bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Criminal and Behavioral Aspects of Juvenile Sexual Homicide
Authors: Myers WC , Burgess AW , Nelson JA
Published: August 2015

This preliminary research provides a descriptive, systematic study of juvenile sexual homicide. Fourteen incarcerated juveniles, identified through a department of corrections computer search, were assessed using a structured diagnostic interview, an author-designed clinical interview, and a review of correctional files and other available records. Five of the offenders' victims survived the homicidal attack, but their cases were nevertheless included in this study as the offenders' intent was clearly to kill their victim, and the victim's survival was merely by chance. All victims were female and all offenders were male. Their crimes typically occurred in the afternoon, and involved a low-risk victim of the same race who lived in the offender's neighborhood. The sexual component of the crime consisted of vaginal rape in over one-half of the cases. Weapons, typically a knife or bludgeon, were used in all but one case. Thirteen of these youths had a prior history of violence, and twelve had previous arrests. Chaotic, abusive backgrounds and poor adjustment in school were typical for these boys. A conduct disorder diagnosis was present in twelve of the youths, and violent sexual fantasies were experienced by one-half of the sample. The findings in this study suggest that juvenile sexual murderers comprise less than 1% of juvenile murderers, and are likely to be an emotionally and behaviorally disturbed population with serious familial, academic, and environmental vulnerabilities.
Identification of Ammunition from Gunshot Residues and Other Cartridge Related Materials—A Preliminary Model Using .22 Caliber Rimfire Ammunition
Authors: Wrobel HA , Millar JJ , Kijek M
Published: August 2015

The identification of the type of ammunition used during the commission of a crime is very often a critical aid to the investigation: for instance, matching a cartridge used in a crime to that found on a suspect, or the determination of which of two possible shooters fired the fatal shot. The physical differences of the cartridges and the chemical composition of the components should make it possible to differentiate ammunition using a number of unique factors.

A prototype database of both chemical and physical factors has been designed and established that can be searched easily to identify a cartridge. The composition of the gunshot residue, the projectile and the cartridge case indicators were analyzed and recorded. Because of its common use, .22 caliber ammunition has been investigated, however, the parameters and the principles of the database can be applied equally to other calibers.
Unconfirmed Canine Accelerant Detection: A Reliability Issue in Court
Authors: Katz SR , Midkiff CR
Published: August 2015

Canines trained to alert to traces of flammable liquids at a fire scene are useful to identify locations to collect samples for laboratory analysis. In some instances, no samples are collected or laboratory testing of samples collected following a canine scent alert fails to identify a residual flammable liquid and potential accelerant. In these, an attempt may be made, through testimony of the dog's handler, to introduce at trial, information regarding the canine alert to indicate the presence of an ignitable liquid at the scene. Canine handlers contend that the dog has greater sensitivity to typical accelerants than laboratory techniques but scientists counter that, while sensitive, the specificity of canine detection is unknown. Unverified canine indications have been used in a number of cases and challenges to several of these have reached the appellate level. Examination of court decisions on admissibility of canine alerts shows that they have been as varied as the arguments pro and con.
A New Method of Identifying Writing Sequence with the Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope
Authors: Cheng K-C , Chao C-H , Jeng B-S , Lee S-T
Published: August 2015

This paper describes and establishes a new method that examines the sequence of two crossing strokes in different colors in a questioned document. In order to identify the writing sequence, an empirical method is usually used to find out some physical evidence by human eyes with a microscope. However, owing to the phenomenon of mixed inks in the intersection, there is still some drawbacks with the conventional approaches. Hence, in addition to the empirical method, a new method using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope (LSCM) is adopted. Unlike the conventional light source, the LSCM system uses a krypton argon laser source to emit a laser beam of three different wavelengths. The beam goes through a scanning control unit to act as the function of light scanning, and passes through the objective lens of microscope to the surface of crossing strokes. Reflected light goes the same pathway back to the scanning control unit and is collected by a photomultiplier where the image is reconstructed from a series of signals derived from the photomultiplier output, and saved onto a personal computer. It is necessary to scan the point probe over the field of view and capture sectional images in various depths. By overlaping every sectional image followed by computerized reconstruction, we can observe the evidence to help identify the writing sequence in the questioned document by means of a stereo spectacles. Experimental results show that with the help of the LSCM, together with the method we developed, more accurate judgments are achieved.
Accuracy of Bite Mark Overlays: A Comparison of Five Common Methods to Produce Exemplars from a Suspect's Dentition
Authors: Sweet D , Bowers CM
Published: August 2015

Physical comparison of a suspect's teeth to a bite mark injury using hollow volume comparison overlays is a common forensic odontology technique. Several methods are used to record characteristics of the size, shape and position of the teeth and to generate overlays. These include computer-based, radiographic, xerographic and hand-traced methods. Five common overlay production methods were compared using digital images of dental study casts as a reference standard. Area of the biting edges of the anterior teeth and relative rotation of each anterior tooth were measured and compared. The computer-based production method was determined to be the most accurate of those studied. It produced accurate representations of the biting edges of the teeth in an objective manner. The radiographic method was determined to be more accurate than the xerographic method with respect to tooth area measurement. The opposite is true with respect to tooth rotation. Hand-traced methods, from either wax impressions of teeth or directly from study casts, were determined to be inaccurate and subjective. It is recommended that forensic odontologists discontinue the use of hand-traced overlays in bite mark comparison cases.
A 15 Year Retrospective Review of Homicide in the Elderly
Authors: Falzon AL , Davis GG
Published: August 2015

