Forensic scientist’s blog

Abstract: Forensic anthropology is affected by the unavoidable limits concerning difficulties in standardization of methods and procedures; age estimation is one of the main tasks of forensic anthropology and odontology, both on the dead and the living: literature has shown several methods of age estimation, and although they may be thought of as equivalent, every procedure has its limits, mean error, practical situation and age range where it gives the best results; the lack of standardization and consensus concerning which method can be used, as well as the lack of a practical approach in different cases is the main limit in a correct age estimation process.This review aims at exposing the experience of the authors working in the FASE (Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe) subsection ...

In this study, two types of modified blank weapons and two types of modified blank cartridges were tested on three different target models. Each of the models’ shooting side was coated with 1.3±2mm thickness chrome tanned cowhide as a skin simulant. The first model was only coated with skin simulant. The second model was coated with skin simulant and 100% cotton police shirt. The third model was coated with skin simulant and jean denim.After the literature evaluation four high risky anatomic locations (the neck area; the eyes; the thorax area and inguinal area) were pointed out for the steel and lead projectiles are discharged from the modified blank weapons especially in close range (0–50cm). The target models were designed for these anatomic locations.For the target models six Trans...

Abstract  More than 100,000 dog attacks occur each year in Australia and many go unsolved. Dog attacks are not only a cause of human
injury but may also involve injury and death to family pets, prized livestock and wildlife. Canine biological evidence can
often be left behind on a victim or at the scene of an attack. Our laboratory provides canine DNA profiling for forensic investigations,
utilising an in-house panel of 11 canine-specific autosomal short tandem repeat markers previously validated for use in casework.
Case studies will be presented that outline methods for sampling of suspected canine biological evidence, profiling of canine
DNA, statistical analysis, case outcomes and challenges for investigators.

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 1...

L'activité d'expert judiciaire reste recherchée, si j'en crois les informations qui me parviennent de différents interlocuteurs.Je pense, mais ce n'est qu'une intuition, que cela tient au fait que les magistrats désignent sur les listes d'experts plutôt des personnes d'expérience, ayant déjà fait leurs preuves avec une carrière exemplaire. Ils désignent donc des personnes ayant une grande partie

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Book ReviewDOI 10.1007/s12024-009-9112-xAuthors
Jan P. Sperhake, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Department of Legal Medicine Butenfeld 34 22529 Hamburg Germany

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

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Book ReviewDOI 10.1007/s12024-009-9113-9Authors
Claas T. Buschmann, University Medical Centre Charité Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences Turmstr. 21, Building L 10559 Berlin Germany

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

J'ai passé trois années parmi les plus belles de ma jeunesse à souffrir sur les bancs des classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles (Math Sup et Math Spé). Je ne savais pas à l'époque qu'il existait des grandes écoles qui délivraient également le diplôme d'ingénieurs en cinq ans, sans passer par le laminoir intellectuel des classes prépas (je tiens à préciser qu'il existe même des écoles

This study evaluates several siding techniques previously developed and/or described in a recent study by Case and Heilman (2000) . Unlike in their study where observers were provided all phalange positional information except for side, observations in this study were undertaken with no positional information provided thus making the examinations more similar to those performed in a forensic context. Tests of phalange siding techniques were carried out on two skeletal samples: the Terry Collection at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History where the ray and side of phalanges are documented and phalange collections are often complete, and the Bass Collection at the University of Tennessee where phalange positional information is undocumented and where phalange collections are s...

Abstract: The records of 218 poisoning deaths from a Department of Forensic Medicine in a University of China, Tongji Center for Medicolegal Expertise in Hubei (TCMEH), from 1999 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The majority (69.7%) of fatalities was between the ages of 20 and 49 years, and there was a male preponderance (male:female=1.7:1). The most common classes of substances involved in fatalities were rodenticide (19.7%), insecticide and herbicide (17.9%), carbon monoxide (16.5%), drugs (13.8%) and alcohols (12.4%). Ingestion was the predominant route of exposure (65.1%), followed in frequency by inhalation, injection and dermal. In vast majority (64.7%), the manner of death was accidental; suicidal intent was present in 25.2% of cases, homicide in 3.7%, and undetermined 6.4%. W...

Abstract: Background: It is important to detect alcohol intake in postmortem investigations. However it can be difficult to interpret the results of alcohol analysis in putrefied corpses. To avoid this difficulty, there have been studies on detection of ethyl glucuronide (EtG), a non-oxidative metabolite of ethyl alcohol. The aim of this study was investigate EtG levels in vitreous humor (VH), a valuable material in postmortem investigations, and to compare VH EtG levels with blood and urine EtG levels.Methods: Blood, urine and VH specimens were collected from 110 cases. Twenty-four cases in which ethyl alcohol was detected were included in the study. Although ethanol could not be detected, one case was added after having positive results of EtG levels in urine and VH as if he was claimed ...