显微光谱成像技术在汽车油漆截面检验中的应用

目的对汽车多层油漆的横截面进行分层和比对研究。方法运用显微光谱成像技术对收集的12个省市623个汽车漆片样本进行分层,并对截面结构相同或相似的油漆样本进行了区分。结果 623个油漆样本均可以分层,分析出漆层为两层及以上的油漆样本数占总数的87.26%;截面结构相同或相似的油漆样本能够多层同时区分。结论该方法具有科学及实用价值,检验结果可靠,可见光谱成像技术完全可运用拓展到微量物证的检验中。     

If Brain Scans Really Detected Deception,Who Would Volunteer to be Scanned?

Abstract: Recent neuroimaging studies investigating the neural correlates of deception among healthy people, have raised the possibility that such methods may eventually be applied during legal proceedings. Were this so, who would volunteer to be scanned? We report a “natural experiment” casting some light upon this question. Following broadcast of a television series describing our team’s investigative neuroimaging of deception in 2007, we received unsolicited (public) correspondence for 12 months. Using a customized template to examine this material, three independent assessors unanimously rated 30 of an initial 56 communications as unequivocally constituting requests for a “scan” (to demonstrate their author’s “innocence”). Compared with the rest, these index communications were more likely to originate from incarcerated males, who were also more likely to engage in further correspondence. Hence, in conclusion, if neuroimaging were to become an acceptable means of demonstrating innocence then incarcerated males may well constitute those volunteering for such investigation.     

人与狗、猪、牛、羊长骨哈氏系统图像分析的比较

目的探讨人与狗、猪、牛、羊长骨的哈氏系统的形态特点、图像分析特点及其鉴别要点。方法制作人与狗、猪、牛、羊长骨中段横切磨片35张,光镜下观察比较哈氏系统,并在研究型显微镜下进行图像分析。结果人骨无丛状骨和骨单位带;人与狗、猪、牛、羊骨的哈氏系统在形状、大小、分布位置、均匀程度等方面存在明显差异;人骨哈佛骨板层数最多,哈氏系统直径最大;中央管直径和面积百分比的图像分析结果显示人与动物骨的差异均有显著意义。结论(1)丛状骨、骨单位带在种属鉴定中可作为人骨的排除指标;(2)人骨与狗、猪、牛、羊骨在哈氏系统结构方面有明显区别;(3)利用图像分析进行种属鉴定,中央管面积百分比是区别人骨与动物骨的重要参考指标。     

放射影像学在颈部损伤尸体检验中的应用

多层面计算机断层成像(MSCT)和磁共振成像(MRI)对尸体骨骼系统和软组织损伤的诊断价值等同于传统的尸体解剖,运用在颈部损伤的尸体检验中可以弥补传统尸体解剖的某些不足,在某些特定的环境、腐败、烧焦或具有传染性的尸体检验中,MSCT和MRI联合使用可以作为机械性窒息、挥鞭样损伤、颈椎损伤及颈部血管损伤的可选择的法医学检查手段之一。     

膝关节侧副韧带损伤MRI影像诊断的比较研究

目的研究膝关节侧副韧带损伤的MRI诊断与法医学鉴定意义。方法对经手术或临床证实的11例共13条损伤的侧副韧带与12例正常膝关节进行回顾性MRI对比研究。结果正常胫、腓侧副韧带在T1WI和T2WI上均呈扁平条状低信号结构,平均长度分别为6.8cm和5.7cm;13条侧副韧带损伤,单纯胫侧副韧带损伤6条,单纯腓侧副韧带损伤3条,两侧侧副韧带同时损伤2例4条;其中I级侧副韧带损伤5条,II级侧副韧带损伤5条;III级侧副韧带损伤3条;7例(63.6%)出现并发症,其中前交叉韧带损伤3条,后交叉韧带损伤4条,半月板损伤2个。结论MRI能清晰显示膝关节侧副韧带解剖结构,能准确诊断侧副韧带损伤并进行分级,还能发现多种并发症,对法医学鉴定有重要意义。     

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.     

Self-immolation Suicide in Greece: A Forensic Psychiatric Autopsy Study between 2011 and 2019

Self-immolation is a rare suicide method in the developed countries of the western world (0.06–1%); however, it has relatively higher prevalence rates in the developing countries of Asia and Africa (6–57%). The present study aims to examine self-immolation suicides within the Greek mainland (Attiki, Thrace, and Peloponnese) over a period of 9 years (2011–2019) in order to investigate the phenomenon in the Greek population forensically, identify the characteristics and motivations of suicide victims, explore its associations to socio-cultural or psychiatric factors, and describe a fatal case of suicide by self-immolation that was partially recorded on camera. The medical files (autopsy reports) of cases performed at the Departments of Forensic Medicine of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Democritus University of Thrace, and the Forensic Service of Messinia—Peloponnese were retrospectively examined yielding 19 cases of suicides by self-immolation. A 3.7% prevalence of suicide by self-immolation among suicide fatalities within the Greek population was estimated. A distinctive feature of the Greek population regarding self-immolation was disclosed that it is being practiced predominantly by the elderly (mean age 2–3.5 decades higher than other countries). The phenomenon correlated strongly with poorly controlled mental disorders (mostly affective and adjustment disorders). Unlike other countries, there was no significant association with domestic or sexual violence, social or political protest, or religious issues. Therefore, the suicide victims preferred secluded or private outdoor locations (not public). Findings deriving from the examined variables localize Greek population culturally between the Western European and Asian African countries, but with its own idiosyncrasies.     

The differentiation of toners used in photocopy processes by infrared spectroscopy

Toners (inks) used in plain paper photocopying machines may be discriminated by infrared spectroscopy using small samples of solid toner removed from the paper surface.     

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.