Digital imaging methods as an aid in dental identification of human remains

The physical comparison of known (K) and questioned (Q) evidence samples is an accepted tool in numerous forensic identification disciplines (1). A subset of this process is the use of antemortem and postmortem dental radiographs to identify unidentified human remains. This method has been generally accepted for decades (2). The outcome is performed with a considerable degree of accuracy, due in part to a finite pool of possible candidates for identification derived via the NCIC database, passenger lists, and law enforcement Missing Persons reports. This paper describes a dental identification comparison protocol that incorporated digital imaging technology in this process. The computer was used to create digital exemplars of the K and Q evidence that were spatially and quantitatively compared (3). The digital mode allowed direct metric and morphologic comparison through the aid of a digital camera, desktop computer, monitor, and printer. The well-known computer program Adobe Photoshop 5.0 (4) was used to process the digital information in two forensic cases described in this paper. It is a commercially available digital imaging editing program that is operated on laptop and desktop computers possessing sufficient chip speed and RAM (Pentium II or equivalent and at least 76MB RAM) to open the large-size files generated by high-resolution digital capture devices. This program accepts raster-based image formats (e.g. .JPG, .BMP). Photoshop is noted for its diverse imaging functions, which allow the computer monitor to be used as a comparison microscope when Q and K sample images are tiled side-by-side and/or superimposed. Two and three-dimensional Q and K evidence samples can be individually digitized and then independently resized to allow two-dimensional comparison. The investigator also has the ability to create magnified images (200% to 300%) when the original digital image has been captured at near photoquality resolution (300 dpi). The visual comparison of physical features on the computer monitor permits a large field of view and robust digital control over image quality. Photographic measurement and enhancement features of Adobe Photoshop mimics and in some circumstances surpasses the historic use of conventional photographic manipulation in forensic casework. This paper presents two cases processed via routine forensic odontology identification protocols. These protocols had minimal results due to limitations described in the case histories. The additional application of digital methods proved useful in the ultimate identification of these human remains.     

Writer identification using hand-printed and non-hand-printed questioned documents

Several federal district court judges have recently referred to the purported lack of information on the proficiency of forensic document examiners (FDEs) in identifying writers of hand-printed documents. In order to provide the necessary information, we have re-analyzed data on writer identification that were collected in 1996 from 90 forensic document examiners and 34 laypersons. These data were used previously to assess the proficiency of FDEs using handwritten documents in several different types of writing. In the new analysis we separated data on hand-printed (HP) documents from data on non-hand-printed (NHP) documents and compiled error rates and statistics in each category. The main findings are: (1) whether or not the documents were hand-printed, the performance of FDEs was much better than that of laypersons; (2) statistical tests found no difference between the data provided by the FDEs in the HP and NHP categories; (3) statistical tests found no difference between the data provided by laypersons in the HP and NHP categories; and (4) statistical tests found differences between the data provided by the FDEs and the laypersons in both the HP and NHP categories. Similar results were obtained when hand-printed documents were compared to cursive documents and when cursive documents were compared to non-cursive documents. All the evidence indicates that in our proficiency test the performance of FDEs in writer identification was much better than the performance of laypersons in each one of the following document categories: (1) hand-printed; (2) non-hand-printed; (3) cursive; and (4) non-cursive.     

The identification of a US serviceman recovered from the Holy Loch, Scotland.

During February and March 2000, human remains were recovered from the Holy Loch, Scotland. Police enquiries identified 13 males that had gone missing, presumed drowned in the Holy Loch or the adjoining lochs, over the previous 35 years. Osteological examination of the remains established they were from a male, aged between 15 and 23 and 168-174 cm tall. This information eliminated ten of the known missing persons. DNA profiles, both STR and mitochondrial were generated from the remains and compared to the profiles generated from relatives of the missing men. A positive match between the unidentified individual and one of the maternal relatives identified the remains as belonging to a US serviceman who had gone missing 35 years ago. The successful identification led to the repatriation of the serviceman's remains.     

Antemortem and Postmortem Nonapposite Data—A Multidisciplinary Identification Strategy

Identification of human remains is often achieved by comparing documented reference data with the same type of evidence obtained from the remains. We present a case of a decomposed unidentified body, whose identity was presumed but because of the low validity range of the available data, the identification process could not be completed. Antemortem radiographs of the teeth found in the house of the reputed victim could not be compared to the edentulous cadaver and the kinship between the victim and the only living relative that could provide DNA for comparison was too tenuous. Isolated teeth found at the scene, were neither a source of DNA reference information nor questioned data to be compared to the antemortem radiographs. The strategy implemented by the investigators to reallocate the status of the isolated teeth from the questioned source to the reference source of DNA to be compared with the cadaver is presented.     

A Review of Bomb Pulse Dating and its Use in the Investigation of Unidentified Human Remains

In cases where there is limited antemortem information, the examination of unidentified human remains as part of the investigation of long-term missing person's cases is a complex endeavor and consequently requires a multidisciplinary approach. Bomb pulse dating, which involves the analysis and interpretation of 14C concentration, is one technique that may assist in these investigations by providing an estimate of year of birth and year of death. This review examines the technique of bomb pulse dating and its use in the identification of differentially preserved unknown human remains. Research and case studies implementing bomb pulse dating have predominantly been undertaken in the Northern Hemisphere and have demonstrated reliable and accurate results. Limitations were, however, identified throughout the literature. These included the small sample sizes used in previous research/case studies which impacted on the statistical significance of the findings, as well as technique-specific issues. Such limitations highlight the need for future research.     

系统鉴定方法在朱墨时序鉴定中的应用

朱墨时序鉴定是通过对印字交叉部位的检验,得出的印字先后顺序的判断。朱墨时序鉴定是文件鉴定的重要组成部分,它往往是判定文件物证真实性的重要依据之一。任何文件物证都是一个由多个要素组成的文件系统。通过介绍系统鉴定方法的原理、方法,以鉴定实践说明其在朱墨时序鉴定中的三种作用,同时也强调各种检验方法的综合运用。提倡在朱墨时序鉴定中,应运用系统鉴定方法,更加准确的把握印字交叉部位的表观特征,从而提高朱墨时序鉴定的准确性。     

微束X射线荧光分析法鉴别激光打印机墨粉的研究

目的利用微束X射线荧光分析法（μ-XRF）研究激光打印机用墨粉的鉴别。方法利用μ-XRF对9台不同型号激光打印机用墨粉、对应的打印字迹、提取的字迹墨粉所含元素进行定性、半定量的分析。结果根据检出元素种类的不同,可将9台不同型号激光打印机用墨粉、对应的打印字迹、提取的字迹墨粉分成7类、4类、4类,区分率分别为94.4%、75%、69.4%。结论本研究所建立的μ-XRF鉴别激光打印机墨粉方法具有微区、原位无损检验等优点,对提高激光打印文件检验水平具有现实意义。     

一直涉案打印文件言语人的同一认定

涉案打印文件言语人的同一认定,即打印文件撰稿人的认定,这是新时期文件检验面临的一个新的、需要深入研究的重要课题。文章以一起跨世纪侦查的重大案件为主,阐述了从涉案打印文件言语特征(形式)和思想内涵(内容)两方面成功认定案件嫌疑人的具体做法和体会。文章认为,只要满足相关条件,以现代语言科学有关理论为指导,根据打印文件言语特征,认定案件嫌疑人是可行的,也是科学的。     

Application of the micro-FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and XRF method examination of inks

In routine examination of inks on questioned documents non-destructive analytical methods, such as microscopic and optical techniques are applied first. However, they are often insufficient to identify the inks used for the preparation of the document. In such cases, it is necessary to apply chemical methods that normally cause partial destruction of the examined material. The aim of this work was to evaluate the possibility of discrimination between inks by the use of spectrometric methods, i.e. micro-FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and XRF. About 70 samples of blue and black ballpoint pen and gel inks were examined. It was found that about 90% of the samples of the same type and colour could be distinguished using these methods.     

Sub-surface characterisation of latest-generation identification documents using optical coherence tomography

The identification of individuals, particularly at international border crossings, coupled with the evolving sophistication of identity documents are issues that authorities must contend with. Particularly, the ability to distinguish legitimate from counterfeit documents, with high throughput, sensitivity, and selectivity is an ever-evolving challenge.Over the last decade, an increasing number of security features have been introduced by authorities in identification documents. The latest generation of travel documents (such as passports and national ID cards) forego paper substrates for several layers of polycarbonate, allowing security features to be embedded within the documents. These security features may contain information at either the superficial and sub-surface levels, thus increasing the document’s resilience to counterfeiting.As the documents become harder to forge, so does the sophistication of forgery detection. There appears to be an unmet and evolving need to identify such sophisticated forgeries, in a non-destructive, high throughput manner.In this publication, we report on the application of optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging on assessing security features in specimen passports and national ID cards. OCT allows sub-surface imaging of translucent structures, non-destructively enabling quantitative visualisation of embedded security features.     

当前文件检验的热点问题

本文简要回顾了文件检验学的发展历程,着重总结了当今文件检验的热点问题,包括:笔迹的自动化检验,文件的制成时间,可疑文件的无损检验,可疑文件的综合检验、可疑文件的定量检验、计算机技术在文件检验中的应用以及今后的发展趋势,文件检验工作中存在的问题进行了阐述,并针对存在的问题提出了解决方案。     

系统检验方法在可疑文件鉴定中运用

通过对近年来成功解决的几起可疑文件鉴定的典型案例分析,较详细地阐述在文件鉴定实践中,如何运用系统检验的思想,通过可疑文件上留下的细微变造痕迹,巧妙识别可疑文件的伪造手段和方法,为法庭提供科学、可信的证据,取信于法官、律师及当事人,使得案件最终圆满审结.在面对某些疑难案件的鉴定中,在鉴定思路和方法上对文件检验人员,有一定的启示作用.     

