Forensic Science International[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Reduced amplification and amplicon dropout in PCR-based mitochondrial DNA massively parallel sequencing kits.
Prieto L, Nguidi M, Amory C … +3 more , Pérez-Lacasa R, Gusmão L, Parson W
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Sep · PMID 42208194 · Publisher ↗
The highly polymorphic nature of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) poses a significant challenge for primer design in PCR-based assays, because mismatches under primer binding sites can lead to reduced amplification and thus low...
The highly polymorphic nature of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) poses a significant challenge for primer design in PCR-based assays, because mismatches under primer binding sites can lead to reduced amplification and thus lower sequencing read depth or even complete amplicon dropout. While manufacturers aim to prevent this by adding variant-specific combinations to the primer pools (also known as degenerate primers), it cannot be entirely avoided that some samples are still affected, particularly when rare variants appear in the primer target region. In this study, we evaluated the impact of such variants on the amplification efficiency using two widely implemented Massively Parallel Sequencing kits, the Precision ID MtDNA Control Region / Whole Genome Panels (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and the ForenSeq mtDNA Whole Genome Kit (Verogen). The samples used in this study came from routine casework applications (analysed in the Control Region) and from a study of population genetics and phylogeography (encompassing the entire mitogenome). The observed instances of drop-out or reduced read depth were examined for their phylogenetic background and for their expected abundance and relevance in forensic casework. We discuss possible solutions to mitigate these issues, including the use of overlapping amplicons and an increased number of degenerate primers.
Current knowledge, attitudes and practices in forensic dentistry among dentists in France: An observational study.
Sabourin C, Moulis L, Baccino E … +2 more , Martrille L, Inquimbert C
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42202501 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Forensic odontology is a key discipline in post-mortem human identification. In France, the absence of a centralized dental registry complicates the use of dental records for this purpose. Since 2016, nationw...
BACKGROUND: Forensic odontology is a key discipline in post-mortem human identification. In France, the absence of a centralized dental registry complicates the use of dental records for this purpose. Since 2016, nationwide "identification alerts" have circulated by email to dentists, asking them to check for possible matches in their patient files. AIM: This study focuses on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of French dentists regarding panoramic radiography, dental record-keeping, and their interaction with forensic identification alerts. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between December 2023 and December 2024. A total of 419 dentists completed the nationwide questionnaire using the KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices) framework. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 94% had graduated from French dental school and 74% practised exclusively in the private sector. More than half of respondents reported prescribing panoramic radiographs in the event of pathology, while one-third used them routinely every one to two years. Forty percent of respondents indicated that they had received no initial training in forensic dentistry or record-keeping. Dentists who graduated after 2014 were more likely to have received such supplraining (p < 0.001), yet they were paradoxically less likely to respond to identification alerts (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The findings highlight a gap between technical capacity, training, and practical forensic engagement. In order to enhance the role of dentists in forensic identification, systemic measures are required, including standardised record keeping, the integration of forensic functionalities into dental software, national policy support, and targeted awareness campaigns.
Response to Letter to the Editor Regarding "A bibliometric analysis of investigative genetic genealogy in academic literature: Trends, networks, and emerging themes".
Pellegrino A, Stasi A
Forensic Sci Int Synerg · 2026 Jun · PMID 42200105 · Full text
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Transition analysis 3: New skeletal age indicators.
Milner GR, Getz SM, Weise S … +3 more , Tarp P, Ousley SD, Boldsen JL
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Sep · PMID 42191541 · Publisher ↗
To improve age estimates for adult human skeletons, age-of-transitions from early to late stages are estimated for multiple skeletal structures, many used for the first time for estimation purposes. Classified dichotomou...
