Journal of Forensic Research

Galliformes are hunted for the demand of their attractive feathers and to supply a cheap animal food for the rural communities. In such cases, species identification through visual inspection of the meat or based on feather morphometrics is a challenging task for the law enforcement agencies to enforce the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA). Here, we extracted DNA from the individual feathers of unknown species encountered during field surveys and two mitochondrial genes ( 12S rRNA and Cytochrome b ) were amplified using universal primers for species identification. Most homologous sequences were retrieved using NCBI-BLAST for each generated sequence of both the genes. Neighbor-Joining trees based on Kimura 2 parameter distance matrices in FINS analysis identified the species from the individual feather with strong bootstrap support. Nine species specific polymorphic sites were found in the partial sequence of Cytochrome b gene that differentiated Pavo cristatus to Pavo muticus imperator . Our study highlighted the importance of feathers in identifying the species and their applicability in wildlife offence cases using FINS approach.

Slash attacks form a major element of physical assaults, involving a sharp implement such as a knife. If a slash attack is inflicted onto a surface covered with fabric, such as clothing, then that fabric may receive a slash cut. Investigation of the slash cut can provide further information regarding the nature of the implement and the action of the attack.
This study aims to identify a quantifiable correlation between the nature of the slash cut and the implement causing it. The study also aims to develop a method of categorising the damage, as well as a way of measuring the sharpness of a knife without blunting the blade.
Two new simple techniques were developed and applied to a range of household implements. A quantifiable correlation could be seen between the damage categorisation and the relative sharpness of the implement. The degree of this correlation varied depending on the fabric type.

The first step in the DNA profiling process is the recovery of DNA from the crime scene or item. Such surfaces can be varying with absorbent and non-absorbent surfaces. Ridged surfaces, such as those encountered on bottletops or firearms, are also common. Although low trace DNA or “touch DNA” is problematic in forensic casework, ridged surfaces should be a more effective surface for the recovery of such DNA due their abrasive nature. The aim of this study was to evaluate six recovery techniques; single wet swab, dry-wet double swab, wet-dry double swab, flocked swab, PCR square, and tape lifts. 36 falcon tubes with screw top lids were sterilised before DNA was deposited on the screw-top lids. Each of the recovery techniques were then utilised on 6 screw-top lids. All recovery media then underwent standard DNA extraction prior to DNA quantification by UV/Vis spectroscopy and quantitative PCR. The data indicated that the tape lifts recovered significantly more DNA from the ridged surface than the other techniques. There was no significant difference between the remaining 5 techniques, although on average, flocked swabs recovered the least amount. This suggested that the success in recovery of DNA is not down to the particular technique used, but down to the competence of the individual examiner and the amount of DNA deposited onto the surface.

As DNA profiling systems become more complex, advancements to a relatively simple technique are presented that promote greater accessibility and usefulness for a variety of applications. In contrast, other simple tools commonly used to teach students about forensics and human populations have notable drawbacks. Two Alutetraplex systems, utilizing four Alu presence/absence variants in a single reaction were therefore developed to provide a simple methodology to generate complex profiles. A third Alutetraplex system is presented, escalating the number of possible genotypes to 531,441, with all alleles of the 12 dimorphic markers being relatively common. Reproducible results were attained even with the use of crude DNA preparations stored frozen for several years with multiple freeze thaws. The incorporation of GelRed DNA stain instead of the highly toxic ethidium bromide promotes greater accessibility, particularly in a classroom setting. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of this profiling system as a simple but informative methodology to analyze paternity, genetic mapping of human traits, and provides data to illustrate its potential in assessing ancestry or geographic origins of an individual.

Crimes and terrorism are very common in Pakistan from the last unfortunate decade of war on terror which have genuinely inculcated a psychological terror in the minds of both affected and unaffected families. The number of crimes, suicide attacks and target killing are increasing in Pakistan day by day. The total 15 suicide attacks were carried out in Pakistan from 2002 to 2005, while in the next four years (2006-2009) it was increased to 200 and now it is more than 372. Pakistan needs to promote forensic science in order to control crimes and terrorism. Unfortunately, most of the crimes remain untraced due to the lack of technical expertise and proper research in this field.