bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parasomnia Pseudo-Suicide
Authors: Mahowald MW , Schenck CH , Goldner M , Bachelder V , Cramer-Bornemann M
Published: August 2015

Complex behaviors arising from the sleep period may result in violent or injurious consequences, even death. Those resulting in death may be erroneously deemed suicides. A series of case examples and review of the pertinent literature are provided to increase awareness of the possibility that some apparent "suicides" are the unfortunate, but unintentional, consequence of sleep-related complex behaviors and therefore are without premeditation, conscious awareness, or personal responsibility. The correct cause-of-death determination in such cases may have profound social, religious, and insurance implications for surviving friends and family members.
Commentary on: Bottrell MC, Webb JB. Review of: Forensic Interpretation of Glass Evidence. J Forensic Sci 2002;47(4):926-7.
Authors: Aitken CGG , Taroni FT
Published: August 2015

As keen advocates of the Bayesian approach to the evaluation of evidence, we welcomed the publication of the book on the forensic interpretation of glass evidence by Curran et al. (1) and were disappointed by the review by Bottrell and Webb (2). Our welcome was because the book brings together in one publication the excellent material provided by the contributors over several years for the evaluation of evidence in general and glass evidence in particular. Our disappointment was because the reviewers emphasized some small shortcomings in the presentation of the material and ignored many good points in the content.
Exsanguination by Subclavian-esophageal Fistula Associated with a Left Subclavian Aneurysm
Authors: Quinton RA , McClain JL
Published: August 2015

Aortic aneurysms are a common autopsy finding, but aneurysms confined exclusively to the subclavian arteries are rare. When found, they are typically associated with trauma, surgery, or aberrant vessel distribution. Subclavian-esophageal fistula formation is also rare, with the vast majority being related to aberrant vessel distribution or esophageal foreign bodies. Dicle et al. first reported a subclavian-esophageal fistula associated with a non-aberrant subclavian artery aneurysm in 1999 (1). The following case would mark the second report of that phenomenon, and the first in the setting of a forensic autopsy.
Quantification and Aging of the Post-Blast Residue of TNT Landmines
Authors: Oxley JC , Smith JL , Resende E , Pearce E
Published: August 2015

Post-blast residues are potential interferents to chemical detection of landmines. To assess the potential problem related to 2,4,6trinitrotoluene (TNT), its post-blast residue was identified and quantified. In the first part of this study laboratory-scale samples of TNT (2 g) were detonated in a small-scale explosivity device (SSED) to evaluate the explosive power and collect post-blast residue for chemical analysis. Initiator size was large relative to the TNT charge; thus, issues arose regarding choice of initiator, residue from the initiator, and afterburning of TNT. The second part of this study detonated 75 to 150 g of military-grade TNT (typical of antipersonnel mines) in 55-gal barrels containing various witness materials (metal plates, sand, barrel walls, the atmosphere). The witness materials were analyzed for explosive residue. In a third set of tests, 75-g samples of TNT were detonated over soil (from Fort Leonard Wood or Sandia National Laboratory) in an indoor firing chamber (100 by 4.6 by 2.7 m high). Targeted in these studies were TNT and four explosive-related compounds (ERC): 2,4-dintrotoluene (DNT), 1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB), 2- and 4-aminodinitrotoluene (2-ADNT and 4-ADNT). The latter two are microbial degradation products of TNT. Post-blast residue was allowed to age in the soils as a function of moisture contents (5 and 10%) in order to quantify the rate of degradation of the principal residues (TNT, DNT, and DNB) and formation of the TNT microbial degradation products (2-ADNT and 4-ADNT). The major distinction between landmine leakage and post-blast residue was not the identity of the species but relative ratios of amounts. In landmine leakage the DNT/TNT ratio was usually greater than 1. In post-blast residue it was on the order of 1 to 1/100th of a percent, and the total amount of pre-blast residue (landmine leakage) was a factor of 1/100 to 1/1000 less than post-blast. In addition, landmine leakage resulted in low DNT/ADNT ratios, usually less than 1, whereas pre-blast residues started with ratios above 20. Because with time DNT decreased and ADNT increased, over a month the ratio decreased by a factor of 2. The rate of TNT degradation in soil observed in this study was much slower than that reported when initial concentrations of TNT were lower. Degradation rates yielded half-lives of 40 and 100 days for 2,4-DNT and TNT, respectively.
The Use of Thoracolumbar and Hip Joint Dysmorphism in Identification
Authors: Hulewicz B , Wilcher GW
Published: August 2015

A case of roentgenographic identification of a deceased person is presented. Comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographs of the vertebral column and hip joint, for the purpose of identification, was based on the deceased medical history, and the fact the deceased was endentulous, and fingerprint comparison was not feasible. Evaluation of anatomical variants, due to the effects of degenerative disease, provided positive identification in a visually unidentifiable deceased person.
Background Correction in Forensic Photography II. Photography of Blood Under Conditions of Non-Uniform Illumination or Variable Substrate Color-Practical Aspects and Limitations
Authors: Wagner JH , Miskelly GM
Published: August 2015

