An Overview of 3D Printing in Forensic Science: The Tangible Third-Dimension

There has been a rapid development and utilization of three-dimensional (3D) printing technologies in engineering, health care, and dentistry. Like many technologies in overlapping disciplines, these techniques have proved to be useful and hence incorporated into the forensic sciences. Therefore, this paper describes how the potential of using 3D printing is being recognized within the various sub-disciplines of forensic science and suggests areas for future applications. For instance, the application can create a permanent record of an object or scene that can be used as demonstrative evidence, preserving the integrity of the actual object or scene. Likewise, 3D printing can help with the visualization of evidential spatial relationships within a scene and increase the understanding of complex terminology within a courtroom. However, while the application of 3D printing to forensic science is beneficial, currently there is limited research demonstrated in the literature and a lack of reporting skewing the visibility of the applications. Therefore, this article highlights the need to create good practice for 3D printing across the forensic science process, the need to develop accurate and admissible 3D printed models while exploring the techniques, accuracy and bias within the courtroom, and calls for the alignment of future research and agendas perhaps in the form of a specialist working group.     

Differentiation of Antemortem and Postmortem Appendicular Fractures Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signal Intensity Changes in Bone and Soft Tissues,

Intraosseous T1-weighted (T1W) and short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal intensity changes—so-called bone marrow edema—may be able to differentiate antemortem and postmortem fractures in human forensic imaging. The primary objective of this study was to investigate this hypothesis using an animal model. Three juvenile Landrace pigs were anesthetized and underwent MRI of both tibiae and both radii using a 1.5 T magnet. T1W, T2-weighted (T2W), STIR, and T2* sequences were included. Antemortem fractures were induced in both tibiae and postmortem fractures in both radii, and MRI was repeated. Two board-certified radiologists blinded to fracture group jointly evaluated the images for intraosseous and soft tissue signal intensity changes. Sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) in identifying antemortem fractures were calculated based on intraosseous, soft tissue, and combined intraosseous and soft tissue signal intensity changes. Intraosseous and soft tissue signal intensity changes, when present, were hyperintense in all sequences. Intraosseous hyperintensity in T1W and T2W sequences yielded Sp of 100% for antemortem fractures. Regardless of sequence, soft tissue hyperintensity was comparatively more sensitive than intraosseous hyperintensity. Sensitivity for each sequence could be maximized by assessment of soft tissue and intraosseous hyperintense signals together; for the T1W sequence, such assessment optimized diagnostic utility yielding a Se of 100% and Sp of 83%. In summary, MRI—particularly the T1W sequence—can differentiate antemortem and postmortem fractures and may be a useful adjunct to the forensic analyses of fractures.     

Visualization of Latent Blood Stains Using Visible Reflectance Hyperspectral Imaging and Chemometrics

The detection of latent traces is an important aspect of crime scene investigation. Blood stains on black backgrounds can be visualized using chemiluminescence, which is invasive and requires a darkened room, or near-infrared photography, for which investigators need to change filters manually to optimize contrast. We demonstrated the performance of visible reflectance hyperspectral imaging (400–720 nm) for this purpose. Several processing methods were evaluated: single wavelength bands, ratio images, principal component analysis (PCA), and “SIMPLe-to-use Interactive Self-modeling Mixture Analysis” (SIMPLISMA). Using these methods, we were able to enhance the contrast between blood stains and 12 different fabrics. On black cotton, blood dilutions were visible with a minimal concentration of 25% of whole blood. The hyperspectral camera system used in this study is portable and wireless, which makes it suitable for crime scene use. The described technique is noncontact and nondestructive, so all traces are preserved for further analysis.     

光谱成像在物证检验中的初步实验研究

目的研究运用光谱成像技术进行物证形态检验的可能性和方法。方法比较相同条件下使用普通照相方法与光谱成像方法拍摄多种痕迹物证的效果。结果光谱成像检验的能力和效果都具有明显优势。结论光谱成像检验技术的出现使物证形态检验学的发展进入了一个崭新的阶段。     

CT、MRI在弥漫性轴索损伤法医学鉴定中应用价值分析

目的探讨CT和MRI检查方法在弥漫性轴索损伤(diffuse axonal injury,DAI)法医学鉴定中的应用价值。方法收集26例CT和MRI影像资料齐全的DAI鉴定资料进行回顾性分析,比较CT和MRI两种方法对DAI病灶检出率的差异,分析DAI病灶检出数量与法医学鉴定结果之间的关系。结果 26例经MRI检出DAI病灶787个,经CT检出DAI病灶32个,MRI对DAI病灶的敏感度显著高于CT(P0.01)具有统计学意义。26例DAI鉴定的伤残等级数值与影像学检查发现的病灶数量之间存在负相关(r=-0.908,P0.01)。结论 MRI检查对DAI病灶的检出率较CT检查具有明显优势,可为DAI诊断提供更为准确的依据,在法医临床学鉴定中具有重要的应用价值。     

