Converging legal and scientific forces are pushing the traditional forensic identification sciences toward fundamental change. The assumption of discernible uniqueness that resides at the core of these fields is weakened by evidence of errors in proficiency testing and in actual cases. Changes in the law pertaining to the admissibility of expert evidence in court, together with the emergence of...

Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/faculty_scholarship Part of the Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Criminal Law Commons, Criminal Procedure Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, Evidence Commons, Forensic Science and Technology Commons, Law and Psychology Commons, Medical Jurisprudence Commons, Neurosciences Commons, Public Law and Legal...

OBJECTIVE To analyze mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) polymorphisms in coding area and provide a theoretical basis for applying in forensic science. METHODS The primers of 8162F/8483R and 13070F/13299R were designed according to the Anderson's sequence. Using PCR-sequencing method to detect polymorphisms of mtDNA nt8162-8483 and nt13070-13299. RESULTS The lengths of the amplicons were 322 bp and 2...

From a single two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object or scene it is possible to extract substantial information about the original object or even partially reconstruct the image of the object from a different viewing angle.[4] This has many applications in the fields of architecture, archaeology, forensic science and many others. This analysis can provide, in the case of metrology,...

The objectivity of forensic science decision making has received increased attention and scrutiny. However, there are only a few published studies experimentally addressing the potential for contextual bias. Because of the esteem of DNA evidence, it is important to study and assess the impact of subjectivity and bias on DNA mixture interpretation. The study reported here presents empirical data...

Toxicological research became institutionalized in the United States in response to society's concern about cancer and acute mortality. Driven by risk assessment, research focused on the need for data development and the standardization of testing for regulatory and management purposes in a reactive mode. Although the research community has provided evidence for over 40 years that a number of p...

Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Forensic Res Criminol Int J 2015, 1(3): 00013 sufficient attention from the scientific community.” In the opinion of this writer, this perception is reality in far too many jurisdictions but it is not only the fault of the scientific community. Prosecutors, police departments, investigators, and forensic scientists all share responsibility for this ...

Sperm detection can be an important factor in confirming sexual assault in cases of rape. A large number of cases received in a forensic laboratory involve sexual offenses, making it necessary to examine exhibits for the presence of seminal stains. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of the most important methods and tests used in the identification of spermatozoa or constitue...

The psychological autopsy is an important assessment tool used to identify aspects of a person's life that explain any lingering mystery that shrouds their death. In addition to answering questions of the past, the psychological autopsy has significant implications for the future. Statistics obtained from mortality data affect the course of health care research, the flow of resources, and ultim...

Research and development can be classified into three categories: technology adoption, technology extension, and knowledge and technology creation. In general, technology adoption is embedded in operational forensic science laboratory practice but the latter two categories require partnerships with industry and/or academia both to conduct the research and implement the outcomes. In a 2012 surve...