Agius, A., Morelato, M., Moret, S., Chadwick, S., Jones, K., Epple, R., Brown, J. & Roux, C. 2018, 'Dataset of coded handwriting features for use in statistical modelling.', Data in brief, vol. 16, pp. 1010-1024.
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The data presented here is related to the article titled, "Using handwriting to infer a writer's country of origin for forensic intelligence purposes" (Agius et al., 2017) [1]. This article reports original writer, spatial and construction characteristic data for thirty-seven English Australian writers and thirty-seven Vietnamese writers. All of these characteristics were coded and recorded in Microsoft Excel 2013 (version 15.31). The construction characteristics coded were only extracted from seven characters, which were: 'g', 'h', 'th', 'M', '0', '7' and '9'. The coded format of the writer, spatial and construction characteristics is made available in this Data in Brief in order to allow others to perform statistical analyses and modelling to investigate whether there is a relationship between the handwriting features and the nationality of the writer, and whether the two nationalities can be differentiated. Furthermore, to employ mathematical techniques that are capable of characterising the extracted features from each participant.
Agius, A., Morelato, M., Moret, S., Chadwick, S., Jones, K., Epple, R., Brown, J. & Roux, C. 2018, 'Using handwriting to infer a writer's country of origin for forensic intelligence purposes.', Forensic science international, vol. 282, pp. 144-156.
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Forensic science has traditionally focused the majority of its resources and objectives towards addressing Court-related questions. However, this view restricts the contribution of forensic science to one process and results in a loss of information as the investigative and intelligence roles are largely neglected. A forensic science discipline suffering from this imbalance is handwriting examination, which may be characterised as a time consuming and subjective process that is mostly carried out towards the end of the investigation for the purpose of judicial proceedings. Individual and habitual characteristics are the major handwriting features exploited, however alternate information concerning the author's native language could potentially be used as a key element in an intelligence framework. This research focussed on the detection of characteristics that differentiate Vietnamese and English Australian writers based on their English handwriting. The study began with the extraction of handwriting characteristics from the writing of people from the two populations. The data was analysed using a logistic regression model and a classification and regression tree (CRT). Each recognised four class characteristics that were capable of distinguishing between the two nationalities. The logistic regression and CRT models were both capable of correctly predicting 93% of cases. Their predictive capabilities were then tested and supported using blind exemplars in order to mirror casework settings. It appeared that when using their respective class characteristics, the two models were capable of differentiating English Australians from Vietnamese in the data set. This proof of concept research demonstrated the plausibility of exploiting this additional information from a handwriting trace and taking advantage of it in an intelligence-led framework.
Angeloski, A., Gentle, A.R., Scott, J.A., Cortie, M.B., Hook, J.M., Westerhausen, M.T., Bhadbhade, M., Baker, A.T. & McDonagh, A.M. 2018, 'From Lead(II) Dithiocarbamate Precursors to a Fast Response PbS Positive Temperature Coefficient Thermistor.', Inorganic chemistry, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 2132-2140.
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PbS submicron crystals were formed by thermolysis of two different lead dithiocarbamate complexes. These precursors were readily synthesized and fully characterized, and in situ synchrotron powder diffraction experiments were performed to characterize their decomposition. The structure and purity of resultant PbS was examined using scanning electron and transmission electron microscopies, powder X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy. Submicron crystalline PbS was used to create a new PbS thermistor with excellent sensitivity and an ultrarapid thermal response time.
Bedward, T.M., Xiao, L. & Fu, S. 2018, 'Application of Raman spectroscopy in the detection of cocaine in food matrices', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, pp. 1-11.
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© 2017 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences While modern methodologies for the smuggling of illicit substances often tend towards more elaborate inventions, the simple practice of concealing cocaine hydrochloride within food matrices is becoming increasingly popular. This study was conducted to develop and optimize a Raman spectroscopic method capable of identifying and quantifying cocaine hydrochloride concealed within food matrices. Samples of cocaine hydrochloride were concealed within baking powder, cake mix and white rum, with identification of the drug achieved through a combination of manual and automated detection methods and comparison with a digital spectral library. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) were employed to qualitatively and quantitatively examine the collected spectra, allowing for traces of cocaine hydrochloride found within each matrix to be identified and quantified. For each of the solid matrices, Raman spectroscopy enabled rapid, non-invasive, and unambiguous identification of the concealed drug. For the white rum samples, due to strong matrix interference, full spectrum matching was not possible, but presumptive identification of cocaine in the samples was achieved at 100%. No false positives or miss-identified samples were recorded, Results of the PLSR analysis showed potential, however difficulties in obtaining accurate concentrations served to limit the method’s use in quantitative analysis.