The Effect of Skin Debris on Gunshot Residue Sampling and Detection

These experiments were designed to determine whether skin debris (desquamated epithelial cells and apparent skin oils) affects gunshot residue (GSR) particle detection on the sticky tape lift samples prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A dabbing experiment showed that GSR particles accumulate not only on the adhesive surface of the sampler, but also on the epithelial cell surfaces. Samplers were loaded with target GSR followed by dabbing 30 times on the back of a hand. Backscatter electron images were taken at 20 kV and for some at 30 kV of the same areas. The samplers were then treated with a sodium/calcium hypochlorite solution (bleach) to remove skin debris and again imaged in the SEM. Comparison of these images shows more GSR particles will likely be revealed at 30 kV than 20 kV and more particles revealed by the bleach treatment in an automated SEM system.     

The detection of clandestine graves in an arid environment using thermal imaging deployed from an unmanned aerial vehicle

The Middle East is one of the world regions that has frequently suffered from armed conflicts that resulted in mass burials. However, the detection of clandestine graves in such an arid environment by deploying remote sensing payload on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has received little attention. The present study used a UAV equipped with a thermal sensor aimed at narrowing down the search area of possible gravesites in the arid climate of Kuwait. The enclosed research area, which includes both control and experimental mass graves, was imaged for 18 months. The variation in topsoil temperature and soil moisture between the graves and their surroundings was evaluated. The results of the analysis demonstrated the effectiveness of thermal imaging techniques in detecting heat produced from buried sheep carcasses and detecting the change in grave soil moisture for our research environment for 7 and 10 months, respectively. The buried animals significantly influenced the topsoil temperature (p = 0.044), while the height from which the images were captured had an insignificant effect on the measured temperature within the range tested (p = 0.985). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation (−0.359) between grave temperature and the calculated soil moisture. The results from these cost- and time-effective search methods presented in this study confirm their potential for the detection of burial sites in an arid environment.     

氨基比林血痕预试验处理血痕后样本的DNA定量

目的：探讨氨基比林血痕预试验处理血痕后样本DNA含量的变化及对STR分型检测的影响。方法10名健康无关个体EDTA抗凝血液制成滤纸血痕,氨基比林血痕预试验检测,按试验后血样干燥保存时间分30 min、1 h、3 h、6 h、12 h、24 h共6个实验组,并采用磁珠法、QIAcube DNA纯化法、Chelex-100法三种方法提取样本DNA,应用荧光定量PCR检测样本DNA含量,PCR-STR荧光技术进行STR分型。结果提取方法相同时,氨基比林血痕预试验后血样随干燥保存时间的延长,样本DNA含量呈逐渐降低的趋势。保存时间相同时,不同DNA提取方法间,样本DNA含量差异也有统计学意义。90.56%样本均可获得16个STR基因座明确分型。结论氨基比林血痕预试验对血痕样本DNA有损伤,24 h内多可获有效STR分型。磁珠法提取样本DNA进行STR分型,效果最好。     

基于MRI的中国汉族成人颅面径线测量与分析

目的通过MRI和VGStudio MAX 2.2软件对中国汉族成人颅面相关径线进行测量,并分析其与性别、年龄、身高以及体重的关系。方法按颅面标志点设定4条径线。A径线：在正中矢状面上颏下点至头顶点的最大直线距离;B径线：在正中矢状面上发际点至后头点的最大直线距离;C径线：在水平面上左、右外眼点间的最大直线距离;D径线：在冠状面上左、右侧颧点间的最大直线距离;用VGStudio MAX 2.2软件对MRI图像数据进行三维重建,直接用软件的测量工具对颅面的相关径线进行测量,并用SPSS 16.0进行分析。结果 A、B、C、D径线的均值分别为（237.54±8.63）mm、（173.07±8.28）mm、（89.58±4.46）mm、（127.34±8.16）mm,与性别有着显著性差异（P〈0.01）;其中A、C、D径线与身高,A、D径线与体重,C径线与年龄,均存在明显的直线相关关系。结论中国汉族成人颅面径线A、B、C、D均存在明显的性别差异;且A、C、D径线与身高,A、D径线与体重,C径线与年龄,均存在明显的直线相关关系。     

Using Spatial,Temporal and Evidence‐status Data to Improve Ballistic Imaging Performance

Firearms identification imaging systems help solve crimes by comparing newly acquired images of cartridge casings or bullets to a database of images obtained from past crime scenes. We formulate an optimization problem that bases its matching decisions not only on the similarity between pairs of images, but also on the time and spatial location of each new acquisition and each database entry. The objective is to maximize the detection probability subject to a constraint on the false positive rate. We use data on all cartridge casings matches detected in Israel during 2006–2008 to estimate most of the model parameters. We estimate matching accuracy from two different studies and predict that the optimal use of extraneous information would increase the detection probability from 0.931 to 0.987 and from 0.707 to 0.844, respectively. These improvements are achieved by favoring pairs of images that are closer together in space and time.