With constant improvements in socioeconomic conditions, the people of most industrialized nations are living longer. Most elderly individuals lead productive lives within the community. Unfortunately, when elderly individuals suffer from a debilitating disease or injury, society seems ill-equipped to care for them. The frailty and social isolation that comes with illness or advanced age renders the elderly more vulnerable to crime. This study examines the circumstances that surround homicides of those 65 years of age or older which occurred in Jefferson County, Alabama over a 15 year span. We conducted a retrospective study of all decedents brought to the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner Office during the 15 years from 1981–1995. A computer search identified 150 homicide victims who were 65 years or older. In these 150 cases the causes of death were as follows: gunshot wound 50%, blunt force injuries 19%, knife wounds 14%, and asphyxiation 10%. Younger homicide victims were much less likely to be killed as the result of a direct physical assault; blunt force injuries and asphyxiation combined caused death in only 7% of the younger population. Robbery was the most common motive for death in the elderly population, which accounted for 37% of cases. The most common location for homicides in the elderly population was in their own residence, which accounted for 71% of cases. Four elderly homicide victims were shot by the police. Three elderly decedents died as a result of abuse.
Subdural Neomembranes and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Authors: Rogers CB , Itabashi HH , Tomiyasu U , Heuser ET
Published: August 2015

Cranial dura maters of 36 consecutive infants with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and 16 control infants coming to the Department of Coroner were examined microscopically to determine if subdural neomembranes are associated with cases submitted as SIDS. Thirty-one percent (31%) of the infants with SIDS and 13% of control infants had organizing subdural neomembranes (p > 0.05). Overall prevalence of organizing subdural neomembranes was 25% in the group examined.

In all but two cases, birth trauma could be excluded as a cause of head trauma by aging neomembranes histologically. No association was found between type of delivery (vaginal or Cesarean) and presence of a subdural neomembrane.

Subdural neomembranes are common in infants autopsied in a forensic setting, but they may be missed without a microscopic examination. Subdural neomembranes have no demonstrated association with SIDS.
Death Investigation in Canada
Authors: Avis SP
Published: August 2015

A survey of death investigation systems in Canada was conducted by questionnaire and included questions on the type of system used (coroner or medical examiner), budget, method of appointment and qualifications of coroners and medical examiners, responsible department of government, training requirements, laboratory facilities, and the utilization of investigators and pathologists by each jurisdiction.

Of the population of Canada 81.5% reside in coroner jurisdictions, the primary death investigator in 81% of the population is a licensed physician. The majority of jurisdictions either require or provide training in death investigation. All death investigation systems are under the respective provincial or territorial department of Justice or Attorney General with the chief coroner or chief medical examiner appointed by their respective provincial cabinet. The qualifications of the chief coroner vary with jurisdiction, while in 75% of medical examiner jurisdictions the chief medical examiner must be a pathologist. On a per capita basis medical examiner systems are less expensive to operate than coroner systems.
Postmortem Amitriptyline Pharmacokinetics in Pigs after Oral and Intravenous Routes of Administration
Authors: Hilberg T , Ripel Å , Smith AJ , Slørdal L , Mørland J , Bjørneboe A
Published: August 2015

In this study we have evaluated the postmortem pharmacokinetics of amitriptyline (Ami) and metabolites in pigs after oral and intravenous administration, and the results are compared with previous studies in rats and humans. In addition a meticulous investigation of blood and tissue concentrations after postmortem intravenous infusion of Ami was undertaken. Of a total of 9 over-night fasted pigs, 3 were given 25 mg/Kg Ami orally, and another 3 pigs received an intravenous infusion lasting 1 h of 3.3 mg/Kg Ami prior to death. The final 3 pigs were sacrificed and then given the intravenous infusion after death. After ∼5 h at room temperature, all carcasses were subsequently stored at 4–5°C. Postmortem blood samples were collected at 0.25, 1, 2, 4, 8, 24, 48, and 96 h through an indwelling intracardial needle. Postmortem examination with blood and tissue sampling was performed 96 h after death. Analysis was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Postmortem blood samples from the heart of the orally dosed animals revealed large and variable concentration increases of 99(30–243)% for Ami and 96(52–429)% for the main metabolite 10-OH-Ami at 96 h. In the intravenously infused live pigs heart blood Ami increased by 55(33–69)% and 10-OH-Ami increased by 232(76–240)%. Blood from the atria had significantly higher Ami concentrations than blood from both ventricles in the animals dosed while alive, and the drug concentration in femoral blood was higher than in heart blood (p < 0.01). In the orally dosed pigs the left lobe of the liver had significantly higher Ami levels than the right lobe.

Tissue/blood Ami concentration ratios were generally lower than previously reported in rats and approximating the levels reported in humans. The animals infused intravenously after death demonstrated high drug levels in blood samples from central vessels, heart, lungs as well as cerebrospinal fluid and vitreous humour. This implies that the presence of a lethal concentration of a drug in just one sample of heart blood can prove worthless in a case where agonal drug infusion may have occurred.
Considerations in the Interpretation of Urine Analyses in Suspected Opiate Intoxications
Authors: Levine B , Smialek JE
Published: August 2015

Over the years, it has been observed that in many suspected opiate intoxications, a urine screen using the standard 300 ng/mL cutoff has produced negative results. Subsequent analysis of the blood in many of these cases, in fact, were positive for morphine. To identify the frequency of this occurrence and to determine a more appropriate uring screening cutoff, paired blood and urine specimens were tested for opiates at the above cutoffs.

Over the 6 month period of this study, 102 cases were identified where the blood morphine concentration by Roche Abuscreen was greater than 100 ng/mL of “morphine equivalents.” All positive cases were confirmed as morphine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seventy nine of these cases, or 77%, had urine concentrations by Abuscreen exceeding 300 ng/mL of “morphine equivalents.” The remaining 23 cases had urine morphine concentrations less than 300 ng/mL by Abuscreen. Urine specimens were then reanalyzed by Abuscreen using dilutions of the 300 ng/mL calibrator: 50, 75, and 150 ng/mL. Even with the use of a 50 ng/mL cutoff, 9 of these 23 specimens tested negative by Abuscreen.

Moreover, 23 of the 67 cases or 34% in which the cause of death was narcotic intoxication had urine opiate concentrations by Abuscreen less than the recommended 300 ng/mL cutoff. These results indicate the critical importance in cases of suspected narcotic intoxication of screening the blood in addition to urine.
Setting Cutoff Concentrations for Immunoassay Screening of Postmortem Blood
Authors: Collison IB , Spiehler VR , Guluzian S , Sedgwick PR
Published: August 2015

The objective of this study was to establish the optimum immunoassay cutoff concentrations for screening postmortem blood from coroner's cases for drugs of abuse with a coated tube radioimmunoassay (RIA) to ensure that the results with the coated tube RIA would be equal to or better than those with the previously used double antibody RIA. Immunoassay results (positive or negative) blood were compared to confirmed results on those cases by GC/MS alone or in combination with GLC using either a NPD or FID detector. Four to seven potential cutoff concentrations were evaluated for the drug classes opiates, amphetamines, cocaine and metabolites, and barbiturates. Specimens were 350 postmortem blood specimens and liver homogenates.

The cutoffs chosen for the coated tube RIA using this approach were 5 ng/mL morphine, 25 ng/mL methamphetamine, 500 ng/mL benzoylecgonine, and 500 ng/mL secobarbital. These cutoffs corresponded to a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 96% for opiates, 93% and 86% for amphetamines, 91% and 96% for cocaine and metabolites and 91% and 87% for barbiturates. The double antibody RIAs were run on the same specimens with cutoffs of 20 ng/mL morphine, 50 ng/mL methamphetamine, 50 ng/mL benzoylecgonine and 1000 ng/mL phenobarbital. The sensitivity and specificity's for the double antibody immunoassay were: >99% and 96% for opiates, 83% and 89% for amphetamines, 98% and 97% for cocaine, 79% and 95% for barbiturates.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of On-Site Multi-Analyte Drug Testing Devices in the Determination of the Prevalence of Illicit Drugs in Drivers
Authors: Buchan BJ , Walsh JM , Leaverton PE
Published: August 2015

A principal goal of this research was to conduct a field evaluation of “on-site” multi-analyte drug testing devices to determine the most accurate, efficient, and cost-effective device available for the purpose of rapidly detecting drivers under the influence of drugs.

Four on-site kits were selected and evaluated for accuracy and efficiency for the detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cocaine metabolites (COC), and opiates (OPI). From 16 December 1995 to 17 March 1996, 303 voluntary urine specimens were collected by law enforcement officers from persons arrested for driving-under-the-influence (DUI). These specimens were tested using the four selected kits and aliquots of the specimens were sent to a DHHS certified lab for “gold standard” comparison testing by immunoassay and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

On-site kit sensitivity ranged from 82.9% to 100% for THC, 82.5% to 100% for COC, and all were at 100% for OPI. Specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were also determined. Accuracy ranged from 94.0% to 98.3% for THC, 97.4% to 98.0% for COC, and 99.7% to 100% for OPI. All four kits were in very close agreement on prevalence: 15.5% to 15.8% for THC, all were at 13.2% for COC, and all were at 0.7% for OPI. For law enforcement purposes, sensitivity may be the most important indicator in these kits.
Xylazine Toxicity—Literature Review and Report of Two Cases
Authors: Mittleman RE , Hearn WL , Hime GW
Published: August 2015

Xylazine is a veterinary sedative, analgesic or general anesthetic. Its pharmaceutical action results in sympathetic discharge via stimulation of alpha-2-adrenoceptors. In humans, toxicity consists of central nervous system depression, bradycardia and hypotension. The dosages known to produce toxicity in humans vary from 40 mg up to 2400 mg.