The combination of photographs taken at wavelengths at and bracketing the peak of a narrow absorbance band can lead to enhanced visualization of the substance causing the narrow absorbance band. This concept can be used to detect putative bloodstains by division of a linear photographic image taken at or near 415 nm with an image obtained by averaging linear photographs taken at or near 395 and 435 nm. Nonlinear images can also be background corrected by substituting subtraction for the division. This paper details experimental applications and limitations of this technique, including wavelength selection of the illuminant and at the camera. Characterization of a digital camera to be used in such a study is also detailed. Detection limits for blood using the three wavelength correction method under optimum conditions have been determined to be as low as 1 in 900 dilution, although on strongly patterned substrates blood diluted more than twenty-fold is difficult to detect. Use of only the 435 nm photograph to estimate the background in the 415 nm image lead to a twofold improvement in detection limit on unpatterned substrates compared with the three wavelength method with the particular camera and lighting system used, but it gave poorer background correction on patterned substrates.
Distribution of D3S1358, D21S11, FGA, vWA Alleles in a Central Italian Population Sample
Authors: Vecchiotti C , Spaltro G , Boninfante B , Di Nunno N
Published: August 2015

Blood samples were obtained from selected and unrelated individuals. DNA was extracted with the standard Chelex® 100 (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA) extraction procedure (1); DNA samples were amplified in a DNA Gene Amp 9700 (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) using 10 ng of template DNA. The amplified products were detected using the Abi Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA).
The Relationship between the Soft Tissues and the Skeletal Detail of the Mouth
Authors: Wilkinson CM , Motwani M , Chiang E
Published: August 2015

The estimation of mouth width and lip thickness from the skull for facial reconstruction has traditionally relied upon scant scientific research and “rules of thumb” laid down by subjective interpretation and experience. This study tested these assumptions by taking caliper and photographic measurements of mouth width and interpupillary and interlimbus distances of 96 subjects and lip thickness and teeth height measurements of 95 subjects. The most reliable indicator of mouth width was found to be the interlimbus distance, and lip thickness was positively related to the height of the teeth. There were no differences in these relationships between men and women. Standards for predicting the lip thickness from the teeth height were suggested for White Europeans and Asians from the Indian subcontinent.
Development of an Alu-based, Real-Time PCR Method for Quantitation of Human DNA in Forensic Samples
Authors: Nicklas JA , Buel E
Published: August 2015

Determining the amount of human DNA extracted from a crime scene sample is an important step in DNA profiling. The forensic community relies almost entirely upon a technique (slot blot) to quantitate human DNA that is imprecise, time consuming, and labor intensive. We have previously described a method for quantitation of human DNA based on PCR amplification of a repetitive Alu sequence that uses a fluorescence plate reader. This manuscript describes and validates a variation of this assay using real-time PCR and SYBR® Green I for quantitation. The advantages of the real-time assay over the plate reader assay are: reduced hands-on time, lower assay cost, and a greater dynamic range. The main disadvantage is the cost of the real-time instrument. However, for those forensic laboratories with access to a real-time instrument, this Alu-based assay has a dynamic range of 16 ng to 1 pg, is sensitive, specific, fast, quantitative, and uses only 2 µL of sample.
Predicting Mouth Width from Inter-Canine Width—A 75% Rule
Authors: Stephan CN , Henneberg M
Published: August 2015

It has been suggested that inter-canine width plus 57% of the cumulative distance between the lateral aspect of the canines and the pupil centers can be used to estimate mouth width (1). Evidence also suggests that the distance between the medial irises approximates actual mouth width fairly well (1). However, these soft tissue prediction guidelines are limited because they rely on accurate medio-lateral positioning of the pupils within the orbits, for which no systematic empirical evidence appears to exist at this stage. It would, therefore, be more appropriate to use only known hard tissue landmarks in mouth width prediction. This study reports the results of using inter-canine width as a percentage of mouth width for its prediction. This method seems favorable in comparison to the other guidelines because it is as accurate, uses known hard tissue landmarks, and does not rely on assumptions concerning pupil location. Estimating mouth width by using the canines alone, therefore, seems the best guideline to use in facial approximation techniques, at least given knowledge existing at this stage.
Comparison of Blood-Ethanol Concentration in Deaths Attributed to Acute Alcohol Poisoning and Chronic Alcoholism
Authors: Jones AW , Holmgren P
Published: August 2015

Ethanol concentrations were measured in femoral venous blood in deaths attributed to acute alcohol poisoning (N = 693) or chronic alcoholism (N = 825), according to the forensic pathology report. Among acute alcohol poisonings were 529 men (76%) with mean age 53 years and 164 women (24%) with mean age 53 years. In the chronic alcoholism deaths were 705 men (85%) with mean age 55 years and 120 women (15%) with mean age 57 years. The blood-ethanol concentrations were not related to the person's age (r = -0.17 in acute poisonings and r = -0.09 in chronic alcoholism). The distribution of blood-ethanol concentrations in acute poisoning cases agreed with a normal or Gaussian curve with mean, median, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and spread of 0.36 g/100 mL, 0.36 g/100 mL, 0.086 g/100 mL, 24% and 0.074 to 0.68 g/100 mL, respectively. The corresponding concentrations of ethanol in chronic alcoholism deaths were not normally distributed and showed a mode between 0.01 and 0.05 g/100 mL and mean, median, and spread of 0.172 g/100 mL, 0.150 g/100 mL, and 0.01 to 0.56 g/100 mL, respectively. The 5th and 95th percentiles for blood-ethanol concentration in acute poisoning deaths were 0.22 and 0.50 g/100 mL, respectively. However, these values are probably conservative estimates of the highest blood-ethanol concentrations before death owing to metabolism of ethanol until the time of death. In 98 chronic alcoholism deaths (12%) there was an elevated concentration of acetone in the blood (>0.01 g/100 mL), and 50 of these (6%) also had elevated isopropanol (>0.01 g/100 mL). This compares with 28 cases (4%) with elevated blood-acetone in the acute poisoning deaths and 22 (3%) with elevated blood-isopropanol. We offer various explanations for the differences in blood-ethanol and blood-acetone in acute poisoning and alcoholism deaths such as chronic tolerance, alcohol-related organ and tissue damage (cirrhosis, pancreatitis), positional asphyxia or suffocation by inhalation of vomit, exposure to cold coupled with alcohol-induced hypothermia, as well as various metabolic disturbances such as hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis.
ESDA Processing and Latent Fingerprint Development: The Humidity Effect
Authors: Azoury M , Gabbay R , Cohen D , Almog J
Published: August 2015