To improve age estimates for adult human skeletons, age-of-transitions from early to late stages are estimated for multiple skeletal structures, many used for the first time for estimation purposes. Classified dichotomously (i.e., early and late stages), individual skeletal structures yield little information about age. But collectively they can improve age estimates for adult skeletons. Skeletons from four continents (N = 1638) provide a large and diverse sample suitable for developing a global age-estimation method. Sixty-nine early to late stage transitions were estimated for 47 cranial and postcranial structures; some structures used as age indicators have more than two morphological stages. Generalized Linear Models (GLM), GLM using log ages, and Generalized Additive Models (GAM) were used to generate age-of-transition curves, with the model that best fits the data presented here. Look-up tables are provided to estimate age. For each transition, the ages when 5, 10, 25, 50, 75, 90, and 95 % of the sample reached the more advanced of a pair of stages are given for both sexes grouped together. Sex-specific age-of-transitions are provided when transitions occur at different times for men and women. In addition to the look-up tables for manually estimating age, transitions from one stage to the next are the empirical backbone of a computer program, TA3-V1.0, for generating estimates through the combination of multiple curves, as outlined in an accompanying paper.
MatchY in practice: Factors influencing pedigree-based Y-STR match probabilities.
Zandstra D, Caliebe A, Ghanbari M … +3 more , Krawczak M, Kayser M, Ralf A
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Jun · PMID 42191266 · Publisher ↗
While widely applied in forensic practice, equating Y-STR match probabilities with haplotype frequencies derived from population databases has been considered inappropriate, as these databases cannot be representative of...
While widely applied in forensic practice, equating Y-STR match probabilities with haplotype frequencies derived from population databases has been considered inappropriate, as these databases cannot be representative of each and every case-specific suspect population. To address this inherent limitation of the forensic application of Y-STRs, we previously introduced a mathematical framework for calculating Y-STR match probabilities based on the suspect's male pedigree. Recently, we extended and implemented this framework in the publicly available MatchY software tool, which allows users to calculate match probabilities for any Y-STRs with known mutation rates and for pedigrees of varying size and complexity. Here, we present a comprehensive exploration of marker and pedigree-based factors impacting the Y-STR match probability outcomes obtained with MatchY. Moreover, we introduce another application of MatchY, the trace mode, aimed at forensic intelligence rather than evidential value computation. These insights provide valuable guidance on the practical use of MatchY for calculating Y-STR match probabilities in routine forensic casework for cases both with and without suspects.
Assessing water pollution by micropollutants using passive sampling and forensic intelligence.
Reymond N, Glanzmann V, Huisman S … +2 more , Estoppey N, Weyermann C
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42190410 · Publisher ↗
Water pollution from agricultural, industrial, and urban activities poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. Traditional water monitoring methods, such as active sampling, often provide limited temporal...
Water pollution from agricultural, industrial, and urban activities poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health. Traditional water monitoring methods, such as active sampling, often provide limited temporal resolution and/or spatial coverage. As an alternative, this study explores the use of passive sampling within a forensic operational monitoring framework to assess river pollution. Passive samplers were deployed across three rivers in Switzerland with diverse land-use profiles, to collect time-weighted average concentrations of various micropollutants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals. These micropollutants were viewed as traces of anthropogenic activities. The collected data were integrated into a memory that enabled the detection of spatial and temporal pollution patterns and the formulation of hypotheses on potential contamination sources. This forensic intelligence framework provided a structured, iterative process for both monitoring and investigative purposes. The integration of passive sampling data within an operational monitoring cycle facilitated continuous data acquisition across multiple sites, allowing for an in-depth spatio-temporal assessment of river pollution. The memory component enabled systematic pattern detection, linking specific pollution profiles to land use types such as agriculture, industrial, and urban zones. By supporting hypothesis testing and refinement over time, the forensic monitoring framework offered a dynamic tool not only to detect pollution trends but also to identify their sources, potentially guiding timely and targeted environmental actions. This methodology highlights the utility of forensic science in environmental monitoring, providing actionable intelligence for stakeholders to enhance water quality management and inform adaptive policy interventions in response to recurring pollution events.
MitoFREQ: A novel approach for mitogenome frequency estimation from top-level haplogroups and single nucleotide variants.
