X chromosome short-tandem repeats (X-STR) assays are helpful in complex kinship testing cases where autosomal and Y chromosome analyses convey little information. Their application has distinct advantages in mother-son and father-daughter kinship testing. Paternal relatives can be tested even in cases of deficiency paternity [1]. The purpose of this study was to create an allele frequency datab...

This paper represents a discussion of the fundamental principles of DNA technology as it applies to forensic testing. A brief overview of DNA science will be given to clarify the terminology and techniques described for forensic and basic analysis. A historical as well as scientific discussion of the molecular biological tools used to determine DNA profiles and database analysis following such ...

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 Academi...

Manuscripts prepared in accordance with Guide for authors should be sent to the editor-in-chief or to one of the national editors. Submission of articles Official journal of the Danish, the Norwegian and the Swedish societies for forensic medicine. The journal will publish original articles, review articles, preliminary communications, letters to the editor and case reports in the different dis...

In 2009, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences published a report on the status of forensic science, identifying what they found to be disciplines of forensic science that lacked appropriate scientific basis. Those areas of forensic science, including fingerprints, firearms examination, crime scene reconstruction, bloodstain pattern interpretation, hair comparisons, odontology, and others, were...

Forensic science education is a rapidly expanding field with several universities adding degrees in many forensic science disciplines. Concurrently, with this expansion is a new push for forensic science education in the secondary schools. This generation of students is also very adept at computer generated environments. The logical progression is therefore to provide students and instructors w...

The analysis of substances of abuse remains one of the most matured areas in forensic science with a strong scientific basis, namely analytical chemistry. The current evolving drug markets, characterized by the global emergence of new psychoactive substances (NPS) and the need for forensic scientists to identify an unprecedented and ever-increasing number of NPS, presents a unique challenge to ...