Benson, N., Oliveria Dos Santos, R., Griffiths, K., Cole, N., Doble, P., Roux, C. & Blanes, L. 2018, 'Erratum to "The development of a stabbing machine for forensic textile damage analysis" [FSI (2017) 132-139]>.', Forensic science international, vol. 285, p. 161.
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Biber, K. 2018, 'Evidence in the museum: Curating a miscarriage of justice', Theoretical Criminology, pp. 1-18.
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After the conclusion of criminal proceedings, criminal evidence sometimes survives in what is described here as an afterlife. In its afterlife, criminal evidence is preserved in various locations; this article explores the museum as a repository for evidentiary exhibits. It examines the case of Lindy Chamberlain, the victim of Australia’s most notorious miscarriage of justice, and the evidence that has survived since her
exoneration. Drawing upon interviews with Chamberlain herself, and also the curator of the Chamberlain collections at the National Museum of Australia, this article examines the challenges posed by curating a wrongful conviction.
Bishop, D.P., Cole, N., Zhang, T., Doble, P.A. & Hare, D.J. 2018, 'A guide to integrating immunohistochemistry and chemical imaging.', Chemical Society reviews.
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Chemical imaging provides new insight into the fundamental atomic, molecular, and biochemical composition of tissue and how they are interrelated in normal physiology. Visualising and quantifying products of pathogenic reactions long before structural changes become apparent also adds a new dimension to understanding disease pathogenesis. While chemical imaging in isolation is somewhat limited by the nature of information it can provide (e.g. peptides, metals, lipids, or functional groups), integrating immunohistochemistry allows simultaneous, targeted imaging of biomolecules while also mapping tissue composition. Together, this approach can provide invaluable information on the inner workings of the cell and the molecular basis of diseases.
Bishop, D.P., Grossgarten, M., Dietrich, D., Vennemann, A., Cole, N., Sperling, M., Wiemann, M., Doble, P.A. & Karst, U. 2018, 'Quantitative imaging of translocated silver following nanoparticle exposure by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry', ANALYTICAL METHODS, vol. 10, no. 8, pp. 836-840.
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Bishop, D.P., Hare, D.J., Clases, D. & Doble, P.A. 2018, 'Applications of liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in the biosciences: A tutorial review and recent developments', TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry.
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© 2017. The biological function of minor and trace elements is ordinarily determined by their association with specific proteins, peptides and other biomolecules. Therefore, measuring the total elemental content of a biological sample provides limited information, particularly when a specific effect is due to an individual metal-protein complex. Speciation of metalloproteins, heteroatom-containing molecules or other compounds tagged with an exogenous metal can be used to overcome this limitation. A range of chromatographic separation techniques with on-line elemental detection using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have been applied to the biosciences, and each technique has intrinsic features that must be considered when designing speciation experiments. This tutorial review provides an overview of speciation in the biosciences, highlighting the unique abilities and limitations encountered. A selection of recent technical advances and new applications, the challenges of sample preparation and implementation of new technical developments are discussed, as well as the future directions of technology that is rapidly gaining a foothold in the contemporary biochemistry laboratory.
Bowman, S., McNevin, D., Venables, S.J., Roffey, P., Richardson, A. & Gahan, M.E. 2018, 'Species identification using high resolution melting (HRM) analysis with random forest classification', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, pp. 1-16.
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© 2017 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences Species identification is an important facet of forensic investigation. In this study, human and non-human species (cow, chicken, pig, sheep, cat, dog, rabbit, fox, kangaroo and wombat) were assayed on the ViiA 7 Real-Time PCR System (Thermo Fisher Scientific) to rapidly screen for their species of origin using the high resolution melt (HRM) analysis targeting the 16S rRNA gene. Classification of HRM difference profiles using the onboard ViiA 7 software resulted in a classification accuracy of < 20%. Derivative profiles (temperature versus negative first derivative of fluorescence, –dF/dT) were classified using random forest algorithms supplemented by bagging and boosting, with either a randomly partitioned test set or a variety of folds of cross-classification, in addition to a range of trees and variables. Random forest classification with bagging conditions (constructed over 500 trees) was found to considerably outperform the ViiA 7 software for species differentiation with 100% classification accuracy for biological material from humans, domestic pets (cat and dog) and consumable meats (chicken and sheep) with an average classification accuracy of 70% across all species.
