Forensic Characterization, Genomic Variability and Ancestry Analysis of Six Populations from Odisha Using mtDNA SNPs and Autosomal STRs.

Located on India's eastern coast, Odisha is known for its diverse tribes and castes. In the early days of genome sequencing technology, researchers primarily studied the Austroasiatic communities inhabiting this region to reconstruct the ancient origins and dispersal of this broad linguistic group. However, current research has shifted towards identifying population and individual-specific genome variation for forensic applications. This study aims to analyze the forensic efficiency and ancestry of six populations from Odisha. We assessed the SF mtDNA-SNP60™ PCR Amplification Kit by comparing it with PowerPlex® Fusion 6C System, a widely used autosomal STR (aSTR) kit, in an Indian cohort. Although the mtDNA SNP kit showed low discriminating power for individuals of a diverse population, it could identify deep lineage divergence. Also, we utilized mitochondrial and autosomal variation information to analyze the ancestry of six endogamous ethnic groups in Odisha. We observe two extremities-populations with higher West Asian affinity and those with East Asian affinity. This observation is in congruence with the existing information of their tribal and non-tribal affiliation. When compared with neighbouring populations from Central and Eastern India, multivariate analysis showed that the Brahmins clustered separately or with the Gopala, Kaibarta appeared as an intermediate, Pana and Kandha clustered with the Gonds, and Savara with the Munda tribes. Our findings indicate significant deep lineage stratification in the ethnic populations of Odisha and a gene flow from West and East Asia. The artefacts of unique deep lineage in such a diverse population will help in improving forensic identification. In addition, we conclude that the SF mtDNA-SNP60 PCR Amplification Kit may be used only as a supplementary tool for forensic analysis.

Forensic significance of VOCs profiling in decayed ante- and post-mortem injuries by GC×GC-TOF/MS.

Accurately identifying and differentiating the types of injuries in decomposed corpses is a major challenge in forensic identification. Forensic investigations involving decomposed cadavers pose challenges in determining the cause of death. Traditional methods often lack conclusive evidence. However, the implementation of advanced analytical techniques, such as comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC-TOF/MS), shows promise in overcoming these limitations, but the potential in this area remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by exploring the potential of GC × GC-TOF/MS in the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) changes within decaying ante- and post-mortem injuries.The research emphasizes the forensic significance of VOCs changes in decomposed cadavers. We used GC × GC-TOF/MS analysis to identify the specific volatile compounds in putrefied corpse tissue samples from mice. The GC × GC-TOF/MS analysis results showed that under winter conditions, PC1 explained 57.16% of the variance, and PC2 explained 25.23% of the variance; while under summer conditions, PC1 explained 71.89% of the variance, and PC2 explained 24.49% of the variance. This demonstrates the potential of GC × GC-TOF/MS in identifying specific VOCs present in tissue samples that can serve as potential biomarkers for distinguishing between antemortem and postmortem injury. GC × GC-TOF/MS analysis revealed distinct VOC patterns in both conditions. Comprehensive use of GC × GC-TOF/MS analysis enhances accuracy in identifying and characterizing ante- and post-mortem injuries in decomposed cadavers. This study can significantly contribute to the field of forensic medicine and improve the accuracy of forensic investigations.

Gonial Angle in Forensic Anthropology to Determine Age and Gender: A Population-Specific Analysis.

