Science & Justice RSS feed: Articles in Press. Science & Justice provides a forum to promote communication and publication of original articles, reviews and correspondence on subjects that spark debates within the Forensic Science Community and the criminal justice sector. The journal provides a medium whereby all aspects of applying science to legal proceedings can be debated and progressed. Science & Justice is published four times a year, and will be of interest primarily to practising forensic scientists and their colleagues in related fields. It is chiefly concerned with the publication of formal scientific papers, in keeping with its international learned status, but will not accept any article describing experimentation on animals which does not meet strict ethical standards. Promote communication and informed debate within the Forensic Science Community and the criminal justice sector. To promote the publication of learned and original research findings from all areas of the forensic sciences and by so doing to advance the profession. To promote the publication of case based material by way of case reviews. To promote the publication of book reviews and conference proceedings which are of interest to the forensic science community. Scope: To provide a medium whereby all aspects of applying science to legal proceedings can be debated and progressed. To appeal to all those with an interest in the forensic sciences. Science & Justice has an Impact Factor of 0.838 on the 2010 Journal Citation Reports®, published by Thomson Reuters. http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com//inpress?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2012 Forensic Science Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Science & Justice1355-03062012-05-18 © 2012 Forensic Science Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000603/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Two person DNA admixtures are frequently encountered in criminal cases and their interpretation can be challenging, particularly if the amount of DNA contributed by both individuals is approximately equal. Due to an inevitable degree of uncertainty in the constituent genotypes, reduced statistical weight is given to the mixture evidence compared to that expected from the constituent single source contributors. The ultimate goal of mixture analysis, then, is to precisely discern the constituent genotypes and here we posit a novel strategy to accomplish this. We hypothesised that LCM-mediated isolation of multiple groups of cells (‘binomial sampling’) from the admixture would create separate cell sub-populations with differing constituent weight ratios. Furthermore we predicted that interpreting the resulting DNA profiling data by the quantitative computer-based TrueAllele® interpretation system would result in an efficient recovery of the constituent genotypes due to newfound abilities to compute a maximum LR from sub-samples with skewed weight ratios, and to jointly interpret all possible pairings of sub-samples using a joint likelihood function.As a proof of concept, 10 separate cell samplings of size 20 recovered by LCM from each of two 1:1 buccal cell mixtures were DNA-STR profiled using a specifically developed LCN methodology, with the data analyzed by the TrueAllele® Casework system. In accordance with the binomial sampling hypothesis, the sub-samples exhibited weight ratios that were well dispersed from the 50% center value (50±35% at the 95% level). The maximum log(LR) information for a genotype inferred from a single 20 cell sample was 18.5 ban, with an average log(LR) information of 11.7 ban. Co-inferring genotypes using a joint likelihood function with two sub-samples essentially recovered the full genotype information. We demonstrate that a similar gain in genotype information can be obtained with standard (28-cycle) PCR conditions using the same joint interpretation methods. Finally, we discuss the implications of this work for routine forensic practice.DNA mixture genotyping by probabilistic computer interpretation of binomially-sampled laser captured cell populations: Combining quantitative data for greater identification information - Corrected ProofJack Ballantyne, Erin K. Hanson, Mark W. Perlin10.1016/j.scijus.2012.04.004Science & Justice (2012)2012-05-18Science & Justice2012-05-18http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000391/abstract?rss=yesForensic podiatry is a relatively new area of expertise and is recognized as a disciple within forensic science by the Forensic Science Society (FSS) in the UK and by the International Association of Identification (IAI) in the USA. The book is divided into four parts.Corrected ProofKevin J. Farrugia10.1016/j.scijus.2012.04.003Science & Justice (2012)2012-05-10Science & Justice2012-05-10BOOK REVIEWhttp://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000354/abstract?rss=yesThere are so many textbooks available on the numerous elements of forensic pathology and forensic medicine, the question has to be “is there space for yet another one”? In the case of this textbook the answer is definitely ‘yes’, it will make a worthy addition