Cheung, E.Y.Y., Gahan, M.E. & McNevin, D. 2018, 'Predictive DNA analysis for biogeographical ancestry', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, pp. 1-8.
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© 2018 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences Establishment of national DNA databases in Australia and overseas has increased the number of criminal convictions, yet a high volume of serious crime cases remain with no suspect profile nor any DNA database matches. In these circumstances prediction of biogeographical ancestry (BGA) and externally visible characteristics can assist by providing forensic intelligence in conjunction with, or in place of, eyewitness testimonies. To predict the BGA of an individual requires: genetic markers selected for their ability to differentiate between BGAs; representative BGA reference populations; and a prediction algorithm (‘classifier’) that predicts the BGA of an unknown individual based on genetic markers in the reference populations. The human genome contains autosomal ancestry informative markers that are easily harvested from publicly accessible collections of genotypes with associated ancestry information. A number of classification methods are available including Bayesian approaches and distance-based algorithms. BGA is likely to be continuous rather than discrete and some methods are inappropriate for the prediction of admixed BGA. As predictive services become available to the public and private sectors, there is a risk of results being misinterpreted if an inappropriate tool is applied. Understanding the underlying marker sets, reference populations and classification algorithms is required to prevent ill-informed predictions.
Chilcote, B., Rust, L., Nizio, K.D. & Forbes, S.L. 2018, 'Profiling the scent of weathered training aids for blood-detection dogs.', Science & justice : journal of the Forensic Science Society, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 98-108.
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At outdoor crime scenes, cadaver-detection and blood-detection dogs may be tasked with locating blood that is days, weeks or months old. Although it is known that the odour profile of blood will change during this time, it is currently unknown how the profile changes when exposed to the environment. Such variables must be studied in order to understand when the odour profile is no longer detectable by the scent-detection dogs and other crime scene tools should be implemented. In this study, blood was deposited onto concrete and varnished wood surfaces and weathered in an outdoor environment over a three-month period. Headspace samples were collected using solid phase microextraction (SPME) and analysed using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography - time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-TOFMS). The chemical odour profiles were compared with the behavioural responses of cadaver-detection and blood-detection dogs during training. Data interpretation using principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) established that the blood odour could no longer be detected using SPME-GC×GC-TOFMS after two months of weathering on both surfaces. Conversely, the blood-detection dogs had difficulty locating the blood samples after one month of weathering on concrete and after one week of weathering on varnished wood. The scent-detection dogs evaluated herein had not been previously exposed to environmentally weathered blood samples during training. Given that this study was conducted to test the dogs' baseline abilities, it is expected that with repeated exposure, the dogs' capabilities would likely improve. The knowledge gained from this study can assist in providing law enforcement with more accurate training aids for blood-detection dogs and can improve their efficiency when deployed to outdoor crime scenes.
Daly, C.D., Ghosh, P., Zannettino, A.C.W., Badal, T., Shimmon, R., Jenkin, G., Oehme, D., Jain, K., Sher, I., Vais, A., Cohen, C., Chandra, R.V. & Goldschlager, T. 2018, 'Mesenchymal progenitor cells primed with pentosan polysulfate promote lumbar intervertebral disc regeneration in an ovine model of microdiscectomy', Spine Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 491-506.
