The Modern Slaves: Specialized Knowledge and Democratic Governance

This article examines widely held assumptions among scientific elites positing that there is an increasing discrepancy between those with specialized knowledge and laypersons, that governmental policy is increasingly shaped by scientific research and its practitioners, and that these trends pose a threat to representative democracy. This article asserts that modern liberal democratic societies are characterized by enabling structural changes that have expanded the forms of and means for citizen action, and simplified civil society’s access to specialized knowledge.     

Guidelines for the identification of unknown samples for laboratories performing forensic analyses for chemical terrorism

Since the early 1990s, the FBI Laboratory has sponsored Scientific Working Groups to improve discipline practices and build consensus among the forensic community. The Scientific Working Group on the Forensic Analysis of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism developed guidance, contained in this document, on issues forensic laboratories encounter when accepting and analyzing unknown samples associated with chemical terrorism, including laboratory capabilities and analytical testing plans. In the context of forensic analysis of chemical terrorism, this guidance defines an unknown sample and addresses what constitutes definitive and tentative identification. Laboratory safety, reporting issues, and postreporting considerations are also discussed. Utilization of these guidelines, as part of planning for forensic analysis related to a chemical terrorism incident, may help avoid unfortunate consequences not only to the public but also to the laboratory personnel.     

Detection and disposition of JWH-018 and JWH-073 in mice after exposure to "Magic Gold" smoke

The disposition in mice of the cannabimimetics JWH-018 and JWH-073 in blood and brain following inhalation of the smoke from the herbal incense product (HIP) "Magic Gold" containing 3.6% JWH-018, 5.7% JWH-073 and less than 0.1% JWH-398 (w/w) is presented. Specimens were analyzed by HPLC/MS/MS. The validation of the method is also presented. Five C57BL6 mice were sacrificed 20 min after exposure to the smoke of 200 mg of "Magic Gold" and a second set of five exposed mice were sacrificed after 20 h. Twenty minutes after exposure to "Magic Gold" smoke, blood concentrations of JWH-018 ranged from 42 to 160 ng/mL (mean: 88 ng/mL ± 42) and those of JWH-073 ranged from 67 to 244 ng/mL (mean: 134 ng/mL ± 62). Brain concentrations 20 min after exposure to "Magic Gold" smoke for JWH-018 ranged from 225 to 453 ng/g (mean: 317 ng/g ± 81) and those of JWH-073 ranged from 412 to 873 ng/g (mean: 584 ng/g ± 163). Twenty hours after exposure to "Magic Gold" smoke, JWH-018 was detected and quantified in only two of the five blood samples. Blood concentrations of JWH-018 were 3.4 ng/mL and 9.4 ng/mL. JWH-073 was detected in only one blood specimen 20 h after exposure at 4.3 ng/mL. Brain concentrations 20 h post exposure for JWH-018 ranged from 7 to 32 ng/g (mean: 19 ng/g ± 9). JWH-073 was not detected in 20 h post exposure brain specimens. JWH-398 was not detected in any of the blood or brain samples. The disposition data presented with the limited data available from human experience provide reasonable expectations for forensic toxicologists in JWH-018 or JWH-073 cases. As with THC after smoking marijuana, blood and brain concentrations of JWH-018 and JWH-073 after HIP smoking can be expected to rise initially to readily detected values, and then drop dramatically over the next few hours to several ng/mL or ng/g, and finally to be at extremely low or undetectable concentrations by 24h apparently due to extensive biotransformation, and redistribution to body fat.     

Prospective and Retrospective Exposure Assessment

Though prospective regulatory exposure assessment and retrospective forensic exposure reconstruction rely on the same tools, they have a very different focus, require a distinct approach, and depend on different types of data. Inappropriate application of prospective regulatory exposure assessment methods to forensic exposure reconstruction can result in exposure estimates that differ significantly from actual historical exposures. This article compares prospective exposure assessment and forensic exposure reconstruction, with the goal of describing their distinctive focuses (e.g., population-based versus individual-based) and data needs.     

