengthen independent oversight, enhance whistleblower protections, and incorporate non-forensic ISO/IEC 17025 assessors to provide more objective oversight.
The use of the tattoo as an investigative tool at the crime scene.
Corsetti D, Miranda MD
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Jul · PMID 41865556 · Publisher ↗
Tattoos have served as a subject of interest across cultures for centuries, and serve as a critical component of forensic investigations. Tattoos as traces-when properly identified and documented-are a valuable tool for...
Tattoos have served as a subject of interest across cultures for centuries, and serve as a critical component of forensic investigations. Tattoos as traces-when properly identified and documented-are a valuable tool for investigators. This article demonstrates that uniform and detailed reporting of tattoos can be essential for providing investigatory leads in cold cases, missing persons cases and unidentified remains cases. Data was collected from redacted records provided by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office (NJ, USA) along with data collected from public databases and state police agencies across the United States to assess inter- and intra- agency inconsistencies in the documentation of tattoos with the goal of identifying the causes of variation in tattoo reporting and documentation. In addition, this study evaluated the overall lack of tattoo documentation for missing persons and unidentified remains cases in order to understand why such inconsistencies and lack of uniformity exist across agencies, and what can be done to improve the utility of the tattoo in forensic science and investigative endeavours. From this study, it is clear that there is a need to establish both a standard operating procedure for tattoo documentation and a uniform, international database in order to positively impact the burgeoning instances of cold cases featuring tattooed missing persons and unidentified human remains. The goal of this article is to raise awareness about the usefulness of tattoos as a trace and to address the need to create tattoo documentation standards across forensic science and the broader criminal justice system.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe