Abstract Background and objective Scientific methods and technologies are growing rapidly in the 21st century. However, natural catastrophes, mass disasters and criminal activities continue to persist in human society. In these situations, identification of the deceased proves to be a challenging task for medico-legal professionals, as in many such cases, dead bodies are highly fragmented, mutilated, and are not in a situation of being identified by facial and external body features. If adequate ante-mortem (AM) and post-mortem (PM) data are available, the techniques of forensic odontology may contribute greatly to the identification of the deceased. The present narrative review highlights the importance of digital methods over conventional methods used in forensic odontology and the importance of dental remains in personal identification. Main body Exploring this application, literature was searched from “PubMed”, “PubMed Central”, “Scopus” and “Web of Science” using relevant keywords. The relevant publications were further scrutinized and included in the present review. Traditional methods of dental data collection have a number of inherent issues, including poor and incomplete documentation of dental charting, written dental records, and dental profiles, the use of local language in recording the dental profile, and the use of different or non-standardized terminology that may be difficult for a forensic anthropologist or odontologist to understand. These issues may pose a significant challenge in understanding the AM data available at the time of comparison, ultimately delaying the identification process. The digital techniques and artificial intelligence have the potential to substantially enhance the quality of forensic examination by improving the efficiency, accessibility, and interoperability of records. In mass disaster cases with high casualties, digital techniques facilitate the rapid and seamless cross-border transfer of victim data that greatly accelerates the identification process. Conclusion The practical application of advances in artificial intelligence (AI) is playing an important role in improving the analysis of digital dental evidence, resulting in greater accuracy, efficiency, and reliability in forensic investigations. Digital techniques such as 2D and 3D superimposition methods, digital radiographs, and 3D surface scans, may solve the problems of conventional methods.
Emergency departments (ED) are often the first place in hospitals where medicolegal (ML) cases are handled, underscoring the need for emergency physicians (EP) to identify and manage such cases. This study evaluated EPs’ practices regarding notification of legal authorities, documentation, and evidence collection in suspected ML cases. The study aimed to identify attitudes of EP regarding the management of these cases and the factors associated with high-quality practices. This cross-sectional study used a validated questionnaire distributed to EP working at a tertiary university emergency hospital. The questionnaire included questions about demographics, previous experience, workload, notification of legal authorities, documentation, evidence collection, and expectations and needs of EP when dealing with emergency ML cases. Most EP reported receiving limited training in ML report writing (70.41
Abstract Background Diethylene glycol is a toxic industrial solvent with no therapeutic application, yet it continues to contaminate pharmaceutical syrups through adulteration of excipients such as glycerin and propylene glycol. Its low cost and visual indistinguishability from pharmaceutical-grade solvents make substitution easy, whether deliberate or due to inadequate quality control. Paediatric populations are disproportionately affected, as children frequently receive cough and antipyretic syrups during illness, administered by parents in good faith and unaware of contamination. Main body After ingestion, Diethylene glycol is metabolised into toxic compounds that cause severe metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, neurological impairment, and death. Since the 1937 Elixir Sulfanilamide disaster, recurrent mass poisoning outbreaks have been documented globally, including recent incidents in India notably in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, including the Chhindwara case, which exposed child fatalities linked to contaminated syrups and highlighted persistent regulatory failures. This review examines the toxicokinetics of diethylene glycol poisoning, its clinical manifestations in children, and documents both global and Indian outbreak incidents. It further analyses the systemic causes underlying recurring events, such as inadequate raw material verification, supply-chain lapses, and economic incentives driving adulteration. Detection involves analysis of raw materials, finished syrups, biological samples using gas chromatography, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Simple low-cost colorimetric assays and rapid screening tests offer effective preliminary detection before confirmatory analysis. Conclusion Diethylene glycol contamination of pharmaceutical syrups represents a preventable yet recurring public health crisis, driven by regulatory gaps and economic pressures within pharmaceutical supply chains. Protecting paediatric populations requires strict enforcement of raw material standards, mandatory testing at multiple stages of production, and affordable routine screening protocols particularly in resource-limited settings where oversight is weakest.
Abstract Background Ethiopia is renowned for its pivotal role in the origin and evolution of humanity, with its rich hominid fossil records and unique geological features offering critical insights into early human development. However, genetic studies focusing on the structure and forensic characteristics of the Addis Ababa population in Ethiopia (AAE) remain sparse. Results A total of 378 short tandem repeat (STR) alleles were observed in 605 unrelated individuals from the AAE, with allelic frequencies ranging from 0.0008 to 0.4678. All loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The SE33 locus exhibited the highest power of discrimination (PD = 0.993), while D22S1045 showed the lowest PD (0.86623). The combined power of discrimination (> 0.999999999), combined power of exclusion (> 0.999999999), and combined match probability (3.33707 × 10 − 19 ) of 24 STR loci, suggest that they are highly polymorphic and suitable for forensic individual identification and paternity testing. Furthermore, population genetic analysis revealed that the AAE had a closer relationship with African populations and affected by West Eurasian migration as well. Conclusions Our findings showed that the 24 STR loci panel possessed high polymorphism, which could serve as a reference STR database for forensic applications and population genetics study for the AAE population.