Analysis of Gunshot Residue and Associated Materials—A Review

Abstract: A comprehensive review of the scientific literature on gunshot residue (GSR) is presented. Aspects of both inorganic and organic GSR are discussed, from formation and distribution, to sample collection, preparation, and analysis using a variety of techniques. The interpretation of GSR results is also considered including issues surrounding the contamination, distribution, and transfer of GSR. Potential problems with ulterior sources of GSR like particles have been reported in the literature. For example, particles from environmental and occupational sources have been highlighted as exhibiting similar chemical and morphological characteristics to GSR. These findings are put into context with regard to interpreting samples. A move toward a “case by case” approach is argued to be more preferable to a “formal” classification system where possible. The analysis of both inorganic and organic compositions of residue samples as well as morphological considerations is considered to be a more ideal approach to GSR analysis, whereever practicable.     

Using Carbon,Oxygen, Strontium,and Lead Isotopes in Modern Human Teeth for Forensic Investigations: A Critical Overview Based on Data from Bulgaria

Isotopic data obtained from human remains can provide information about an individual's origin, migration, and diet. We evaluate the usefulness of carbon, oxygen, strontium, and lead isotopes for forensic investigations by comparing data from Bulgarian teeth with data from other regions. Geo‐referencing based on oxygen or strontium isotopes can be misleading due to overlap with other countries in Europe and other continents. Carbon and lead isotopes, in combination with oxygen and strontium isotopes, provide the most useful information for identification of local vs foreigner status. In particular, high‐precision Pb isotopes show a distinct “Bulgarian” range; however, it is possible that individuals from other countries in Eastern Europe and/or central to western Asia could have overlapping isotopic values. Additional high‐precision multi‐isotope data from modern humans from different regions in the world are required to transition from speculative to more quantitative estimation of a geographical place of origin for unidentified human remains.     

Police services detention centres: a proposed solution for action

Police services face daily challenges dealing with the health issues displayed by individuals in their custody. They often find themselves isolated from the services that can help the most. This paper scopes relevant literature on these challenges and some of the interprofessional interventions which have emerged to address them, such as the diversionary practices of crisis intervention teams, street triage, nurses in custody suites, and court liaison and diversion. Remote presence technology is proposed to be an innovative solution that can help to provide more efficient and effective pathways for care in Police Detention Centres. Remote presence technology has the ability to significantly affect the way interprofessional collaboration can take place for those in police custody.     

Fate and Behavior of Gunshot Residue: Recreational Shooter Vehicle Distribution

The susceptibility for recreational shooters to transfer gunshot residue (GSR) to both the interior and exterior of a vehicle is investigated. A comprehensive sampling protocol was used to assess the most likely areas of GSR transfer from recreational shooter contact, such as the steering wheel and the area, the firearms were stored (the trunk). Up to 315 characteristic GSR, particles were found in several locations throughout the interior of a vehicle. As many as 876 characteristic particles were found throughout a single vehicle. The data indicate that vehicles frequently occupied by firearms users are a potential source for inadvertent transfer of GSR to persons unrelated to firearm activity. In criminal cases where vehicles have been used, such transfer processes for GSR need to be considered within the context of any case interpretation. The implications for subsequent contamination and transfer processes from such vehicles require further investigation.     

Introducing 3D Printed Models as Demonstrative Evidence at Criminal Trials

This case report presents one of the first reported uses of a 3D printed exhibit in an English homicide trial, in which two defendants were accused of beating their victim to death. The investigation of this crime included a micro‐CT scan of the victim's skull, which assisted the pathologist to determine the circumstances of the assault, in particular regarding the number of assault weapons and perpetrators. The scan showed two distinct injury shapes, suggesting the use of either two weapons or a single weapon with geometrically distinct surfaces. It subsequently served as the basis for a 3D print, which was shown in court in one of the first examples that 3D printed physical models have been introduced as evidence in a criminal trial in the United Kingdom. This paper presents the decision‐making process of whether to use 3D printed evidence or not.