to the bookshelf no matter how many others one has.Corrected ProofJohn P. Cassella10.1016/j.scijus.2012.03.009Science & Justice (2012)2012-04-26Science & Justice2012-04-26BOOK REVIEWhttp://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000366/abstract?rss=yesThis book has a number of unique features in its 427 pages. Notwithstanding it is well written and extremely well referenced, the work has been created by a body of students who were at that time, studying for their degrees at the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee. Sue Black and members of CAHID each took on a chapter with the students; the staff involved were able to ensure the quality and breadth of the chapters and the students initiated the work. This work was done as part of an assessment for their course and shows the quality that undergraduate students are capable of attaining; they are to be complimented by their scientific peers and indeed by the academic community.Corrected ProofJohn P. Cassella10.1016/j.scijus.2012.03.010Science & Justice (2012)2012-04-26Science & Justice2012-04-26BOOK REVIEWhttp://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000330/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The inability to definitively determine the tissue source of origin of forensically relevant biological fluids could result in a failure to provide crucial information necessary to the investigation and prosecution of the case. For example, in instances of sexual assault with a foreign object or digital penetration, the identification of vaginal secretions (VS) transferred to such objects or the perpetrators might be critical in establishing the circumstances of the assault. Conventional serological and immunological methods for body fluid identification can confirm the presence of human blood and semen. However, currently none of the routinely used biochemical tests can definitively identify the presence of human saliva or VS. It has been demonstrated that mRNA (or miRNA) profiling of body fluid stains can provide a degree of identification specificity of tissue and body fluids heretofore unattainable by conventional means. Early promising VS candidate RNA biomarkers, however, failed to exhibit the required degree of specificity or sensitivity and thus, at present, it is not possible for the forensic scientist to definitively identify VS using molecular genetics techniques.The aim of this work was to find novel highly specific RNA biomarkers for the identification of VS. Whole transcriptome profiling (RNA-Seq) of vaginal swab samples from different donors resulted in the identification of a number of putative VS-specific mRNA candidates. After detailed evaluation of >200 candidates from the tens of thousands of mRNA species found in VS, six promising candidates were identified. From these, two gene transcripts, namely CYP2B7P1 and MYOZ1, consistently demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity for VS when used in a qualitative capillary electrophoresis-based assay. Importantly these two biomarkers are able to differentiate between VS and other body fluids containing significant numbers of epithelia, particularly saliva and skin. Significantly, CYP2B7P1 is exceedingly specific with no detectable cross reactivity with other forensically relevant body fluids/tissues noted to date. The other four putatively specific biomarkers are expressed at higher levels in VS compared with saliva and will be more suitable for use with a quantitative (i.e. qRT-PCR) assay format.Highly specific mRNA biomarkers for the identification of vaginal secretions in sexual assault investigations - Corrected ProofErin K. Hanson, Jack Ballantyne10.1016/j.scijus.2012.03.007Science & Justice (2012)2012-04-17Science & Justice2012-04-17http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000305/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The detection of semen in forensic science is essential in cases of sexual assault but can be problematic in the absence of spermatozoa. Choline is known to occur in high concentrations in seminal fluid and the Florence Iodine test for its detection has been used in forensic science for many years, however very little is documented regarding its sensitivity and specificity in forensic casework. This paper describes the optimisation of the choline Florence Iodine test (FI) and investigates the sensitivity and specificity of the test against different body fluids, food and drink substances, cleaning products and laboratory chemicals. Comparative testing against Acid Phosphatase (AP) and Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA Seratec®) tests is described and shows that the FI test has greater specificity than the PSA test which cross reacts with a number of body fluids.Optimisation of choline testing using Florence Iodine reagent, including comparative sensitivity and specificity with PSA and AP tests - Corrected ProofPatrick Hardinge, Julie Allard, Adrian Wain, Stephanie Watson10.1016/j.scijus.2012.03.004Science & Justice (2012)2012-04-09Science & Justice2012-04-09http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000342/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Purpose: