Estimating Biological Characteristics With Virtual Laser Data

Laser scanning technology is increasingly being used in forensic anthropological research to obtain virtual data for archival purposes and post hoc measurement collection. This research compared the measurement accuracy of two laser scanners—the FARO Focus^3D 330X and the FARO Freestyle^3D—against traditionally obtained (i.e., by hand) control data (N = 454). Skeletal data were collected to address a novel question: the ability of laser scanning technology to produce measurements useful for biological characteristic estimation, such as sex and stature. Results indicate that both devices produced measurements very similar to control (c. 3‐mm average absolute error), but also illuminate a tendency to under‐measure. Despite these findings, the virtual data produced sex and stature estimates that varied little from control‐produced estimates, signifying the usefulness of virtual data for preliminary biological identification when the skeletal elements are no longer available for physical analysis.     

Identification of Bodies by Unique Serial Numbers on Implanted Medical Devices

Visual identification is the most common identification method used by medical examiners but is not always possible. Alternative methods include X‐ray, fingerprint, or DNA comparison, but these methods require additional resources. Comparison of serial numbers on implanted medical devices is a rapid and definitive method of identification. To assess the practicality of using this method, we reviewed 608 consecutive forensic autopsies performed at a regional medical examiner office. Of these, 56 cases required an alternative method of identification due to decomposition (n = 35), gunshot wound (n = 9), blunt trauma (n = 6), or charring (n = 6). Of these 56 cases, eight (14.3%) were known to have an implanted medical device. Of these eight cases, five (63%) could be positively identified by comparing serial numbers. If an implanted medical device is known to be present, and medical records are available, identification by medical device serial number should be a first‐line method.     

The Frontal Sinus Cavity Exhibits Sexual Dimorphism in 3D Cone‐beam CT Images and can be Used for Sex Determination

Few studies have assessed the use of the frontal sinus cavities for sex differentiation. In this study, a new methodology was used to assess the reliability of CBCT images of the frontal sinus cavity for determining sex based on the sexual dimorphism found in this anatomical structure. The survey sample consisted of 130 scans that were reconstructed three‐dimensionally. 3D images of the cavity volume in the frontal, lateral, and basal views were exported in TIFF. The following variables were measured in a second program: area, perimeter, bounding rectangle, ellipse fit, circularity, aspect ratio, roundness, solidity, and Feret's diameter. The methodology demonstrated the existence of sexual dimorphism with an accuracy of 80.0% in the logistic regression model. The basal view had the greatest explanatory power in the final model. This methodology may be used as an alternative way of determining a reliable biological profile during the analysis of skeletal remains.     

Refining Stable Oxygen and Hydrogen Isoscapes for the Identification of Human Remains in Mississippi,

Isoscape refinement is an essential component for accurately predicting region‐of‐origin in forensic investigations involving isotope analysis of unidentified human remains. Stable oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and hydrogen (δ²H) isotopes were measured from 57 tap water samples collected across Mississippi to model refined isoscapes for the state. A tap water conversion equation, δ¹⁸O_tw=1.64 δ¹⁸Op?31.35, was developed for the southeastern USA to test the prediction accuracy of the δ¹⁸O_tw isoscape using individuals with known residential histories. A local Mississippi resident (USAFA‐134) was assigned with 90% probability to the correct region‐of‐origin reported by the participant. Assignments for Georgia residents (USAFA‐118 and USAFA‐205) had variable results, predicting USAFA‐118 from Mississippi and USAFA‐205 as a nonlocal resident. Stable isotope values often overlap geographically and a multi‐isotope approach should be used when narrowing region(s)‐of‐origin(s). This study demonstrates the utility of refining isoscapes and the importance of tissue calibration in prediction assignments of human remains.     

DNA Identification of Commingled Human Remains from the Cemetery Relocated by Flooding in Central Bosnia and Herzegovina

The floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina in May 2014 caused landslides all over the country. In the small village of ?eri?i, near the town of Zenica, a landslide destroyed the local cemetery, relocated graves, and commingled skeletal remains. As the use of other physical methods of identification (facial recognition, fingerprint analysis, dental analysis, etc.) was not possible, DNA analysis was applied. DNA was isolated from 20 skeletal remains (bone and tooth samples) and six reference samples (blood from living relatives) and amplified using PowerPlex^® Fusion and PowerPlex^®Y23 kits. DNA profiles were generated for all reference samples and 17 skeletal remains. A statistical analysis (calculation of paternity, maternity, and sibling indexes and matching probabilities) resulted in 10 positive identifications. In this study, 5 individuals were identified based on one reference sample. This has once again demonstrated the significance of DNA analysis in resolving the most complicated cases, such as the identification of commingled human skeletal remains.     

