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McIntyre DB, Dawson BM, Long BM, Barton PS. A review of multi-disciplinary decomposition research and key drivers of variation in decay. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:2181-2192. [PMID: 38622312 PMCID: PMC11306653 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-024-03222-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The decomposition of animal remains is a multifaceted process, involving ecological, biological, and chemical interactions. While the complexity is acknowledged through concepts like the necrobiome, it's unclear if this complexity is reflected in research. Appreciation of the complexity of decomposition is crucial for identifying sources of variation in estimations of time since death in medico-legal science, as well as building broader ecological knowledge of the decomposition process. To gain insights into the extent of multidisciplinary research in the field of decomposition science, we conducted an examination of peer-reviewed literature on four key drivers of variation: volatile organic compounds, microbes, drugs/toxins, and insects. Among 650 articles, we identified their scientific discipline, driver/s of variation investigated, and year of publication. We found that 19% explored relationships between two drivers, while only 4% investigated interactions between three. None considered all four drivers. Over the past three decades, there has been a steady increase in decomposition research publications, signifying its growing importance. Most research (79%) was linked to forensic science, highlighting opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in decomposition science. Overall, our review underscores the need to incorporate multidisciplinary approaches and theory into contemporary decomposition research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna B McIntyre
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia.
- Graduate Research School, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia.
| | - Blake M Dawson
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2350, Australia
| | - Benjamin M Long
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- Future Regions Research Centre, Federation University, Mount Helen, VIC, 3350, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, 3216, Australia
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2
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Heuschkel ML, Labudde D. Reconsideration of Bertillonage in the age of digitalisation: Digital anthropometric patterns as a promising method for establishing identity. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2023; 8:100452. [PMID: 38274785 PMCID: PMC10808909 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2023.100452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The idea of using measurements of the human body for identity matching is deeply associated with Bertillonage, a historic biometric system that was briefly applied until it was superseded by fingerprinting in the early 20th century. The apparent failure then commonly causes doubt with regard to the suitability of a set of measurements as a biometric identifier in the present. Hence, the aim of this paper is to explore the potentials of using an anthropometric pattern, comprising of a set of body measurements, for identity matching. For this purpose, it will begin with a thorough examination of Bertillon's system and move on to conduct a comprehensive inquiry of the current possibilities of using digital anthropometric patterns in image or video-based evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie L. Heuschkel
- Faculty of Applied Computer Science and Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Mittweida, Mittweida, Germany
| | - Dirk Labudde
- Faculty of Applied Computer Science and Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Mittweida, Mittweida, Germany
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3
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Towler A, Dunn JD, Castro Martínez S, Moreton R, Eklöf F, Ruifrok A, Kemp RI, White D. Diverse types of expertise in facial recognition. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11396. [PMID: 37452069 PMCID: PMC10349110 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28632-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Facial recognition errors can jeopardize national security, criminal justice, public safety and civil rights. Here, we compare the most accurate humans and facial recognition technology in a detailed lab-based evaluation and international proficiency test for forensic scientists involving 27 forensic departments from 14 countries. We find striking cognitive and perceptual diversity between naturally skilled super-recognizers, trained forensic examiners and deep neural networks, despite them achieving equivalent accuracy. Clear differences emerged in super-recognizers' and forensic examiners' perceptual processing, errors, and response patterns: super-recognizers were fast, biased to respond 'same person' and misidentified people with extreme confidence, whereas forensic examiners were slow, unbiased and strategically avoided misidentification errors. Further, these human experts and deep neural networks disagreed on the similarity of faces, pointing to differences in their representations of faces. Our findings therefore reveal multiple types of facial recognition expertise, with each type lending itself to particular facial recognition roles in operational settings. Finally, we show that harnessing the diversity between individual experts provides a robust method of maximizing facial recognition accuracy. This can be achieved either via collaboration between experts in forensic laboratories, or most promisingly, by statistical fusion of match scores provided by different types of expert.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Towler
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia.