Because of decomposition, xylazine blood concentrations in two homicide victims were unknown; however, the concentrations in the brain, liver, and kidneys were much higher in the 23-year-old female versus the 33-year-old male victim. A bottle of xylazine found on the crime scene had a concentration of 100 mg/mL. This 50 mL bottle had 32 mL remaining. Therefore at some point in time 18 mL had been utilized. The amount of available milligrams of xylazine (1800 mg) were enough to cause toxicity in both the woman and the man. Of interest was the fact that the partially skeletonized heads were found remote from the torsos, however, the concentration of xylazine in the body tissues provided a toxicological match of which head belonged to which body. Xylazine toxicity in humans and its relationship to these homicides will be the focus of this report.
Quechua Amerindian Population Characterized by HLA-DQα, YNZ22, 3′APO B, HUMTH01, and HUMVWA31A polymorphisms
Authors: Gené M , Fuentes M , Huguet E , Piqué E , Bert F , Corella A , Pérez-Pérez A , Corbella J , Moreno P
Published: August 2015

Allele and genotype frequencies of DNA polymorphisms were determined in a population sample of Quechua (n = 113) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We report data on the frequencies of HLA-DQα, YNZ22, 3′ApoB, HUMTH01 and HUMVWA31A alleles and the distribution of the different genotypes. No significant deviations between observed and expected numbers were found, thus assuming the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
D4S43 Locus DNA Typing in the Japanese Population and Application to Teeth with Degraded DNA
Authors: Hanaoka Y , Minaguch K
Published: August 2015

VNTR polymorphism at the D4S43 locus was investigated, and allele frequencies in the Japanese population sample were determined by the polymerase chain reaction. Eleven different alleles and 16 genotypes were observed in 131 unrelated Japanese. The most common allele was one repeat unit (60.3%), the heterozygosity index of the present study was 58.7%, and the polymorphic information content was calculated at 0.55. In addition, we found four new size variations in the one-repeat-unit allele, which was the most common allele among the Japanese population. These variations were believed to be different from variations by repeats of the basic 14-bp unit. The one-repeat-unit allele at the D4S43 locus, which comes in four sizes, was detected in all of the samples, including degraded DNA samples obtained from hard tooth tissue. Therefore, this new variation is useful in personal identification by DNA analysis using forensic scientific degraded DNA samples.
Human Orosomucoid (ORM1) Subtyping: Further Population Genetic Data and Reports on the Feasibility to Type Aged Blood Samples and Stains
Authors: Dülmer M , Reker G , Nguyen TT , Henke L , Henke J
Published: August 2015

Genetic polymorphism of serum orosomucoid (ORM1) was investigated in 1072 unrelated German Caucasians using isolectric focusing followed by Western blotting and EIA. The estimated allele frequencies were ORM1 *F1 = 0,5690, ORM1 *S = 0,3927, ORM1 *F2 = 0,0368, ORM1 *F2S = 0,0009 and ORM1 *F5 = 0,0005. The method was successfully applied to determine ORM1 phenotypes in aged blood samples and blood stains. The results indicated that the ORM protein is a informative and remarkably robust blood group system.
Experimental Single Controlled Study of Burned Bones: Contribution of Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Quatrehomme G , Bolla M , Muller M , Rocca J-P , Grévin G , Bailet P , Ollier A
Published: August 2015

Burned bones were studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The samples were cut from a maxillary-mandibular block taken during an autopsy. These fragments were heated in a furnace under controlled temperature conditions for 60 minutes. The temperatures ranged from 150 to 1150 degrees Celsius. The results are as following: (i) there are significant alterations of the bone, more and more obvious as the temperature increases, (ii) it appears to be difficult to establish a precise correlation between the temperature and the scanning electron microscopy patterns.
Analysis of Shrinkage in Human Fetal Diaphyseal Lengths from Fresh to Dry Bone Using Petersohn and Köhler's Data
Authors: Huxley AK
Published: August 2015

Calculation of gestational age from forensic fetal remains may be problematic. If soft-tissue indicators are not available, then diaphyseal lengths obtained through sonograms on living fetuses in utero or radiographs of long bones can be compared to known European standards, such as Fazekas and Kósa (1978) and Olivier and Pineau (1958, 1960). Radiographic comparison to these European standards, however, requires a correction factor for diaphyseal shrinkage from fresh to dry states. Percent shrinkage is calculated for six diaphyses (humerus, ulna, radius, femur, tibia and fibula) from Petersohn and Köhler's data published in Fazekas and Kósa (1978:362–369). Average shrinkage, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values are calculated for each diaphysis and for all diaphyses during 4–10 lunar months (LM) and newborns. Corresponding average and standard deviation values are as follows: 4 LM-10.09% ± 2.67%; 5 LM-5.74% ± 0.84%; 6 LM-3.48% ± 0.49%; 7 LM-2.32% ± 0.16%; 8 LM-2.18% ± 0.51%; 9 LM-1.76% ± 0.14%; 10 LM-1.90% ± 0.59%; and newborns-1.28% ± 0.55%. Analysis of these values suggests that percent shrinkage steadily declines as the fetus ages. This pattern presumably reflects calcification of bone during growth and development in utero. These findings demonstrate a significant shrinkage in the diaphysis early in development, which may alter accurate age estimation in the earliest fetal age groups.
Correlation of Body Mass Index with Thoracic and Abdominal Panniculus
Authors: Hunter B , French D , Warner J , Remick D
Published: August 2015

