Revolution in death sciences: body farms and taphonomics blooming. A review investigating the advantages, ethical and legal aspects in a Swiss context.

Taphonomy is the study of decaying organisms over time and their process of fossilization. Taphonomy, originally a branch of palaeontology and anthropology, was developed to understand the ecology of a decomposition site, how site ecology changes upon the introduction of plant or animal remains and, in turn, how site ecology affects the decomposition of these materials. In recent years, these goals were incorporated by forensic science to understand the decomposition of human cadavers, to provide a basis on which to estimate postmortem and/or postburial interval, to assist in the determination of cause and circumstances of death, and to aid in the location of clandestine graves. These goals are achieved through the study of the factors that influence cadaver decomposition (e.g. temperature, moisture, insect activity). These studies have also provided insight into the belowground ecology of cadaver breakdown and allowed to develop useful protocols for mass disaster managements in humanitarian medicine. From the results obtained, new scientific disciplines have arisen, gathered under the word "taphonomics" such as the study of microorganisms living below/on a cadaver (thanatogeomicrobiology), and join the more classical forensic sciences such as anthropology, botany or entomology. Taking into account the specificities of the study object (human cadaver), primordial requirements are needed in terms of security (physical and environmental) as well as ethical and legal concerns which are studied in the Swiss context. The present review aims to present in a first part the concept of human forensic taphonomy facilities (HFTF, also colloquially named "body farm") leading to an enrichment of forensic sciences with new "taphonomics". The second part is focused on the mandatory points that must be addressed for a HFTF approach, especially because it requires a specific place to undertake this research which must be performed in conformity with a country's human ethics and laws.

El protocolo de actuación en la atención a menores víctimas en los Institutos de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses / Guidelines for professional conduct in the care of child victims in Institutes of Legal Medicine and Forensic Science

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Scientific integrity in the forensic sciences: Consumerism, conflicts of interest, and transparency.

The goal of this paper is to discuss scientific integrity, consumerism, conflicts of interest, and transparency within the context of forensic science. Forensic scientists play crucial roles within the legal system and are constantly under various pressures when performing analytical work, generating reports based on their analyses, or testifying to the content of these reports. Maintaining the scientific integrity of these actions is paramount to supporting a functional legal system and the practice of good science. Our goal is to discuss the importance of scientific integrity as well as the factors it may compromise, so that forensic practitioners may be better equipped to recognize and avoid conflicts of interest when they arise. In this discussion we define terms, concepts, and professional relationships as well as present three case studies to contextualize these ideas.

Animal Models in Forensic Science Research: Justified Use or Ethical Exploitation?

A moral dilemma exists in biomedical research relating to the use of animal or human tissue when conducting scientific research. In human ethics, researchers need to justify why the use of humans is necessary should suitable models exist. Conversely, in animal ethics, a researcher must justify why research cannot be carried out on suitable alternatives. In the case of medical procedures or therapeutics testing, the use of animal models is often justified. However, in forensic research, the justification may be less evident, particularly when research involves the infliction of trauma on living animals. To determine how the forensic science community is dealing with this dilemma, a review of literature within major forensic science journals was conducted. The frequency and trends of the use of animals in forensic science research was investigated for the period 1 January 2012-31 December 2016. The review revealed 204 original articles utilizing 5050 animals in various forms as analogues for human tissue. The most common specimens utilized were various species of rats (35.3%), pigs (29.3%), mice (17.7%), and rabbits (8.2%) although different specimens were favored in different study themes. The majority of studies (58%) were conducted on post-mortem specimens. It is, however, evident that more needs to be done to uphold the basic ethical principles of reduction, refinement and replacement in the use of animals for research purposes.

Achieving just outcomes: forensic evidence collection in emergency department sexual assault cases.

BACKGROUND: Achieving just outcomes in sexual assault cases is one of the most serious and complex problems facing the healthcare and justice systems. This study was designed to determine the prevalence and correlates of Sexual Assault Evidence Kit (SAEK) completion and release to police among sexual assault cases presenting to the ED. METHODS: Data for this retrospective study come from the Sexual Assault and Partner Abuse Care Programme (SAPACP) case registry (1 January to 31 December, 2015) at The Ottawa Hospital, a unique medical-forensic access point and the only facility offering SAEK collection in Ottawa. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models were conducted using ORs, adjusted ORs (AORs) and 95% CIs. RESULTS: In 2015, 406 patients were seen by the SAPACP and 202 (77.1%) were eligible for a SAEK. Among eligible cases, 129 (63.9%) completed a SAEK and 60 (29.7%) released the SAEK to police for investigation. Youth cases (≤24 years) had the highest odds of completing a SAEK (AOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.18 to 4.23). Cases who were uncertain of the assailant (AOR 3.62, 95% CI 1.23 to 10.67) and assaults that occurred outdoors (AOR 3.14, 95% CI 1.08 to 9.09) were most likely to release the SAEK to police. CONCLUSION: Even with access to specialised forensic evidence collection, many sexual assault survivors do not complete a SAEK, and even fewer release the evidence to police for investigation. The ED is a common entry points into the healthcare system, and this study has highlighted the need to strengthen services and reduce attrition along the health-justice continuum.