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, Australia.
| | - James D Dunn
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - Sergio Castro Martínez
- Sección Técnicas Identificativas, Comisaría General de Policía Científica, 28039, Madrid, Spain
| | - Reuben Moreton
- School of Psychology, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Fredrick Eklöf
- Forensic Imaging Biometrics, Information Technology Section, National Forensic Centre, Swedish Police Authority, 581 94, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Arnout Ruifrok
- Forensic Biometrics, Netherlands Forensic Institute, 2497 GB, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Richard I Kemp
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
| | - David White
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2052, Australia
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4
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Salazar-Aguilar P, Zaror-Sánchez C, Fonseca GM. Forensic odontology: Wrong convictions, "bad apples" and "the innocence files". J Forensic Leg Med 2023; 96:102528. [PMID: 37099885 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Forensic odontology (FO) provides expert testimony; however, new criticism has identified FO as one of the fields that must strengthen its scientific foundations. The recent Netflix documentary titled "The Innocence Files", featuring wrongful convictions, dedicates three of its nine episodes almost exclusively to bite mark identification (BMI), one of the most questioned tests performed by FO. Although most of the FO fields have an undoubted utility in forensic and juridical context, only BMI has been questioned in recent years; the derogatory expression "Junk science" is used continuously in the documentary almost as a synonym for FO. We present a scoping review of cases reported in the US National Registry of Exonerations in which FO was false or misleading forensic evidence (F/MFE) leading to wrongful convictions. Although in the 26 cases identified the only declared F/MFE was the BMI (excluding any other type of dental expertise), only in 2 cases (7.69%) was F/MFE the sole contributing factor, and in 4 cases (15.38%) there was F/MFE plus three additional factors. Official misconduct was detected in 19 cases (73.08%) and perjury or false accusation in 16 cases (61.54%). It has already been mentioned how dangerous it is to consider FO as synonymous with "bite mark identification", or even to publicly provide incorrect or decontextualized information. This review shows that erroneous convictions have been exclusively in the field of BMI, and that FO encompasses much more than just BMI. The relationship between the media and forensic sciences has been strained. The perspective of the new culture of risk management in forensics is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Salazar-Aguilar
- Programa de Magister en Odontología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Carrera de Odontología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Temuco, Chile; Centro de Investigación en Odontología Legal y Forense (CIO), Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Carlos Zaror-Sánchez
- Programa de Magister en Odontología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Center for Research in Epidemiology, Economics and Oral Public Health (CIEESPO), Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile
| | - Gabriel M Fonseca
- Programa de Magister en Odontología, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile; Centro de Investigación en Odontología Legal y Forense (CIO), Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
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5
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Morgan J. Wrongful convictions and claims of false or misleading forensic evidence. J Forensic Sci 2023; 68:908-961. [PMID: 36946413 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.15233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The results are reported of a study to examine case factors associated with 732 wrongful convictions classified by the National Registry of Exonerations as being associated with "False or Misleading Forensic Evidence." A forensic error typology has been developed to provide a structure for the categorization and coding of factors relating to misstatements in forensic science reports; errors of individualization or classification; testimony errors; issues relating to trials and officers of the court; and evidence handling and reporting issues. This study, which included the analysis of 1391 forensic examinations, demonstrates that most errors related to forensic evidence are not identification or classification errors by forensic scientists. When such errors are made, they are frequently associated with incompetent or fraudulent examiners, disciplines with an inadequate scientific foundation, or organizational deficiencies in training, management, governance, or resources. More often, forensic reports or testimony miscommunicate results, do not conform to established standards, or fail to provide appropriate limiting information. Just as importantly, actors within the broader criminal justice system-but not under the purview of any forensic science organization-may contribute to errors that may be related to the forensic evidence. System issues include reliance on presumptive tests without confirmation by a forensic laboratory, use of independent experts outside the administrative control of public laboratories, inadequate defense, and suppression or misrepresentation of forensic evidence by investigators or prosecutors. In approximately half of wrongful convictions analyzed, improved technology, testimony standards, or practice standards may have prevented a wrongful conviction at the time of trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Morgan
- National Institute of Justice, 9569 Brookchase Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27617, USA
