Journal of Forensic Sciences

Traditionally, firearm and toolmark examiners manually evaluate the similarity of features on two bullets using comparison microscopy. Advances in microscopy have made it possible to collect 3D topographic data, and several automated comparison algorithms have been introduced for the comparison of bullet striae using these data. In this study, open-source approaches for cross-correlation, congruent matching profile segments, consecutive matching striations, and a random forest model were evaluated. A statistical characterization of these automated approaches was performed using four datasets of consecutively manufactured firearms to provide a challenging comparison scenario...

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have expanded the spectrum of forensic DNA analysis by facilitating efficient and precise genotyping of a large number of genetic markers. Yet, challenges persist regarding complex sample processing and assurance of equal molar concentrations across pooled samples. Since optimal cluster density is crucial for sequencing performance, the determination of both quantity and quality is indispensable for library preparation. In this study, we investigated the application of the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer for library quality control, as studies for forensic approaches, particularly for highly degraded postmortem samples, are rare...

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In the United States, illicit fentanyl is often trafficked as blue tablets mimicking the legitimate M-30 oxycodone tablet produced by Mallinckrodt. The analysis of dyes extracted from seized fentanyl tablets could provide a useful tool for law enforcement to establish linkages between cases and could prove useful for attributing a seizure to a given trafficking organization. Fentanyl tablet seizures associated with a particular drug trafficking organization (DTO), either through investigative or intelligence information, were used as the sample set for this study...

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For the past decade, illicitly manufactured fentanyl has been a primary contributor in drug overdose deaths regardless of age. The pediatric population is particularly vulnerable to fentanyl exposure, yet there are limited case reports involving this population. Postmortem cases from 2019 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the prevalence of fentanyl in decedents between 0 and 12 years of age. Over this time frame, the fentanyl positivity rate increased from 2.6 to 6.2% (n = 632)...

Tape is a type of trace evidence commonly seen in forensic science. Little to no research has been published regarding the optimal storage material for pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape. The purpose of this project was to determine the substrate with the least amount of interference for storing PSA tape. Interferences such as difficulty removing tape from the substrate or substrate components leaching into the adhesive can affect the analysis. This was a long-term study in which samples were stored on various substrates for nearly 10 years...

Despite developing prior to the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics of the skeleton, the permanent dentition exhibits sexual dimorphism. Therefore, teeth can serve as a means to estimate sex assigned at birth even in young individuals. This project takes a large global sample of maximum dimensions of the crown as well as measurements of the crown at the cervix to explore sexual dimorphism. Dimorphism is noted in teeth throughout the dental arcade, particularly in the canines. We provide sectioning points as well as the probability of correct classification (ranging from 50...

Identifying the species of shark responsible for a bite on humans is both complex and important for understanding and managing the shark risk. Depending on the species, tiny teeth may or may not be present in the symphyseal space at the junction of the upper and lower half-jaws. In the case of bites, these tiny teeth (if present) often leave specific marks that may enable species to be quickly and reliably distinguished. We first present the anatomo-morphological characteristics of the jaws of the three most traumatogenic species for humans which are the white, tiger, and bull sharks...

In this work, we employed a new ambient ionization mass spectrometry technique, sandpaper spray mass spectrometry (SPS-MS), as an efficient tool to analyze pills and tablets of pharmaceutical formulations. The following samples were analyzed: regulators of blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes, and drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Additionally, a hard candy of Cannabis sativa containing Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9 -THC) and its related isomer cannabidiol (CBD) was also evaluated...

A comparison of error rates between studies in forensic handwriting examination has been made in response to the lack of knowledge on error in this field. Fifteen indicators have been used to describe and compare error rates between studies. The results of each study have been processed to determine these indicators. Parameters related to the participants, conclusion scale, amount of time allocated to the task, and the task itself are also reported. The error rate indicators are provided for each study, and then combined across studies using values of mean and standard deviation...

This study investigated the stroke and slope characteristics in left-handed and right-handed handwriting. Stroke (letters t, f, đ, and H) and slope (letters t, f, l, d, and g) directions were analyzed on in-house samples (n = 64), revealing statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) between the groups. Right-handers predominantly exhibited left-to-right strokes (98%-100%), while left-handers showed greater variability. Although statistically significant for most letters analyzed, slope direction did not demonstrate consistent patterns...

In tool mark identification, there is still a lack of characteristics and methodologies standardization used to analyze and describe sharp force trauma marks on skeletal remains. This study presents a classification method for cut marks on human bones, providing an applicable methodology for their examination and the relevant terminology for describing cases of sharp force trauma. A total of 350 cut marks were produced by stabbing pig ribs (Sus scrofa) with seven knives. The samples were analyzed under a stereomicroscope with a tangential light source...

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by marked differences in communication patterns, reciprocal social interactions, and restricted, stereotyped, and repetitive interests and activities. Various behavioral problems in ASD, more so when accompanied by coexisting psychopathology, can sometimes lead to legal problems. In this study, the cases in which an opinion was requested in terms of criminal responsibility with the diagnosis of ASD in the 5-year period between 2018 and 2022 in the expertise department of psychiatric observation, where psychiatric cases were hospitalized and observed in the Council of Forensic Medicine (CFM), which is the official expert institution in Türkiye, were retrospectively evaluated...

Estimating biological sex is a crucial aspect of forensic anthropology, and is pivotal in forensic investigations. Presently, the most frequently adopted osteological sex estimation methods focus on the anterior pelvis, which is easily susceptible to postmortem damage, revealing a need for additional accurate methods. This study introduces a novel method for estimating adult sex through metric pelvic scar analysis, using a known skeletal sample (169 females; 51 males). Relationships between sex and scar dimensions were subjected to Kendall's tau-B testing, and the strongest associated measurements were further analyzed using binary logistic regression to determine their predictive capacity...

In mass disaster events, forensic DNA laboratories may be called upon to quickly pivot their operations toward identifying bodies and reuniting remains with family members. Ideally, laboratories have considered this possibility in advance and have a plan in place. Compared with traditional short tandem repeat (STR) typing, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may be better suited to these disaster victim identification (DVI) scenarios due to their small genomic target size, resulting in an improved success rate in degraded DNA samples...

The collection, storage, and transport of samples prior to and during analysis is of utmost importance, especially for highly potent analogs that may not be present in high concentrations and are susceptible to pH or thermally mediated degradation. An accelerated stability study was performed on 17 fentanyl analogs (fentalogs) over a wide range of pH (2-10) and temperature (20-60°C) conditions over 24 h. Dilute aqueous systems were used to investigate temperature and pH-dependent kinetics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)...