Andersen MM, Huber N, Sturk-Andreaggi K … +3 more , Olsen TOS, Parson W, Marshall C
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Sep · PMID 42190321 · Publisher ↗
Forensic lineage markers pose a challenge in forensic genetics as their evidential value can be difficult to quantify. Lineage marker population frequencies can serve as one way to express evidential value. However, for...
Forensic lineage markers pose a challenge in forensic genetics as their evidential value can be difficult to quantify. Lineage marker population frequencies can serve as one way to express evidential value. However, for some markers, e.g., high-quality whole mitochondrial DNA genome sequences (mitogenomes), population data remain limited. In this paper, we offer a new method, MitoFREQ, for estimating the population frequencies of mitogenomes. MitoFREQ uses the mitogenome resources HelixMTdb and gnomAD, harbouring information from 195,983 and 56,406 mitogenomes, respectively. Neither HelixMTdb nor gnomAD can be queried directly for individual mitogenome frequencies, but offers single nucleotide variant (SNV) allele frequencies for each of 30 "top-level" haplogroups (TLHG), which mainly correspond to the first letter of major mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups (e.g., A, B, C, D, E, etc.) except for the L0, L1, L2, L3, L4-6, HV, and R/B haplogroups. We propose using the HelixMTdb and gnomAD resources by classifying a given mitogenome within the TLHG scheme and subsequently using the frequency of its rarest SNV within that TLHG weighted by the TLHG frequency. We show that this method is guaranteed to provide a higher population frequency estimate than if a refined haplogroup and its SNV frequencies were used. Further, we show that top-level haplogrouping can be achieved by using only 227 specific positions for 99.9% of the tested mitogenomes, potentially making the method available for low-quality samples. The method was tested on two types of datasets: high-quality forensic reference datasets and a diverse collection of scrutinized mitogenomes from GenBank. This dual evaluation demonstrated that the approach is robust across both curated forensic data and broader population-level sequences. This method produced likelihood ratios in the range of 100-100,000, demonstrating its potential to strengthen the statistical evaluation of forensic mtDNA evidence. We have developed an open-source R package mitofreq that implements our method, including a Shiny app where custom TLHG frequencies can be supplied.
Genetic analysis and in silico prediction of CACNA1S and RYR1 variants of sudden unexplained nocturnal death syndrome in Thai population.
Kanhar AA, Chaloemthanetphong A, Choowongkomon K … +10 more , Thangsiriskul N, Worrapitirungsi W, Pitiwararom R, Sathirapatya T, Sukawutthiya P, Noh H, Varrathyarom P, Lertparinyaphorn I, Pananpatcha N, Vongpaisarnsin K
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Sep · PMID 42184778 · Publisher ↗
Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS) is a lethal disorder with a largely elusive genetic etiology. While traditionally associated with cardiac channelopathies and cardiomyopathies, the role of skeletal mus...
Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome (SUNDS) is a lethal disorder with a largely elusive genetic etiology. While traditionally associated with cardiac channelopathies and cardiomyopathies, the role of skeletal muscle excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling genes, such as CACNA1S and RYR1, remains under-explored in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the potential contribution of CACNA1S and RYR1 variants to SUNDS susceptibility within a Thai cohort. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) on 98 Thai SUNDS cases following forensic autopsy. Variants were prioritized using dbNSFP annotations and public population databases. Furthermore, molecular modeling was employed to evaluate the structural impact of identified variants by comparing wild-type and mutant protein models. Genetic analysis identified 16 individuals (16.3%) carrying missense variants in CACNA1S and/or RYR1. In CACNA1S, we identified five rare variants (T55M, F275L, R865C, K962E, R1547Q) and three common variants (L458H, R1539C, L1800S). In RYR1, five rare variants (V347M, A612T, P1774L, E3397K, G3482S) and three common variants (P1773S, G2060C, E3578Q) were detected. These findings expand the known genetic architecture of SUNDS and suggest that variations in the E-C coupling machinery-specifically within CACNA1S and RYR1-may significantly contribute to the risk of sudden nocturnal death.