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Khalilia WM. Curriculum of bachelor's degree in forensic science at Al Istiqlal University in Palestine and students' evaluation of the model. EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES 2023; 13:16. [PMID: 36911271 PMCID: PMC9992912 DOI: 10.1186/s41935-023-00335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Any science can be a forensic science (FS) if it has some justice application. Therefore, FS is an extremely interdisciplinary field at the interface of chemistry, biology, physics, medicine, law, criminology, and other related sciences. The Al Istiqlal University obtained the first and only license in Palestine to open a bachelor's program specialized in FS, and there is a limited number of similar programs in the region, while there is growth around the world in this field. A full bachelor's program in FS has been established at the Al Istiqlal University. This study aimed to describe the FS program model and its curricula and, in addition, evaluation of such a program from its students' point of view. To achieve the aims of this study, a questionnaire was developed, and its validity and reliability were confirmed. The study sample consisted of all 35 male and female students enrolled in the FS program at the Al Istiqlal University for the spring semester of the academic years 2021-2022. Results After collecting and analyzing the study tool, the results showed that the students agreed on all the paragraphs of the questionnaire that encourage the specialization of FS according to the model established at the Al Istiqlal University. The overall degree of students' evaluation of the FS program was high, and the total mean of the students' responses for all study fields was 3.56. The total degree for determining the students' evaluation of faculty members, students' evaluation of curricula and contents, and students' evaluation of academic support services came to a high degree with a means of 3.75, 3.51, and 3.42 respectively. Conclusion This study recommended the importance of the Bachelor of FS Program at the Al Istiqlal University and recommended developing disseminating and raising awareness of this new scientific field. The success of the Bachelor of FS program at the Al Istiqlal University is a model for the region to follow. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41935-023-00335-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid M Khalilia
- Forensic Science Department, Al Istiqlal University, Jericho, Palestine
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Falgayrac G, Vitale R, Delannoy Y, Behal H, Penel G, Duponchel L, Colard T. Critical aspects of Raman spectroscopy as a tool for postmortem interval estimation. Talanta 2022; 249:123589. [PMID: 35691126 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) from skeletal remains represents a challenging task in forensic science. PMI is often influenced by extrinsic factors (humidity, dryness, scavengers, etc.) and intrinsic factors (age, sex, pathology, way of life, medical treatments, etc.). Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate data analysis represents a promising tool for forensic anthropologists. Despite all the advantages of the technique, Raman spectra of skeletal remains are influenced by these extrinsic and intrinsic factors, which impairs precision and reproducibility. Both parameters have to reach a high level of confidence when such spectroscopy is used as a way to predict PMI. As a consequence, advanced multivariate data analysis is necessary to quantify the effect of all factors to improve the estimation of the PMI. The objective of this work is to evaluate the effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the Raman spectra of skeletal remains. We designed a protocol close to a real-world scenario. We used ANOVA-simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) to unmix and quantify the effect of 1 intrinsic (source body) and 1 extrinsic (burial time) factors on the Raman spectra. In our model, the burial time was found to generate the highest variability after the source body. ASCA showed that the variability due to the burial time has 2 mixed contributions. Seasonal variations are the first contribution. The second contribution is attributed to diagenesis. A decrease in the mineral bands and an increase in the organic bands are observed. The source body was also found to contribute to the variability in Raman spectra. ASCA showed that the source body induces variability related to the composition of bones. This quantification cannot be assessed by basic chemometrics methods such as PCA. The results of this study highlighted the need to use an advanced chemometric data analysis tool (like ASCA) combined with Raman spectroscopy to estimate the postmortem interval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Falgayrac
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Univ. Littoral Côte D'Opale, ULR 4490, MABLab- Adiposité Médullaire et Os, F-59000, Lille, France.
| | - Raffaele Vitale
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8516, LASIRE, Laboratoire Avancé de Spectroscopie pour les Intéractions la Réactivité et l'Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Yann Delannoy
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Univ. Littoral Côte D'Opale, ULR 4490, MABLab- Adiposité Médullaire et Os, F-59000, Lille, France; Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 7367 - UTML&A - Unité de Taphonomie Médico-Légale & d'Anatomie, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Hélène Behal
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, ULR 2694, METRICS: Évaluation des technologies de santé et des pratiques médicales, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Guillaume Penel
- Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, Univ. Littoral Côte D'Opale, ULR 4490, MABLab- Adiposité Médullaire et Os, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Ludovic Duponchel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8516, LASIRE, Laboratoire Avancé de Spectroscopie pour les Intéractions la Réactivité et l'Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Thomas Colard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, MCC, PACEA, UMR 5199, F-33600, Pessac, France; Department of Oral Radiology, University of Lille, Lille University Hospital, F-59000, Lille, France
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8
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Monson KL, Smith ED, Bajic SJ. Planning, design and logistics of a decision analysis study: The FBI/Ames study involving forensic firearms examiners. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2022; 4:100221. [PMID: 35243285 PMCID: PMC8860930 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes design and logistical aspects of a decision analysis study to assess the performance of qualified firearms examiners working in accredited laboratories in the United States in terms of accuracy (error rate), repeatability, and reproducibility of decisions involving comparisons of fired bullets and cartridge cases. The purpose of the study was to validate current practice of the forensic discipline of firearms/toolmarks (F/T) examination. It elicited error rate data by counting the number of false positive and false negative conclusions. Preceded by the experimental design, decisions, and logistics described herein, testing was ultimately administered 173 qualified, practicing F/T examiners in public and private crime laboratories. The first round of testing evaluated accuracy, while two subsequent rounds evaluated repeatability and reproducibility of examiner conclusions. This project expands on previous studies by involving many F/T examiners in challenging comparisons and by executing the study in the recommended double-blind format.