The iris of the eye appears to satisfy the criteria for a good anatomical characteristic for use in a biometric system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a biometric iris recognition system: Mobile-Eyes™.Methods: The enrollment, verification, and identification applications were evaluated in a field study for accuracy and reliability using both irises of 277 subjects. Independent variables included a wide range of subject demographics, ambient light, and ambient temperature. A sub-set of 35 subjects had alcohol-induced nystagmus. There were 2710 identification and verification attempts, which resulted in 1,501,340 and 5540 iris comparisons respectively.Results: In this study, the system successfully enrolled all subjects on the first attempt. All 277 subjects were successfully verified and identified on the first day of enrollment. None of the current or prior eye conditions prevented enrollment, verification, or identification. All 35 subjects with alcohol-induced nystagmus were successfully verified and identified. There were no false verifications or false identifications. Two conditions were identified that potentially could circumvent the use of iris recognitions systems in general.Conclusions: The Mobile-Eyes™ iris recognition system exhibited accurate and reliable enrollment, verification, and identification applications in this study. It may have special applications in subjects with nystagmus.A field study of the accuracy and reliability of a biometric iris recognition system - Corrected ProofNeal S. Latman, Emily Herb10.1016/j.scijus.2012.03.008Science & Justice (2012)2012-04-09Science & Justice2012-04-09http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000287/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Although poaching is a common wildlife crime, the high and prohibitive cost of specialised animal testing means that many cases are left un-investigated. We previously described a novel approach to wildlife crime investigation that looked at the identification of human DNA on poached animal remains (Tobe, Govan and Welch, 2011). Human DNA was successfully isolated and amplified from simulated poaching incidents, however a low template protocol was required which made this method unsuitable for use in many laboratories. We now report on an optimised recovery and amplification protocol which removes the need for low template analysis.Samples from 10 deer (40 samples total — one from each leg) analysed in the original study were re-analysed in the current study with an additional 11 deer samples. Four samples analysed using Chelex did not show any results and a new method was devised whereby the available DNA was concentrated. By combining the DNA extracts from all tapings of the same deer remains followed by concentration, the recovered quantity of human DNA was found to be 29.5pg±43.2pg, 31× greater than the previous study. The use of the Investigator Decaplex SE (QIAGEN) STR kit provided better results in the form of more complete profiles than did the AmpFℓSTR® SGM Plus® kit at 30cycles (Applied Biosystems). Re-analysis of the samples from the initial study using the new, optimised protocol resulted in an average increase of 18% of recovered alleles. Over 17 samples, 71% of the samples analysed using the optimised protocol showed sufficient amplification for comparison to a reference profile and gave match probabilities ranging from 7.7690×10−05 to 2.2706×10−14.The removal of low template analysis means this optimised method provides evidence of high probative value and is suitable for immediate use in forensic laboratories. All methods and techniques used are standard and are compatible with current SOPs. As no high cost non-human DNA analysis is required the overall process is no more expensive than the investigation of other volume crime samples. The technique is suitable for immediate use in poaching incidents.Recovery of human DNA profiles from poached deer remains part 2: Improved recovery protocol without the need for LCN analysis - Corrected ProofShanan S. Tobe, Stuart Bailey, James Govan, Lindsey A. Welch10.1016/j.scijus.2012.03.002Science & Justice (2012)2012-04-05Science & Justice2012-04-05http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000251/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: It has been widely assumed since the 1970s that right-handed writers, on average, do not write or simulate handwriting any better than left-handed writers. This study has dug deeper into that question, to find narrow language environments which left-handed and right-handed writers simulate with different degrees of success or making different types of errors. These might provide useful markers of handedness in writers or forgers. The sample of 823 native Arabic-writing adults, 763 right handed and 60 left handed, first attempted to simulate two Arabic signatures. As expected, the accuracy of the simulations of the two groups was not significantly different. Simulation accuracy of a variety of narrower elements was then measured to search for small environments in which the two groups performed differently. Two elements – slant and alignment – were significantly more poorly simulated by left-handed subjects than right-handed subjects, although the differences were not great enough to be useful in suggesting the handedness of a forger. These differences in simulation accuracy were not totally explored or explained. Instead, the differences in types of errors to slant and to alignment were investigated. Left-handed simulators, but not right-handed simulators, showed a strong tendency that had been predicted for both groups: to slant strokes and letters toward the side of the writing hand, when the target strokes and letters slanted in the opposite direction. The difference between the handedness groups was great enough that a strong preference for leftward slant in an Arabic writer or forger might suggest left handedness, but not, of course, rule out right handedness. Right-handed simulators, but not left-handed simulators, showed a strong tendency that had also been predicted for both groups: for the line of writing to be higher on the side where the writing hand was located. Again, the difference between handedness groups was great enough that a strong tendency for the writing line to fall to the left in Arabic writing and simulation might suggest right handedness, but would certainly not rule out left handedness. Thus, suggestive, but not absolute, markers of handedness have been found. In an effort to explain these almost mirror-image patterns, it was noticed that the operation of two more tendencies, in addition to the operation in both groups of the two predicted tendencies, might explain the patterns of the data. If we assume that both handedness groups tended to slant toward the writing hand and tended to make the writing line higher on the side of the writing hand, the two other tendencies operating in both groups would have been a tendency to slant strokes and letters toward the end of the writing line, and a tendency for writing to fall toward the end of the writing line. The operation of these four tendencies would account quite well for the right-handed and left-handed patterns in the two groups.The influence of right or left handedness on the ability to simulate handwritten signatures and some elements of signatures: A study of Arabic writers - Corrected ProofAbdulaziz Al-Musa Alkahtani10.1016/j.scijus.2012.02.001Science & Justice (2012)2012-03-30Science & Justice2012-03-30http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000263/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: With the development of highly sensitive drug testing technologies that can detect a minute quantity of a prohibited substance in an athlete's body, accidental contamination through contact with publicly circulated materials can more readily result in a “positive” reading. To discharge the burden of a positive finding, the athlete must show the “factual circumstances” in which the prohibited substance entered his/her system. In cases of accidental contamination, the athlete generally cannot even know how it occurred, as there are many known and unknown possible sources of contamination. When an athlete does give an account, it cannot generally be proven or disproven.Outside the realm of sports anti-doping, the use of scientifically established thresholds for drug testing is standard practice. Basic logic dictates that thresholds would enable one to differentiate between relevant and irrelevant amounts in the context of a possible sports doping offence. Such a threshold should be functionally motivated, i.e., enable the differentiation between relevant and irrelevant quantities in the context of a possible doping offence, rather than based on instrument performance limits.A plea for thresholds, i.e., maximal allowed levels for prohibited substances, to prevent questionable doping convictions - Corrected ProofMichael G. Burke, Klaas Faber10.1016/j.scijus.2012.02.002Science & Justice (2012)2012-03-26Science & Justice2012-03-26http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001468/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Assessment of forensic findings with likelihood ratios is for several cases straightforward, but there are a number of situations where contemplation of the alternative explanation to the evidence needs consideration, in particular when it comes to the reporting of the evidentiary strength. The likelihood ratio approach cannot be directly applied to cases where the proposition alternative to the forwarded one is a set of multiple propositions with different likelihoods and different prior probabilities. Here we present a general framework based on the Bayes' factor as the quantitative measure of evidentiary strength from which it can be deduced whether the direct application of a likelihood ratio is reasonable or not. The framework is applied on DNA evidence in forms of an extension to previously published work. With the help of a scale of conclusions we provide a solution to the problem of communicating to the court the evidentiary strength of a DNA match when a close relative to the suspect has a non-negligible prior probability of being the source of the DNA.Assessment of forensic