A Bayesian network approach to evaluating footwear evidence.
Kellett D, Lagnado D, Morgan R … +1 more , Nakhaeizadeh S
Forensic Sci Int Synerg · 2026 Jun · PMID 42181041 · Full text
The interpretation, evaluation and communication of forensic footwear findings has had an impact on its use and the perception of its value, although this is also an endemic issue in the wider forensic science discipline...
The interpretation, evaluation and communication of forensic footwear findings has had an impact on its use and the perception of its value, although this is also an endemic issue in the wider forensic science discipline. Tools for presenting forensic evidential findings in a clear, robust and transparent manner, such as Bayesian Networks, have been proposed, but their use in operational forensic science in the United Kingdom is limited due to the perceived complexity with building and populating such models. This paper aims to present an overview of the current method of footwear analysis and interpretation in England and Wales, which can lead to challenges in forensic evaluation, provide examples of where these issues are encountered operationally, and suggest a Bayesian Network model that could address these problems, both in forensic footwear examination and also in broader forensic science practice. A number of models are presented and populated with data from operational databases and with qualitative information provided by an operational forensic footwear expert currently working in the UK. The R v T judgment is used as an example of how such a tool could help to deliver more transparency when communicating forensic evidence and outcomes to the wider Criminal Justice System. A sensitivity analysis of data from different sources is shown, to demonstrate the potential range of values that could be reached for the likelihood ratio and a suggestion of how this could be presented as upper and lower bounds is made.
Identifying unknown contributors to two-person DNA mixtures via whole-genome sequencing.
Lei Y, Liu Z, Han S … +3 more , Lin X, Sun Q, Ou X
Forensic Sci Int Genet · 2026 Sep · PMID 42176415 · Publisher ↗
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) has demonstrated considerable promise in identifying perpetrators and unidentified human remains. While whole-genome sequencing (WGS) offers a robust foundation for FIGG, D...
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) has demonstrated considerable promise in identifying perpetrators and unidentified human remains. While whole-genome sequencing (WGS) offers a robust foundation for FIGG, DNA mixtures-prevalent in forensic casework-remain a challenge as standard algorithms require single-source profiles. Potential solutions fall broadly into two categories: (1) deconvoluting mixtures into genotype calls (which can be susceptible to allelic drop-out and miscalls in imbalanced scenarios), and (2) analyzing mixture profiles directly using likelihood ratio (LR) frameworks (which, though currently incompatible with genealogical database search algorithms, are powerful for kinship verification). Utilizing the DNBSEQ platform, we performed WGS on two-person mixtures across varying ratios (1:1, 1:2, 1:5, and 1:9), generating genome-wide data comprising an average of 4.34 million SNPs per sample. Our findings yield several practice-oriented insights: First, the hidden Markov model (HMM)-based Allele-Haplotype Hybrid Assignment (AH-HA) algorithm outperforms the locus-based EuroForMix (EFM) in deconvolution-especially for minor contributors-by effectively leveraging haplotype information, conditioned on one known contributor. Second, for major contributors, deconvolution error rates remain below 10%, enabling the identification of up to 6th- to 7th-degree relatives using error-aware algorithms (e.g., clusIBD) without imputation. Third, for minor contributors, despite error rates exceeding 10%, integrating imputation with the KING algorithm and empirical kinship correction facilitates the resolution of 3rd- to 4th-degree relatives. Finally, EFM is validated as a reliable confirmatory tool for direct kinship verification undeconvoluted profiles. Collectively, this work provides a comprehensive methodological comparison and proposes practical solutions to advance genetic genealogy analysis based on DNA mixture data.
Comparison of commercial and house-made artificial fingermark residue simulants.
Clover Ree L, Moret S, Chadwick S … +1 more , de la Hunty M
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42176399 · Publisher ↗
Latent fingermark residue is a chemically complex and highly variable matrix, presenting challenges when evaluating development techniques. To support furthering research into the chemical composition of fingermarks and...