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9
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Jones AW. Highly cited forensic practitioners in the discipline legal and forensic medicine and the importance of peer-review and publication for admission of expert testimony. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2022; 18:37-44. [PMID: 35129820 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-021-00447-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Peer-review of manuscripts submitted to scholarly journals for publication dates back ~ 350 years and this process represents the foundation of scientific publishing. After a manuscript has undergone and survived a rigorous peer-review, this conveys a stamp of approval, because it signifies the work has been checked by independent experts in the scientific discipline concerned. The publication and citation track records of people instructed to appear as expert witness in civil and criminal litigation are important considerations. Using a publically available database, the most highly cited scientists in the discipline legal and forensic medicine were identified. For each scientist, a composite score was calculated based on six different citation metrics; (i) Total number of citations, (ii) H-index, (iii) Hm-index, which modifies the H-index for multi-authored papers, (iv) Citations to single-author papers, (v) Citations to single and first author papers and (vi) citations to single, first and last author papers. The top 100,000 most highly cited scientists from all disciplines were identified along with the top 2% of the most highly cited in each of 176 sub-fields. The latest version of the citation databases, up to the end of 2020, classified 14.163 people as having legal and forensic medicine as their primary research discipline. Of these, there were 29 names listed among the top 100,000 most highly cited in all disciplines and 299 were among the top cited 2% in their particular sub-field. More than 50% of the highly cited forensic practitioners resided in four countries (USA, Germany, UK and Australia). The top-ten most highly cited individuals were the same in all four versions of the database (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020) and represented the sub-disciplines of toxicology (n = 3), genetics/DNA/heredity (n = 3), whereas two specialized in pathology/toxicology and two in pathology/genetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Wayne Jones
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden.
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10
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Brook C, Lynøe N, Eriksson A, Balding D. Retraction of a peer reviewed article suggests ongoing problems with Australian forensic science. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2021; 3:100208. [PMID: 34805819 PMCID: PMC8585618 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
We describe events arising from the case of Joby Rowe, convicted of the homicide of his three month old daughter, and explore what they illustrate about systemic problems in the forensic science community in Australia. A peer reviewed journal article that scrutinized the forensic evidence presented in the Rowe case was retracted by a forensic science journal for reasons unrelated to quality or accuracy, under pressure from forensic medical experts criticized in the article. Details of the retraction obtained through freedom of information mechanisms reveal improper pressure and subversion of publishing processes in order to avoid scrutiny. The retraction was supported by the editorial board and two Australian forensic science societies, which is indicative of serious deficiencies in the leadership of forensic science in Australia. We propose paths forward including blind peer review, publication of expert reports, and a criminal cases review authority, that would help stimulate a culture that encourages scrutiny, and relies on evidence-based rather than eminence-based knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Brook
- Universidad de La Laguna, Av. Del Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, ES-38206, La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Niels Lynøe
- Centre for Healthcare Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Eriksson
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Forensic Medicine, Umeå University, SE-907 12, Umeå, Sweden
| | - David Balding
- School of BioSciences and School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
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Villavicencio-Queijeiro A, Loyzance C, García-Castillo Z, Suzuri-Hernández J, Castillo-Alanís A, López-Olvera P, López-Escobedo F. Development of an instrument for assessing the quality of forensic evidence and expert testimony from three feature-comparison methods: DNA, voice, and fingerprint analysis. J Forensic Sci 2021; 67:217-228. [PMID: 34596244 DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In a context of rising violence and long-lasting impunity, in 2008, Mexico's criminal justice system underwent a radical change from an inquisitorial model to an adversarial one, to make it more effective, transparent, and expeditious. The new system tasked judges with publicly determining the admissibility of forensic evidence, as well as assessing its technical quality and probative value-tasks for which they currently receive little to no training. With the aim of contributing to the consolidation of the adversarial model, a comparative framework-in the form of a checklist-of the analysis of fingerprints, DNA samples, and voice recordings was created. To do so, a review of the academic literature, published reports, and guidelines was performed. The collected data were synthesized and submitted to a panel of Mexican judges, who provided feedback on its adequacy. The framework focuses on the steps on which quality assurance of forensic evidence depends, organized in five discrete stages that span from the collection of samples at the scene of a crime to the presentation of evidence at trial, specifying the main technical criteria experts should state to allow a decision maker to examine its accuracy and reliability. Differences and commonalities among the three methods were identified, particularly in terms of how qualitative and quantitative analyses are performed in each. Besides its potential usefulness as an aid for judicial decision-making, the checklist could be a valuable resource for training programs aimed at judges, as well as quality assurance programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chantal Loyzance
- Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Zoraida García-Castillo
- Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Jiro Suzuri-Hernández
- Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alejandra Castillo-Alanís
- Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Patricia López-Olvera
- Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Fernanda López-Escobedo
- Ciencia Forense, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