findings when alternative explanations have different likelihoods—“Blame-the-brother”-syndrome - Corrected ProofAnders Nordgaard, Ronny Hedell, Ricky Ansell10.1016/j.scijus.2011.12.001Science & Justice (2012)2012-02-10Science & Justice2012-02-10http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000020/abstract?rss=yesThis article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.WITHDRAWN: The case of Simon Hall - Corrected ProofTiernan Coyle10.1016/j.scijus.2012.01.001Science & Justice (2012)2012-02-01Science & Justice2012-02-01http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030612000032/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: In 2009, the National Research Council published a report stating that the addition of more science and technology into the field of forensic science in the United States would be of great benefit to the judicial system. As a starting point to address this NRC report, one needs to make an assessment of the system. One factor that is continuously requested is an estimate of an error rate. In any given scientific area of forensics that is difficult to quantitate except by external review and audits. After eight years of requested defense review of cases with biological and DNA evidence, most cases appear to be scientifically sound in test methods and procedures. However, there were some cases where errors in the forensic science process did occur. This article takes information compiled from those eight years of defense review and summarizes the cases where errors have been discovered and discusses the scientific implications of these errors. The scope of this article is limited to crime scene collection and forensic science laboratory testing of biological materials for body fluid identification and DNA individualization to a source. The greatest value of defense review comes from (a) providing effective balance and independent oversight to the judicial process and (b) collecting data into a format that can be useful as a guide in training programs.The importance of scientific evaluation of biological evidence — Data from eight years of case review - Corrected ProofHeather Miller Coyle10.1016/j.scijus.2012.01.002Science & Justice (2012)2012-02-01Science & Justice2012-02-01http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001481/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The introduction of electronic systems into the comparison of weapon marks in the mid 1990s caused a revolution in the discipline of “forensic ballistics”. Most European states now use this technology to search their national open case files.Globalisation of crime and the loss of effective border controls have made the idea of a unified European ballistic system seem logical.The article critically considers the requirements and possible outcomes of such a system. Based on the experience of forensic practitioners it seems probable that a shared European electronic ballistic system will be of a very limited value at present. Further improvements of existing systems to reach compatibility are encouraged.A discussion on the usefulness of a shared European ballistic image database - Corrected ProofJ. De Ceuster, R. Hermsen, M. Mastaglio, R. Nennstiel10.1016/j.scijus.2011.12.003Science & Justice (2012)2012-01-25Science & Justice2012-01-25http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001456/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: This paper summarizes the results of previous work on the microscopic observation of linear dichroism found in dyed fibres (polyesters, polyamides, wool, silk, cotton, viscose, acrylics and acetates) and in pigmented fibres as well as the measurements on these fibre classes using microspectrophotometry with plane polarized light (MSP-PPL). The validation of this method is discussed and a practical tool is proposed for comparing fibre traces with control fibres. The limitations and strengths of this method are also revised.The use of linear dichroism in forensic fibre examinations — Part 6. Validation and practical aspects of MSP-PPL - Corrected ProofK. De Wael, L. Lepot, K. Lunstroot10.1016/j.scijus.2011.11.003Science & Justice (2012)2012-01-24Science & Justice2012-01-24http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS135503061100147X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The evidential significance of car seat fibres has been investigated. Thirty six samples of car seat fabric were examined and the fibres catalogued according to their morphology and characteristics. The majority of car seat fibres were black or grey thick polyester fibres that were either dyed or pigmented. The MSP spectra produced were unlike those usually obtained from black or grey polyester fibres used in clothing. Tapings taken from car seats were examined for car seat fibres, various types were found showing that these fibres are expected to shed from the fabric albeit in low numbers, unless the vehicle is older. No fibres that matched the samples of the car seat fabric were found on the tapings of the car seats. One hundred garments were examined for car seat fibres, 10% of garments had populations of such fibres present