Latent fingermark residue is a chemically complex and highly variable matrix, presenting challenges when evaluating development techniques. To support furthering research into the chemical composition of fingermarks and mechanistic understanding of development techniques, artificial residue simulants have been proposed as a method of controlling fingermark variability. This study compared two fingermark simulant emulsions: a house-made (HM) formulation and a commercially produced emulsion from Pickering Laboratories to assess their ability to mimic natural fingermark residue. Artificial marks were deposited using a rubber stamp on porous and non-porous substrates, then observed with an optical microscope and developed using indanedione-zinc (IND-Zn), cyanoacrylate (CA), iron-oxide based powder suspensions (FePS), or physical developer (PD). Microscopy revealed physical differences between artificial and natural residues, with neither simulant replicating homogeneous ridge deposition and consistency. The Pickering emulsion exhibited strong development with CA and IND-Zn, while the HM emulsion showed superior reactivity with FePS. Neither simulant was successfully developed with PD. Similarity assessments demonstrated only partial alignment with natural donor mark development and variability between techniques. Overall, although both emulsions contained relevant chemical components and were successfully developed by some techniques, neither simulant fully nor consistently represented natural fingermark residue. These findings further illustrate the complexity of residue-technique interactions and highlight the continued need for further research into artificial simulants to enable mechanistic research on fingermark development processes.
Deaths Among Individuals Exhibiting Hoarding Behavior - A 15-year retrospective forensic study.
Schulmann N, Birngruber CG, Bunzel L
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42176398 · Publisher ↗
This study characterizes the demographic features, medical history, autopsy findings, toxicological results, and causes of death of decedents with evidence of hoarding behavior. The results were compared with three metho...
This study characterizes the demographic features, medical history, autopsy findings, toxicological results, and causes of death of decedents with evidence of hoarding behavior. The results were compared with three methodologically comparable studies. Inclusion criteria comprised adult decedents examined at the Institute for Legal Medicine in Frankfurt/Main,Germany whose case records mentioned hoarding or domestic squalor. In a 15-year period, 161 cases met the inclusion criteria. Of the decedents, 24.2% were female, 75.8% were male. The mean age at death was 57.8 years. Physical comorbidities were documented in 58% of cases, with cardiovascular disease being the most prevalent condition in 16% of cases. Alcohol abuse was reported in 40% of the cases based on witness statements or medical records. Toxicological analyses were performed in 43% of cases, with opioids being the most common detected substance class. The cause of death remained unclear in 25% of cases, while cardiovascular disease accounted for 22% of deaths. Life expectancy within the study population was significantly lower than the German-population average. Consistent with the comparison studies, inadequate medical care for pre-existing conditions was frequently observed. Overall, the study population represents a socioeconomically diverse group in bad general health and a high rate of cardiovascular disease. As this study is based on forensic postmortem cases, the findings of this study may not be directly applicable to the living population.
Evaluating the detectability of randomly acquired characteristics under crime scene-like conditions.
Kaplan-Damary N, Rafaeli MM, Itskovich E … +6 more , Levi A, Daniel O, Wiesner S, Mazel I, Yekutieli Y, Mandel M
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42172949 · Publisher ↗
Randomly acquired characteristics (RACs) on shoe soles may provide information relevant to the evaluative comparison between a crime scene footwear print and a known reference shoe, yet their detectability in realistic c...
Randomly acquired characteristics (RACs) on shoe soles may provide information relevant to the evaluative comparison between a crime scene footwear print and a known reference shoe, yet their detectability in realistic conditions remains uncertain. To address this question, 30 experiments were conducted in which participants wearing preselected shoes with numerous RACs spontaneously left shoeprints on different surfaces, while unaware of the study's aims. In each trial, a trained field investigator located and collected the prints following standard protocols. A total of 302 shoeprints were analyzed, yielding 488 detected RAC instances out of 3464 RAC observation opportunities. Data were recorded at two levels. The first included crime-scene print-specific information: surface type (floor, wooden chair, or bristol board) and surrounding quality, linked to each RAC within the corresponding print. The second captured shoe-specific information, documenting for each RAC its outsole location, size, and type. RAC detection probabilities were estimated by logistic regression using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), to account for dependence among RACs on the same shoeprint. Results showed that RAC detectability is far from perfect, even under favorable conditions, and varies systematically with surface type, print quality, and RAC characteristics. Specifically, model based predicted detection probabilities for large RACs (≈4.52mm) under favorable conditions range from 45% to 66% (by RAC type), whereas for small RACs (≈0.26mm) under adverse conditions they drop to 0.4%-2.9%. These insights should guide the evaluation of the evidential value of both observed and unobserved RACs and inform the interpretation of footwear evidence in court.