Abstract Background This study aimed to develop and evaluate supervised machine learning models for sex prediction using morphometric measurements of the mental foramen obtained from digital panoramic radiographs. A total of 535 individuals (45.5% male and 54.5% female) were included. Seven linear measurements related to the position of the mental foramen were collected and initially screened through univariate analysis. Variables showing statistically significant differences between sexes were used as input features to train several classification algorithms. Model optimization was performed using grid search combined with five-fold cross-validation, and performance was assessed using accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and Area Under the ROC Curve, with 95% confidence intervals estimated via bootstrapping. Results All mental foramen–related measurements showed statistically significant differences between sexes (p < 0.001), with moderate to high effect sizes, particularly for distances relative to the inferior border of the mandible. Among the evaluated algorithms, the K-Nearest Neighbors and Support Vector Machine models achieved the best performance. On test data, the K-Nearest Neighbors model reached an accuracy of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68–0.81), precision of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68–0.81), and an AUC of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.70–0.85). Similarly, the Support Vector Machine achieved an accuracy of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63–0.78), precision of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63–0.78), and an AUC of 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71–0.86). Model performance remained consistent during cross-validation, suggesting stable performance across partitions. Conclusion The machine learning models developed were able to identify morphometric patterns of the mental foramen associated with sexual dimorphism, showing consistent performance across testing and cross-validation phases. These findings suggest that machine learning can be applied to sex prediction based on mental foramen measurements, serving as an auxiliary tool in forensic dentistry, particularly in scenarios where dental references are unavailable.
Accurate dental age estimation is essential in forensic anthropology, particularly for victim identification in mass disasters, assessment of unidentified remains, and age determination in living individuals lacking proper documentation. Nolla and Haavikko methods are widely employed techniques based on tooth development stages, yet their applicability varies across populations, and their direct application without local validation may introduce systematic bias. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and applicability of Nolla and Haavikko methods for dental age estimation in Egyptian children from dental radiographs and to determine which technique is more suitable for use in this population. Panoramic radiographs from 218 Egyptian children aged 6–16 years (106 males, 112 females) were analyzed. Nolla method was applied to all 218 radiographs, whereas Haavikko method was applied to 169 children aged 6–14 years, consistent with the original developmental parameters of each method. Paired t-tests and Spearman correlation were used to compare dental and chronological ages across sex and age groups. Both methods demonstrated strong positive correlations between chronological and dental ages. Nolla method (n = 218, ages 6–16) showed excellent overall agreement with negligible mean difference (0.03 years, p = 0.713) and non-significant differences in both males (-0.10 years, p = 0.275) and females (0.15 years, p = 0.187). In contrast, Haavikko method (n = 169, ages 6–14 years) significantly underestimated chronological age in the total sample (-0.49 years, p < 0.001), with greater bias in females (-0.58 years, p < 0.001) than males (-0.41 years, p < 0.001). At the ± 1.00-year tolerance threshold, Nolla method demonstrated superior accuracy (80.7
Sex estimation by forensic investigators can be enhanced through the use of artificial intelligence, which has shown considerable promise in the interpretation of medical images. This study introduces a novel multimodal deep learning framework that combines chest radiographic features with manually annotated anatomical landmarks, enabling more accurate sex prediction. This retrospective study included chest radiographs from 563 Egyptian patients obtained from the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. A custom deep convolutional neural network was developed comprising two parallel branches: (1) an image-processing branch utilizing residual convolutional blocks with batch normalization, skip connections, max pooling, global average pooling, and fully connected layers; and (2) an anatomy branch processing 45 structured anatomical features derived from one JSON annotation file. Features from both branches were fused through concatenation and classified using fully connected layers with dropout regularization and a sigmoid output layer. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 83
Accurate sex estimation from skeletal remains is fundamental to forensic identification, yet fragmented or incomplete bones often hinder this process. This study evaluates the morphometric utility of the tibia for sex estimation, to establish population-specific standards for a Thai sample (N = 200). Emphasis was placed on validating the tibial tuberosity (TT) as a novel variable for assessing fragmentary remains. Nine variables were measured with digital caliper and osteometric board and measuring tape. Statistical analyses included paired-sample and independent t-tests to assess bilateral differences and sexual dimorphism. Multivariate and univariate sex-estimation equations were developed using both direct and stepwise discriminant function analysis (DFA). The performance of these models was further validated using an independent holdout sample. Measurement reliability was also rigorously evaluated using the Technical Error of Measurement (TEM) and coefficient of reliability (R). All variables exhibited highly significant sexual dimorphism (p < 0.01) with no significant bilateral asymmetry. Multivariate DFA equations showed very-high accuracy, complete tibia variables achieved 99.5