The GDPR: A game changer for electronic identification schemes? The case study of Gov.UK Verify

This article offers an interdisciplinary analysis of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the context of electronic identification schemes. Gov.UK Verify, the UK Government's electronic identification scheme, and its compatibility with some important aspects of EU data protection law are reviewed. An in-depth examination of Gov.UK Verify's architecture and the most significant constituent elements of both the Data Protection Directive and the imminent GDPR – notably the legitimising grounds for the processing of personal data and the doctrine of joint controllership – highlight several flaws inherent in the Gov.UK Verify's development and mode of operation. This article advances the argument that Gov.UK Verify is incompatible with some major substantive provisions of the EU Data Protection Framework. It also provides some general insight as to how to interpret the requirement of a legitimate legal basis and the doctrine of joint controllership. It ultimately suggests that the choice of the appropriate legal basis should depend upon a holistic approach to the relationship between the actors involved in the processing activities.     

《标准化法》修改及对司法鉴定的影响

《标准化法》在实施了近30年后,于近期进行了修改。《标准化法》主要做出了如下修改:将标准适用范围扩展到社会事业领域;严格界定强制性标准,避免强制性标准过滥;增加标准的有效供给,满足社会实践的需求;构建统一有序的标准体系,确保标准间衔接与配套。其中,《标准化法》提出了标准研制要求;强制性标准和具有强制执行效力的标准必须执行;相关单位应当公开其标准执行;不得利用标准优势不正当竞争等规定对鉴定活动将会产生深远影响。当前,我国鉴定机构存在标准制定不科学,标准更新不及时;鉴定机构对标准情况不掌握不了解;鉴定机构执行鉴定标准的意识不强;鉴定机构不公开鉴定活动执行标准信息;鉴定机构自己制定的标准比政府组织制定的标准低等现象,作者因此进行了剖析并提出了相应对策和建议。     

造作性鼓膜穿孔鉴别确认方法的研究

目的研究伤害、疾病和造作所致的鼓膜穿孔特征,为鼓膜穿孔性质的法医学鉴别确认提供理论与方法依据。方法收集全市公安机关法医鉴定2005至2017年度共3720例鼓膜穿孔的案件,通过鼓膜穿孔形态学特征,研究穿孔形成机制与致伤性质。结果鼓膜穿孔的形态特征和形成机制决定穿孔的性质,可据此得出鼓膜穿孔损伤性质的鉴别方法。结论建立了造作性鼓膜穿孔的法医学鉴定方法。     

论痕迹学在法医学检验中的运用

痕迹学和法医学是刑事科学技术系统中并行的两门科学,它们之间有着密切的联系。痕迹学和法医学的综合运用可以充分发挥双重证据的作用,为侦查破案、揭露和证实犯罪提供更充分的科学证据。     

一种新的鹅病毒病的病原分离与初步鉴定

对湖北省某县发生的一种以成年鹅皮下血包囊及内脏广泛性肿块为特征的传染性疾病的病原进行了初步分离、鉴定。用成年病死鹅和病鹅肝组织悬液接种12 日龄鹅胚,48~72 h鹅胚死亡,再用第一代鹅胚尿囊液连传6 代,鹅胚均死亡(GVF1~6)。用GVF2 接种鸡胚,48~96 h 死亡,连传4代,鸡胚均死亡(EVF1~4);用GVF3回归成年母鹅,出现与自然感染病例类似的病变;对EVF4进行毒力测定,其ELD50为10-5.3;鸡胚平均死亡时间为96 h;将EVF4鸡胚尿囊液进行纯化和浓缩,电镜观察,可见大小120~220 nm有囊膜的近似球形的病毒颗粒;该病毒能凝集鹅、豚鼠、牛、羊、人等多种红细胞,能被相应的血清和鸡新城疫血清所抑制,经核酸型测定,为RNA。初步确定本病毒是未曾报道过的一新型鹅副黏病毒。