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© 2017 Elsevier Inc. Background Context: Neural compression associated with lumbar disc herniation is usually managed surgically by microdiscectomy. However, 10%–20% of patients re-present with debilitating back pain, and approximately 15% require further surgery. Purpose: Using an ovine model of microdiscectomy, the present study investigated the relative potential of pentosan polysulfate-primed mesenchymal progenitor cells (pMPCs) or MPC alone implanted into the lesion site to facilitate disc recovery. Study Design: An ovine model of lumbar microdiscectomy was used to compare the relative outcomes of administering MPCs or pMPCs to the injury site postsurgery. Methods: At baseline 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 18 adult ewes was undertaken followed by annular microdiscectomy at two lumbar disc levels. Sheep were randomized into three groups (n=6). The injured controls received no further treatment. Defects of the treated groups were implanted with a collagen sponge and MPC (5×10 5 cells) or pMPC (5×10 5 cells). After 6 months, 3T MRI and standard radiography were performed. Spinal columns were dissected, individual lumbar discs were sectioned horizontally, and nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) regions were assessed morphologically and histologically. The NP and AF tissues were dissected into six regions and analyzed biochemically for their proteoglycans (PGs), collagen, and DNA content. Results: Both the MPC- and pMPC-injected groups exhibited less reduction in disc height (p < .05) and lower Pfirrmann grades (p≤.001) compared with the untreated injury controls, but morphologic scores for the pMPC-injected discs were lower (p < .05). The PG content of the AF injury site region (AF1) of pMPC discs was higher than MPC and injury control AF1 (p < .05). At the AF1 and contralateral AF2 regions, the DNA content of pMPC discs was significantly lower than injured control discs and MPC-injected discs. Histologic and birefringent microscopy revealed...
De La Hunty, M.A., Moret, S., Chadwick, S., Lennard, C., Spindler, X. & Roux, C. 2018, 'An effective Physical Developer (PD) method for use in Australian laboratories', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences.
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Dehn, M.H., Arseneau, D.J., Buck, T., Cortie, D.L., Fleming, D.G., King, S.R., MacFarlane, W.A., McDonagh, A.M., McFadden, R.M.L., Mitchell, D.R.G. & Kiefl, R.F. 2018, 'Nature of magnetism in thiol-capped gold nanoparticles investigated with Muon spin rotation', Applied Physics Letters, vol. 112, no. 5.
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© 2018 Author(s). Muon spin rotation/relaxation measurements show clear evidence for magnetism in 2.2 nm gold nanoparticles capped with butanethiol. At low temperatures (1.8 K), there is significant spin relaxation which decreases as a function of both the applied longitudinal magnetic field and increasing temperature. The results indicate that there are spatially inhomogeneous electronic moments that fluctuate with a wide distribution of correlation times. Possible explanations are discussed.
Goodwin, C., Higgins, D., Tobe, S.S., Austin, J., Wotherspoon, A., Gahan, M.E. & McNevin, D. 2018, 'Singleplex quantitative real-time PCR for the assessment of human mitochondrial DNA quantity and quality', Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 70-75.
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© 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can provide a means for forensic identity testing when genotyping of nuclear DNA (nuDNA) targets is not possible due to degradation or lack of template. For degraded samples, an indication of the quantity and quality of mtDNA is essential to allow selection of appropriately sized targets for hypervariable region (HVR) analysis, which may conserve sample and resources. Three human-specific mtDNA targets of increasing length (86, 190 and 452 base pairs) were amplified by singleplex quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), capable of providing an index of mtDNA degradation from fragment length information. Quantification was achieved by preparation of a standard curve for each target, using a purified mtDNA standard containing all three targets of interest, which produced a linear, accurate and precise result from 1×10 8 to 10 copies. These novel assays demonstrated excellent sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility in line with the minimum information for qPCR experiments (MIQE) guidelines. Further, a separate inhibition control reaction was included to guide sample clean-up and ensure the validity of degradation assays. This protocol assists the selection and analysis of appropriately sized targets to maximize the chance of obtaining an informative result in downstream assays like sequencing.
Khuu, A., Chadwick, S., Moret, S., Spindler, X., Gunn, P. & Roux, C. 2018, 'Impact of one-step luminescent cyanoacrylate treatment on subsequent DNA analysis.', Forensic science international, vol. 286, pp. 1-7.
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Fingermarks can be exploited for both their ridge detail and touch DNA. One-step luminescent cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming techniques used for fingermark enhancement, such as PolyCyano UV (Foster+Freeman Ltd) and Lumicyano™ (Crime Science Technology), claim to be compatible with DNA analysis as they reduce the need for post-staining to increase contrast of the developed fingermark. The aim of this study was to determine the impact that these one-step luminescent cyanoacrylates have on DNA analysis and how they compare to conventional CA techniques. Four donors each deposited five sets of natural fingermarks, to which a known amount of washed saliva cells was dispensed onto half of each set of fingermarks. Each set was treated with either a conventional CA technique or a one-step luminescent CA technique prior to collection and processing of DNA, with one set left as a non-fumed control. It was found that DNA was still recoverable and detectable following each of the treatments. Lumicyano™ had a similar impact on DNA profiles as conventional CA fuming and with post-stain, however, the degradation effect of PolyCyano UV on DNA was greater than the conventional treatments. For quantities of DNA such as that from touch DNA, the use of PolyCyano UV to enhance fingermarks may impact subsequent DNA analysis by causing allele drop out at larger fragment sizes.
