Women in Forensics: An international overview

The authors have clarified perspectives for further development of criminalistics in Ukraine under the influence of integration processes of this science from Forensic Science. The genesis of the national model of criminalistics has been briefly studied; a comparative analysis of its content with Forensic Science has been accomplished; and the ways of further development of the system of criminalistics and related sciences in Ukraine have been defined considering the global tendencies of convergence of different models of this field of scientific knowledge. It has been emphasized that the use of the terms of “Criminalistics”, “Forensic Sciences” and “Criminal Investigation” is explained not just by the specifics of terminology in different countries, but primarily due to differences in defining the nature and internal content of these disciplines. According to the authors, the integration of tactical and technical criminalistics tools and methods of combating crime is quite acceptable and not only significantly enriches the arsenal of criminalistics, but determines its existence as an independent science. Such an approach allows us to consider criminalistics not just as one of the many sections of Forensic Sciences, but to single out it as one of the most comprehensive sciences that integrates all other forensic disciplines. The domestic model of criminalistics, in contrast to Forensic Science, represents the issues of a legal nature (criminalistics tactics and methodology), which makes it a science of dual (synthetic) nature. The integration processes observed in the development of criminalistics and Forensic Science are gradually leading to the convergence of these sciences in content. Given this, it is impractical to take further steps to disintegrate criminalistics in Ukraine by separating forensic expertise into a separate science. Otherwise, there will be a complete depletion of the natural and technical component of criminalistics, which may result in the disappearance of this science in general.

This commentary explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic science and its potential implications. The applications of AI in forensic disciplines such as medicine, forensic anthropology, digital forensics, and taphonomy have enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of identification processes and the analysis of digital evidence. However, this rapid advancement prompts critical considerations in privacy, data protection, bias and fairness, and the accuracy and reliability of AI systems. The inherent challenges of the "black box" nature of AI algorithms call for transparency and accountability to maintain trust and uphold the integrity of forensic investigations. Ethical use, legal compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, education, data integrity, standardization, human oversight, and societal impact, along with sustainability are identified as pivotal areas requiring urgent attention. The discussion underscores the need for rigorous scrutiny, standardized operating procedures, and proactive dialogue to ensure the responsible advancement of AI in forensic science.

Drones, formally known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), are versatile technology increasingly associated with many modern-day applications. The advancements in technology have brought about a revolution in drones, extending their applications in various fields, including forensic science. Despite their potential, the full extent of drone capabilities in forensic science remains unclear and limited by a lack of defined evidence. Therefore, this article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current literature on the use of drones in forensic science, while also highlighting the challenges and limitations of their deployment. This review seeks to identify areas for further research and development in the use of drones in forensic science by exploring the key issues. The use of Arksey and O’Malley’s framework updated by Joanna Briggs Institute for Scoping Reviews methodology shows that drones have proven to be a valuable technology in various forensic-related events, including clandestine graves detection, crime scene investigations, traffic accident investigations, disaster assistance, and pollution detection. However, there is still inadequate information on the use of drones in forensic science, particularly in enhancing the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) procedure during the initial phase of a disaster. Therefore, this paper aims to provide insights into the potential applications of drones in forensic science and promote their integration into related fields.

“Slow but steady” is the watchword as one county tackles the problem of too many people with mental illness in jail.

Science, Technology, or the Examiner Experience: What Influences Jurors' Judgments About Forensic Science Testimony?

Forensic DNA analysis has revolutionized criminal investigations by providing valuable insights into identifying perpetrators, exonerating the innocent and unravelling mysteries of the past. Various molecular biology techniques, such as Short Tandem Repeat (STR) analysis, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) profiling, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing, epigenetics and DNA methylation analysis, have played crucial roles in forensic investigations. While these techniques offer exceptional sensitivity and specificity, they also come with unique challenges. This review explores the current approaches of forensic DNA analysis, highlighting each technique. STR analysis, regarded as the gold standard in forensic DNA profiling, provides high discrimination power. However, it is limited in its ability to analyze degraded or mixed samples. On the other hand, SNP profiling offers advantages in analyzing highly degraded DNA samples but lacks the discriminatory power of STRs. Meanwhile, mtDNA analysis, particularly useful in cases involving compromised nuclear DNA, presents challenges due to its maternal inheritance pattern and lower discriminatory power. Furthermore, explore the exciting realm of epigenetics and the analysis of DNA methylation in forensic investigations. Epigenetic markers offer insights into gene expression patterns influenced by environmental factors, potentially aiding in the determination of tissue origin and chronological age estimation. DNA methylation analysis holds promise in forensic applications, providing additional layers of information for identity verification and tissue differentiation. Despite these advancements, several challenges persist in forensic DNA analysis, including the interpretation of complex DNA mixtures, standardization of methodologies, ethical considerations, and privacy concerns associated with the use of genetic information. Moreover, the integration of multi-omics data and machine learning approaches presents both opportunities and challenges in enhancing the accuracy and reliability of forensic DNA analysis. Looking ahead, future directions in molecular biology research for forensic DNA analysis involve the development of novel techniques with increased sensitivity, scalability, and robustness. By addressing these challenges and embracing emerging technologies, the field of forensic DNA analysis is poised for further advancements, offering enhanced capabilities in criminal justice and humanitarian efforts.