The influence of humidification in the ESDA process on subsequent development of fingerprints on paper items was studied. It was found that, while the DFO process is nearly insensitive to previous humidification, fingerprint development with ninhydrin or with indanedione can be significantly affected by previous humidification of the paper.
Obituary—Robert F. Borkenstein 1912–2002
Authors: Logan BK
Published: August 2015

Professor Robert F. Borkenstein, inventor of the Breathalyzer and a leading light in the development of alcohol impaired driving research and legislation, passed away at his home in Bloomington, Indiana, on August 10, 2002. He was 89. His life is an example of the impact that the application of science at its best can make in people's everyday lives, changing attitudes and behavior, and ultimately saving lives.
Commentary on: Bottrell MC, Webb JB. Book Review of: Forensic Interpretation of Glass Evidence. J Forensic Sci 2002;47(4): 926-7.
Authors: Hicks TN , Buckleton JS , Curran JM
Published: August 2015

The review of Forensic Interpretation of Glass Evidence by Bottrell MC and Webb JB, which appeared in J Forensic Sci, July 2002, Vol. 47, No. 4 came to our attention (1). We are appreciative of the general tenor of the opening remarks on the importance of our research, and perhaps even more so of the criticisms numbered 1-7 on factual matters. We would like to say, in fairness to our readers, that a revised printing is in preparation, and in fairness to ourselves, that many of the objections raised had not escaped our attention (a list of errata will be offered by the editor to those who do not desire to purchase the revised printing). It also seems to us that some objections stem from matters of expression, or perhaps from a less than punctilious reading, than in matters of substance. But generally speaking, the remarks on factual errors are well taken, and efforts are being made on the part of the authors to secure the more detailed account forgone by the reviewers for reasons of brevity, and which did not appear in the review (nor in other reviews available to this date in forensic literature).
Commentary on: Srihari SN, Cha S-H, Arora H, Lee S. Individuality of handwriting. J Forensic Sci 2002; 47(4):856–72.
Authors: Saks MJ
Published: August 2015

Although the proposition had never been tested in any systematic way, many forensic document examiners have long assumed that all writing is “unique”—that “no two people write alike and no one person writes the same way twice.” A recent article by Sargur Srihari and his colleagues (1) reported a study which aimed to prove, for the first time, the truth of at least half of that proposition: that the writing of every person is distinguishable from that of every other person. Srihari et al. drew handwriting exemplars from 1568 individuals, a sample they sought to make representative of the U.S. population. The study comprised two major analyses, each involving about 700 writers. Computer algorithms were used to extract features from scanned images of the handwriting. Attributes of the handwriting were compared at different levels (document, paragraph, word, character) to try to distinguish writers from each other.
Genetic Variation for 7 STR Loci in a Colombian Population (Department of Valle del Cauca)
Authors: Gomez MV , Reyes ME , Cardenas H , Garcia O
Published: August 2015

Whole blood samples were obtained from 81—461 unrelated Colombian individuals from the parentage testing routinely done at the Laboratory of Immunology and Immunogenetics, Hospital Universitario del Valle in Cali, Colombia, previous informed consent. Genomic DNA was extracted from 1 mL of EDTA anticoagulated peripheral blood using the salting-out methodology. After DNA quantitation by spectrophotometry, 1—2 ng of DNA were amplified using the commercial kits AmpFℓSTR Cofiler (PE Biosystems, Foster City, CA), Geneprint Fluorescent STR Multiplex F13A01, FES/FPS, F13B, LPL (FFFL) and PowerPlex 16 (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI), following the manufacturer's instructions. The amplified products were separated and detected using the ABI 310 DNA sequencer (PE Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Alleles were classified according to the recommendations of the ISFH (1). Statistical analysis was performed using the GDA program (2). Statistical parameters such as power of discrimination (PD) and a priori chance of exclusion (CE) for each loci were estimated as described by Huston (3). Also we calculated the polymorphic information content (PIC) according to Botstein et al. (4). The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for each loci and linkage disequilibrium were verified using the GDA program. We did not find significant deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium at all loci. The complete data set is available to any interested researcher upon request from the corresponding author.
Inflicted Compressional Asphyxia of a Child
Authors: Kohr RM
Published: August 2015

