Journal of Forensic Research

The discovery of DNA plays vital role in Human identification is one of the major fields of study and research in forensic science. This discovery was the basis for the development of techniques that allow characterizing each person’s individuality based on the DNA sequence. Individual identification of ancient human remains the most fundamental requisites for studies of paleo-population genetics, including kinship among ancient people, intra- and inter population structures in ancient times, and the origin of human populations. However, knowledge of these subjects has been based mainly on circumstantial archaeological evidence for kinship and intra population structure and on genetic studies of modern human populations. Tooth and several biological materials such as bone tissue, hair bulb, saliva, blood and other body tissues may be employed for isolation of DNA and accomplishment of laboratory tests for human identification. Here we describe individual identification of ancient humans by using short-nucleotide tandem repeats and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) extracted from a tooth as genetic markers. The application of this approach to kinship analysis shows clearly the presence or absence of kinship among the ancient remains examined.

Detection of ethyl alcohol and its origin in postmortem specimens is essential in terms of medico-legal aspects. It is a complicated process to determine whether alcohol has been taken in the ante-mortem period and/or originates from postmortem endogenous production.

In this study, considering sampling sites and storage conditions, we aimed to develop an approach for postmortem ethyl alcohol investigations. Samples were collected from 32 cases. Blood specimens drained from the femoral vein and the vena cava inferior were put into well covered PET tubes with anti-coagulants and urine samples were put into well covered PET tubes without anti-coagulants and preserved at + 4ºC, analyzed with enzymatic immunoassay within five days of specimen collection.

Scene investigations, sampling and sampling sites, specimen handling, preserving specimens and preparations before analyses are highly important for an accurate and scientific evaluation of postmortem ethyl alcohol. There were significant differences in ethyl alcohol concentrations between blood from the femoral vein and vena cava inferior and urine. Femoral vein and urine specimens seemed to be more reliable than vena cava inferior specimens.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic narcotic analgesic available through the prescription of various formulations; intravenous injection, transmucosal lollipops and lozenges, as well as transdermal patches. Over the years, fentanyl has been a steadily increasing topic of discussion in the literature with pharmacokinetic studies, postmortem case studies, antemortem case studies, comparison of postmortem specimens for cause of death interpretation, comparison of specimens in regards to postmortem redistribution, as well as many others. The objective of this paper was to review the fentanyl literature, assemble some key concepts into a single publication, and introduce additional scientific data through retrospective studies from the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner and the San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office that support, as well as refute, some concepts previously published. Our paper is organized into sections by history, dosing, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, toxicity, biological concentrations, postmortem concentrations, and postmortem redistribution that include discussion and data relating central to peripheral blood ratios, and liver to peripheral blood ratios. Overall, this paper “Postmortem Fentanyl Concentrations: A Review” examines over 85 different literary sources, independently interprets scientific data, and draws conclusions with support from retrospective laboratory studies.

Victims of sexual assault must be completely evaluated and managed, while the history, physical examination and forensic evidence collection is almost standard procedures, many of forensic physicians in different countries vary in medical aftercare of the victim. Aftercare is a vital component of recovery for the sexual assault victim, every effort must be made to provide the victim with adequate care among rape victims, and follow-up rates are low in many countries, especially developing countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Many studies showed those who do come in for follow-up have physical complaints and health-related concerns that are related to their assault. This review is designed to assist states in the development of sexual assault protocols especially in medical after care. The issues were addressed in when and how medical aftercare provided as in developed countries such as UK and USA. Such care must be provided and evaluated by forensic physician then refer to another medical discipline if needed, the components of this aftercare include HIV , Hepatitis B, STD prophylaxis and screening in addition to pregnancy control and psychological support .Because it is difficult to evaluate victims who did not undergo appropriate post-assault follow up, it is good to look for victim who undergo under appropriate follow up and see how much they benefit and passed the risk of physical and psychological harm.

The qualitative information derived from the physical characteristics associated with heroin seizures has never been given emphasis. This study seeks to make use of the qualitative data for forensic intelligence purposes. A photographic setup is introduced for preserving the original conditions of the samples. The technique was found to be simple and inexpensive; it is also useful for general heroin profiling. The textures of the heroin substances, wrapping styles observed from the drug packages and the sealing on the package were documented. Upon analyzing 311 heroin cases, it was found that most cases contained coarse structures of heroin which were packed in packages bearing one packer’s seal with rectangular seal-marks. Possible interpretations for the observed variables are also given in this paper.

Ongoing research shows that how hair varies-between species and even on the same animals-and how he developed a database of mammal hair that can be used by wild life forensic scientist to identify hair in cases of illegal trafficking of the world’s most endangered animals. Hair samples from some domestic and wild animals were evaluated in this study. The main hair structures (cuticle, cortex and medulla) were investigated. The guard hair diameter, colour, shaft, cuticle pattern, the medulla, the scale patterns and, root were examined using a light microscope. The current research on morphologic characteristics of animal hair can be performed to provide more information for wild life forensics and allowing for the identification of illegal transport of animals, poaching or wildlife crime, fraud in textile and fur industry, and dentification of their victims, etc. In the present study, different animal hairs collected from National Zoological Park, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India were microscopically examined. Wild life animal species like Baby sheep hair, baby goat hair, bear hair, buffalo hair, cattle hair, deer hair, Doberman dog hair, dog hair, emu hair, flamingo feather, goat hair, Labrador dog hair, sheep hair, tiger hair identification /characterization using microscopic hair characteristics is discussed here. As part of a research project, this paper provides data that allow rapid and low cost animal species identification based on the hair microscopic features because hair is strongly resistant from decomposition and this property makes hair a nearly ideal type of physical evidence.