Background The study highlights the gonial angle as a key craniofacial landmark for age and gender determination in forensic cases. It emphasizes population-specific analysis, enhancing precision by recognizing variations between populations. By clarifying the gonial angle's forensic use, the study offers clear guidelines, improving forensic practices. Moreover, the gonial angle and age and gender correlations are thoroughly examined, offering important information on their forensic relevance. The results highlight how crucial population-specific research is to improving the precision and dependability of forensic age and gender estimation techniques, which advances forensic anthropology and supports forensic investigations around the globe. Aim and objective The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of age and gender estimates using gonial angles. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the precision of age and gender estimates utilizing the gonial angle. Materials and methods This present study comprises two groups based on age groups: Group I belongs to 51 to 60 years of age, and Group II belongs to 61 to 70 years of age. Making use of G-Power software (version 3.1.9.4, Düsseldorf, Germany), the sample size was determined. The calculation ensured 95% statistical power at a significance level (alpha error probability) of 0.05. To achieve sufficient statistical power, a total of 1000 samples were included, with a projected required sample size of 92. A total of 1000 samples, consisting of 500 male and 500 female panoramic radiographs, were meticulously selected for the study. The samples picked were within the age range of 51 to 70 years. Orthopantomograms were determined using Planmeca software (Planmeca Romexis®, Version 6.0, USA Inc.). Descriptive statistics, including prediction classification analysis of age and gender, were conducted using SPSS Statistics version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Released 2007, SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0, Chicago, SPSS Inc.). Results According to this study, the mean gonial angle of males aged 51 to 60 years is larger (124.7370 degrees) than that of females (119.6371 degrees). The female group's mean estimates are more accurate, as seen by the smaller standard error (0.20844) compared to the male group's (0.60998). A statistically significant difference in mean gonial angles between the genders is evident, with males having a larger gonial angle (p-value <0.001). In the age range of 61 to 70 years, the mean gonial angle of females is higher (128.4322 degrees) than that of males (124.0529 degrees). In this instance, the male group's standard error is smaller (0.14968) than the female group's (0.30028), indicating more accurate mean estimates. Once more, a statistically significant difference is indicated by a p-value of less than 0.001, with females having a larger gonial angle than males. Conclusion Our study revealed that the gonial angle of the mandible can be considered a reliable parameter for gender identification. The study's limitation is its inability to reliably identify gender in the subadult population and in cases of edentulousness. An orthopantomogram is a trustworthy and accurate method for taking the different measurements needed to identify the gender of a particular mandible.

Analyte protectant approach to protect amide-based synthetic cannabinoids from degradation and esterification during GC-MS analysis.

The forensic analysis of amide-based synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in seized materials is routinely performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS); however, a major challenge associated with GC-MS is the thermolytic degradation of substances with sensitive functional groups. Herein, we report the comprehensive thermal degradation and ester transformation of amide-based SCs, such as AB-FUBINACA, AB-CHMINACA, and MAB-CHMINACA, during GC-MS analysis and their treatment with analyte protectants (APs). These SCs were found to undergo thermolytic degradation during GC-MS in the presence of non-alcohol solvents. Using methanol as an injection solvent resulted in the conversion of the amide group to an ester group, producing other SCs such as AMB-FUBINACA, MA-CHMINACA, and MDMB-CHMINACA. Degradant and ester product formation has been interpreted as the adsorption of target SCs on glass wool via hydrogen bonding interactions between the active silanol and amide groups of the SCs, followed by an addition and/or elimination process. The factors found to influence the thermal degradation and/or esterification of the amide functional group include residence time, activity of glass wool, and injection volume. This report presents the fragmentation patterns of all compounds that were produced by degradation and esterification. Using 0.5 % sorbitol (AP) in MeOH as an injection solvent resulted in complete protection and improvement of the chromatographic shape of the compounds. This method has been successfully confirmed in terms of sensitivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision for standard solutions and tablet extraction using 0.5 % sorbitol in MeOH. Using AP increased the sensitivity by ten times or more compared to the use of only MeOH. The limit of detection for all analytes was determined as 25 ng/mL, and the calibration curves were linear over the concentration range of 50-2000 ng/mL. The values of accuracy error were below 11 %, and precision was less than 13 %. The effects of phytochemicals of herbal products, tablet ingredients, and biological matrices on the degradation and/or esterification and APs performance have also been evaluated in this work.

An innovative approach for selective and robust screening of NBOHs, NBOMes, and LSD in forensic samples using a 3D-Printed electrochemical double cell.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and two phenethylamine classes (NBOHs and NBOMes) are the main illicit drugs found in seized blotter papers. The preliminary identification of these substances is of great interest for forensic analysis. In this context, this work constitutes the inaugural demonstration of an efficient methodology for the selective detection of LSD, NBOHs, and NBOMes, utilizing a fully 3D-printed electrochemical double cell (3D-EDC). This novel 3D-EDC enables the use of two working electrodes and/or two supporting electrolytes (at different pHs) in the same detection system, with the possibility of shared or individual auxiliary and pseudo-reference electrodes. Thus, the selective voltammetric detection of these substances is proposed using two elegant strategies: (i) utilizing the same 3D-EDC platform with two working electrodes (boron-doped diamond (BDD) and 3D-printed graphite), and (ii) employing two pH levels (4.0 and 12.0) with 3D-printed graphite electrode. This comprehensive framework facilitates a fast, robust, and uncomplicated electrochemical analysis. Moreover, this configuration enables a rapid and sensitive detection of LSD, NBOHs, and NBOMes in seized samples, and can also provide quantitative analysis. The proposed method showed good stability of the electrochemical response with RSD <9 % for Ip and <5 % for Ep, evaluating all oxidation processes observed for studied analytes (n = 7) at two pH levels, using the same and different (n = 3) working electrodes. It demonstrates a broad linear range (20-100 and 20-70 µmol L-1) and a low LOD (1.0 µmol L-1) for quantification of a model molecule (LSD) at the two pHs studied. Hence, the 3D-EDC combined with voltammetric techniques using BDD and 3D-printed graphite electrodes on the same platform, or only with this last sensor at two pH values, provide a practical and robust avenue for preliminary identification of NBOHs, NBOMes, and LSD. This method embodies ease, swiftness, cost-efficiency, robustness, and selectivity as an on-site screening tool for forensic analysis.