Compressional or traumatic asphyxia is a well recognized entity to most forensic pathologists. The vast majority of reported cases have been accidental. The case reported here describes the apparent inflicted compressional asphyxia of a small child. A review of mechanisms and related controversy regarding proposed mechanisms is discussed.
Review of Statistics for Lawyers, 2nd ed.
Authors: Dow SB , DeJong C
Published: August 2015

A little over a century ago Oliver Wendell Holmes, then a justice on the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, opined that the lawyer of the future will be skilled in “statistics and the master of economics (1).” Holmes was commenting on the state of legal education. At that point, social data gathered through empirical means and the methods of analyzing it had no part in legal education. Economics, psychology, political science, sociology, and other social science disciplines played no part in legal education (2,3). Most of the faculty who had any interest in these fields and their methods had been purged from law schools (4). Simply put, the emerging social sciences had no part in the law students' curriculum. Needless to say, the methods and research tools of these emerging disciplines, such as statistics, likewise played no part in legal education. As a result, by the end of its formative period, legal education was largely cut off from mainstream intellectual development in American universities.
DNA Fingerprinting of Mosses
Authors: Korpelainen H , Virtanen VV
Published: August 2015

Our study introduces the use of DNA fingerprinting of clonal plants in combination with phylogenetic and vegetation studies as a prospective forensic tool in criminal investigations. In this homicide case, the bryophyte species found on the suspects were identified as Brachythecium albicans, Calliergonella lindbergii, and Ceratodon purpureus. Colonies of all three species occurred at the crime site. DNA fingerprinting analyses were conducted for B. albicans and C. lindbergii, which were expected to reproduce mainly clonally, unlike C. purpureus, and included samples found on the suspects and samples collected from the crime site and other locations. It was concluded that B. albicans found on the suspects was likely to originate from the crime scene and that the sample of C. lindbergii may also have originated from the same site.
Two X-Chromosome STR Loci DXS6807 and DXS7133 Frequency Data in Chinese Population
Authors: Shi MS , Deng JQ , Ying BW , Hou YP , Yan J , Li YB , Wu J , Tang JP , Ji Q
Published: August 2015

Blood samples were collected from unrelated individuals of Chinese Han ethnic group in Chengdu of China. DNA was extracted using Chelex method (1). PCR amplification conditions can be accessed at http://www.legalmed.org/dna/DXS6807.htm. The volume of PCR reaction for each locus was 37.5 L. The PCR products were analyzed by horizontal non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with discontinuous buffer system and visualized by silver staining (2). Data of female population genetics and forensic science were analyzed using POWERSTATS program (3).
Developmental Validation of a Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assay for Automated Quantification of Human DNA
Authors: Richard ML , Frappier RH , Newman JC
Published: August 2015

Our laboratory has developed an automated real-time quantitative PCR assay for detecting human DNA. The assay utilizes an inhouse, custom-designed TaqMan®-MGB sequence-specific probe (CFS-rHumRT) and the ABD 7900HT SDS platform. Developmental validation has followed TWGDAM (1) guidelines and demonstrates that the assay is primate specific, is highly sensitive, yields consistent results, and works with human DNA extracted from a variety of body fluid stains. When operating within the dynamic range of the system using high-quality DNA samples, the technique yields similar quantification results to our current QuantiBlot™ assay with the added benefit of time saving through automation. Furthermore, the QPCR assay identifies how much amplifiable DNA is in a sample and thus has the potential to predict PCR success in downstream applications such as STR analysis.
A Study on Polymorphism at Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Loci D16S539, D7S820 and D13S317 in the Bharias, a Primitive Indian Tribal Population from Patalkot, India
Authors: Biswas R , Biswas K
Published: August 2015

Allele distribution studies was carried out in "Bharias" from the central part of the Indian subcontinent. "Bharias" are one of the classified primitive Indians. They are located in the Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh, at "Patal Kot" that is situated amidst dense forests surrounded by high hills of "Satpura ranges" lies between 22°-24' and 22°-29' north latitude and 78°-43' and 78°-50' east longitude. "Patalkot" is a bowl-shaped formation on the Satpura hills surrounded on three sides by hill ridges like a straight wall thus making "Patalkot" almost inaccessible. The estimated total area of Patalkot is about 79 sq. kms. The highest contours of the area are 3750 ft above sea level. The total population of "Bharias" comprises 2012 members belonging to 238 families, inhabited in 12 small villages, distributed in 23 hamlets (1,2). The different villages within "Patalkot" located at different altitudes ranged from 1950 to 3050 ft
Allelic Frequency of Six STR Loci in Five Colombian Cities
Authors: Duran R , Zarante A , Acevedo ML , Villegas MR , Salazar J , Bocanegra BY , Bernal J
Published: August 2015

Blood samples were obtained at blood banks in large cities such as Bogota, Cali, Cucuta, Barranquilla, and Medellin by venopuncture with EDTA anticoagulant. They were informed of the research and so they donated their blood voluntarily before signing a written consent document. Genomic DNA was extracted by using phenolchloroform methods with some modifications for anticoagulated blood samples (1). The ion-exchange resin method (CHELEX 100) was also used according to the established protocol (2). DNA samples were amplified through PCR reactions using the multiplex kit (CTT and FFv from Promega Corp., GenePrint™, STR Systems, Silver stain detection Madison, WI). The PCR products from the six STR loci were analyzed using vertical electrophoresis protocol; minor modifications were introduced to fit available equipment. An electrophoresis camera (C.B.S. Scientific Co., Del Mar, adjustable CA, ASG 250-400 U.S. version) was used for 6% polyacrylamide denaturing gels in all six STR markers. Then, silver staining was applied according to the method described by Bassam BJ (3). Amplification was made in a LABLINE, 212S-model
Gunshot Fatalities in Children and Adolescents in New York City
Authors: Gill JR , Lenz KA , Amolat MJ
Published: August 2015