Guía de Principios Éticos de la Red Iberoamericana de Instituciones de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses / Ethical Principles Guidelines Iberoamerican Network of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences Institutions / Guia de Princípios Éticos da Rede Ibero-americana de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses

La Red Iberoamericana de Instituciones de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, organización que integra el Comité Internacional Cruz Roja, acordó una Guía de Principios Éticos. Sus objetivos son establecer una base mínima consensual sobre los aspectos éticos del trabajo de la Medicina Legal y las Ciencias Forenses en el contexto regional, así como ofrecer un marco axiológico de referencia para las instituciones y los profesionales forenses. Los nueve principios desarrollados en la Guía giran en torno a la obligación del respeto y promoción de los derechos humanos, la calidad técnica del trabajo, la necesaria formación en Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, el trabajo en equipo respetando los perfiles disciplinares, la independencia técnica, los posibles conflictos de interés, los conflictos deontológicos cuando se actúa bajo dependencia, la confidencialidad y el consentimiento informado. Las Guías asumen también los principios consagrados en diversos documentos internacionales y en los códigos de ética nacionales. En Uruguay, el documento fue aprobado por la Facultad de Medicina y el Consejo Directivo Central de la Universidad de la República dispuso su más amplia difusión entre todos los servicios, especialmente a aquellos que participan en actividades forenses. (AU)

The Ibero American Network of Legal Medicine Institutions and Forensic Sciences, an organization that is part of the Red Cross International Committee agreed on a Guide of ethical principles with the purpose of a minimum agreed platform on ethical aspects in connection with professional practice in Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences within the regional context. Likewise, it aims to provide an axiological framework for both forensic institutions and professionals. The nine principles agreed upon deal with the obligation to respect and promote human rights, the technical quality of work, need for training in Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, teamwork respecting disciplinary profiles, technical independence, potential conflicts of interest and deontological conflicts when acting under a certain rule, confidentiality and informed consent. The guide also undertakes the principles contemplated on several international documents and in the national codes of ethics. In Uruguay the document was approved by the School of Medicine and the Board of the University of the Republic decided for it to be communicated among all services, especially among those which take part in forensic activities. (AU)

A Rede Ibero-americana de Instituições de Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, organização integrante do Comitê Internacional Cruz Roja, elaborou um Guia de Princípios Éticos. Seus objetivos são estabelecer uma base mínima de consenso sobre os aspectos éticos do trabalho da Medicina Legal e das Ciências Forenses no contexto regional, bem como oferecer um ponto axiológico de referencia para as instituições e profissionais forenses. Os nove princípios descritos no Guia foram desenvolvidos considerando a obrigação ao respeito e a promoção dos direitos humanos, a qualidade técnica do trabalho, a necessária formação em Medicina Legal e Ciências Forenses, o trabalho em equipe respeitando os perfis das diferentes disciplinas, a independência técnica, os possíveis conflitos de interesse, os conflitos deontológicos quando se age em condições de dependência, a confidencialidade e o consentimento informado. O Guia assume também os princípios consagrados em diversos documentos internacionais e nos códigos de ética nacionais. No Uruguai, o documento foi aprovado pela Facultad de Medicina e o Consejo Directivo Central da Universidad de la República determinou que fosse amplamente difundido entre todos os serviços e departamentos, especialmente a aqueles que participam em atividades forenses. (AU)

Maximizing the usefulness of hypnosis in forensic investigative settings.

This is an article written for mental health professionals interested in using investigative hypnosis with law enforcement agencies in the effort to enhance the memory of witnesses and victims. Discussion focuses on how to work with law enforcement agencies so as to control for factors that can interfere with recall. Specifics include what police need to know about how to conduct case review, to prepare interviewees, to conduct interviews, and what to do with the results. Case examples are used to illustrate applications of this guidance in actual investigations.

Forensic DNA databases: genetic testing as a societal choice.

In this brief report, the authors argue that while a lot of concerns about forensic DNA databases have been raised using arguments from biomedical ethics, these databases are used in a complete different context from other biomedical tools. Because they are used in the struggle against crime, the decision to create or store a genetic profile cannot be left to the individual. Instead, this decision is made by officials of a society. These decisions have to be based on a policy that is the concretisation of some of society's most fundamental ideas about its own nature and function. Individuals wanting to influence these decisions have to try to influence this policy, within the bounds of a state's own self-concept. This article is an attempt to reorient the discussion about forensic DNA databases from a biomedical debate to a more political-philosophical one.