Early Online (Volume - 8 | Issue - 1)

Why Down-managing Backlog Forensic DNA Case Entries Matters

Published on: 22nd March, 2024

Forensic laboratories face a backlog of case files, affecting service delivery, causing delays. The backlog points to underfunding, poor planning, and inadequate support, hindering deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis. Resolving casework backlogs may initially seem like a straightforward and attainable measure to improve the arrest of offenders and promote justice. Longer turnaround times impede investigative leads, emphasising the need for efficient strategies and a comprehensive approach to address and prevent backlogs in forensic laboratories. No study has been published on the forensic DNA backlogs in South Africa. The article explicitly addresses one aspect of a Doctor of Philosophy study and aims to ascertain the impact of backlogs in forensic DNA case entries. The study article’s research questions included the following: “What cases are considered as backlog?”; “What is the current backlog in forensic DNA case entries in South Africa?” and “What are the main reasons for the backlog of cases involving forensic DNA?” The prompt processing of DNA evidence is vital not only for safeguarding individuals falsely accused of crimes based on circumstantial evidence but also for aiding prosecutors and providing justice for crime victims.
Cite this ArticleCrossMarkPublonsHarvard Library HOLLISGrowKudosResearchGateBase SearchOAI PMHAcademic MicrosoftScilitSemantic ScholarUniversite de ParisUW LibrariesSJSU King LibrarySJSU King LibraryNUS LibraryMcGillDET KGL BIBLiOTEKJCU DiscoveryUniversidad De LimaWorldCatVU on WorldCat

Environmental Factors Affecting the Concentration of DNA in Blood and Saliva Stains: A Review

Published on: 7th May, 2024

DNA evidence has now become an essential part of forensic investigations since it offers vital information for person identification and crime resolution. However, the biological material is affected by some environmental factors which may impact the DNA in biological samples. This may affect the correctness and reliability of forensic DNA analysis. This review is related to the influence of various environmental conditions on the stability and degradation of DNA in biological stains including blood and saliva stains. The common factors that affect DNA are temperature, humidity, exposure to sunlight, and type of substrate. The information is crucial to improve forensic DNA analysis and forensic protocol optimization. The DNA stability and integrity in biological materials, such as blood and saliva stains, are indispensable for forensic DNA analysis. Environmental influences, however, significantly affect DNA concentration and may jeopardize forensic analysis. The present review explores various environmental factors for their effect on DNA stability in blood and saliva stains. While DNA degradation is slowed but not completely prevented by low temperatures, it is accelerated by high temperatures. Risks of contamination arise from the promotion of microbial growth and DNA breakdown by humidity. DNA photodamage brought on by sunlight exposure results in strand breakage and cross-linking. DNA stability is also influenced by the type of substrate used; porous surfaces, such as cloth, are better at keeping fluids than non-porous ones, such as glass. Maintaining the integrity of DNA evidence requires an understanding of these variables. The present studies will help to create sophisticated DNA preservation methods for use in forensic DNA examination. The study emphasizes the requirement of improvement in forensic DNA analysis skills, related to the preservation of DNA pieces of evidence and the possible effect of environmental factors.
Cite this ArticleCrossMarkPublonsHarvard Library HOLLISGrowKudosResearchGateBase SearchOAI PMHAcademic MicrosoftScilitSemantic ScholarUniversite de ParisUW LibrariesSJSU King LibrarySJSU King LibraryNUS LibraryMcGillDET KGL BIBLiOTEKJCU DiscoveryUniversidad De LimaWorldCatVU on WorldCat

What to do from the Emergency Room in Case of Suspected Chemical Submission

Published on: 14th June, 2024

Chemical submission is a crime where criminals use substances to impose their will on victims. A 44-year-old woman comes to the Health Center disoriented in the temporal sphere, stating that “she does not remember what happened.” Her brother, the companion who brings her to the health center, says that he has found her in a place he does not usually frequent. The patient missed a bag she was carrying and could not locate her mobile phone. The patient and companion suspect that she may have been “drugged” in order to rob them. Given the suspicion that the patient may have been a victim of chemical submission, the Emergency Service is called to inform that the victim is going to be referred. The detection of biological samples of the substances used for submission is of vital importance.
Cite this ArticleCrossMarkPublonsHarvard Library HOLLISGrowKudosResearchGateBase SearchOAI PMHAcademic MicrosoftScilitSemantic ScholarUniversite de ParisUW LibrariesSJSU King LibrarySJSU King LibraryNUS LibraryMcGillDET KGL BIBLiOTEKJCU DiscoveryUniversidad De LimaWorldCatVU on WorldCat

Forensic Analysis of WhatsApp: A Review of Techniques, Challenges, and Future Directions

Published on: 18th June, 2024

WhatsApp, a widely used instant messaging application, has become a valuable source of digital evidence in forensic investigations. This review article explores the forensic analysis techniques, challenges, and future directions associated with WhatsApp. It covers the extraction and analysis of data from various sources, including mobile devices, cloud backups, and network traffic. The article discusses the challenges faced by forensic examiners, such as encryption, data volatility, and the need for proper validation of tools. It also highlights the importance of keeping up with the latest updates and changes in WhatsApp’s features and security measures. The future directions for WhatsApp forensics are explored, focusing on the development of more advanced and efficient analysis techniques, the need for standardization, and the importance of international cooperation in addressing cross-border investigations. This review provides insights for forensic examiners, researchers, and legal professionals involved in cases requiring WhatsApp evidence.
Cite this ArticleCrossMarkPublonsHarvard Library HOLLISGrowKudosResearchGateBase SearchOAI PMHAcademic MicrosoftScilitSemantic ScholarUniversite de ParisUW LibrariesSJSU King LibrarySJSU King LibraryNUS LibraryMcGillDET KGL BIBLiOTEKJCU DiscoveryUniversidad De LimaWorldCatVU on WorldCat

Review on Forensic Analysis of Microbiota in Human

Published on: 4th July, 2024

Numerous studies relate differences in microbial communities to humans. The microbiome is fundamental for the human turn of events, invulnerability, and nourishment. The ordinary microbiota has explicit capability in supplement digestion, xenobiotic and drug digestion, upkeep of underlying trustworthiness of the stomach mucosal boundary, immunomodulation, and assurance against microorganisms. Out of nowhere, it assumes a significant part in criminology. In a few criminal examinations, such perceptible changes in the microbiome and mycobiome can decide the reason or the genuine spot of death. The microbial follows found at the crime location can likewise give obvious proof of responsibility. The point of this audit was to study the microbiome and its applications in scientific sciences and to decide the primary lines of examination that are emerging, as well as its potential commitments to the scientific field.’
Cite this ArticleCrossMarkPublonsHarvard Library HOLLISGrowKudosResearchGateBase SearchOAI PMHAcademic MicrosoftScilitSemantic ScholarUniversite de ParisUW LibrariesSJSU King LibrarySJSU King LibraryNUS LibraryMcGillDET KGL BIBLiOTEKJCU DiscoveryUniversidad De LimaWorldCatVU on WorldCat
Help ?