This text provides an examination of the aetiological development of forensic criminology in the UK. It links the subjects of scientific criminology, criminal investigations, crime scene investigation, forensic science and the legal system and it provides an introduction to the important processes that take place between the crime scene and the courtroom. These processes help identify, define and label the 'criminal' and are crucial for understanding any form of crime within society. The book includes sections on: • the epistemological and ontological philosophies of the natural sciences; • the birth of scientific criminology and its search for the criminal 'body'; • the development of early forms of forensic science and crime scene investigation; • investigating crime; • information, material and evidence; • crime analysis and crime mapping; • scientific support and crime scene examination; and • forensic science and detection methods and forensics in the courtroom. The text combines coverage of historical research and contemporary criminal justice processes and provides an introduction to the most common forensic practices, procedures and uses that enable the identification and successful prosecution of criminals. Forensic Criminology is essential for students of criminology, criminal justice, criminal investigations and crime science. It is also useful to those criminal justice practitioners wishing to gain a more in-depth understanding of the links between criminology, criminal investigations and forensics techniques.

The omnipresence of images within contemporary society has impacted on how visual evidence is perceived and presented within the criminal justice system. Currently there are no universally recognised methodological principles or practices established that allow robust and reliable forensic evaluation of images. The objective of this research was to elucidate critical conceptual and pragmatic principles for the development of a methodological framework aimed to support the forensic photointerpretation of photographic evidence. Using a mixed method research design, this project explored three methodological approaches, namely criteria, comparative and reconstructive based photointerpretation methods. Case studies, literary reflection, experimentation and evidence-based discussion were employed to unpack and investigate nuanced and complex concepts, values and principles required for consideration when using photographs as sources of evidence. Six key principles were derived from the values elucidated in response to each investigated approach. These principles consisted of methodology; objectivity; suitability; verifiability; specialised knowledge and error. The model developed by this research promotes transparency and clarity towards the process of photographic interpretation as forensic evidence presented within the criminal justice system.

Field-based detection of biological samples for forensic analysis: Established techniques, novel tools, and future innovations

The dominant conception of forensic science as a patchwork of disciplines primarily assisting the criminal justice system (i.e. forensics) is in crisis or at least shows a series of anomalies and serious limitations. In recent years, symptoms of the crisis have been discussed in a number of reports by various commentators, without a doubt epitomized by the 2009 report by the US National Academies of Sciences (NAS 2009 Strengthening forensic science in the United States: a path forward). Although needed, but viewed as the solution to these drawbacks, the almost generalized adoption of stricter business models in forensic science casework compounded with ever-increasing normative and compliance processes not only place additional pressures on a discipline that already appears in difficulty, but also induce more fragmentation of the different forensic science tasks, a tenet many times denounced by the same NAS report and other similar reviews. One may ask whether these issues are not simply the result of an unfit paradigm. If this is the case, the current problems faced by forensic science may indicate future significant changes for the discipline. To facilitate broader discussion this presentation focuses on trace evidence, an area that is seminal to forensic science both for epistemological and historical reasons. There is, however, little doubt that this area is currently under siege worldwide. Current and future challenges faced by trace evidence are discussed along with some possible answers. The current situation ultimately presents some significant opportunities to re-invent not only trace evidence but also forensic science. Ultimately, a distinctive, more robust and more reliable science may emerge through rethinking the forensics paradigm built on specialisms, revisiting fundamental forensic science principles and adapting them to the twenty-first century.

UK parliamentary inquiry reports in forensic science – Plus ça change?

Digital forensic teams and laboratories are now common place within Australia, particularly associated with law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The digital forensics discipline is rapidly evolving to become a scientific practice with domain-specific guideline. These guidelines are still under discussion in an attempt to progress the discipline so as to become as solid and robust in its scientific underpinnings as other forensic disciplines. Influential players, practitioners and observers all agree that rigorous standards need to be adopted to align this science with other forensic sciences. How does one assess the scientific nature of digital forensics with so many independent computing and IT elements combined, and what are the outcomes of each assessment method? Solutions are proposed regularly justifying their use but to date no one international or national standard exists. This paper does not propose a solution but rather explores the concept of Validation and Verification (V&V) with particular respect to digital forensic tools. The paper also explores ISO17025 "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" and develops the testing process to satisfy this standard to allow for Australian digital forensic laboratories to be eligible for certification.

AsbtractHumanitarian forensic action, a novel field of application of forensic science, has evolved to assist the humanitarian response to armed conflicts, other situations of violence and catastrophic events. It is discipline framed by International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law and it was shaped up by the early experience of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team and that of the Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina during the 80s and 90s and later developed by international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Having demonstrated its worth, including for peace‐building, and evolving rapidly, this new field of application of forensic medicine and science needs further development, integration, and research to meet growing needs at global scale.This article is categorized under: Forensic Medicine > Mass Casualty Management Forensic Anthropology > Anthropology in Mass Disaster & War Crime Contexts Forensic Biology > Ethical and Social Implications

Let us now pause for a moment of science!! Technological advances are becoming more and more important in forensic sciences these days. Forensic odontology plays a major role in identifying those individuals who cannot be identified visually or by other means. Various software, such as Windows Identification, Disaster and Victim Identification (DAVID) and automated dental identification system (ADIS), have been developed that greatly help in easier identification. With the development of various software such as Adobe Photoshop and Dentascan, it is possible to scan the dentition of a deceased within minutes. The various post processing software like Adobe Photoshop (Adobe Systems Incorporated, San Jose, California) allows visualization of the data adapted to every possible antemortem X-ray for identification. This review describes the significance of various software used in forensic odontology.

In this article I focus on the trends in security, safety and criminal justice in the Netherlands which emerged from 23 volumes in Dutch on Police, Armed Forces, Safety and Security, Detention, Enforcement, Judiciary, Fire Brigades, Forensic Sciences, Terrorism, Crisis, Crime, Intelligence and Security Services, Crises in the Netherlands, Risk, Integrity, Mayor, Enforcement, Acute Medical Care, Conflict, Fraud, Violence and Veteran issues. In eight propositions I formulate my perspective on safety, security and criminal justice in general and more specifically in the Netherlands. The extent and intensity of safety and security and the way they are ensured are key indicators of the quality of a society.