We reviewed the case records of all fatalities due to gunshot wounds in children and adolescents under 19 years of age in New York City from 1996 to 2000. The epidemiological profile, circumstances, toxicology results, location, and injuries were examined. There were 263 deaths: 242 homicides, 17 suicides, and 4 accidents. Among the homicides, 96% involved Black or Hispanic and 68% involved 17 and 18-year-old decedents. There were 11 times as many male as female homicides. The detection of ethanol and/or illicit drugs was 56% in the homicide and 53% in the suicide groups. Suicide notes were found in 18% of suicides, and an additional 35% verbally expressed a plan to commit suicide. Most suicides (77%) were in the home and half of the homicides occurred on the street.
Mortality in Cerebral Palsy (CP): The Importance of the Cause of CP on the Manner of Death
Authors: Rosen RS , Armbrustmacher V , Sampson BA
Published: August 2015

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a nonprogressive motor deficit present or sustained in the perinatal period. We reviewed the files of the Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York for the 1997-2001 interval seeking those with any mention of cerebral palsy. There were 26 such cases, including 18 natural deaths, three accidents, two homicides, two therapeutic complications, and one death classified as undetermined. Proper reporting and careful investigation of these deaths is required for accurate certification of cause and manner of death, as well as for adequate tracking of these deaths for public health purposes.
Population Data of the STRs D2S1338 and D19S433 from Northeast of Spain
Authors: Crespillo M , Paredes M , Luque JA , Valverde JL
Published: August 2015

Whole blood was obtained 183 healthy donors. The DNA was extracted following the phenol-chloroform method (1).
A Web-Based Survey of Odontologist's Opinions Concerning Bitemark Analyses
Authors: Pretty IA
Published: August 2015

Within the field of forensic dentistry, the detection, collection, and analysis of bitemarks remains one of the most contentious areas. Attempts at the production of consensus documents have produced documents such as the ABFO's Guidelines for Bitemark Evidence Collection. Despite this, the range of differing analysis techniques, allied with a varied opinion base on the robustness of bitemark conclusions has led to polarized views within the profession. The purpose of this study was to survey forensic dentists to obtain their views on a number of crucial components of bitemark theory and contentious areas within the discipline. Using a web-based survey, 14 questions were asked of respondents. Seventytwo odontologists completed the survey, with 38% being of Diplomate status, 10% had completed 20 or more bitemark cases, and 20% between 10 and 20 cases, 91% of respondents believed that the human dentition was unique, with 78% believing that this uniqueness could be represented on human skin during the biting process. Seventy percent believed that they could positively identify an individual from a bitemark, and 22% stated that the statistical tool, the product rule, should be applied to bitemark conclusions. Over half of the odontologists used overlays for bitemark analysis, with a digital method of production the most popular. The implications of these and other findings are discussed.
Authors' Response
Authors: Srihari SN
Published: August 2015

In response to Professor Saks’s critique we first wish to provide some background to our work. Numerous challenges have been made in the courts against presenting expert forensic testimony on the grounds of whether the particular modality of forensic evidence has a scientific basis (1). Our research group has been engaged, for over two decades, in the domain of processing handwriting by computer (2). Both the legal debate and our research experience motivated us to undertake computer-based studies of handwriting individuality. Having worked with millions of samples of handwriting encountered by postal services we were familiar with the automatic analysis of computerscanned handwriting. We had explored how to take advantage of the individual characteristics of a writer in deciphering an address but had not done, prior to the work reported in Ref (3), a study of whether handwriting was individual.
Two X-Chromosome STR Loci DXS6804 and DXS9896 Frequency Data in Chinese Population
Authors: Deng JQ , Ying BW , Shi MS , Hou YP , Yan J , Li YB , Wu J , Tang JP , Ji Q
Published: August 2015

Blood samples were collected from unrelated individuals of the Chinese Han ethnic group in Chengdu, China. DNA was extracted using the Chelex method (1). PCR amplification conditions can be accessed at http://www.legalmed.org/dna/DXS6804.htm. The volume of PCR reaction for each locus was 37.5 µL. The PCR products were analyzed by horizontal nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a discontinuous buffer system and visualized by silver staining (2). Data of female population genetics and forensic science were analyzed using the POWERSTATS program (3). The complete dataset can be accessed at http://www.legalmed. org/dna/DXS6804.htm
The Forensic Analysis of Thermal Transfer Printing
Authors: LaPorte GM , Wilson JD , Mancke SA , Payne JA , Ramotowski RS , Fortunato SL
Published: August 2015