Luong, S., Forbes, S.L., Wallman, J.F. & Roberts, R.G. 2018, 'Monitoring the extent of vertical and lateral movement of human decomposition products through sediment using cholesterol as a biomarker.', Forensic science international, vol. 285, pp. 93-104.
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Due to the lack of human decomposition research facilities available in different geographical regions, the extent of movement of human decomposition products from a cadaver into various sedimentary environments, in different climates, has not been able to be studied in detail. In our study, a human cadaver was placed on the surface of a designated plot at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research (AFTER), the only human decomposition facility in Australia, where the natural process of decomposition was allowed to progress over 14days in the Australian summer. Sediment columns (approximately 1m deep) were collected at lateral distances of 0.25m, 0.5m, 1.0m and 2.5m in each of four directions from the centre of the torso. Plot elevation and weather data were also collected. Each sediment column was subdivided, dried and homogenised. A sample was isolated from each sediment subdivision, extracted with hexane, and the hexane extract cleaned with citrate buffer (pH 3), filtered and spiked with cholesterol-D7 internal standard. After derivatisation with BSTFA+1% TMCS, cholesterol was monitored in the samples using targeted gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. A positive result for decomposition products was given if the cholesterol abundance in the test sample was higher than that detected in the 'control' samples of a similar substrate type collected prior to cadaver placement. Within the confines of the experimental design and the measured parameters, lateral leaching was observed over distances of up to 2.5m from the centre of the torso, which was the maximum distance tested in the study. Vertical leaching was detected to depths of up to 49cm below the ground surface. Such data can aid the development of policies related to plot sizing and sediment renewal and regeneration at other human decomposition facilities and at cemeteries. The density and distribution of cholesterol surrounding the cadaver in this study can also help fore...
Maynard, P.J., Skinner, K., Bolton, M. & Moret, S. 2018, 'Potential application of liquid dye penetrants for serial number restoration on firearms', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences.
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Pace, B., Munroe, P., Marjo, C.E., Thomas, P., Gong, B., Shepherd, J., Buss, W. & Joseph, S. 2018, 'The mechanisms and consequences of inorganic reactions during the production of ferrous sulphate enriched bamboo biochars', Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, vol. 131, pp. 101-112.
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© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Magnetic biochars are implicated in graphene micro-crystallite formation, soil redox processes and highly adsorbent chars. This study investigates the mechanisms of bamboo charring – when impregnated with FeSO 4 ·7H 2 O – at 250, 350, 450 and 550 °C, using thermal and static techniques. Impregnation resulted in the oxidation of Fe 2+ to mixed Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ (magnetite) oxide forms during pyrolysis. A reaction sequence was proposed in which Fe-sulphates were incorporated with an ammonia catalyst. Sulphur became ubiquitous in both inorganic and organic forms, and additional minerals also formed. Stable aromatics and separation of holo-cellulosic and degraded lignin volatilisation phases were catalysed, and carboxylation was inhibited. Concentrations of C fluctuated more substantially, before stabilising at high HTTs. Pyrolysis temperatures of 450 °C and above appear to maximise stable C concentrations.These observations indicated that this treatment may yield agriculturally engineered chars with enhanced redox potential, more neutral pH, and a range of nutrients.
Philp, M. & Fu, S. 2018, 'A review of chemical 'spot' tests: A presumptive illicit drug identification technique.', Drug Testing and Analysis, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 95-108.
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Chemical 'spot' tests are a presumptive illicit drug identification technique commonly used by law enforcement, border security personnel, and forensic laboratories. The simplicity, low cost, and rapid results afforded by these tests make them particularly attractive for presumptive identification globally. In this paper, we review the development of these long-established methods and discuss color test recommendations and guidelines. A search of the scientific literature revealed the chemical reactions occurring in many color tests are either not actively investigated or reported as unknown. Today, color tests face many challenges, from the appearance of new psychoactive substances to concerns regarding selectivity, sensitivity, and safety. Advances in technology have seen color test reagents used in digital image color analysis, solid sensors, and microfluidic devices for illicit drug detection. This summarizes current research and suggests the future of presumptive color testing.