Obesity can play a significant role in chronic diseases, sudden unexpected death, and morbid obesity may be important as a cause of death for forensic pathologists. Our study attempted to determine if there is a correlation between panniculus measurements and body mass index (BMI) since BMI has been used in most studies to categorize obesity. Using data obtained from a review of 524 adult autopsies conducted at the University of Michigan from 1990 to 1992 we were able to show a correlation between both thoracic and abdominal panniculus and BMI (r2 = 0.335 and 0.296 respectively) which is statistically significant (p = 10−47 and 10−41 respectively). A prospective study confirmed the correlation (r2 = 0.552 for thoracic and 0.436 for abdominal panniculus) when the measurements were taken at the xyphoid process and 3 cm below the umbilicus. Using these data we calculated a panniculus index (PI) which is equal to the thoracic + abdominal panniculus in centimeters divided by the square of the height (in meters). The PI strongly correlated with BMI and was able to predict obesity. Using a BMI cutoff of 39 for morbid obesity, a PI value of 4.07 for females and 3.25 for males predicted morbid obesity with the probability of a false positive less than or equal to 2.5%. Mild and severe obesity could also be determined using the PI. Based on these data we've concluded that a concise mathematical relationship does exist between BMI and panniculus measurements. Therefore panniculus measurements can be used either as a surrogate measurement of morbid obesity or to support BMI calculations.
Origin and Gender Determination of Dried Blood on a Statue of the Virgin Mary
Authors: Palmirotta R , Verginelli F , Cama A , Mariani-Costantini R , Frati L , Battista P
Published: August 2015

In Italy, blood exudation from objects of worship recurs frequently in ancient chronicles and literature, in popular beliefs, and even in modern mass-media reports. This phenomenon, that was associated with epochal or catastrophic events, has roots that reach classical antiquity. In the last few years, several events connected with the detection of bloody “tears” on statues of the Virgin Mary required forensic medicine investigations. In the present report we describe genetic investigations conducted on dried blood of unknown derivation found on a statuette representing the Virgin Mary. To test the human or animal origin of the blood, we amplified Alu-specific sequences from DNAs obtained from the unknown sample and from humans, large apes, various Old and New World monkeys, a prosimian, mouse, common domestic artiodactyls and chicken. This investigation restricted the range of possible origin of the statue blood to humans, apes and Old World monkeys. To test the male or female origin of the blood, we used a multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction method, that allows the simultaneous amplification of the X-specific locus DXZ4 and of the Y-specific locus SRY. Considering the unlikelihood of an origin from simian Old World primates, the exclusive amplification of the X-specific product from the unknown sample and from human female blood controls, compared to the amplification of distinct X- and Y-specific bands from human male blood controls, strongly supports a human female origin of the statue blood.
Evidence of Polydrug Use Using Hair Analysis: A Fatal Case Involving Heroin, Cocaine, Cannabis, Chloroform, Thiopental and Ketamine
Authors: Gaillard Y , Pépin G
Published: August 2015

A case is presented involving a young woman on several illicit drugs (heroin, cocaine and cannabis) as well as two medications and a solvent used for their anesthetic and narcotic properties: thiopental, ketamine and chloroform. This complex drug use was supported by hair analysis over a 10.5 cm segment of the hair taken at autopsy. The average measured concentrations in hair were: thiopental = 5.3 ng/mg, pentobarbital = 10.0 ng/mg, ketamine = 11.3 ng/mg norketamine = 1.0 ng/mg, diazepam = 1.2 ng/mg, nordiazepam = 0.1 ng/mg, 6-acetylmorphine = 4.4 ng/mg, morphine = 3.4 ng/mg, codeine = 1.2 ng/mg, cocaine = 5.5 ng/mg, benzoylecgonine = 1.5 ng/mg and methylecgonine ester = 1.0 ng/mg. While the ketamine/norketamine ratio is consistent with that already reported on drug detection in hair, the thiopental/pentobarbital ratio seems to be inverted.
Citation Trends and Practices in the Journal of Forensic Sciences as Documented by ISI's Journal Citation Report
Authors: Jones AW
Published: August 2015