and 41% had at least one car seat fibre present. None of these fibres matched the samples of the car seat fabric or those from the car seat tapings.Fibres used in the construction of car seats — An assessment of evidential value - Corrected ProofT. Coyle, J. Jones, C. Shaw, R. Friedrichs10.1016/j.scijus.2011.12.002Science & Justice (2012)2012-01-20Science & Justice2012-01-20http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001493/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Estimating the time since discharge of a spent cartridge or a firearm can be useful in criminal situations involving firearms. The analysis of volatile gunshot residue remaining after shooting using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) followed by gas chromatography (GC) was proposed to meet this objective. However, current interpretative models suffer from several conceptual drawbacks which render them inadequate to assess the evidential value of a given measurement. This paper aims to fill this gap by proposing a logical approach based on the assessment of likelihood ratios. A probabilistic model was thus developed and applied to a hypothetical scenario where alternative hypotheses about the discharge time of a spent cartridge found on a crime scene were forwarded. In order to estimate the parameters required to implement this solution, a non-linear regression model was proposed and applied to real published data. The proposed approach proved to be a valuable method for interpreting aging-related data.Estimating the time since discharge of spent cartridges: A logical approach for interpreting the evidence - Corrected ProofMatteo Gallidabino, Céline Weyermann, Francesco Saverio Romolo, Franco Taroni10.1016/j.scijus.2011.12.004Science & Justice (2012)2012-01-20Science & Justice2012-01-20http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001444/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Footwear impression lifting and enhancement techniques may be affected by several variables introduced during the production of test footwear impressions, thus limiting the usefulness of enhancement technique comparisons and the results obtained. One such variable is the force applied when the impressed mark is being made. Producing consistent test impressions for research into footwear enhancement techniques would therefore be beneficial. This study was designed to control pressure in the production of test footwear impressions when mimicking a stamping action. Twenty-seven volunteers were asked to stamp on two different surfaces and the average stamping force was recorded.Information from the data obtained was used to design and build a mechanical device which could be calibrated to consistently deliver footwear impressions with the same force onto a receiving surface. Preliminary experiments using this device and different contaminants on the footwear sole have yielded consistent and repeatable impressions. Controlling the variable of pressure for the production of test impressions in this study demonstrated that the differences observed were visual (due to the amount of contaminant transferred and subsequent enhancement) and did not affect the replication of outer sole characteristics. This paper reports the development of the device and illustrates the quality of the impressions produced.Controlling the variable of pressure in the production of test footwear impressions - Corrected ProofKevin J. Farrugia, Philip Riches, Helen Bandey, Kathleen Savage, Niamh NicDaéid10.1016/j.scijus.2011.11.002Science & Justice (2011)2011-12-26Science & Justice2011-12-26http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001080/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: A number of pigmented fibre samples were examined with plane polarized light on their dichroic behaviour by optical light microscopy (OLM) and microspectrophotometry with plane polarized light (MSP-PPL). It was found that about half of the samples show a strong dichroic effect and another 20% have a weak dichroism. Both regular (80%) and inversed dichroic effects (20%) occur. The dichroic characteristics of pigmented fibres can be compared to these of sheet polarizers. It is suggested that the dichroic behaviour of pigmented fibres depends strongly on the crystal structure (shape of the pigment grains) and the draw ratio (orientation of the polymer chains).Dichroism measurements in forensic fibre examination: Part 5—Pigmented fibres - Corrected ProofK. De Wael, L. Lepot10.1016/j.scijus.2011.10.002Science & Justice (2011)2011-12-12Science & Justice2011-12-12http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001122/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Currently there is no standard way of carrying out research into finger mark enhancement techniques. Individuals, groups or establishments tend to use different methodologies depending on a number of factors, especially finance and time. However, data published in the literature can be misleading to the forensic community if the data generated reflects research involving very few finger marks or if those finger marks have been deliberately doped with an unnatural balance