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12
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Tolleson DR, Schafer DW. Evaluation of non-invasive bioforensic techniques for determining the age of hot-iron brand burn scars in cattle. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab108. [PMID: 34278240 PMCID: PMC8280919 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hot-iron branding is a traditional form of permanent cattle identification in the United States. There is a need for science-based determination of cattle brand age. Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to obtain information about animal tissues and healing processes. Height-width allometry and NIRS were applied to hot-iron cattle brand scars to determine if either or both of these methods can be used to non-invasively establish the interval sincethe application of hot-iron cattle brands. Length and width of a brand routinely applied to calves (~30–60 d old) were established and then the same measurements were recorded on 378 calfhood branded cattle of known age ranging from 0.5 to > 6.5 yr-of-age. Brand width and height increased over the original measurements by > 100% between calfhood application and 2.5 yr-of-age (P < 0.001). Brand size did not change dramatically between 2.5 and > 6.5 yr, however, both width and height were (P < 0.05) greater at maturity than at weaning. Near infrared spectra were collected from a) branded skin b) non-clipped (hair), non-branded skin, and c) hair clipped, non-branded skin on Bos taurus cross calves. Individual trial calibrations yielded high R2 and low SE of calibration values as well as similar cross validation performance (P < 0.001). Numerically lower but still strong performance (P < 0.001) resulted from combined data set calibrations. Cross-trial prediction of brand age was unsuccessful. One single year calibration underpredicted (P < 0.001) brand age of an independent validation set by 2.83 d, and another single year calibration underpredicted (P < 0.001) the same validation set by 9.91 d. When combined, these two datasets resulted in a calibration that overpredicted brand age in the validation set by 6.9 d (P < 0.02). Discriminant analyses for identification of skin surface type yielded success rates of 90% for branded, 99% for non-clipped, non-branded, and 96% for clipped, non-branded (P < 0.01). Discriminant analyses were also performed on samples grouped into a) less than 33 d, b) 141–153 d, and c) 169 d categories. All group membership identifications were successful at greater than 90% (P < 0.01). Preliminary results indicate that brand size could be used to indicate brand age and that NIRS can predict brand age as well as discriminate between broad brand age groups in cattle. More work will need to be done before these techniques can be used in real-world forensic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas R Tolleson
- Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, V Bar V Ranch, Rimrock, AZ 86335, USA
| | - David W Schafer
- Agricultural Experiment Station, The University of Arizona, V Bar V Ranch, Rimrock, AZ 86335, USA
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13
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Burnier C, Coulson S, Massonnet G, Pitts K, Sauzier G, Lewis SW. A forensic international market survey of condom lubricants and personal hygiene products using ATR-FTIR coupled to chemometrics. Sci Justice 2021; 61:235-248. [PMID: 33985672 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2021.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Condom residues may be encountered in forensic investigations as traces in sexual assault or rape cases. Casework studies have shown the value of distinguishing condom residues from other types of personal products used by women. However, up to now, there has been no investigation of their chemical variability within an international context. This work employed attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with chemometrics to provide objective characterisation of condom lubricants and personal hygiene products from the international market. 166 samples were obtained covering five major classes of products likely to be used by women. Principal component analysis distinguished most major classes based on their spectral profiles, with subsequent support vector machine models yielding discrimination accuracies over 90%. A two-step approach was subsequently developed and enabled both classification and a discrimination accuracy of 100%. This could provide greater confidence in chemical discrimination of residues from these products when conducting investigations and help assess the origin of the chemical profile obtained. Further testing using three validation sets produced an identification accuracy of 100% for generic classes, which may allow investigative leads to be more readily obtained from recovered evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Burnier
- Ecole des Sciences Criminelles, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Sally Coulson
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, 120 Mt Albert Road, Sandringham, Auckland 1025, New Zealand
| | | | - Kari Pitts
- Forensic Science Laboratory, ChemCentre WA, Bentley, Australia
| | - Georgina Sauzier
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia; Curtin Institute for Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia
| | - Simon W Lewis
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia; Curtin Institute for Functional Molecules and Interfaces, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia
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14
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Juola P. Verifying authorship for forensic purposes: A computational protocol and its validation. Forensic Sci Int 2021; 325:110824. [PMID: 34098471 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Being able to identify the author of an anonymous or disputed document is an important task in forensic science. This can be treated as a form of pattern evidence based on writing style, but the subjective analysis of writing style may have all the well-known problems of other forms of subjective pattern evidence. In this paper, we demonstrate a computer program to address these issues. This program analyzes a pair of documents (a known document and a questioned document) to determine if they were written by the same author. More importantly, this paper also validates the accuracy of this program through a large-scale series of controlled experiments involving English language blogs. Across more than 32,000 different document pairs, the system achieved a measured accuracy of 77%. This paper concludes that this system not only addresses a key problem in forensic linguistics, but also provides the repeatability, reproducibility, and measured accuracy levels that are key to the advancement of forensic science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Juola
- Juola & Associates, 276 W Schwab Ave. Munhall, PA 15120, USA.