Can the cyanide metabolite, 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid, be used for forensic verification of cyanide poisoning?

PURPOSE: Forensic verification of cyanide (CN) poisoning by direct CN analysis in postmortem blood is challenging due to instability of CN in biological samples. CN metabolites, thiocyanate (SCN-) and 2-aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA), have been proposed as more stable biomarkers, yet it is unclear if either is appropriate for this purpose. In this study, we evaluated the behavior of CN biomarkers in postmortem swine and postmortem blood to determine which serves as the best biomarker of CN exposure. METHODS: CN, SCN-, and ATCA were measured in postmortem swine (N = 8) stored at 4 °C and postmortem blood stored at 25 °C (room temperature, RT) and 37 °C (typical human body temperature, HBT). RESULTS: Following CN poisoning, the concentration of each CN biomarker increased well above the baseline. In postmortem swine, CN concentrations declined rapidly (t1/2 = 34.3 h) versus SCN- (t1/2 = 359 h, 15 days) and ATCA (t1/2 = 544 h, 23 days). CN instability in postmortem blood increased at RT (t1/2 = 10.7 h) and HBT (t1/2 = 6.6 h). SCN- and ATCA were more stable than CN at all storage conditions. In postmortem swine, the t1/2s of SCN- and ATCA were 15 and 23 days, respectively. While both the t1/2s of SCN- and ATCA were relatively lengthy, endogenous levels of SCN- were much more variable than ATCA. CONCLUSION: While there are still questions to be answered, ATCA was the most adept forensic marker of CN poisoning (i.e., ATCA produced the longest half-life, the largest increase above baseline levels, and most stable background concentrations).

Improved preconcentration workflow for organic explosive traces in aqueous samples using solvent-assisted dispersive solid-phase extraction.

The present study deals with the development of a solvent-assisted dispersive solid phase extraction method for the extraction of HMX, RDX, and TNT from aqueous samples. Benzophenone and methanol were selected as explosives sorbent and dispersive solvent respectively. Extraction parameters like pH, extraction time, amount of sorbent, volume and type of the disperser solvent and centrifuge time were optimized. Dispersion of 0.5 mL dispersive solution (4% (w/v) benzophenone in methanol) was performed by injection into the 5 mL aqueous sample (pH=7) using a 1.0 mL syringe. After centrifuge, the extracted explosives were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-Uv). The results indicated that the linear ranges with the correlation coefficients of 0.99 ≤ R2 were 1.6-204.6 µg L-1, 1.4-213.7 µg L-1 and 1.3-225.9 µg L-1 for HMX, RDX and TNT respectively. The limit of detection and limit of quantification obtained for each explosive were: 0.3 µg L-1 and 0.8 µg L-1 for HMX, 0.3 µg L-1 and 0.9 µg L-1 for RDX and 0.2 µg L-1 and 0.7 µg L-1 for TNT. Finally, the practical applicability of the developed method was evaluated for the extraction of some organic explosives in water samples followed their determination by HPLC-Uv.

Miniaturized Near-Infrared spectrophotometers in forensic analytical science - a critical review.

The advent of miniaturized NIR instruments, also known as compact, portable, or handheld, is revolutionizing how technology can be employed in forensics. In-field analysis becomes feasible and affordable with these new instruments, and a series of methods has been developed to provide the police and official agents with objective, easy-to-use, tailored, and accurate qualitative and quantitative forensic results. This work discusses the main aspects and presents a comprehensive and critical review of compact NIR spectrophotometers associated with analytical protocols to produce information on forensic matters.

A direct analysis method using sheath flow probe electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (sfPESI-MS) to detect drug residues from fingerprint forensic gel lifts.