Abstract Background Unknown deceased, unrecognizable bodies (either decomposed or mutilated) are often encountered in mass disasters, crime scene investigations and forensic examinations. The cases may pertain to suicides, homicides, airplane crashes, mass murders, fire, explosion, train accidents, and natural disasters, etc. In these cases, identification is a significant step and a challenging task for the forensic team. The identification is primarily conducted by recognizing facial features. However, in these cases, the face of the deceased is often mutilated or dismembered, which renders it unidentifiable. In such cases, other reliable features of identification may be used for identification purposes. Main body Tattoo marks hold significant potential in such scenarios. The tattoo marks are generally found to be associated with an individual’s age, sex, ethnicity, geographical area of origin, ancestry, individual’s likes/dislikes, personal preference, psychological status, perspectives towards society, social status, and religious beliefs. Further, tattoo marks may have unique information, e.g., individual’s name (initial letters, sign, or full name), individual’s relative name, or loved one’s name. This information, retrieved from tattoo marks, is beneficial in generating the biological profile of the individual/deceased, which may lead to identification. Conclusion Addressing the potential of tattoo marks in personal identification and disaster victim identification (DVI), the present review attempts to enlighten the importance of tattoo marks in the identification of the dead, especially the clues regarding the sex, ethnicity and behavioral characteristics that may provide leads in medico-legal investigation by narrowing down the number of suspects.
Postmortem computed tomography plays an important role in modern forensic investigations, particularly in disaster victim identification, where flexible and deployable imaging solutions are required. However, the use of whole-body postmortem computed tomography remains limited by the infrastructure demands of conventional computed tomography systems. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a standardized whole-body imaging protocol for a mobile cone-beam computed tomography system. A dedicated protocol was established in collaboration with the manufacturer through an iterative development process, including dose modulation, infrared tracking, and automated image stitching. The finalized protocol was applied in ten forensic cases. Sequential acquisitions along the longitudinal body axis were combined into a single dataset, while simultaneously acquired optical images were used for photogrammetric surface reconstruction. Whole-body imaging was successfully achieved in all cases, providing continuous anatomical coverage from head to feet. Skeletal structures and implanted devices were clearly visualized, with adequate soft tissue depiction for general assessment. Image stitching enabled seamless integration of sequential scans without relevant artifacts. Surface reconstruction was feasible in all cases, although mesh quality was limited by the camera system. In addition, the system enabled rapid acquisition of conventional radiographs and targeted high-resolution imaging of selected regions. Mobile cone-beam computed tomography enables feasible whole-body postmortem imaging with integrated surface documentation. The combination of whole-body imaging, targeted acquisitions, radiographic imaging, and simultaneous surface documentation represents a versatile approach for forensic workflows and may be particularly valuable in disaster victim identification scenarios. Further technical refinements and larger studies are warranted.
Abstract Background Forensic psychiatry increasingly overlaps with major forensic disciplines (toxicology, genetics, neuroimaging/physiological biomarkers, digital forensics, and psychological autopsy) to provide objective evidence in court. This scoping review is mapping the scope and breadth of this integration in psychiatric-legal evaluations. Main body The review of 54 studies published between 2010 and 2026 in Australia, Europe, North America, Brazil, India, China, Turkey, Russia, and other countries indicates that forensic science methods increase objectivity, support psychiatric formulations, and enhance the admissibility of evidence in court. There were five key themes, namely neuroimaging and physiological biomarkers (2 experimental studies and 2 volumetric studies), forensic toxicology in substance-induced psychosis vs. settled insanity (2 case study studies and 2 cohort studies), behavioural genetics/neuropsychological assessment (2 multi-method studies and 2 review studies), psychological autopsy/risk formulation (2 cross The techniques enhance spatial/temporal recovery of mental conditions, risk evaluation, insanity defence analysis, and sentencing mitigation especially on differentiating between voluntary intoxication and disease of mind or defending diminished responsibility. There are, however, limitations of small samples, cultural bias, the risk of over-interpretation, non-standardisation, ethical issues (consent, genetic discrimination, privacy), and under-representation of geographic locations outside high-income settings. Conclusion Forensic science techniques may supplement psychiatric-legal assessments by providing additional objective data. However, their contribution is limited by methodological, cultural, and ethical constraints. Such issues as the need to address the existing challenges with the help of interdisciplinary guidelines, low-cost implementation, cultural adaptation (e.g., through the Indian Evidence Act and the Mental Healthcare Act 2017), and standardised practices that would make the implementation feasible, reliable, and practicable in global forensic-psychiatric practice will be necessary.