Thermal transfer printing refers to printing processes that utilize heat to produce an image by either physical or chemical means or by a combination of both. As the technology has improved and the supplies have become less expensive, the use of thermal printing in the personal and business markets has increased significantly. Specifically, dye diffusion thermal transfer and thermal mass transfer have become predominant in the production of counterfeit credit cards, drivers' licenses, and other types of documents produced on plastic media. Chemical analysis by means of thin layer chromatography (TLC) has proven to be useful in characterizing various types of inks (e.g., writing and inkjet inks). In this study, the authors examined 81 different samples that included a total of 54 printer samples (43 photographic prints on paper and eleven plastic card samples) and 27 printer ribbons. A new TLC method was developed and tested utilizing a solvent system (80% n-hexane, 3% methyl ethyl ketone, and 17% ethyl acetate) that is capable of producing excellent resolution.
The Development of Reduced Size STR Amplicons as Tools for Analysis of Degraded DNA
Authors: Butler JM , Shen Y , McCord BR
Published: August 2015

New multiplex PCR sets of commonly used short tandem repeat (STR) markers have been developed to produce PCR products that are reduced in size when compared to standard commercial STR kits. The reduction in size of these amplicons can facilitate the examination and analysis of degraded DNA evidence by improving amplification efficiency. This "miniSTR" approach will permit current forensic practitioners to use STR markers and instrumentation already present in their laboratories and to generate genotyping data that is directly comparable to reference samples and searchable through the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) databases. This paper discusses the development of these new primer sets and presents some initial results in the analysis of degraded and aged DNA samples. A method for removal of problematic fluorescent dye artifacts is also described. Comparison studies in over 100 samples have verified that these miniSTR primers can provide fully concordant results to commercial STR kits and can provide improved signal from degraded DNA specimens. These miniplex sets should prove valuable in the analysis of samples where allele dropout and reduced sensitivity of larger STR alleles occurs.
Modifications to the Silver Physical Developer
Authors: Burow D , Seifert D , Cantu AA
Published: August 2015

The silver physical developer is currently the most successful reagent used for visualizing the water-insoluble components (e.g., lipids) of latent prints on porous surfaces. It is normally used after the amino acid visualizing reagents (e.g., ninhydrin and DFO) are used. This work found that the performance of the current formulation of silver physical developer is strongly reduced when the water used is changed from the usual distilled water to the more purified reverse osmosis/deionized (RO/DI) water. Based on numerous experiments involving the systematic variation of the component concentrations, the performance was restored and even improved by reducing the concentration of all the components (except that of the ferric salt) and by including malic acid in the formulation. These modifications resulted in a new silver physical developer formulation that performs as well as or better than the current formulation and is less expensive to make.
Allele Frequencies for 15 Autosomal STR Loci on U.S. Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic Populations*
Authors: Butler JM , Schoske R , Vallone PM , Redman JW , Kline MC
Published: August 2015

Anonymous liquid blood samples with self-identified ethnicities were purchased from Interstate Blood Bank (Memphis, TN) and Millennium Biotech, Inc. (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) and extracted using a modified salt out procedure (1). The extracted DNA was then quantified using UV spectrophotometry at 260 nm and a PicoGreen assay (2). A 150-µL aliquot of the extracted DNA solution was directly quantified in a Cary 100 double-beam spectrophotometer (Varian Analytical Instruments, Walnut Creek, CA). Low volume micro-cuvettes allowed for accurate absorbance measurements (A = 0.2 to 0.6) without prior dilution of the stock extracted DNA. Sample concentrations were adjusted to 1 ng/µL for typing purposes using the PicoGreen assay values. Fifteen autosomal STR markers (the 13 CODIS core loci and D19S433 and D2S1338) were typed along with amelogenin using the Applied Biosystems AmpF1STR® Identifiler™ kit (3). PCR amplification was carried out on a GeneAmp® 9700 (Applied Biosystems) using 1 ng of DNA according to kit protocols (3) with the exception of reduced volume reactions (5 µL instead of 25 µL) and reduced cycles (26 instead of 28). Amplification products were diluted 1:15 in HiDi™ formamide and GS500-LIZ internal size standard (Applied Biosystems) and analyzed on the 16-capillary ABI Prism® 3100 Genetic Analyzer without prior denaturation of samples. POP™-6 (Applied Biosystems) rather than POP™-4 was utilized for higher resolution separations on a 36 cm array. Samples were injected
Commentary on: Thompson WC, Taroni F, Aitken CGG. How the Probability of a False Positive Affects the Value of DNA Evidence. J Forensic Sci 2003;48(1):47-54.
Authors: Cotton RW , Word CJ
Published: August 2015

This letter is written to correct several errors in a paragraph within the section entitled "Errors Happen" on page 48 in the recently published paper "How the Probability of a False Positive Affects the Value of DNA Evidence" by William C. Thompson, Franco Taroni, Colin G.G. Aitken. J Forensic Sci 2003;48(1): 47-54.
Genetic Data at Two Short Tandem Repeat Loci D9S304 and D10S2325 in Two Chinese Populations (Han and Zhuang Populations)
Authors: Zheng X , Ling F , Dong C , Dong C , Shaojian Zhu S , Kobilinsky L , Li J , Li C
Published: August 2015

