New techniques for the forensic and industrial analyst

A joint meeting of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Association of Consulting Scientists and the Forensic Science Society was held on 14 February 1987 at St John's Hall, Monck Street, London SW1. The morning session was chaired by Dr RL Williams, Director of the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory, and the afternoon session by Mr WG Simpson, President of the Association of Consulting Scientists. In his introduction, Dr Williams expressed the hope that the coming together of the various areas of interest represented in the programme would be productive for all those involved. Mr Simpson closed the meeting with the observation that the title had reflected well the pattern of new and varied techniques presented.     

Differences in approach—Government service and private practice

This paper is based on a presentation made to the Questioned Documents Group of the Forensic Science Society at a meeting in July 1986.     

Automatic Refractive Index Measurement of Glass particles

An automatic instrument for Glass Refractive Index Measurement (GRIM), developed by Foster and Freeman Ltd., has been evaluated and adapted to meet the requirements of the UK Forensic Science Service. The apparatus is microprocessor controlled and uses the signal from a CCTV camera to detect the match temperature of the glass. Prototypes were evaluated at the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory, at the Central Research Establishment, Home Office Forensic Science Service and at the Home Office Forensic Science Laboratory, Aldermaston. The performance of GRIM was compared to that of the Mettler apparatus currently in use with special regard to precision and long-term stability. GRIM was found to be well suited for operational use.     

环境污水毒品检测技术在禁毒情报中的应用

本文以环境污水毒品检测技术为基础,结合相关法学和统计学理论,为毒品检测技术在禁毒情报的获取中提供了新的应用方式。本文首先介绍了环境污水分析技术的起源以及污水流行病学的研究方法,并对包括样品提取与保存、固相萃取、液相色谱串联质谱法分析在内的污水样品中毒品检测技术手段进行了详细的介绍;进而,对以禁毒情报工作的需求为着力点,通过动态广泛的污水中毒品检测,以大数据的方式获得关于不同种类毒品的时间空间分布情况的方法进行说明论述,充分展现了环境污水检测技术的应用潜力及前景;最后,对此项工作目前在理论和实践中存在的问题与不足进行了简要的汇总和分析。     

基于GC-MS的溴鼠灵毒性代谢组学研究

目的运用尿液代谢组学方法对溴鼠灵毒性进行研究,揭示溴鼠灵干预对大鼠毒性作用的分子机制。方法采用气相色谱-质谱建立大鼠尿液的代谢指纹谱,采用主成分分析和偏最小二乘法判别分析比较溴鼠灵给药前后的代谢谱差异,利用正交偏最小二乘判别分析法找出与溴鼠灵毒性作用相关的差异代谢物。结果 PLS-DA得分图显示大鼠不同时点尿液样本代谢物轨迹在各时间段内相似度较好,呈现各自聚类现象。溴鼠灵中毒后,可诱导DNA损伤和突变,机体对神经损伤、肾损伤也出现修复、保护性反应。结论该研究结果表明代谢组学可为溴鼠灵毒性作用机制研究提供技术支持。     

尿液中DNA的提取与检验

尿液中DNA的STR分型检验有一定的应用价值:国外文献报道过应用于运动员兴奋剂控制^[1]中可疑尿检样品的个体识别,国内则偶有案发现场提取到尿液、尿冰、尿斑并成功进行个体识别的案例报道。与血液、精斑、唾液等检材相比,尿液STR分型的检出率较低,主要是与尿液中的成份有关。本文重点分析人类尿液成分,分类总结目前可用于提取尿液中DNA的多种方法,分析可能影响尿液STR分型检验结果的因素。     

26例心脏传导系统发育异常猝死的病理学分析

目的研究心脏传导系统发育异常致猝死的病理变化。方法排除外伤、中毒及疾病所致死亡,收集26例不明原因猝死者心脏,采用作者创建的心脏传导系统取材法,常规切片、HE染色和Masson三色染色,光镜观察。结果 26例中见心传导系统有发育不全、结构异常、细胞或组织结构移位和窦房结纤维垫等病变,9例同时具有2~3种类型。16~30岁共21例,占全部样本的80.8%。结论心脏传导系统发育异常可能是不明原因青壮年猝死的重要原因之一。     

Author index : Volume 26 (1984)

A survey of 100 case-openers received in the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory showed the wide variations that exist in blade tip shapes, dimensions and paint formulations.     

Some Journal Metrics for Forensic Science International: Genetics

Forensic Science International: Genetics, which is the official journal of the International Society for Forensic Genetics, has grown in readership and impact factor since its introduction in 2007. This article reviews some metrics of the 32 issues available as of September 2013.     