Latent fingerprints at crime scenes are frequently recovered using forensic gel-lifters, which can help to preserve the crime scene and to enhance visualisation of traces such as blood or paint. In addition to providing fingerprint ridge detail, additional chemical information can also be recovered from gel lifts that may prove pertinent to an investigation. However, while DNA and metal ions have been shown to be able to be detected in gel-lifted fingerprints, the determination of other types of chemical information such as the presence of drugs in gel-lifted prints has not been previously shown. This study demonstrates the application of an ambient ionisation method, sheath flow probe electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry (sfPESI-MS), to the direct analysis of gel-lifted fingerprints. A model drug compound (zolpidem) is successfully detected from gel-lifted prints from three different surface types: glass, metal, and paper. The surface activity-based separation associated with probe electrospray approaches is shown to resolve zolpidem ions from background phthalate species, significantly enhancing the response obtained from the gel-lifter. A depletion series experiment shows that the drug residue can be detected with up to 100% efficiency after eight consecutive contacts; however, detection efficiency drops to 20% after 30 contacts. The developed approach has potential application to analysis of historical gel-lifters to obtain additional chemical information.

A compact Fourier-transform near-infrared spectrophotometer and chemometrics for characterizing a comprehensive set of seized ecstasy samples.

A comprehensive data set of ecstasy samples containing MDMA (N-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) and MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) seized by the Brazilian Federal Police was characterized using spectral data obtained by a compact, low-cost, near-infrared Fourier-transform based spectrophotometer. Qualitative and quantitative characterization was accomplished using soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA) classification, discriminating partial least square (PLS-DA), and regression models based on partial least square (PLS). By applying chemometric analysis, a protocol can be proposed for the in-field screening of seized ecstasy samples. The validation led to an efficiency superior to 96 % for ecstasy classification and estimating total actives, MDMA, and MDA content in the samples with a root mean square error of validation of 4.4, 4.2, and 2.7 % (m/m), respectively. The feasibility and drawbacks of the NIR technology applied to ecstasy characterization and the compromise between false positives and false negatives rate achieved by the classification models are discussed and a new approach to improve the classification robustness was proposed considering the forensic context.

Forensic analysis of iOS binary cookie files.

iPhone operating system (iOS) devices utilize binary cookies as a data storage tool, encoding user-specific information within an often-neglected element of smartphone analysis. This binary format contains details such as cookie flags, expiration, and creation dates, domain, and value of the cookie. These data are invaluable for forensic investigations. This study presents a comprehensive methodology to decode and extract valuable data from these files, enhancing the ability to recover user activity information from iOS devices. This paper provides an in-depth forensic investigation into the structure and function of iOS binary cookie files. Our proposed forensic technique includes a combination of reverse engineering and custom-built Python scripts to decode the binary structure. The results of our research demonstrate that these cookie files can reveal an array of important digital traces, including user preferences, visited websites, and timestamps of online activities. It concludes that the forensic analysis of iOS binary cookie files can be a tool for forensic investigators and cybersecurity professionals. In the rapidly evolving domain of digital forensics, this research contributes to our understanding of less-explored data sources within iOS devices and their potential value in investigative contexts.

A novel approach using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometric analysis to distinguish male and female human hair samples.

This article presents an attempt to discriminate between human male and female hair samples using a single strand of scalp hair. The methodology involves the non-destructive application of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometric analysis. A total of 96 hair samples, evenly distributed between 48 male and 48 female volunteers from India, were collected. Spectral analysis revealed subtle differences between the two groups, and reliance on visual interpretation might introduce biasness. To avoid subjective biases, chemometric techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were employed for enhanced data visualization and separation. PCA results revealed that the first 10 principal components accounted for 93% of the total variance, with three significant PCs. The PLS-DA model demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity and specificity in sex discrimination from hair samples, establishing its efficacy as a robust classification tool. Furthermore, the proposed model exhibited 100% accuracy in predicting unknown samples, underscoring its potential applicability in real-world scenarios. These outcomes affirm the viability of our approach for non-invasive classification of human male and female hair based on single-strand scalp hair analysis.

Fingerprint Recognition in Forensic Scenarios.