ISI stands for Institute for Scientific Information, which is a Philadelphia-based organization specializing in retrieving, documenting and evaluating bibliometric information about science, scientists and scientific journals. The company was founded in 1960 by Eugene Garfield Ph.D. and has since grown into a multimillion dollar worldwide organization (1–3). Among the many information products produced by ISI, perhaps the most sophisticated and widely acclaimed is the Science Citation Index (SCI) (4–6). The first edition of SCI was produced in 1963 and in many ways this database is unique because the fate of a published article and the citations it receives can be followed forward in time, whereas other databases permit retrospective searching but not prospective (2). The SCI gives cumulative information about cited articles (volume, page numbers, and year), the frequency of citation, the name, volume, and year of the citing journal, and the names of the authors (2,7). However, citation counts are listed under the name of the first author of the cited article. In 1965, ISI introduced a new product relevant to citation analysis called Journal Citation Reports (JCR), which is a database devoted to the citation practices of the journals covered by SCI.
Interlaboratory Comparison of Autoradiographic DNA Profiling Measurements: Precision and Concordance
Authors: Duewer DL , Lalonde SA , Aubin RA , Fourney RM , Reeder DJ
Published: August 2015

Knowledge of the expected uncertainty in restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) measurements is required for confident exchange of such data among different laboratories. The total measurement uncertainty among all Technical Working Group for DNA analysis Methods laboratories has previously been characterized and found to be acceptably small. Casework cell line control measurements provided by six Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and 30 U.S. commercial, local, state, and Federal forensic laboratories enable quantitative determination of the within-laboratory precision and among-laboratory concordance components of measurement uncertainty typical of both sets of laboratories. Measurement precision is the same in the two countries for DNA fragments of size 1000 base pairs (bp) to 10,000 bp. However, the measurement concordance among the RCMP laboratories is clearly superior to that within the U.S. forensic community. This result is attributable to the use of a single analytical protocol in all RCMP laboratories. Concordance among U.S. Laboratories cannot be improved through simple mathematical adjustments. Community-wide efforts focused on improved concordance may be the most efficient mechanism for further reduction of among-laboratory RFLP measurement uncertainty, should the resources required to fully evaluate potential cross-jurisdictional matches become burdensome as the number of RFLP profiles on record increases.
Using a Tree Diagram to Interpret a Mixed DNA Profile
Authors: Evett IW , Foreman LA , Lambert JA , Emes A
Published: August 2015

A recent case is described where the evidence of bloodstaining on a knife suggested that it was a mixture from the two victims. Interpretation of the evidence in this problem necessitated the formulation of several sets of multiple hypotheses which were analyzed by means of a tree diagram. The problem was then greatly simplified to one of comparing the two alternative hypotheses of most interest. It was found that results were robust to variation in the expert's judgment regarding the possibility that a mixture of blood was present on the knife.
Effect of Reference Database on Frequency Estimates of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-Based DNA Profiles
Authors: Monson KL , Budowle B
Published: August 2015

A variety of general, regional, ancestral and ethnic databases is available for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based loci LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, Gc, DQA1, and D1S80. Generally, we observed greater differences in frequency estimations of DNA profiles between racial groups than between ethnic or geographic subgroups. Analysis revealed few forensically significant differences within ethnic subgroups, particularly within general United States groups, and multi-locus frequency estimates typically differ by less than a factor of ten. Using a database different from the one to which a target profile belongs tends to overestimate rarity. Implementation of the general correction of homozygote frequencies for a population substructure, advised by the 1996 National Research Council report, The Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence, has a minimal effect on profile frequencies. Even when it is known that both the suspect and all possible perpetrators must belong to the same isolated population, the special correction for inbreeding, which was proposed by the 1996 National Research Council report for this special case, has a relatively modest effect, typically a factor of two or less for 1% inbreeding. The effect becomes more substantial (exceeding a factor of ten) for inbreeding of 3% or more in multi-locus profiles rarer than about one in a million.
Determination of Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and Gamma-Butyrolactone (GBL) by HPLC/UV-VIS Spectrophotometry and HPLC/Thermospray Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Mesmer MZ , Duane Satzger R
Published: August 2015

This laboratory frequently receives samples that are suspected of being gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), its lactone, gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), or a mixture of the two. We have developed an HPLC/UV-VIS spectrophotometric method for the separation and quantitation of GHB and GBL in illegal preparations that are available on the black market. The estimated detection limit is 50 ng injected onto the column. We are also reporting a simple and fast HPLC/thermospray mass spectrometric method for the confirmation of these compounds in illegal preparations. The characteristic mass spectrum for each compound could be obtained from as low as a 5 µg injection.
Antimony Enrichment on the Bullets' Surfaces and the Possibility of Finding It in Gunshot Residue (GSR) of the Ammunition Having Antimony-Free Primers
Authors: Zeichner A , Schecter B , Brener R
Published: August 2015

Projectiles of twenty brands of ammunition were examined by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). In all of them antimony enrichment was found on the surface (about 10 µm depth or less) of the lead alloy as compared to the bulk. In some of the bullets the enrichment was high—as much as tens of times the bulk concentration. Concentration depth profiles in several of the projectiles were also studied by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and much higher concentrations of antimony on the surface than in the bulk were observed even where this effect could hardly be detected by SEM/EDX. Shooting tests were carried out using ammunition having antimony-free primers and in which the highest content of antimony on the surface of projectiles was observed. A very small percentage of gunshot residue particles containing antimony was found in these tests.
The Retention and Recovery of Transferred Fibers Following the Washing of Recipient Clothing
Authors: Palmer R
Published: August 2015

