Journal of Forensic Research

Background: First recommendation to use lip prints as one of the tools in the court of law was done by France’s greatest criminologist Edmond Locard. The study was aimed to determine the differences in labial impression among races in Malaysia and to note if there is any change over a time period. Methods: The study recruited 60 subjects, consisted equal ratio of male and female subjects from the three races of Malaysia. The labial impressions of an indian subject was studied over a period of eight years. The lip prints were obtained on the strip of bond paper and was analysed using the Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. Results: It was observed that Type II (72.50%) was the predominant pattern in Indian race and the least observed pattern was type III (33.75%). Type I′ (71.25%) was the most common pattern observed in Malays race and the least observed pattern was type I (12.50%). Type III (87.50%) was the most common pattern observed in Chinese and the least observed was type IV (0%). There was no change in lip print pattern over a period of eight years. Apart from the features mentioned according to the classification some additional features were noticed and these features were consistently followed and there was no changes observed over a period of eight years. Conclusion: The lip prints have potential in determining the race and sex of an individual. Since lip prints is different in every individual, so it can be used as a method for personal identification which may give contributions in crime scene investigations.

We analyzed nucleotide sequences that constitute a part of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from individuals of Peckia (Pattonella) intermutans (Walker, 1861) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) of different populations from the States of São Paulo and Bahia, Brazil. Indices of genetic variability were calculated and phylogenetic tests (Maximum Parsimony) were applied. The presence of at least five haplotypes among sampled individuals was observed. Pairwise sequence differences within P. (P.) intermutans haplotypes were lower than the pairwise sequence differences between the haplotypes and outgroup species. This finding, in addition to the phylogenetic analyzis performed in this study, validates the use of molecular tools for distinguishing species of P. (P.) intermutans from other sarcophagids already molecularly characterized in Brazil so far. The greatest number of haplotypes (n = 3), genetic diversity (π = 0.01), and nucleotidic differences (k = 2.38) were found from specimens in Ubatuba, reflecting the low rate of genetic flow in this population compared to those from other locations; this was probably influenced by the local ecotope, i.e., the tropical rainforest called “Mata Atlântica”. At collection areas within the rainforest, the vegetal cover is well preserved and this could significantly influence evolutive factors such as population size and selection towards genetic drift, supporting variability maintenance. Further investigations should be conducted for a better understanding of this finding and for expanding knowledge about the close relationships among P. (P.) intermutans and other sarcophagids of forensic importance.

Pharmaceutical residues in the environment have the potential to harm wildlife. A population’s fragility or an animal’s secretive nature may preclude capture and the use of invasive/destructive sampling techniques that are typically used in a risk assessment. Conventionally favoured matrices gathered opportunistically from carcasses have a finite lifespan, thereby limiting the detection window. This multidisciplinary paper aims to promote the use of non-invasive approaches and optimize use of even the most degraded carcasses. We highlight a selection of promising alternative, unconventional and underutilized sample types that could be applied in environmental monitoring efforts and wildlife forensic investigations. With a focus on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), now under increasing scrutiny in the freshwater and terrestrial environment, we first illustrate current sampling practices and gaps in knowledge by summarizing exposure of: 1) aquatic organisms to urban effluent discharged into waterways, and, 2) scavenging species to veterinary residues in livestock and other carrion. We then consider the merits and limitations of a range of alternative environmentally robust sample options that offer a broader detection interval for NSAIDs, with emphasis on hair, wool and feathers. The viability of eyes/ocular material, bone matter, fecal matter, injection sites, ingesta/pellets and scavenging/coprophagous insects are also discussed.

When investigating violent offenses including domestic abuse and sexual offenses, it is important to search for and seize the offender’s pornography stash. Pornography use has been correlated with both physical and sexual violence and even with general criminality. The pornography represents the offender’s preferred sexual preference and violent fantasies, which in turn strongly relate to the offender’s violent behavior. Although the pornography does not cause the offender to act out, it contributes to the offender’s fantasy which in turn relates to the offender’s choice of behavior.

The causes of sudden death in young adults under the age of 35 are mainly due to cardiovascular issues. We report the case of a 25 year-old man who died suddenly at the wheel of his car, very likely while he was reversing. The autopsy only discovered bilateral ossification of the stylohyoid ligaments. The microscopic and toxicological investigations showed strictly normal results. The cause of death and the circumstances involved in it are discussed under the framework of these ligament anomalies, called “Eagle syndrome”. Indeed, the circumstances involved in the death led to envisaging an abrupt pressure from the vasculonervous structures of the neck on the ossification of the stylohyoid ligaments, during rotation of the neck carried out by the victim due to the accident while reversing. A cardio inhibitory reflex is referred to as the cause of death, but abrupt pressure from the carotid glomeruli cannot be adopted as a contributing factor due to the absence of histological lesions. Moreover, unlike the two cases reported in the forensic literature, and the clinical description of a cerebrovascular accident related to Eagle syndrome, the pressure had to be exercised on the nervusvagus. It is then possible to attribute the cause of death to overstimulation of it whilst in a state of stress.

Accurate age estimation of human adult is an important problem in both anthropological and forensic fields. Recently, determination of pulp/tooth area ratio from dental radiographs used as noninvasive and feasible methods for adult age prediction. The aim of this study was to test the reliability and applicability of pulp/tooth area ratio (PTR) in three mandibular teeth as an indicator of age by Panoramic Radiographs. A total of 500 panoramic radiographs of Egyptian individuals (262 males and 238 females), aged between 18 and 71 years, were studied. Pulp/tooth area ratios (PTR) were determined by AutoCAD 2010. Data were subjected to correlation and regression analysis which indicated that 2nd premolar (PM2) was the most closely correlated with age(r=-0.947) followed closely by canine(c) (r=-0.941). The 1st premolar revealed the lowest correlation (r=-0.914); among tooth combinations, the three teeth taken together had the best R value (- 0.956). Linear regression equations were determined separately for the individual teeth and tooth combinations. The standard errors of estimates (S.E.E.) of the regression analyses for the individual teeth and tooth combinations ranged from ± 4.10 to 5.66 years, indicating minimal difference in age estimates using solitary or multiple teeth. The observations obtained from the current study indicate that the PTR method is a useful procedure for assessing age with reasonable accuracy among Egyptians in forensic field.