Metallographic Etching of Aluminium and Its Alloys for Restoration of Obliterated Marks in Forensic Science Practice and Investigations

Abstract. In 2009, the National Research Council (NRC) globally criticized forensic science and, in particular, the potential for contextual bias to increase errors in forensic examination. Nevertheless, very few research-based solutions have been proposed and, of the current recommendations, none are consistently used in practice. Two experiments are presented here. Experiment 1 replicates and extends the Quigley-McBride and Wells (2018) study in which fingerprint lineups (the Filler-Control Procedure) were shown to neutralize the effect of contextual information on novice fingerprint evaluations. Experiment 2 demonstrates that restricting the use of evidence lineups to verification decisions would also be effective for reducing incorrect match decisions without straining resources. In both experiments, the filler-control procedure consistently reduced the effect of suggestive contextual information and protected innocent suspect prints from being mistakenly matched to crime samples. Interdisciplinary approaches are discussed as a way to help close the gap between research and forensic science practice.

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New psychoactive substances: catalysing a shift in forensic science practice?

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2014.0265 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 370 (1674) ◽

pp. 20140265 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Justice Tettey ◽

Conor Crean

Keyword(s):

Forensic Science ◽

Scientific Basis ◽

Current Situation ◽

New Psychoactive Substances ◽

Psychoactive Substances ◽

Science Practice ◽

Unique Challenge ◽

Effective Policy ◽

Forensic Scientists ◽

Substances Of Abuse

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 this discipline. This article looks at the current situation with NPS at the global level, and the challenges posed to the otherwise technically robust forensic science discipline of analysis of substances of abuse. It discusses the preparedness of forensic science to deal with the current situation and identifies the need for a shift in forensic science practice, especially one which embraces research and looks beyond normal casework in order to provide the much needed data for developing effective policy responses to the NPS problem.

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The Impact of Māori Cultural Values on Forensic Science Practice in New Zealand

Journal of Forensic Sciences ◽

10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00661.x ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 380-383 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Maui L. Hudson ◽

Christine A. Allan ◽

Keith R. Bedford ◽

John S. Buckleton ◽

Keriata Stuart

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Forensic Science ◽

Cultural Values ◽

Science Practice ◽

The Impact

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International Science & Practice Conference of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Science

Theory and Practice of Forensic Science ◽

10.30764/1819-2785-2017-12-3-122-124 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 122-124

Author(s):

S. A. Smirnova ◽

G. G. Omel'yanyuk ◽

S. A. Kuz’min

Keyword(s):

Forensic Science ◽

Science Practice

The paper presents the outcomes of the International Science & Practice Conference of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Science that took place June 5–9, 2017, in Edinburgh, Scotland

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Sem/X-Ray Applications to the Forensic Science Field

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100091937 ◽

1976 ◽

Vol 34 ◽

pp. 390-391

Author(s):

K. Culbreth

Keyword(s):

Forensic Science ◽

Depth Of Field ◽

Surface Phenomena ◽

Criminal Cases ◽

Forensic Evidence ◽

Science Field ◽

X Ray ◽

Hit And Run ◽

Evaluation Of Evidence ◽

Scanning Electron

The introduction of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis to forensic science has provided additional methods by which investigative evidence can be analyzed. The importance of evidence from the scene of a crime or from the personal belongings of a victim and suspect has resulted in the development and evaluation of SEM/x-ray analysis applications to various types of forensic evidence. The intent of this paper is to describe some of these applications and to relate their importance to the investigation of criminal cases.The depth of field and high resolution of the SEM are an asset to the evaluation of evidence with respect to surface phenomena and physical matches (1). Fig. 1 shows a Phillips screw which has been reconstructed after the head and shank were separated during a hit-and-run accident.

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Forensic Identifications Aided by Scanning Electron Microscopy of Silicone-Epoxy Microreplicas of Calcified and Cornified Structures

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100117017 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 33 ◽

pp. 678-679 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

R.F. Sognnaes

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

Forensic Science ◽

George Washington ◽

Epithelial Surface ◽

Extended Application ◽

Tissue Surfaces ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Scanning Electron ◽

Surface Changes

Sufficient experience has been gained during the past five years to suggest an extended application of microreplication and scanning electron microscopy to problems of forensic science. The author's research was originally initiated with a view to develop a non-destructive method for identification of materials that went into objects of art, notably ivory and ivories. This was followed by a very specific application to the identification and duplication of the kinds of materials from animal teeth and tusks which two centuries ago went into the fabrication of the ivory dentures of George Washington. Subsequently it became apparent that a similar method of microreplication and SEM examination offered promise for a whole series of problems pertinent to art, technology and science. Furthermore, what began primarily as an application to solid substances has turned out to be similarly applicable to soft tissue surfaces such as mucous membranes and skin, even in cases of acute, chronic and precancerous epithelial surface changes, and to post-mortem identification of specific structures pertinent to forensic science.

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