Laboratory coats which had been subjected to contact with a yellow polyester/cotton polo shirt and were subsequently sent to an external laundry service. Surface debris tapings were taken from the items on return, and these were searched for fibers originating from the target garment. Additionally, a mock assault by an “assailant” wearing a blue acrylic top was carried out on various “victims” who, after returning home, discarded their upper clothing prior to domestic washing. Surface debris tapings taken from this clothing after drying were searched for fibers originating from the target garment using the FX5 automated fiber finding equipment (Foster & Freeman). The number of garments demonstrating the retention of target fibers, as well as the number of retained fibers, were noted.
Frequency of Pubic Hair Transfer During Sexual Intercourse
Authors: Exline DL , Smith FP , Drexler SG
Published: August 2015

This study measured the frequency of public hair transfer between a limited number of consenting heterosexual partners. The results derive from controlled experiments with a number of human subjects rather than forensic casework. Standardized collection procedures were observed, situational variables were tracked.

Participants (forensic laboratory employees and their spouses) were six Caucasian couples who collected their pubic hair combings immediately following intercourse. Subjects provided informed consent in accordance with the protocol for human subjects approved by the U.A.B. institutional review board. The experiment was replicated ten times for five couples, and five times for another couple (total n = 110). Transfer frequencies were calculated from instances where foreign (exogenous) hairs were observed.

Results showed at least one exogenous pubic hair in 17.3% (19/110) of combings. Transfers to males (23.6%, or 13/55) were more prevalent than transfers to females (10.9%, or 6/55). Only once were transfers observed simultaneously between both male and female. A total of 28 exogenous public hairs were identified. Subjects reported intercourse duration of 2–25 min, intervening intervals of 1–240 h, pre-coital bathing intervals of 0.25–24 h, and predominantly missionary position (76%). No clear relationship among these other survey variables was observed.

The prevalence of female-to-male pubic hair transfers suggests the importance of collecting pubic hair combings from the male suspects as well as from female victims, provided the time interval is not extreme. Even under these optimum collection conditions, pubic hair transfers were observed only 17.3% of the time.
UV-Excited Resonance Raman Spectroscopy of Narcotics and Explosives
Authors: Sands HS , Hayward IP , Kirkbride TE , Bennett R , Lacey RJ , Batchelder DN
Published: August 2015

A 244 nm excitation Raman microspectroscope has been developed and successfully used to investigate a range of narcotics and explosives, both pure and contaminated. The instrument is quick and simple to operate and effective in identifying these compounds. The wavelength was chosen to exploit the resonance Raman effect, thereby enhancing the band intensities beyond the normal v4 enhancement associated with the shorter wavelength excitation. Another advantage over visibly excited Raman spectroscopy is the complete lack of any fluorescence background, even with heavily contaminated samples. The simplification of spectra caused by resonance allowed the easy identification of species contained in complex mixtures.
Infrared Spectra of U.S. Automobile Original Topcoats (1974–1989): IV. Identification of Some Organic Pigments Used in Red and Brown Nonmetallic and Metallic Monocoats—Quinacridones
Authors: Suzuki EM , Marshall WP
Published: August 2015

A previous study in this series demonstrated the feasibility of identifying organic pigments in situ based on their absorptions in infrared spectra of automobile topcoats. To isolate pigment peaks, spectra of closely matched topcoats lacking pigment features are subtracted from spectra of topcoats containing the pigment of interest. Once identified by this means, these pigments can often be determined based on the more limited number of pigment peaks observed between the broader binder absorptions, or superimposed on them. Spectra of closely related pigments are used to provide some indications of how distinct a particular set of pigment absorptions is. Using these techniques, several different quinacridone pigments have been identified in single-layer U.S. automobile original topcoats (1974–1989) from the Reference Collection of Automotive Paints. Two of these pigments, Quinacridone Red Y and Quinacridone Violet, were found to be common in red nonmetallic topcoats. Quinacridones were also identified in brown nonmetallic and red and brown metallic finishes. A number of different pigment combinations of quinacridones with both inorganic and organic pigments have been identified, and examples of these are presented. As a prerequisite to the analysis of pigments using this in situ method, analysts should be very familiar with the absorptions of automotive topcoat binders.
Malingering Uncommon Psychiatric Symptoms Among Defendants Charged Under California's “Three Strikes and You're Out” Law
Authors: Evan Jaffe M , Sharma KK
Published: August 2015

This paper describes an epidemic of uncommon psychiatric symptoms among nine criminal defendants charged under California's new “Three Strikes and You're Out” law. The defendants were facing a minimum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. The defendants exhibited the following uncommon psychiatric symptoms: coprophagia (eating feces), eating cockroaches and many reported seeing little green men. The defendants, all of whom we believe were malingering, were evaluated by the authors for competency to stand trial. Thus far, eight of the nine defendants were found competent to stand trial; only one defendant was found incompetent to stand trial. The authors created a database which included information on the defendants from court documents and from our interview with the defendants. We summarized the data and outcomes of the cases. Also included is a brief review of the “Three Strikes Law” and a paradigm for how we ruled out relevant psychiatric diagnoses before we arrived at our opinion of malingering.
Bombing and Psychopathy: An Integrative Review
Authors: Reid Meloy J , McEllistrem JE
Published: August 2015