Fingerprints are unique patterns used as biometric keys because they allow an individual to be unambiguously identified, making their application in the forensic field a common practice. The design of a system that can match the details of different images is still an open problem, especially when applied to large databases or, to real-time applications in forensic scenarios using mobile devices. Fingerprints collected at a crime scene are often manually processed to find those that are relevant to solving the crime. This work proposes an efficient methodology that can be applied in real time to reduce the manual work in crime scene investigations that consumes time and human resources. The proposed methodology includes four steps: (i) image pre-processing using oriented Gabor filters; (ii) the extraction of minutiae using a variant of the Crossing Numbers method which include a novel ROI definition through convex hull and erosion followed by replacing two or more very close minutiae with an average minutiae; (iii) the creation of a model that represents each minutia through the characteristics of a set of polygons including neighboring minutiae; (iv) the individual search of a match for each minutia in different images using metrics on the absolute and relative errors. While in the literature most methodologies look to validate the entire fingerprint model, connecting the minutiae or using minutiae triplets, we validate each minutia individually using n-vertex polygons whose vertices are neighbor minutiae that surround the reference. Our method also reveals robustness against false minutiae since several polygons are used to represent the same minutia, there is a possibility that even if there are false minutia, the true polygon is present and identified; in addition, our method is immune to rotations and translations. The results show that the proposed methodology can be applied in real time in standard hardware implementation, with images of arbitrary orientations.

Bitemarks and 3D scanner: An objective comparison for bitemarks. A pilot study.

The marks left by the bite of a subject (bitemark) represent an unequivocal character, being useful in identifying the possible perpetrator of a crime. To date, the analysis of bitemarks is mainly based on the direct vision of photographic finds and on the visual comparison with the teeth of the hypothetically responsible person. However, the bitemark also retains three-dimensional characteristics detectable with a 3D scanner. In this pilot study, an innovative method of bitemark analysis, utilizing a three-dimensional scanner and some software, will be introduced, enabling a quantitative comparison of bitemarks and their corresponding human dentitions. For this purpose, 10 complete plaster models (human dentitions) of 10 adult subjects were used to make 20 experimental bitemarks on dentistry wax. All materials were individually scanned with the iTero® 3D scanner and reworked with MeshMixer software. A visual analysis of the characteristics and a computerized analysis with the CloudCompare software were also performed. Study showed a different trend of the distribution curves of the points which were obtained comparing the human dentition and coincident and non-coincident bitemarks. Current results support that the intraoral 3D scanner allows the fast record and the preservation of the three-dimensional characteristics of the bitemarks, and it allows computerized analyses to be carried out.

Simple and selective screening method for the synthetic cathinone MDPT in forensic samples using carbon nanofiber screen-printed electrodes.

3',4'-Methylenedioxy-N-tert-butylcathinone (MDPT), also known as tBuONE or D-Tertylone, is a synthetic cathinone (SC) frequently abused for recreational purposes due to its potent stimulant effects and similarity to illegal substances like methamphetamine and ecstasy. The structural diversity and rapid introduction of new SC analogs to the market poses significant challenges for law enforcement and analytical methods for preliminary screening of illicit drugs. In this work, we present, for the first time, the electrochemical detection of MDPT using screen-printed electrodes modified with carbon nanofibers (SPE-CNF). MDPT exhibited three electrochemical processes (two oxidations and one reduction) on SPE-CNF. The proposed method for MDPT detection was optimized in 0.2 mol L-1 Britton-Robinson buffer solution at pH 10.0 using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The SPE-CNF showed a high stability for electrochemical responses of all redox processes of MDPT using the same or different electrodes, with relative standard deviations less than 4.7% and 1.5% (N = 3) for peak currents and peak potentials, respectively. Moreover, the proposed method provided a wide linear range for MDPT determination (0.90-112 µmol L-1) with low LOD (0.26 µmol L-1). Interference studies for two common adulterants, caffeine and paracetamol, and ten other illicit drugs, including amphetamine-like compounds and different SCs, showed that the proposed sensor is highly selective for the preliminarily identification of MDPT in seized forensic samples. Therefore, SPE-CNF with DPV can be successfully applied as a fast and simple screening method for MDPT identification in forensic analysis, addressing the significant challenges posed by the structural diversity of SCs.

The smell of death. State-of-the-art and future research directions.

The decomposition of a body is inseparably associated with the release of several types of odors. This phenomenon has been used in the training of sniffer dogs for decades. The odor profile associated with decomposition consists of a range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical composition of which varies over time, temperature, environmental conditions, and the type of microorganisms, and insects colonizing the carcass. Mercaptans are responsible for the bad smell associated with corpses; however, there are no unified recommendations for conducting forensic analysis based on the detectable odor of revealed corpses and previous research on VOCs shows differing results. The aim of this review is to systematize the current knowledge on the type of volatile organic compounds related to the decomposition process, depending on a few variables. This knowledge will improve the methods of VOCs detection and analysis to be used in modern forensic diagnostics and improve the methods of training dogs for forensic applications.