Enhancement of footwear impressions in blood

Methods for chemical enhancement of footwear impressions in blood were compared in order to make a separation between utilization at the scene of crime, the local (regional) police laboratory and the Dutch Forensic Science Laboratory (DFSL).     

The forensic examination of a fire-damaged vehicle.

The Lothian and Borders Police Forensic Science Laboratory was asked to assist in the investigation of a suspected fraudulent insurance claim involving a fire-damaged motor vehicle. This case demonstrates the persistence of fire accelerants when confined, and the reproducible nature of volatiles created from the accelerated burning of a synthetic material.     

实时荧光定量PCR检测硅藻UPA基因在溺死诊断中的研究

目的建立硅藻UPA条形码基因的实时荧光定量PCR检测方法,探讨其在溺死诊断中的应用价值。方法对Gene Bank中登录的硅藻UPA基因序列进行比对获得同源序列,据其设计硅藻门通用引物。对2种人体常见共生菌(大肠杆菌、双歧杆菌)、3种浮游细菌、15种浮游藻类、32具尸体(其中生前溺水死亡28例,死后抛尸1例,陆地死亡3例)的组织样本(肺、肝、肾)及尸体发现地水样提取DNA,采用设计的引物进行特异性、灵敏度、重复性试验,分析检材中硅藻检出情况,统计硅藻阳性率,以上述组织样本的微波消解-真空抽滤-自动扫描电镜法检测结果对建立的q PCR检测方法进行比较评估,比较该方法与PCR-毛细管电泳检测法的灵敏度。结果引物UPA99仅对硅藻标准株(针杆藻、舟形藻、直链藻、小环藻、菱形藻)DNA具有扩增,扩增产物熔解曲线平稳,峰尖且窄,熔解温度为(87±1)℃。以p MD18-T重组质粒为标准品,检测区间为1.56×10~2-1.56×10^-5ng/μL,建立实时q PCR方法的灵敏度为1.56×10^-5ng/μL,而PCR-CE方法的灵敏度为1.56×10-3ng/μL。批间及批内变异系数均低于2%,具有较高的重复性和稳定性。对于生前溺水尸体肺、肝、肾的检出率依次为89.3%,71.4%,64.3%。结论基于硅藻UPA基因设计通用引物,建立的q PCR硅藻检验法特异性高、灵敏度高、重复性好,应用于溺死诊断具有较好的应用前景。     

Simplified estimation of Widmark "r" values by the method of Forrest.

To simplify blood alcohol calculations, tables are presented giving Widmark 'r' values estimated by the method of ARW Forrest (Journal of the Forensic Science Society 1986; 27: 249-252).     

Psychotropic drugs in developmental mushrooms: a case study review

Psilocyn and psilocybin can be identified in different stages of developing psilocybe mushrooms. Knowing the various stages of the mushroom development can be useful when receiving evidence from illicit mushroom growing operations. Exhibits from three separate cases were submitted to the drug analysis section of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Science Laboratory. Each case contained different stages of developing mushrooms. This report describes the evidence in each case, the sample preparation, the sample analysis and the final report that was written.     

Are UK undergraduate Forensic Science degrees fit for purpose?

In October 2009 Skills for Justice published the social research paper ‘Fit for purpose?: Research into the provision of Forensic Science degree programmes in UK Higher Education Institutions.’ The research engaged employers representing 95% of UK Forensic Science providers and 79% of UK universities offering Forensic Science or Crime Scene degree programmes. In addition to this, the research collected the views of 430 students studying these degrees. In 2008 there were approximately 9000 people working in the Forensic Science sector in the UK. The research found that the numbers of students studying Forensic Science or Crime Scene degrees in the UK have more than doubled since 2002–03, from 2191 in to 5664 in 2007–08. Over the same period there were twice as many females as males studying for these degrees. The research concluded that Forensic Science degree programmes offered by UK universities were of a good quality and they provided the student with a positive learning experience but the content was not relevant for Forensic Science employers. This echoed similar research by the former Government Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on graduates from wider science, technology, engineering and mathematics degree programmes. The research also found that 75% of students studying Forensic Science or Crime Scene degrees expected to have a career in the Forensic Science sector, meaning that ensuring these courses are relevant for employers is a key challenge for universities. This paper reflects on the original research and discusses the implications in light of recent government policy.     