认识非语音信息在司法话者识别中的应用

通过介绍两起利用非语音信息最终辅助确认了说话人的司法话者识别检验案件,发现在说话人识别中,当待检语音无法满足语图比对条件时,充分利用非语音信息所揭示出的个体特性将有助于解决话者识别问题。得出了当待检语音条件不充分时,依靠非语音信息来辅助进行话者识别的方法。     

Application of capillary electrophoresis to examination of color inkjet printing inks for forensic purposes

In the process of questioned document examination, the discrimination of inkjet printing inks is becoming more necessary due to increasingly frequent counterfeiting of documents printed by inkjet printers. Therefore, a method based on micellar electrophoretic capillary chromatography (MECC) has been developed and applied to analysis of such inks extracted from paper. With the use of an optimized and validated analytical procedure, multielectropherograms of inks taken from various models of printers made by various producers (Hewlett-Packard, Epson, Brother, Lexmark and Canon) were created. It was shown that effective differentiation of individual inks was possible in terms of migration time, order and specific shapes of characteristic peaks. By comparison of recorded UV-Vis spectra, the identification of main dyes was also achievable. The usefulness of the method was confirmed by an intralaboratory test of utility, in which several forged printouts were successfully examined. The obtained results proved that the proposed procedure is a useful tool that could be applied to ink discrimination and group identification of dyes originating from inkjet printing inks. Consequently, the developed method can be applied in the forensic field, including investigation of the authenticity of documents.     

On the spectroscopic cum chemometric approach for differentiation and classification of inkjet,laser and photocopier printed documents

The potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric methods is explored for the rapid and no-destructive forensic investigation of inkjet, laser and photocopier printed documents. The aim of the present study is to ascertain the source of origin of unknown printed documents, i.e., whether it belongs to the laser or inkjet or photocopier devices and also to visualize the intra-variations present in the same types of printed documents. It is observed that these printing inks contain polystyrene, bisphenol A, methyl acrylate and aromatic ethers as the main chemical constituents. The standard normal variate normalization is performed in order to eliminate the differences caused by the amount of toner powder/inks. The discrimination among printed documents is achieved by using chemometric methods including hierarchal cluster analysis and principal component analysis. Further, linear discriminant analysis is used to classify the unknown printed documents into its respective class of printing devices. The present methodology provides robust, non-destructive, reproducible, and simultaneous identification methods for printed documents.     

Radiographic identification by mastoid sinus and arterial pattern

A skull and some incomplete postcranial remains were discovered in two searches over a two-month period near Santa Fe, New Mexico. The discoveries could be demonstrated to be from the same person, and the remains were shown to be consistent with a specific missing person on the basis of anthropological analysis. Further work led to a positive identification on multiple grounds, including agreement of the details of the mastoid sinus and endocranial arterial patterns observed radiographically. These features may be useful for establishing positive identification from skeletal remains when antemortem radiographic studies for comparison are limited to lateral cranial vault studies.     

Design of the automatic system of processing data on mitochondrial DNA "mDNAbase" sequestration for expert identification of the unidentified bodies under the conditions of mass reception of human remains

The authors consider utilization of software which provides indirect personality identification by establishment of biological kinship using a comparative analysis of nucleotide sequences (NS) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in unidentified bodies and suspected relatives of these victims. The software supports data bases with information on NS. To secure automatic search there are modes of cross-processing. Results of identification are formed as lists of exclusions and tables with calculated frequencies of mitotypes of identification objects as well as protocols of a comparative analysis of nucleotide position in mtDNA sequences under comparison. The proposed computer approach is a new highly effective tool for identification of personality based on data on mtDNA analysis in conditions of stream information processing under mass reception of unidentified bodies.     

The belated autopsy and identification of an eighteenth century naval hero--the saga of John Paul Jones

John Paul Jones, the "Father of the American Navy," is known for the battletime assertion that he had "not yet begun to fight." His central role in a triumph of scientific forensic identification more than a century after his death is less known. John Paul Jones died in 1792 and was buried in Paris, France. The location of his grave was lost over time and a search for his corpse began in 1899. Remains matching his physical characteristics and circumstance of burial were discovered in 1905 and returned to the United States for a hero's burial. Some questioned the identification at the time and the major source of identifying information has since been shown to contain false information. The published forensic literature fails to address existing critiques of the identification. We provide a substantive analysis and conclude that the available evidence supports the identification of the unknown remains as those of John Paul Jones.     

文件上可见指印鉴定标准制定的探讨

文件上可见指印鉴定标准编制的目的在于规范文件上可见指印的鉴定活动。在总结回顾我国指纹鉴定标准化现状的基础上,结合司法鉴定中指印鉴定的实践,对文件上可见指印鉴定工作中需要标准化的主要内容进行了梳理和较为详细的探讨,旨在为文件上可见指印鉴定标准拟定切实可行的准则提供帮助。