GC-MS By-product signatures enable reliable differentiation of isomeric synthetic cathinones.
Ferrari Júnior E, Ferreira LPE, Motta SLO … +1 more , Augusti R
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42172948 · Publisher ↗
Synthetic cathinones are a prominent class of new psychoactive substances. The distinction between isomeric cathinones poses ongoing analytical challenges in forensic laboratories due to their almost indistinguishable el...
Synthetic cathinones are a prominent class of new psychoactive substances. The distinction between isomeric cathinones poses ongoing analytical challenges in forensic laboratories due to their almost indistinguishable electron ionization mass spectra at 70 eV (EIMS) and closely overlapping retention times under routine GC (gas chromatography) conditions. In this work, we demonstrate that the formation of thermally induced degradation products at the chromatographic inlet conditions, traditionally considered a serious analytical issue, can be systematically exploited to differentiate isomeric cathinones. As proof of principle, two series of isomeric cathinones were selected for analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS): series A (nominal mass 235 Da), eutylone, pentylone, N-methylethylone, dibutylone, and series B (nominal mass 249 Da), dipentylone, N-ethylpentylone. The cathinones generated degradation products with a mass shift of -2 Da upon contact with the GC inlet at temperatures above 250 °C. Additionally, cathinones bearing a secondary amine substituent, i.e., eutylone, pentylone, and N-ethylpentylone, also produced by-products exhibiting a -4 Da mass shift. The EIMS spectra of the by-products showed characteristic fragmentation patterns, including diagnostic ions useful for differentiating the isomeric structures. Systematic evaluation of key parameters showed that by-product formation is mainly influenced by the GC injection mode (splitless rather than split) and elevated inlet temperatures (>250 °C). Analysis of real samples confirmed that the overall GC-MS by-product data enabled reliable characterization of cathinones. This work therefore reframes GC-MS as a source of structurally informative data and a simple, robust strategy for the forensic identification of isomeric cathinones.
Age estimation from thoracic CT using 3D convolutional neural networks.
Sipahioğlu S, Akın T, Işık F … +2 more , Sipahioğlu S, Demir BT
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42172947 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the feasibility of using three-dimensional deep learning (DL) models to estimate chronological age from routine thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans and examined the contribution of...
BACKGROUND: This study investigated the feasibility of using three-dimensional deep learning (DL) models to estimate chronological age from routine thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans and examined the contribution of different CT reconstruction windows to model performance. METHODS: This retrospective study included thoracic CT scans from 1278 adults aged 20-80 years obtained from a single tertiary center. Lung, bone, and mediastinal reconstruction windows were generated for each scan. A 3D DenseNet-based DL model was trained using either individual window inputs or a combined three-channel configuration. Five-fold cross-validation was applied during training, an independent test set was used for evaluation. Model performance was assessed using mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE), coefficient of determination (R²), and Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Ensemble learning, Bland-Altman analysis, and Grad-CAM was utilized to provide visual explanations of the model's focus and to identify the anatomical regions most influential in the age estimation process. RESULTS: All models demonstrated good accuracy in predicting age from thoracic CT images. The bone-window model achieved the lowest MAE among single-window approaches, emphasizing the role of skeletal features. However, the three-channel model showed more consistent performance across age groups. The three-channel ensemble model achieved the best overall performance (MAE=4.89 years, R²=0.823, r = 0.915) with minimal bias. Prediction errors were lower in younger and older individuals and higher in middle-aged cohorts. CONCLUSION: DL-based age estimation from thoracic CT images is highly accurate. Integrating multiple reconstruction windows improves performance and supports the potential clinical and forensic utility of this approach.
