Forensic scientist’s blog

Aggiornamento del Decreto sulla morte cerebralehttp://portale.fnomceo.it/Jcmsfnomceo/cmsfile/attach_6517.pdf

Orfanotrofio dell'isola di Jersey. Trovati scheletri di bambini. Ipotesi di abusi sessuali.http://www.repubblica.it/2008/07/sezioni/esteri/scozia-orfanotrofio/scozia-orfanotrofio/scozia-orfanotrofio.html

Recovering obliterated laser engraved serial numbers in firearms.

Forensic Sci Int. 2008 Aug 6;179(2-3):e63-6

Authors: da Silva L, dos Santos PA

An easy procedure for recovering obliterated firearms serial numbers, which are laser engraved is presented in this case report. For these serial numbers, the traditional recovering method using acid etching generally fails, once marking the serial number does not necessarily imply a deep permanent deformation of the crystalline array. The standard required mirror-like finish of the surface commonly can destroy any evidence of the original serial number, i.e., can destroy the heat affected zone (HAZ) of only few micra, if it is still present. It is shown in this report that relief polishing and reflected light stereomicroscopy can, in certain cases, successfully reveal obliterated serial numbers, originally marked by laser. The use of this procedure for recovering this type of obliterated serial number is illustrated and discussed with an example we have dealt with.

PMID: 18662602 [PubMed - in process]

(Source: Forensic Science International)

Insect succession and decomposition patterns on shaded and sunlit carrion in Saskatchewan in three different seasons.

Forensic Sci Int. 2008 Aug 6;179(2-3):219-40

Authors: Sharanowski BJ, Walker EG, Anderson GS

A study was conducted on decomposition and insect succession in the Prairie Ecozone of Saskatchewan in the year 2000. Eighteen domestic pig carcasses (42-79 kg) were employed as human models for applications to future homicide investigations in this region. Two major variables were considered including the effect of season and habitat (sun versus shade). Research was conducted over 25 weeks, spanning three seasons: spring, summer and fall. Ambient temperature, internal carcass temperature, faunistic succession over time, and the rate of decay were all compared for each experimental variable. Results indicated that habitat was only a factor in the decompositional rate of carrion in the spring season. The ambient temperature was the chief factor determining the seasonal variations in decay rate. Maximum internal carcass temperatures always coincided with the presence of 3rd instar larvae. Patterns of insect succession occurred in a predictable sequence that varied across different habitats and seasons and was unique compared to previously published studies. Carcasses placed in spring and fall attracted a more diverse assemblage of insects than summer-placed carrion. Sun-exposed carrion also had greater variation in fauna than shaded carrion in spring and fall. Members of Silphidae were the first coleopteran colonizers in all habitats and seasons. This paper also marks the first record for Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) in Saskatchewan.

PMID: 18662603 [PubMed - in process]

(Source: Forensic Science International)

Yes indeed. The BBC News website today (30 July 2008) reports on some research on the way in which bees seek food which “could help detectives hunt down serial killers, scientists believe”.
Here’s some more from the report:

Just as bees forage some distance away from their hives, so murderers avoid killing near their homes, says the University of London team. This “geographic profiling” works so well in bees, the scientists say future experiments on the animals could now be fed back to improve crime-solving. The team’s work is reported in the Royal Society journal Interface.
“We’re really hopeful that we can improve the model for criminology,” Dr Nigel Raine, from Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL), told BBC News.

Later the report reveals that the research team includes Kim Rossmo, detective-turned-geo-profiler.

Instead of using information about the distribution of flowers visited by bees to explain the insects’ behaviour, criminologists’ models will use details about crime scenes, robbery locations, abandoned cars, even dead bodies, to hone the search for a suspect.
“Bees have much simpler brains and so understanding how bees are recruited to flowers is much easier than understanding the complex thoughts of a serial murderer,” Dr Raine said.

Well the cynics would say that’s one reason why a bee-model might have some limitations when it comes to hunting serial killers.
Here’s the reference:

Raine NE, DK Rossmo & SC Le Comber. Geographic profiling applied to testing models of bumblebee foraging. Journal of the Royal Society Interface

*In the entertaining headline contest, the BBC lags far behind the Royal Society with “Bees can help detectives to ’sting’ criminals” and the Welcome Trust with “Criminal Bee-haviour“. Is no one going to use “scientists set a honey-trap for murderers”? (I’ll get my coat.)
Photo credit: Automania, Creative Commons Licence (Source: Psychology and Crime News)

GAY PROSSIMO CONGIUNTO 2008-07-26 17:44COMPAGNO MORI' IN INCIDENTE, GAY RISARCITOVENEZIA - Si è visto riconoscere dalla compagnia assicurativa il danno morale "come prossimo congiunto" della vittima il gay che ha ottenuto dalle Generali un risarciment...

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Tom Bevel, Ross Gardner: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, 3rd Edition
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Book ReviewDOI 10.1007/s12024-008-9052-xAuthors
Dean A. Wideman, NucleoGenix LLC San Antonio TX USA

Journal Forensic Science, Medicine, and PathologyOnline ISSN 1556-2891Print ISSN 1547-769X (Source: Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology)

LE NUOVE TABELLE DELLE MALATTIE PROFSSIONALIhttp://www.inail.it/Portale/appmanager/portale/desktop?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PAGE_NEWS&nextPage=Primo_Piano/info1177812876.jsp