Occupational exposure to traumatic evidence and posttraumatic stress symptoms in forensic science professionals: Prevalence and patterns

Forensic science professionals are routinely exposed to potentially traumatizing evidence. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of occupational posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among forensic science professionals, identify job-related correlates of PTSD symptoms, and examine the role of social support in mitigating PTSD symptomology. In response to recruitment through the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and Evidence Technology Magazine, 449 forensic science professionals participated in the current study. Results found that 73.5% (n = 330) of the overall sample experienced at least one work-related traumatic event consistent with meeting Criterion A for PTSD, and these rates were higher for field-based respondents (n = 203, 87.9%). The prevalence of past-month provisional PTSD was 21.6% for the full sample. Disaggregated PTSD rates were 29.0% and 14.5% for field-based and non-field-based respondents, respectively. These rates were 6- to 8-fold higher than the past-year prevalence of PTSD in the general US population, estimated to be 3.5%, and were found to be at least as high as those observed in prior epidemiological research with non-treatment seeking members of the US military deployed to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Results further showed that social support was protective against PTSD symptomology. The high rates of occupational exposure to trauma and consequent PTSD symptomology observed in this large sample of forensic science professionals highlight the under-acknowledged psychological risks of these occupations and the need for enhanced attention to mental health resources for these professionals.     

National fingermark visualisation collaborative exercise 2020

In 2020, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory organised and ran what is believed to be the first UK national collaborative exercise of its kind in the field of fingermark visualisation, on behalf of the Forensic Science Regulator. Laboratories were provided with a piece of wrapping paper, a challenging item for fingermark visualisation due to its semi-porous characteristics, both from a planning and processing perspective, and asked to treat it as a major crime exhibit. Due to the complexity of the substrate, variation in approach was anticipated. 23 laboratories from 21 organisations completed the exercise. In general, laboratories performed well, providing assurance to the Forensic Science Regulator regarding their ability to visualise fingermarks. Key learning points were identified around decision-making, planning and implementation of fingermark visualisation processes – all of which assist in raising the level of understanding around the likely success of fingermark visualisation. Lessons learnt, along with the overall findings, were shared and discussed in a workshop held in summer 2021. The exercise provided a useful insight into the current operational practices of participating laboratories. Areas of good practice were identified as well as the areas within the laboratories’ approach that could be altered or adapted.     

Oral sex--further information from sexual assault cases.

A survey was carried out of sexual assault cases submitted to the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory during 1988 and 1989. There were 104 cases with male victims, and 1403 with females. In the all-male offences, fellatio was reported in 34%; nearly two-thirds of the acts were by the offender, one-third by the victim. In the offences on females, oral-genital acts were alleged in 22%, 78% of which were fellatio, and 22% cunnilingus. The majority of offenders were white. The few Afro-Caribbeans studied rarely performed oral sex on males or very young females.     

Validation of a frequency database for four STR loci for use in casework in the Strathclyde Police Forensic Science Laboratory

Data for four STR loci have been collected from 400 samples taken from complainers and suspects encountered in casework at the Strathclyde Police Forensic Science Laboratory (SPFSL). This paper describes statistical testing which demonstrates that its use will provide operationally robust procedures. Comparisons made with data collected from other British samples confirmed no practical differences between the different frequency distributions. This work provides further confirmation of the reliability of the so-called ‘product rule’ in estimating the frequency of multilocus genotypes in British forensic casework.     

Publication rates of abstracts presented at the annual scientific meetings held by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences in 2011 and 2016

Prior research evaluating the papers presented in forensic sciences in international meetings is scant. This study determines the possible predictions concerning publications by comparing the publication rates, publication years, and presentation types, time until publication, participating countries, and criteria of the published journals in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). The publication rates of abstracts presented at scientific meetings of AAFS, a prestigious forensic science organization, along with the aforementioned components and the extent of their contribution in 2011 and 2016 were investigated. The abstracts presented at the AAFS meetings in 2011 and 2016 were reviewed retrospectively within the scope of this study. The Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were searched using a specified process that included the title, first and last author surnames, and keywords. Results revealed that approximately 21% and 24% of the papers presented at the 2011 and 2016 AAFS meetings, respectively, were published. Considering the publication rates of abstracts according to sections, the publication rates for the 2011 AAFS meeting ranged from 4% (questioned documents) to 31% (anthropology) and from 5% (questioned documents) to 32% (pathology/biology), on average, for the 2016 AAFS meeting. It was determined that the papers were largely published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences for both annual scientific meetings. Future studies should concentrate on the obstacles to the publication of papers presented at such prestigious organizations and strategies to facilitate the publication process such that they do not lose their value over time.