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15
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Storer CA, Berketa J, Higgins D. Dental identification practices across Australia. AUST J FORENSIC SCI 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/00450618.2021.1913226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - John Berketa
- Forensic Odontology Unit, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Denice Higgins
- Forensic Odontology Unit, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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16
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Rauf S, Zahra N, Malik SS, Zahra SAE, Sughra K, Khan MR. Extraction of Mitochondrial Genome from Whole Genome Next Generation Sequencing Data and Unveiling of Forensically Relevant Markers. RUSS J GENET+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795420080128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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17
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Sanson M, Crozier WE, Strange D. Court Case Context and Fluency-Promoting Photos Inflate the Credibility of Forensic Science. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PSYCHOLOGIE-JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1027/2151-2604/a000415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Faulty forensic science sometimes makes its way into the courtroom where jurors must evaluate its credibility. But at least two factors may inflate how credible jurors find claims about forensic science: the mere context of a court case and the cognitive fluency of the evidence. To investigate, we asked people to judge various claims about forensic science as true or false. In Experiment 1 ( N = 287), we manipulated court case context by either attributing the claims to an expert in court or not specifying their origin. In Experiment 2 ( N = 320), we manipulated courtroom setting orthogonal to source expertise. In both, we manipulated fluency via the presence of related but nonprobative photos. We found each factor increased people’s bias to judge forensic science claims true. Our findings suggest the justice system must improve the quality of forensic science upstream from the courtroom to ensure jurors’ credulity is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mevagh Sanson
- School of Psychology, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - William E. Crozier
- Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, NY, USA
- School of Law, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Deryn Strange
- Department of Psychology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, NY, USA
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18
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Hogue M, Fairgrieve SI, Lievers WB. Stabbing angle alters peak force and work during sharp force trauma of porcine ribs. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 314:110373. [PMID: 32615394 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Forensic anthropologists have traditionally relied on a qualitative scale (mild, moderate, severe) for describing the forces required to generate a bony injury; however, recently efforts have focused on providing more quantitative data. The current study considers the effects of blade angle on the peak force, average force, and work measured during an instrumented sharp force impact. Sixty-two porcine side ribs were stabbed with the long axis of the blade perpendicular to the convex surface and the blade edge in one of three orientations (0°, 45°, 90°). Peak force was highest when the cutting edge was perpendicular to the long axis of the rib (90°) and lowest when it was aligned (0°). Conversely, work was highest when the blade was at an oblique angle (45°) to the rib. These results confirm that the orientation of a sharp force event must be considered when estimating the mechanical loading required to generate an injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Hogue
- Bharti School of Engineering, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
| | - Scott I Fairgrieve
- Policing & Security Program, Rabdan Academy, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - W Brent Lievers
- Bharti School of Engineering, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.