Bloodstains of 200 unrelated Han population individuals living in southern China, 100 unrelated Zhuang population individuals from Guangxi were prepared on sterilized filter and subsequently air dried. DNA was obtained from bloodstain specimens using Chelex 100 (3). PCR amplification was performed using primers labeled with fluorescent dye (2,3). The amplified products were separated and detected using ABI Prism 310 sequencer (PEBiosystems, Foster City, CA). The data were analyzed as published previously (4-6).
Commentary on: Thompson WC, Taroni F, Aitken CGG. How the Probability of a False Positive Affects the Value of DNA Evidence. J Forensic Sci 2003;48(1):47-54.
Authors: Clarke GW
Published: August 2015

I read with alarm the discussion by Thompson et al., of the significance of DNA evidence in forensic casework. I was struck by the authors' description of a 1995 case in the jurisdiction in which I practice law. The authors state: "In 1995, Cellmark Diagnostics admitted that a similar sample-switch error had caused it to report, incorrectly, that a rape defendant's DNA profile matched DNA found in vaginal aspirate from a rape victim."
The Direct Detection and Identification of Staining Dyes from Security Inks in the Presence of Other Colorants, on Currency and Fabrics, by Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Balko L , Allison J
Published: August 2015

Laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) is useful for the direct desorption and MS analysis of dyes off materials such as paper. Here it is shown that staining dyes, produced by currency degradation devices, such as those used by financial institutions or armored transport companies, can be detected by LDMS. These staining dye packs are commonly used in bank security programs to deter theft or unauthorized removal of currency from teller stations or from ATM cash cassettes. Working automatically, these technologies release a security dye to degrade the surface of the notes and possibly mark the assailant involved in the attack. These dyes can be characterized and identified directly from paper currency, and from fabrics, and uniquely identified in the presence of other dyes that are used in the printing and dying of such materials, by LDMS. In these experiments, no extraction step is required. A pulsed UV laser directly irradiates a paper or fabric sample-colorants are desorbed, ionized and detected using time-of-flight MS. Results shown here suggest that dyes such as Basic Red 1:1 and Basic Violet 11:1 are used in such devices.
A Spanish Population Study of the STR Loci D2S1338, D19S433, Penta D, and Penta E
Authors: Fernández L , Garcia O , Martin P , Albarrán C , Garcia P , Sancho M , Alonso A
Published: August 2015

The allele frequencies for the loci D2S1338, D19S433, Penta D, and Penta E were determined in a Spanish population. Whole blood samples were obtained from 187-208 unrelated donors from Central Spain. Genomic DNA was extracted by a standard phenol/chloroform extraction procedure. PCR amplification was performed using the AmpFℓSTR SGM Plus D2S1338 and D19S433 loci-amplification kit (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) and PowerPlex 16 Penta D and Penta E—amplification kit (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI) following manufacturer's instructions. The amplified products were separated and detected using the ABI 377 DNA sequencer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Alleles were classified according to the recommenda- tions of the ISFG (1). Statistical analysis was performed as previ- ously reported (2). The complete dataset is available to any interested researcher upon request from the corresponding author.
Distributions of Allelic Frequencies and Haplotypes of Two New Y-STR Loci in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Wang XD , Dai HL , Hou YP , Tang JP , Zhu QF , Ji Q , Dong JG , Li YB , Wu J , Zhang J
Published: August 2015

Blood samples were collected from 109 unrelated males of Han ethnic group in Chengdu of China. DNA was extracted using Chelex method (1). The volume of PCR reaction for each locus was 37.5 µL, which contained 2-10 ng human genome, 1 X Taq buffer, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 1.6 . g/mL BSA, 200 RM each dNTP (Pharmacia Biotech, Sweden), 1.5 U Taq polymerase (Promega Corporation, Madison, WI), 0.3 RM each primer. PCR amplifications were carried out in a GeneAmp PCR System 9600 (Perkin-Elmer, Foster City, CA) with pre-denaturing for 3 min at 94°C, 36 cycles of denaturing for 30 s at 94°C, annealing for 60 s at 61°C and extension for 30 s at 72°C. The amplicons were analyzed by horizontal nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with discontinuous buffer system and visualized by silver staining (2). Alleles were designated according to recommendation of the DNA commission of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (3). Data of population genetics and forensic science were analyzed according to Hou's method (4).
Allele Frequencies of 13 Loci in the Santa Catarina Population of Southern Brazil
Authors: Caine LM , Corte-Real F , Anjos MJ , Carvalho M , Serra A , Antunes H , Vide MC , Vieira DN
Published: August 2015

The origin of Southern Brazilian Santa Catarina population is mainly from Portuguese, essentially from Azores archipelago.
Allele Frequencies for Two STR Loci D9S1118 and D20S161 in Chinese Han Ethnic Group in Chengdu
Authors: Sun DH , Hou YP , Li YB , Wu J , Mao J , Wang H , Zhang J , Ding Y
Published: August 2015

Blood samples were collected from unrelated individuals of Chinese Han ethnic group in Chengdu of China. DNA was extracted using Chelex method (1). PCR amplification conditions can be accessed at http://www.legalmed.org/dna/D9S1118.htm. The PCR products were analyzed by horizontal non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with discontinuous buffer system and visualized by silver staining (2). The allele classification for each STR locus was based on the number of repeat motifs according to the recommendations of the International Society of Forensic Haemogenetics (3), which now is known as the Interna tional Society of Forensic Genetics, ISFG. The alleles at D20S161 locus was named according to Susukida et al. (4). Data were analyzed using POWERSTATS program (5). The genotype distribution was analyzed for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium according to Hou's method (6) and no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed.
Distributions of Allelic Frequencies and Haplotypes of Three New Y-STR Loci in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Zhang HJ , Shen YH , Zhu QF , Wang QH , Ji Q , Tang JP , Liao J , Lin YG , Hon YP
Published: August 2015