A comparison between London Atlas, Demirjian and Cameriere age estimation methods in Thai children and adolescents.
Benjavongkulchai S, Sutheerapatranon P, Pimkow S … +1 more , Sinpitaksakul P
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42172946 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Dental age estimation is usually performed in medico-legal cases where a youth subject of unknown age is involved. A variety of age estimation methods has been proposed, with different degrees of accuracy fou...
OBJECTIVES: Dental age estimation is usually performed in medico-legal cases where a youth subject of unknown age is involved. A variety of age estimation methods has been proposed, with different degrees of accuracy found in different population groups. This study aims to compare estimated dental ages from three methods-the London Atlas, Demirjian, and Cameriere-to the chronological age to assess their accuracy and suitability for use in Thai children and adolescents. MATERIALS & METHODS: Panoramic radiographs from 420 Thai individuals (179 males and 241 females) aged between 7 and 20 years were selected for the examination. Each radiograph was analyzed using all three methods, focusing on teeth from the left side of the jaws. The estimated ages were compared to the chronological age to investigate significant differences. RESULTS: Overall, no significant difference was found between London atlas estimated age and chronological age (0.005 years underestimation). However, London atlas showed a higher tendency for overestimation in 7-16 years subjects, where Demirjian method showed no significant difference from chronological age with the least discrepancy (0.018 years underestimation). Cameriere outperformed other methods only in subjects about 7 years old (0.190 years overestimation). Similar trends were observed in separated male and female samples. CONCLUSION: London atlas is suggested for primary screening focusing on 8 and 15 years cut-points. Consecutive application with Cameriere method might improve accuracy in subjects under 8 years, while Demirjian method is recommended for 8-15 years subjects. London atlas considering the third molar is applicable in older subjects.
Exploratory research: Is forensic science a cause of miscarriage of justice in Canada?
Lécuyer SJ, Urima K, Sénéchal C … +1 more , Crispino F
Forensic Sci Int Synerg · 2026 Jun · PMID 42170646 · Full text
This exploratory research examines the implication of science in 92 Canadian wrongful convictions officially recognized by the state. The analysis revealed that science played a role in 30 cases, but 97% of those errors...
This exploratory research examines the implication of science in 92 Canadian wrongful convictions officially recognized by the state. The analysis revealed that science played a role in 30 cases, but 97% of those errors stemmed from the misinterpretation or overstatement of reliable scientific results, predominantly in legal medicine, and not from analytical errors. These errors often involved exceeding the probative value of evidence or a confusion between levels of interpretation. In addition, a collaboration with AVANE (Aide aux Victimes des Affaires Non-Élucidés) a French organization providing support and assistance to unsolved cases, allowed to study three cold cases. Despite the small number of cases, all three of them showed an underestimation of the potential of the trace, the ontological nature of scientific evidence and its potential to generate alternative hypotheses to those resulting from investigative tunnel vision or technical and financial constraints. Hence, this exploratory research raises the hypothesis of systemic vulnerabilities: an overestimation of expertise for wrongful convictions (type I errors) and an underestimation of the potential of the trace for unsolved crimes (type II errors). Both types of errors could support a lack of understanding of the trace, its potential, and its limits. Should this exploratory study be confirmed, it would emphasize the need for a stronger forensic oversight all along the investigative process, improved scientific literacy among judicial actors, and frameworks, such as the one proposed by the Sydney Declaration, to better address the inherent complexity and uncertainty of forensic evidence.
Corrigendum to "Fingerprint evidence in exoneration cases" [Forensic Science International: Synergy 12 (2026) 100675].
Cole SA, Schamp M
Forensic Sci Int Synerg · 2026 Jun · PMID 42170645 · Full text
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2026.100675.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2026.100675.].