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19
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Park S, Carriquiry A. An algorithm to compare two-dimensional footwear outsole images using maximum cliques and speeded-up robust feature. Stat Anal Data Min 2020; 13:188-199. [PMID: 32215164 PMCID: PMC7079556 DOI: 10.1002/sam.11449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Footwear examiners are tasked with comparing an outsole impression (Q) left at a crime scene with an impression (K) from a database or from the suspect's shoe. We propose a method for comparing two shoe outsole impressions that relies on robust features (speeded-up robust feature; SURF) on each impression and aligns them using a maximum clique (MC). After alignment, an algorithm we denote MC-COMP is used to extract additional features that are then combined into a univariate similarity score using a random forest (RF). We use a database of shoe outsole impressions that includes images from two models of athletic shoes that were purchased new and then worn by study participants for about 6 months. The shoes share class characteristics such as outsole pattern and size, and thus the comparison is challenging. We find that the RF implemented on SURF outperforms other methods recently proposed in the literature in terms of classification precision. In more realistic scenarios where crime scene impressions may be degraded and smudged, the algorithm we propose-denoted MC-COMP-SURF-shows the best classification performance by detecting unique features better than other methods. The algorithm can be implemented with the R-package shoeprintr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soyoung Park
- Department of StatisticsIowa State UniversityAmesIowa
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20
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Bécue A, Eldridge H, Champod C. Interpol review of fingermarks and other body impressions 2016-2019. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2020; 2:442-480. [PMID: 33385142 PMCID: PMC7770454 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2020.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in fingerprint and bodily impression sciences from 2016 to 2019 as a part of the 19th Interpol International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. The review papers are also available at the Interpol website at: https://www.interpol.int/content/download/14458/file/Interpol%20 Review%20 Papers%202019. pdf.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Bécue
- École des Sciences Criminelles, Faculté de Droit, des Sciences criminelles et d’Administration publique, Quartier Sorge, Building Batochime, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Dorigny, Switzerland
| | - Heidi Eldridge
- École des Sciences Criminelles, Faculté de Droit, des Sciences criminelles et d’Administration publique, Quartier Sorge, Building Batochime, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Dorigny, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Champod
- École des Sciences Criminelles, Faculté de Droit, des Sciences criminelles et d’Administration publique, Quartier Sorge, Building Batochime, University of Lausanne, CH-1015, Lausanne, Dorigny, Switzerland
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21
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Neal TMS, Slobogin C, Saks MJ, Faigman DL, Geisinger KF. Psychological Assessments in Legal Contexts: Are Courts Keeping “Junk Science” Out of the Courtroom? Psychol Sci Public Interest 2020; 20:135-164. [DOI: 10.1177/1529100619888860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we report the results of a two-part investigation of psychological assessments by psychologists in legal contexts. The first part involves a systematic review of the 364 psychological assessment tools psychologists report having used in legal cases across 22 surveys of experienced forensic mental health practitioners, focusing on legal standards and scientific and psychometric theory. The second part is a legal analysis of admissibility challenges with regard to psychological assessments. Results from the first part reveal that, consistent with their roots in psychological science, nearly all of the assessment tools used by psychologists and offered as expert evidence in legal settings have been subjected to empirical testing (90%). However, we were able to clearly identify only about 67% as generally accepted in the field and only about 40% have generally favorable reviews of their psychometric and technical properties in authorities such as the Mental Measurements Yearbook. Furthermore, there is a weak relationship between general acceptance and favorability of tools’ psychometric properties. Results from the second part show that legal challenges to the admission of this evidence are infrequent: Legal challenges to the assessment evidence for any reason occurred in only 5.1% of cases in the sample (a little more than half of these involved challenges to validity). When challenges were raised, they succeeded only about a third of the time. Challenges to the most scientifically suspect tools are almost nonexistent. Attorneys rarely challenge psychological expert assessment evidence, and when they do, judges often fail to exercise the scrutiny required by law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tess M. S. Neal
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University
| | | | - Michael J. Saks
- Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University
| | | | - Kurt F. Geisinger
- Buros Center for Testing, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
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22
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Reviewing Research Trends—A Scientometric Approach Using Gunshot Residue (GSR) Literature as an Example. PUBLICATIONS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/publications8010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to manage, distil and disseminate the significant amount of information that is available from published literature is fast becoming a core and critical skill across all research domains, including that of forensic science. In this study, a simplified scientometric approach has been applied to available literature on gunshot residue (GSR) as a test evidence type aiming to evaluate publication trends and explore the interconnectivity between authors. A total of 731 publications were retrieved using the search engine ‘Scopus’ and come from 1589 known authors, of whom 401 contributed to more than one research output on this subject. Out of the total number of publications, only 35 (4.8%) were found to be Open Access (OA). The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for years 2006 and 2016 reveals a much higher growth in publications relating to GSR (8.0%) than the benchmark annual growth rate of 3.9%. The distribution of a broad spectrum of keywords generated from the publications confirms a historical trend, in particular regarding the use of analytical techniques, in the study of gunshot residue. The results inform how relevant information extracted from a bibliometric search can be used to explore, analyse and define new research areas.