of sweat or an unusual contaminant.This paper presents an experimental methodology which is intended to establish minimum standards for those carrying out finger mark enhancement research (at least within the United Kingdom) and bring some consistency to the process. It will aim to identify the many variables encountered when dealing with finger marks and suggest experimental methods to take these into account. It will also present the key stages of the progression of a process from a laboratory concept to a tool used on operational work.A methodology for finger mark research - Corrected ProofV.G. Sears, S.M. Bleay, H.L. Bandey, V.J. Bowman10.1016/j.scijus.2011.10.006Science & Justice (2011)2011-11-21Science & Justice2011-11-21http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS135503061100102X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Personal identification is based on the comparison between ante mortem and post mortem data which can be considered unique for each individual: palatal rugae represent a useful element for such a comparison, thanks to their apparent low variability with time and unique patterns. Literature however is scarce.This pilot study aims at assessing the reliability of palatal rugae in time and at developing an identification method based on their comparison. Two casts from the upper dental arch of 39 subjects were obtained in different periods of time; at their first cast, 85.2% of patients were less than 16years old. The second cast was performed after a period of time which varied between 4 and 65months later than the first cast. The first cast can be taken to simulate ante mortem information, the second post mortem information. Every cast was then digitised with a scanner. In the digital images the palatal rugae were highlighted by using Adobe® Photoshop® 7.0 software; each image was coded and a comparison between “simulated” ante mortem and post mortem data was performed. In all cases ante mortem and post mortem data from the same individual were correctly matched.The study seems to indicate that this technique is highly reliable and user friendly, even on subadults, where growth processes seem not to affect the specific morphology of palatal rugae.Palatal rugae as an individualising marker: Reliability for forensic odontology and personal identification - Corrected ProofD. De Angelis, F. Riboli, D. Gibelli, A. Cappella, C. Cattaneo10.1016/j.scijus.2011.09.002Science & Justice (2011)2011-10-13Science & Justice2011-10-13http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030611001043/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: There have been many methods proposed to estimate the age of human bones in forensic medicine or in forensic anthropology, including those that assess histological structures. In this study, age was evaluated through the histomorphometric study of trabecular volume and cortical width of the right iliac crest. A total of 25 samples A total of 66 samples (42 male and 24 female) were obtained from necropsies of judicial cases, with ages ranging from 13 to 58years, who had died a sudden or violent death. The samples were obtained using Bordier's trocar for bone biopsy, in a period not exceeding 24h after death. The samples were examined without decalcification, with 96° alcohol dehydration, embedding in methyl methacrylate, and sectioned with a microtome Reichert (3μm). The sections were fixed on microscope slides and stained using toluidine blue, Goldner trichrome and hematoxylin-eosin methods. The samples were studied under a Leica DM LB microscope and the images were digitally captured. The digital images were processed using an image analysis program and data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical package. The results demonstrated that the combination of the trabecular volume and cortical width acted as predictors of the age in subjects which did not suffer from any deterioration of bone and/or mineral metabolism.Age estimation through histological study of trabecular volume and cortical bone width of the iliac crest - Corrected ProofRafael Fernández Castillo, Douglas H. Ubelaker, Mirjana Djorojevic10.1016/j.scijus.2011.09.004Science & Justice (2011)2011-10-03Science & Justice2011-10-03http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030610000626/abstract?rss=yesThe Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2010.05.008. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.WITHDRAWN: Forensic Anthropology Laboratory - Corrected ProofB. Macdonald-McMillan, S. Paterson10.1016/j.scijus.2010.05.008Science & Justice (2010)2010-07-12Science & Justice2010-07-12http://www.scienceandjusticejournal.com/article/PIIS1355030607000445/abstract?rss=yesThe Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published in Science & Justice, Volume 47 (2007), doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2007.08.001. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.WITHDRAWN: Sediment fingerprints: A forensic technique using quartz sand grains: A response - Corrected ProofPeter A. Bull, Ruth M. Morgan10.1016/j.scijus.2007.07.001Science & Justice (2007)2007-08-20Science & Justice2007-08-20