Simultaneous LC-MS/MS determination of the emerging ketamine analogue 2F-2-oxo-PCPr and related compounds in human hair and application to forensic casework.
Cho B, Yeon S, Woo S … +2 more , Choi H, Kim D
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 Sep · PMID 42167022 · Publisher ↗
In early 2025, an unidentified white powder suspected illicit drug was submitted to National Forensic Service (NFS) for analysis and was subsequently identified as 2F-2-oxo-PCPr. 2F-2-oxo-PCPr is a structurally modified...
In early 2025, an unidentified white powder suspected illicit drug was submitted to National Forensic Service (NFS) for analysis and was subsequently identified as 2F-2-oxo-PCPr. 2F-2-oxo-PCPr is a structurally modified ketamine analogue characterized by the replacement of the aromatic chlorine substituent with fluorine and the substitution of the amine methyl group with a propyl group. Ketamine is known to exert hallucinogenic and dissociative effects through antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and 2F-2-oxo-PCPr may exhibit similar pharmacological effects owing to its structural similarity to ketamine. In recent years, novel ketamine analogues including 2F-2-oxo-PCE have emerged on the illicit drug market, raising forensic and toxicological concerns due to their structural similarity to ketamine and the limited analytical data. In South Korea, the detection of 2F-2-oxo-PCE since 2023 and the subsequent emergence of 2F-2-oxo-PCPr since 2025 have highlighted the necessity for developing reliable analytical methods to confirm the abuse of these substances in biological specimens. Hair analysis is a powerful tool in forensic toxicology, providing a long detection window and the ability to assess chronic drug exposure. Therefore, we developed and validated a quantitative LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous detection of 2F-2-oxo-PCPr, 2F-2-oxo-PCE, 2F-deschloroketamine, ketamine and their key metabolites, 2F-deschloronorketamine and norketamine, in human hair. Selectivity, specificity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), linearity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery, process efficiency, and stability were evaluated, and all results were acceptable. The validated method was applied to human hair samples from 8 individuals suspected of ketamine related substances use provided by the law enforcement agency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report a single validated hair-based LC-MS/MS workflow that simultaneously covers ketamine together with both fluorinated ketamine analogues (2F-2-oxo-PCPr, 2F-2-oxo-PCE and 2F-deschloroketamine) and their metabolites.
Investigating the formation of faux bloody fingermarks: The influence of secretion type and blood deposition mechanisms.
Rough C, Ebeyan R, Riley B
Forensic Sci Int · 2026 May · PMID 42166983 · Publisher ↗
In a criminal case, a bloody fingermark located at a crime scene can provide high evidentiary value as the fingermark pattern and DNA profile from the blood can both be used for context and identification purposes. Proba...
In a criminal case, a bloody fingermark located at a crime scene can provide high evidentiary value as the fingermark pattern and DNA profile from the blood can both be used for context and identification purposes. Probative evidence of this nature is scrutinised in court. One question that is often raised is the possibility that a bloody fingermark at a crime scene is a faux bloody fingermark, meaning that a latent fingermark was present at the scene before a bloodshed event, and that the blood has 'developed' the latent fingermark. Unfortunately, research available to fingerprint experts to help them answer this question is limited and inconclusive. This project is a pilot study that aimed to develop a method to better understand how bloody fingermarks form, focusing on faux bloody fingermarks, as a starting point. This project investigated various SWGSTAIN bloodstain mechanisms and fingermark residue compositions to find combinations in which faux bloody fingermarks were likely to form. The resulting faux bloody fingermarks were assessed for quality using the CAST grading scale. As a result, it was observed that in the majority of cases, faux bloody fingermarks were not formed. In instances where faux bloody fingermarks were formed, this relied on a combination of sebaceous-rich fingermarks and flow and swipe bloodstain mechanisms. These types of fingermarks have the potential to be confused with genuine bloody fingermarks and more research should be conducted to explore if and how faux bloody fingermarks can form under a wider set of conditions.
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