Personal Identification Using the Frontal Sinus*

Abstract: The frontal sinuses are known to be unique to each individual; however, no one has tested the independence of the frontal sinus traits to see if probability analysis through trait combination is a viable method of identifying an individual using the frontal sinuses. This research examines the feasibility of probability trait combination, based on criteria recommended in the literature, and examines two other methods of identification using the frontal sinuses: discrete trait combinations and superimposition pattern matching. This research finds that most sinus traits are dependent upon one another and thus cannot be used in probability combinations. When looking at traits that are independent, this research finds that metric methods are too fraught with potential errors to be useful. Discrete trait combinations do not have a high enough discriminating power to be useful. Only superimposition pattern matching is an effective method of identifying an individual using the frontal sinuses.     

Sickle cell trait-associated deaths: a case series with a review of the literature

This study presents a series of 16 carriers of hemoglobin S (HbS) who died during various circumstances. Many of the cases were associated with mild to moderate exertion. The onset and/or duration of symptoms varied from a few minutes to several hours with many displaying a prolonged lucid interval with stable vital signs. Despite seeking medical treatment, sickle cell trait-related micro-occlusive crisis was never considered in the differential diagnosis. Several cases were associated with sudden death. In those deaths which were delayed, high anion gap and uncompensated metabolic acidosis were typical and were not heat related. Also characteristic were large increases in creatine kinase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase along with myoglobinemia. Although the antemortem diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis was made, the underlying cause was never deduced by the clinicians. The sickling found at autopsy is not always a postmortem artifact, and in the right circumstances can be diagnostic.     

Rapid Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Herbal Incenses with DART‐MS and NMR

The usage of herbal incenses containing synthetic cannabinoids has caused an increase in medical incidents and triggered legislations to ban these products throughout the world. Law enforcement agencies are experiencing sample backlogs due to the variety of the products and the addition of new and still‐legal compounds. In our study, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed to promptly screen the synthetic cannabinoids after their rapid, direct detection on the herbs and in the powders by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry (DART‐MS). A simple sample preparation protocol was employed on 50 mg of herbal sample matrices for quick NMR detection. Ten synthetic cannabinoids were discovered in fifteen herbal incenses. The combined DART‐MS and NMR methods can be used to quickly screen synthetic cannabinoids in powder and herbal samples, serving as a complementary approach to conventional GC‐MS or LC‐MS methods.     

The Use of Laser Microdissection in Forensic Sexual Assault Casework: Pros and Cons Compared to Standard Methods

Sexual assault samples are among the most frequently analyzed in a forensic laboratory. These account for almost half of all samples processed routinely, and a large portion of these cases remain unsolved. These samples often pose problems to traditional analytic methods of identification because they consist most frequently of cell mixtures from at least two contributors: the victim (usually female) and the perpetrator (usually male). In this study, we propose the use of current preliminary testing for sperm detection in order to determine the chances of success when faced with samples which can be good candidates to undergo analysis with the laser microdissection technology. Also, we used laser microdissection technology to capture fluorescently stained cells of interest differentiated by gender. Collected materials were then used for DNA genotyping with commercially available amplification kits such as Minifiler, Identifiler Plus, NGM, and Y‐Filer. Both the methodology and the quality of the results were evaluated to assess the pros and cons of laser microdissection compared with standard methods. Overall, the combination of fluorescent staining combined with the Minifiler amplification kit provided the best results for autosomal markers, whereas the Y‐Filer kit returned the expected results regardless of the used method.     

植物SSR标记的研究现状及其在法庭科学中的应用

随着SSR分子标记技术的深入研究,其在植物遗传多样性分析、种属鉴定、个体识别中得到越来越广泛的应用。本文就植物SSR分子标记技术的特性、发展、研究现状进行综述,并探讨其在法庭科学中的应用前景,旨在为法庭科学和相关学科中的应用和相关领域中的研究提供参考。     

液相色谱-电喷雾离子阱质谱联用测定水中14种除草剂

目的建立水中14种除草剂液相色谱-电喷雾离子阱质谱联用分析方法。方法水样经固相萃取,洗脱液过膜后直接进行液相色谱-电喷雾离子阱质谱联用分析。结果水中14种除草剂定量分析线性关系良好,相关系数为0.995～0.998,检测限在0.005μg/mL～0.045μg/mL之间,在低、中、高3个不同浓度下,平均回收率在70.5%～110.2%之间,日内RSD均小于10.2%,日间RSD均小于14.4%。结论该方法具有快速、灵敏、高效等优点,能够满足相关司法鉴定工作的要求。     

Psychopathy and Female Gender: Phenotypic Expression and Comorbidity; A Study Comparing a Sample of Women Hospitalized in Italy's Maximum Security Facility with Women Who were Criminally Sentenced and Imprisoned,

Various studies have shown that women with psychopathy tend to commit crimes that are less violent than those of psychopathic men. The present study was designed to address the influence of psychopathy on the crimes committed by female offenders. A national sample of female offenders found NGRI or of diminished responsibility and at risk for criminal recidivism (OPG patients) was compared with a sample of female offenders who were convicted and imprisoned. Results of this comparison between the two groups of female offenders indicate that psychopathy is a transversal psychopathological dimension which may or may not be associated with other mental disorders. In both samples, the most commonly reported offenses among women with high PCL‐R scores were minor offenses, not particularly violent, but they appear to be related to typical psychopathic features such as superficial charm, pathological lying, and manipulation.     

证据理论革命与司法鉴定——以刑事证据为视角

证据是蕴涵了案件信息的物质载体。证据分为两类，即人证和物证。证据是证据形式和证据内容的统一。证据的形式是稳定的。可以作为识别标志：证据的内容是变化的。不宜作为识别的标志．故证据种类应以证据形式来划分。经过法庭审查采信的案件信息是证明案件事实的根据。绝大部分物证都需要通过司法鉴定来提炼出证据中的案件信息。     

法医文证审查100例分析

通过100例法医文证审查案件的分析,发现在目前检察机关文证审查工作中,存在委托数量不足、委托程序不规范、送检材料不全面等问题;在送审鉴定文书中,也存在标准条文掌握不当、鉴定人基础知识欠缺和粗心大意等问题。同时发现,鉴定文书的规范化程度和采信率已经得到有效的提高;且规范化越高的鉴定机构,则其鉴定文书的准确率越高,被采信率也越高。目前有必要加强检察技术部门文证审查的技术水平,进一步积累办案经验,切实增强检察机关的法律监督能力。     

全二维气相色谱在刑事技术中的应用

综述了近年来发展起来的全二维气相色谱(GCхGC)技术正交分离系统原理及其特点以及在刑事技术中应用的发展前景。