Philp, M., Shimmon, R., Tahtouh, M. & Fu, S. 2018, 'Color Spot Test As a Presumptive Tool for the Rapid Detection of Synthetic Cathinones.', Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE, no. 132.
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Synthetic cathinones are a large class of new psychoactive substances (NPS) that are increasingly prevalent in drug seizures made by law enforcement and other border protection agencies globally. Color testing is a presumptive identification technique indicating the presence or absence of a particular drug class using rapid and uncomplicated chemical methods. Owing to their relatively recent emergence, a color test for the specific identification of synthetic cathinones is not currently available. In this study, we introduce a protocol for the presumptive identification of synthetic cathinones, employing three aqueous reagent solutions: copper(II) nitrate, 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine) and sodium acetate. Small pin-head sized amounts (approximately 0.1-0.2 mg) of the suspected drugs are added to the wells of a porcelain spot plate, and each reagent is then added dropwise sequentially before heating on a hotplate. A color change from very light blue to yellow-orange after 10 min indicates the likely presence of synthetic cathinones. The highly stable and specific test reagent has the potential for use in the presumptive screening of unknown samples for synthetic cathinones in a forensic laboratory. However, the nuisance of an added heating step for the color change result limits the test to laboratory application and decreases the likelihood of an easy translation to field testing.
Scudder, N., McNevin, D., Kelty, S.F., Walsh, S.J. & Robertson, J. 2018, 'Forensic DNA phenotyping: Developing a model privacy impact assessment', Forensic Science International: Genetics, vol. 34, pp. 222-230.
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© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Forensic scientists around the world are adopting new technology platforms capable of efficiently analysing a larger proportion of the human genome. Undertaking this analysis could provide significant operational benefits, particularly in giving investigators more information about the donor of genetic material, a particularly useful investigative lead. Such information could include predicting externally visible characteristics such as eye and hair colour, as well as biogeographical ancestry. This article looks at the adoption of this new technology from a privacy perspective, using this to inform and critique the application of a Privacy Impact Assessment to this emerging technology. Noting the benefits and limitations, the article develops a number of themes that would influence a model Privacy Impact Assessment as a contextual framework for forensic laboratories and law enforcement agencies considering implementing forensic DNA phenotyping for operational use.
Scudder, N., McNevin, D., Kelty, S.F., Walsh, S.J. & Robertson, J. 2018, 'Massively parallel sequencing and the emergence of forensic genomics: Defining the policy and legal issues for law enforcement', Science and Justice, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 153-158.
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© 2017 The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Use of DNA in forensic science will be significantly influenced by new technology in coming years. Massively parallel sequencing and forensic genomics will hasten the broadening of forensic DNA analysis beyond short tandem repeats for identity towards a wider array of genetic markers, in applications as diverse as predictive phenotyping, ancestry assignment, and full mitochondrial genome analysis. With these new applications come a range of legal and policy implications, as forensic science touches on areas as diverse as ‘big data’ privacy and protected health information. Although these applications have the potential to make a more immediate and decisive forensic intelligence contribution to criminal investigations, they raise policy issues that will require detailed consideration if this potential is to be realised. The purpose of this paper is to identify the scope of the issues that will confront forensic and user communities.
Seckiner, D., Mallett, X., Roux, C., Meuwly, D. & Maynard, P. 2018, 'Forensic image analysis - CCTV distortion and artefacts.', Forensic science international, vol. 285, pp. 77-85.
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As a result of the worldwide deployment of surveillance cameras, authorities have gained a powerful tool that captures footage of activities of people in public areas. Surveillance cameras allow continuous monitoring of the area and allow footage to be obtained for later use, if a criminal or other act of interest occurs. Following this, a forensic practitioner, or expert witness can be required to analyse the footage of the Person of Interest. The examination ultimately aims at evaluating the strength of evidence at source and activity levels. In this paper, both source and activity levels are inferred from the trace, obtained in the form of CCTV footage. The source level alludes to features observed within the anatomy and gait of an individual, whilst the activity level relates to activity undertaken by the individual within the footage. The strength of evidence depends on the value of the information recorded, where the activity level is robust, yet source level requires further development. It is therefore suggested that the camera and the associated distortions should be assessed first and foremost and, where possible, quantified, to determine the level of each type of distortion present within the footage. A review of the 'forensic image analysis' review is presented here. It will outline the image distortion types and detail the limitations of differing surveillance camera systems. The aim is to highlight various types of distortion present particularly from surveillance footage, as well as address gaps in current literature in relation to assessment of CCTV distortions in tandem with gait analysis. Future work will consider the anatomical assessment from surveillance footage.