A review of the research on the motivations and behaviors of bombers is presented. The methodology consisted of a computer search of eight databases, book reviews, and telephonic interviews with local and federal law enforcement. The data were then compared to the substantial research on psychopathy. The authors conclude that a federally funded research effort is necessary, and should incorporate various structured interviews, history gathering, and psychological and physiological tests of incarcerated bombers, theoretically guided by the concordance between the known motivations and behavior of bombers and the concurrent and predictive validity of the construct, psychopathy.
Criminal Mutilation of the Human Body in Sweden—A Thirty-Year Medico-Legal and Forensic Psychiatric Study
Authors: Rajs J , Lundström M , Broberg M , Lidberg L , Lindquist O
Published: August 2015

During the 30-year period 1961–1990, a total of 22 deaths with criminal mutilation/dismemberment of the human body were registered in Sweden. The mutilations occurred in time clusters, mostly during the summer and winter periods, and increased during the three decades, with incidence rates of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.125 per million inhabitants and year, respectively. Mutilation was noted 6.6 times more often in large urban areas than in the rest of Sweden. Defensive mutilation, in order to get rid of the corpse or make its identity more difficult, was noted in ten instances, aggressive mutilation following outrageous overkilling in four, offensive mutilation (lust murder) in seven, and necromanic mutilation in one instance. In the last-mentioned case the cause of death was natural, while all deaths in the first three groups were homicidal, or homicide was strongly suspected.

All perpetrators were males, in six instances assisted by other persons. In more than half of the cases the perpetrator's occupation was associated with application of anatomical knowledge, e.g., butcher, physician, veterinary assistant, or hunter. The perpetrators of the defensive and aggressive mutilations were mostly disorganized, i.e., alcoholics or drug users with previous psychiatric contacts and criminal histories, while the lust murderers were mostly organized, with a history of violent crimes (including the “serial killing” type), drug abuse and mental disorders with anxiety and schizophrenia, in that order to a diminishing degree. There were differences in mode of mutilation, depending on whether the mutilation was carried out by a layman, a butcher, or a physician. In only one case was the perpetrator convicted for the mutilation act itself; in the remaining instances the manslaughter, as a more serious crime, assimilated the mutilation. When the mutilation made it impossible to establish the cause of death, the perpetrators, despite strong circumstantial evidence indicating murder, were acquitted.
Arthropod Succession Patterns onto Burnt Carrion in Two Contrasting Habitats in the Hawaiian Islands
Authors: Avila FW , Lee Goff M
Published: August 2015

Decomposition studies were conducted using carcasses of domestic pigs, Sus scrofa L., one burned and the other unburned (the control) to determine effects of burning on arthropod succession patterns. The burnt carcass corresponded to a CGS level #2 burn victim. The studies were conducted in two contrasting habitats, both on the island of Oahu. The first was conducted in a xerophytic habitat from 1 Sept. 1995 through 1 Oct. 1995 while the second was conducted in a rainforest habitat from 29 April 1996 to 28 May 1996. No marked differences were noted in arthropod fauna present or the duration of the stages of decomposition between the carcasses at either site. The major oviposition by flies of the family Calliphoridae occurred one day carlier on the burnt carcass than the control carcass at Diamond Head and four days earlier at Lyon Arboretum. This resulted in all successional waves onto the burnt carcass occurring one day earlier at Diamond Head and four days earlier at Lyon Arboretum. These differences could alter a postmortem interval estimate based on arthropod succession patterns by up to 24 hours and 4 days, respectively.
Comparison of Anti-Epileptic Drug Levels in Different Cases of Sudden Death
Authors: George JR , Davis GG
Published: August 2015

Sudden unexplained death syndrome (SUDS) in epilepsy is identified as death in an epileptic individual with no anatomic cause found at autopsy. SUDS appears to be associated with subtherapeutic levels of anticonvulsants. Sudden death with no demonstrable cause at autopsy accounts for 5% to 30% of deaths in epileptic individuals. In the majority of cases, however, the cause of death in epileptic individuals can be demonstrated at autopsy. We examined the anti-epileptic drug concentrations in decedents who died as a direct result of epilepsy and compared these findings with those from a control population of epileptic patients who died suddenly due to some unrelated cause. This retrospective study was conducted on all deaths involving patients with epilepsy examined at the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner office from 1986–95. Out of 115 total cases the underlying cause of death was epilepsy in 60 cases—52 cases of SUDS and 8 deaths caused by an accident precipitated by a seizure. In 44 cases death was unrelated to the decedent's epilepsy. In 11 cases the contribution of epilepsy to death could not be determined. Published articles on SUDS report subtherapeutic anti-epileptic medication levels in 63% to 94% of cases. We found subtherapeutic drug levels in 69% of the 52 cases of SUDS, in 75% of the 8 cases where a seizure precipitated an accident causing death, and in 34% of the control population. The incidence of subtherapeutic anticonvulsants is significantly greater in patients dying as a direct result of their epilepsy than in those dying of an unrelated cause.