Table of Contents

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.’
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Investigation of Stain Patterns from Diverse Blood Samples on Various Surfaces

Published on: 12th August, 2024

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) is a crucial forensic technique in crime scene investigation, employing the interpretation of blood spatter patterns to reconstruct event sequences and determine spatial relationships between victims and surfaces. This study explores BPA’s application in forensic science, emphasizing its role in establishing links between crimes and culprits, as posited by Edmond Locard’s exchange principle. The research examines how bloodstain shape, size, and distribution reveal critical information about impact angles, areas of convergence, and points of origin, while also providing insights into blood flow direction, force applied, suspect positioning, and weapons used. The investigation delves into various bloodstain types, including void patterns, spikes, and satellite stains, and their formation on different surfaces. To enhance understanding of blood behaviour from various sources, the study compares blood samples from three species: human (Homo sapiens), obtained from a professional doctor from discarded piles with precaution from a government hospital in Laxmangarh, Rajasthan and goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), and chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), obtained from butcher shops in Laxmangarh, Rajasthan. The experimental setup involves dropping blood from a height of 50 centimetre’s and measuring the resulting stain dimensions. This comprehensive approach to BPA research aims to refine crime scene analysis techniques, ultimately contributing to more accurate event reconstructions and enhanced forensic investigations. The study underscores the importance of BPA in modern forensic science while acknowledging the need for its integration with other investigative methods to ensure robust and reliable crime scene interpretations.
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Dental Age Estimation using the Cameriere Method in Different Countries: A Review

Published on: 10th September, 2024

Age estimation is an essential aspect of profile building in forensic investigations. Age estimation using teeth is one of the exciting applications of Forensic Odontology because teeth can survive post-mortem damage, so it is considered more suitable for age estimation. This study aims to estimate the age of individuals using the Cameriere method on teeth in various countries. The approach used in this research is a literature review study design compiled based on the Preferred Reporting System for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines from several articles with a period from 2007-2024. Scientific articles that meet the criteria will be analyzed using the Cameriere method to estimate the age of individuals. The search yielded 222 studies and only 12 scientific articles that met the requirements from the specified articles obtained. The population represents countries from various countries. The sample was in the age range of 4 years - 16 years. The results showed that the Cameriere method can be used to estimate the age of individuals quite accurately in various countries. However, there were some differences in accuracy between countries when using this method.
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A Comparative Analysis of Traditional Latent Fingerprint Visualization Methods and Innovative Silica Gel G Powder Approach

Published on: 19th September, 2024

Latent fingerprints are a common source of information for forensic experts and law enforcement agencies. The thin layer chromatography (TLC) plates that are prepared in this work are made with silica gel G powder. Latent fingerprint remnants are made up of secretions from the nose, palm, and sebaceous, apocrine, and eccrine glands (sweat). However, the quest for more versatile and effective techniques persisted, leading to the emergence of innovative approaches like Silica Gel G powder. The silicon atoms are linked to –OH groups at the silica gel’s surface. A latent fingerprint is an imprint left by direct contact with a surface or object that is not apparent to the unaided eye. The advantages of using Silica Gel G powder for latent fingerprint visualization underscore its significance as an innovative technique in forensic science. The latent fingerprints were developed on each of the several substrates using Merck Specialties Private Limited’s white-coloured silica gel G powder. There are several techniques in the literature for creating latent fingerprints. The emergence of Silica Gel G powder in forensic science represents a significant breakthrough in the visualization of latent fingerprints. The process of using Silica Gel G powder for latent fingerprint visualization exemplifies the precision and attention to detail required in forensic investigations.
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The Gut-Brain Axis: Exploring the Bidirectional Communication Between the Gut Microbiome and the Brain

Published on: 27th September, 2024

The gut microbiome is a complex network of interactions between the brain and the gastrointestinal tract, playing a pivotal role in human health and disease. The microbiota-gut-brain axis (GBA) serves as a crucial connector between the brain’s emotional and cognitive centers and the peripheral intestinal functions, emphasizing the profound impact of gut health on overall well-being. The GBA is characterized by a symbiotic relationship between the gut and the brain, regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters. The MGBA is also regulated by microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and fatty acid derivatives. This paper focuses on the importance of the GBA in regulating gut health and the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions to improve health outcomes. The implications of this research are vast, suggesting that future strategies aimed at modulating the gut biome may offer promising avenues for the development of personalized medicine and dietary interventions.
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