Seckiner, D., Mallett, X., Roux, C., Meuwly, D. & Maynard, P.J. 2018, 'Forensic image analysis – CCTV distortion and artefacts', Forensic Science International, vol. 285, pp. 77-85.
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Sullivan, C., Thomas, P. & Stuart, B. 2018, 'An atomic force microscopy investigation of plastic wrapping materials of forensic relevance buried in soil environments', Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, pp. 1-10.
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© 2018 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences Plastics are one means of disposal of items or remains associated with criminal activity. The surface characteristics of plastic wrapping materials of forensic interest in soil environments have been investigated to determine the environmental factors that have the greatest influence on the degradation process of such polymers. Polyethylene bags and poly(vinyl chloride) sheeting were buried in model environments encompassing different soil types, moisture content, pH and temperature. Atomic force microscopy was used to monitor the changes to the polymer surface at a nanometre level. Over a two-year burial period, the degradation of polyethylene was found to be enhanced by an increased moisture content and an elevated soil pH. The plasticizer content of poly(vinyl chloride) was affected by burial and was observed to leach from the plastic in all environments continually over the burial period. A moist environment was shown to have a more pronounced effect on the removal of plasticizer. A measurement of the surface roughness of plastics using atomic force microscopy has been shown to be sensitive to the burial environment and demonstrates the potential of this technique to measure relatively subtle changes to burial items exposed to different environments.
Wai, K.T., Barash, M. & Gunn, P. 2018, 'Performance of the Early Access AmpliSeq™ Mitochondrial Panel with degraded DNA samples using the Ion Torrent™ platform.', Electrophoresis.
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The Early Access AmpliSeq™ Mitochondrial Panel amplifies whole mitochondrial genomes for phylogenetic and kinship identifications, using Ion Torrent™ technology. There is currently limited information on its performance with degraded DNA, a common occurrence in forensic samples. This study evaluated the performance of the Panel with DNA samples degraded in vitro, to mimic conditions commonly found in forensic investigations. Purified DNA from five individuals was heat-treated at five time points each (125°C for 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min; total n = 25). The quality of DNA was assessed via a real-time DNA assay of genomic DNA and prepared for massively parallel sequencing on the Ion Torrent™ platform. Mitochondrial sequences were obtained for all samples and had an amplicon coverage averaging between 66X to 2803X. Most amplicons (157/162) displayed high coverages (452 ± 333X), while reads with less than 100X coverage were recorded in five amplicons only (90 ± 5X). Amplicon coverage was decreased with prolonged heating. At 72% strand balance, reads were well balanced between forward and reverse strands. Using a coverage threshold of ten reads per SNP, complete sequences were recovered in all samples and resolved kinship and, haplogroup relations. Additionally, the HV1 and HV2 regions of the reference and 240-min heat-treated samples (n = 10) were Sanger-sequenced for concordance. Overall, this study demonstrates the efficacy of a novel forensic Panel that recovers high quality mitochondrial sequences from degraded DNA samples.
Wu, W.-.H., Thomas, P., Hume, P. & Jin, J. 2018, 'Effective Conversion of Amide to Carboxylic Acid on Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIM-1) with Nitrous Acid.', Membranes, vol. 8, no. 2.
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Carboxylate-functionalised polymers of intrinsic microporosity (C-PIMs) are highly desirable materials for membrane separation applications. The recently reported method to afford C-PIMs was via an extensive base hydrolysis process requiring 360 h. Herein, a novel and effective method to convert PIM-CONH₂ to C-PIM using nitrous acid was studied. The chemical structure of C-PIM was characterised by ¹H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, elemental analysis, UV-Vis, TGA and TGA-MS. Complete conversion from amide to carboxylic acid groups was confirmed. Decarboxylation of C-PIM was also successfully studied by TGA-MS for the first time, with a loss of m/z 44 amu (CO₂) observed at the first degradation stage. TGA also revealed decreased thermal stability of C-PIM relative to PIM-CONH₂ under both N₂ and air atmosphere. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis showed continuous molecular weight degradation of C-PIM with extended reaction time. Aromatic nitration was also observed as a side reaction in some cases.