Forensic Analysis of Synthetic Cathinones on Nanomaterials-Based Platforms: Chemometric-Assisted Voltametric and UPLC-MS/MS Investigation.

Synthetic cathinones (SCs) are a group of new psychoactive substances often referred to as "legal highs" or "bath salts", being characterized by a dynamic change, new compounds continuously emerging on the market. This creates a lack of fast screening tests, making SCs a constant concern for law enforcement agencies. Herein, we present a fast and simple method for the detection of four SCs (alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, N-ethylhexedrone, 4-chloroethcathinone, and 3-chloromethcathinone) based on their electrochemical profiles in a decentralized manner. In this regard, the voltametric characterization of the SCs was performed by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The elucidation of the SCs redox pathways was successfully achieved using liquid chromatography coupled to (tandem) mass spectrometry. For the rational identification of the ideal experimental conditions, chemometric data processing was employed, considering two critical qualitative and quantitative variables: the type of the electrochemical platform and the pH of the electrolyte. The analytical figures of merit were determined on standard working solutions using the optimized method, which exhibited wide linear ranges and LODs suitable for confiscated sample screening. Finally, the performance of the method was evaluated on real confiscated samples, the resulting validation parameters being similar to those obtained with another portable device (i.e., Raman spectrometer).

Concurrent determination of cyanide and thiocyanate in human and swine antemortem and postmortem blood by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Cyanide (in the form of cyanide anion (CN-) or hydrogen cyanide (HCN), inclusively represented as CN) can be a rapidly acting and deadly poison, but it is also a common chemical component of a variety of natural and anthropogenic substances. The main mechanism of acute CN toxicity is based on blocking terminal electron transfer by inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase, resulting in cellular hypoxia, cytotoxic anoxia, and potential death. Due to the well-established link between blood CN concentrations and the manifestation of symptoms, the determination of blood concentration of CN, along with the major metabolite, thiocyanate (SCN-), is critical. Because currently there is no method of analysis available for the simultaneous detection of CN and SCN- from blood, a sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of CN and SCN- from human ante- and postmortem blood via liquid chromatography-tandem MS analysis was developed. For this method, sample preparation for CN involved active microdiffusion with subsequent chemical modification using naphthalene-2,3-dicarboxaldehyde (NDA) and taurine (i.e., the capture solution). Preparation for SCN- was accomplished via protein precipitation and monobromobimane (MBB) modification. The method produced good sensitivity for CN with antemortem limit of detection (LODs) of 219 nM and 605 nM for CN and SCN-, respectively, and postmortem LODs of 352 nM and 509 nM. The dynamic ranges of the method were 5-500 µM and 10-500 µM in ante- and postmortem blood, respectively. In addition, the method produced good accuracy (100 ± 15%) and precision (≤ 15.2% relative standard deviation). The method was able to detect elevated levels of CN and SCN- in both antemortem (N = 5) and postmortem (N = 4) blood samples from CN-exposed swine compared to nonexposed swine.

Addressing forensic science challenges with nuclear analytical techniques - A review.

We review the application of Nuclear Analytical Techniques (NATs) to forensic problems for the first time. NATs include neutron activation analysis (NAA), carried out in nuclear reactors for elemental analysis; accelerator-based techniques, mainly Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) for elemental and molecular analysis; and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) for dating of traces of forensic interest by "radiocarbon dating" and other related methods. Applications include analysis of drugs of abuse, food fraud, counterfeit medicine, gunshot residue, glass fragments, forgery of art objects and documents, and human material. In some applications only the NATs are able to provide relevant information for forensic purposes. This review not only includes a wide collection of forensic applications, but also illustrates the wide availability worldwide of NATs, opening up opportunities for an increased use of NATs in routine forensic casework.

Genetic diversity and forensic parameters of autosomal STR markers included PowerPlex® CS7 panel in the general population of the Russian Federation.

PowerPlex® CS7 multiplex is commonly used as a source of supplementary markers in parentage and kinship studies. We analysed a total of 687 unrelated individuals from 94 geographically different localities across all Federal Districts of the Russian Federation and provide forensically important parameters and allele frequencies. The paper also presents results of an intra-population genetic diversity study between the populations of the Federal Districts and comparison with populations from various regions of the world.