Whole blood samples were collected from 109 unrelated males of Han ethnic group in Sichuan of China. DNA was extracted using Chelex method (1). The volume of PCR reaction for each locus was 25 µL, which contained 1-5 ng human genome, 1 X Taq buffer, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 200 R M each dNTP (Pharmacia Biotech, Sweden), 1 U Taq polymerase (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), 0.25 R M each primer (Each forward primer was 5' FAM labeled). PCR amplifications were carried out in a GeneAmp PCR System 9600 (Perkin-Elmer, Foster City, CA). The cycling protocols were: 94°C for 1 min, followed by 30 cycles of 94°C for 30 s, 59°C for 30 s, 72°C for 40 s, and extension at 72°C for 30 min. Typing were performed using denaturing capillary gel electrophoresis on an ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer with laser-induced fluorescence detection. Alleles were designated according to recommendation of the DNA commission of the International Society of Forensic
Characterization of Condom Lubricant Components Using Raman Spectroscopy and Raman Chemical Imaging
Authors: Wolfe J , Exline DL
Published: August 2015

A condom can be described as a protective sheath used as a contraceptive or to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. However, individuals also use condoms during the commission of sexual assaults to prevent identification through deposited biological material. Raman spectroscopy offers a novel approach to identifying the presence of condom lubricant components. Furthermore, Raman chemical imaging expands on conventional Raman spectroscopy to characterize multiple condom lubricant components simultaneously in a manner that effectively demonstrates heterogeneous sample mixtures both spectrally and spatially. Known reference materials, liquid and solid lubricant components of common condom brands were successfully characterized using Raman dispersive spectroscopy and Raman chemical imaging without extensive sample preparation inherent to other analytical methods. The characterization of these materials demonstrates the potential of this technique to become a routine screening method for condom lubricants. This preliminary investigation provides a basis for future studies to determine the feasibility of Raman spectroscopy and Raman chemical imaging for condom lubricant trace detection in case type samples.
Suicidal Hangings in Jail Using Telephone Cords
Authors: Quinton RA , Dolinak D
Published: August 2015

In a three month period of 2000, three suicide hanging deaths involving the use of telephone cords occurred in Texas jails and were autopsied at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas. In each case, the telephone was located within the cell, allowing the prisoners unhindered access at any time. Because of these incidents, two of the jails shortened their receiver cords to a total length of 6-8 in. The telephones were otherwise unaltered, and are still in the same locations. The third jail replaced their entire phone with a cordless telephone. Despite the attention that these cases received, standards have not been set regarding the type or placement of telephones used within jail cells, and a fourth incident in 2002 underscores this ongoing problem. These three incidents highlight the need to provide telephones that, if placed within holding cells or other jail cells, do not provide a possible means of suicide.
In Recognition and Appreciation Guest and Invited Reviewers—2002
Authors: Peat MA
Published: August 2015

The success of the Journal of Forensic Sciences (JFS) depends both on the quality of the manuscripts submitted and of the peer reviews performed by both Editorial Board Members and Guest Reviewers. I would like to offer my thanks to all who have assisted JFS in the review process.
President's Editorial-The Journey to Justice
Authors: Melson KE
Published: August 2015

By its very name, our justice system sets a high and perhaps impossible standard to achieve-justice. Not merely justice in a single case for a single individual, but justice for all. Every time we say the Pledge of Allegiance, we reaffirm our commitment to that very principle.
Allele Frequencies of Two Y-STRs in a Chinese Population
Authors: Tang JP , Hou YP , Zhang HJ , Zhu QF , Wang XD , Li YB , Wu J , Liao LC
Published: August 2015

A total of 74 blood samples were collected from unrelated males of Han ethnic group in Chongqing of China. DNA was extracted by utilizing Chelex method (1). Each PCR reaction contained 2-10 ng DNA, 1 X Taq buffer, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 200 RM each dNTP (Pharmacia Biotech, Sweden), 1.5 U Taq polymerase (NEB, UK), 0.3 RM each primer. PCR amplifications were performed in a GeneAmp PCR System 9600 (Perkin-Elmer, Foster City, CA),with denaturing for 2 min at 94°C, followed by 30 cycles of 94°C for 50 s, 58°C for 50 s and 72°C for 30 s. PCR products were analyzed by horizontal non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with discontinuous buffer system, gels were silver stained (2). Alleles were designated according to recommendation of the International Society of Forensic Genetics (3). The gene diversities, the haplotypes diversity, and the standard errors of diversity were calculated in accordance with Hou's method (4).
Letter to Editor—Autopsies on executed federal prisoners
Authors: Kohr RM
Published: August 2015

In spite of federal and state laws that have granted autonomy for death investigation to local authorities, successful challenges were made in 2001 to prevent autopsy examinations following the executions of federal prisoners, including Timothy McVeigh. In blocking protocols that normally apply to any deaths occurring in custody, the challenges by McVeigh and others raised serious questions regarding the ability for medical death investigators to fulfill their statutory duties. The actions of death row inmates and related legal proceedings, additional political considerations, presented major conflicts with standing policies.