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23
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Earwaker H, Nakhaeizadeh S, Smit NM, Morgan RM. A cultural change to enable improved decision-making in forensic science: A six phased approach. Sci Justice 2020; 60:9-19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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24
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Dama N, Forgie A, Mânica S, Revie G. Exploring the degrees of distortion in simulated human bite marks. Int J Legal Med 2019; 134:1043-1049. [PMID: 31686191 PMCID: PMC7181541 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-019-02163-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The properties of the skin and the posture of the body during photographic recording are factors that cause distortion in the bite mark injury. This study aimed to explore the degree of distortion between a ‘touch mark’ (method 1) and a ‘bite mark’ (method 2) on the left upper arm at three different positions (arm relaxed; arm flexed in two different positions). A pair of dental casts with biting edges coated in ink was used to create a mark in 30 subjects (6 ♂, 24 ♀) aged 20–50 years old. Photographs were taken using a Nikon DX digital camera (D5000). The mesiodistal widths and angle of rotations of both upper right central incisor and lower right central incisor and the inter-canine distances were analysed and compared with the true measurements using Adobe Photoshop CC 2017. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Statistics 22 applying a 2 (mark type) × 3 (position) repeated measures ANOVA. For all measures studied, there was a statistically significant difference between mark types and positions. In the case of bite marks, a great degree of distortion was detected, and this increased further when changing the position of the arm. The findings demonstrated that skin properties and posture influence distortion. This could lead to inaccurate measurements and misleading pattern interpretation of bite mark injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Dama
- Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine and Dentistry, University of Dundee, 2 Park Place, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 4HR, UK
| | - Andrew Forgie
- Glasgow Dental Hospital and School, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Scheila Mânica
- Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine and Dentistry, University of Dundee, 2 Park Place, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 4HR, UK.
| | - Gavin Revie
- Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine and Dentistry, University of Dundee, 2 Park Place, Dundee, Scotland, DD1 4HR, UK
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25
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Towler A, Kemp RI, Burton AM, Dunn JD, Wayne T, Moreton R, White D. Do professional facial image comparison training courses work? PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211037. [PMID: 30759105 PMCID: PMC6373902 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Facial image comparison practitioners compare images of unfamiliar faces and decide whether or not they show the same person. Given the importance of these decisions for national security and criminal investigations, practitioners attend training courses to improve their face identification ability. However, these courses have not been empirically validated so it is unknown if they improve accuracy. Here, we review the content of eleven professional training courses offered to staff at national security, police, intelligence, passport issuance, immigration and border control agencies around the world. All reviewed courses include basic training in facial anatomy and prescribe facial feature (or 'morphological') comparison. Next, we evaluate the effectiveness of four representative courses by comparing face identification accuracy before and after training in novices (n = 152) and practitioners (n = 236). We find very strong evidence that short (1-hour and half-day) professional training courses do not improve identification accuracy, despite 93% of trainees believing their performance had improved. We find some evidence of improvement in a 3-day training course designed to introduce trainees to the unique feature-by-feature comparison strategy used by facial examiners in forensic settings. However, observed improvements are small, inconsistent across tests, and training did not produce the qualitative changes associated with examiners' expertise. Future research should test the benefits of longer examination-focussed training courses and incorporate longitudinal approaches to track improvements caused by mentoring and deliberate practice. In the absence of evidence that training is effective, we advise agencies to explore alternative evidence-based strategies for improving the accuracy of face identification decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Towler
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - James D. Dunn
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Tanya Wayne
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Reuben Moreton
- The Metropolitan Police Service, London, United Kingdom
- The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - David White
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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26
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Abstract
The UK Government decision to close its Forensic Science Service (FSS) in 2010 left the criminal justice system in England and Wales bereft of impartial, high-level scientific support. The private sector was entrusted to fill the gap and to ensure that all results were accurate, timely, fit for purpose, easy to interpret, and above all gave value for money. In the event, however, a major provider has collapsed necessitating a rescue deal to minimise the impact of the fiasco. Moreover, there have been allegations of data manipulation in another private sector laboratory and possible falsification of evidence in a laboratory set up by a police force in an attempt to fill the gap left by the FSS. As to the future, appropriate laboratory regulation and inspection clearly has a part to play, but ironically 'quality management' adds an unnecessary and ever-increasing cost burden that may detract from quality. What is really needed are systems that combine public service and professional integrity with research and development. Involving investigators, coroners/medical examiners/judges, and prosecution and defence lawyers in educational fora would help build cross-professional co-operation and understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Flanagan
- Department of Precision Medicine, Networked Services, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom.
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