Abstract Background Disaster victim identification (DVI) is a critical component of forensic and humanitarian disaster response. Although nurses constitute the largest segment of the global health workforce and are frequently mobilized during disasters, their roles in DVI and mass fatality management remain poorly defined in international standards and disaster nursing frameworks. Main body This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence on the roles, competencies, and contributions of nursing professionals in DVI. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and the PRISMA-ScR guideline. Searches of MEDLINE (via PubMed), Web of Science (Core Collection), and Scopus were conducted, supplemented by citation chasing, a grey-literature search across six organizational repositories, and targeted handsearching of forensic nursing reference texts. Three reviewers independently screened records and extracted data. Six sources met the inclusion criteria: two peer-reviewed primary studies and four grey-literature sources, including two nursing competency frameworks, one professional standards document, and one forensic nursing textbook chapter. The primary studies documented nursing participation in mass fatality operations in two distinct contexts: a nurse formally integrated into a Belgian DVI team during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami response, and nurses and nursing assistants redeployed to decedent handling during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. The most comprehensive operational account was a forensic nursing textbook chapter describing nursing roles across all four INTERPOL DVI phases and their formal integration into the US Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team and Family Assistance Care Team. Across sources, two themes were identified: (1) nursing roles and transferable competencies relevant to DVI, including evidence handling, documentation, family liaison, specimen collection, and culturally sensitive care; and (2) persistent gaps in policy, education, and formal role recognition. Notably, neither the INTERPOL DVI Guide (2023) nor the ICN Core Competencies in Disaster Nursing (2022) formally defines nursing roles in DVI. Conclusion The evidence base on nursing in DVI is extremely limited, but the available literature indicates that nurses possess competencies directly relevant to forensic identification and mass fatality response. Formal integration exists in selected national forensic response structures, yet this is not reflected in international DVI standards. Recognizing nursing within DVI frameworks, developing DVI-specific education, and generating empirical evidence are necessary to strengthen global forensic preparedness, particularly in low- and middle-income settings.
Abstract Background Compensation for road traffic injuries is not determined solely by clinical severity but is profoundly shaped by the regulatory frameworks governing medico-legal disability recognition. The French system, operationalized through the Badinter Law, Dintilhac nomenclature, and barème-based assessment, recognizes low-grade permanent functional impairment (Déficit Fonctionnel Permanent, DFP) and pain-related harm (Souffrances Endurées, SE) as independently compensable categories. By contrast, the Turkish traffic insurance framework requires objectively demonstrable and permanent anatomical or functional loss as a precondition for compensation. To quantify the impact of these regulatory differences, a retrospective, simulation-based comparative analysis was conducted on 46 road traffic accident cases evaluated at a French forensic medicine unit between 2020 and 2024. Turkish compensation outcomes were simulated by re-evaluating identical clinical data according to national disability regulations. Results Under the French system, 25 cases (54.3%) received permanent functional impairment ratings (mean DFP 3.4%, SD ± 1.8). Under simulated Turkish criteria, only 14 cases (30.4%) qualified for permanent disability compensation (mean 1.8%, SD ± 1.2). McNemar’s test confirmed statistically significant asymmetry in paired compensability (χ²(1) = 11.00, p = 0.0009); Cohen’s κ = 0.537 (95% CI: 0.299–0.776) indicated moderate inter-system agreement. These estimates should be interpreted within the limitations of a relatively small sample size. Soft tissue and whiplash-associated injuries received compensation universally under French practice but were systematically excluded under Turkish criteria (rejection rate = 100%). A Compensation Gap—defined as cases receiving positive compensation in France but assigned zero compensation under Turkish criteria—was observed in 11 cases (23.9%) based on DFP criteria alone (narrow definition), and in 21 cases (45.7%) when cases compensated exclusively via SE in France, for which no equivalent pain compensation pathway exists under Turkish law, were additionally included (broad definition). Conclusions Traffic injury compensation outcomes are strongly influenced by regulatory eligibility thresholds rather than clinical severity alone. The Turkish framework operates as a high-threshold anatomical exclusion model that restricts access to compensation for low-grade and non-anatomical injuries, whereas the French barème-based system enables recognition of functional impact and pain-related harm. These structural differences have direct implications for cross-jurisdictional forensic assessment and insurance medicine practice.
Abstract Background Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a severe form of traumatic brain injury associated with high-velocity impact, acceleration–deceleration forces, and rotational trauma. Despite its clinical and forensic importance, DAI frequently eludes detection on gross examination at autopsy, rendering it a “hidden lesion” that necessitates microscopic evaluation and advanced neuroimaging for accurate diagnosis. In forensic practice, DAI plays a pivotal role in determining the mechanism and timing of injury, particularly in fatal trauma and suspected non-accidental head injury. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the pathophysiology, neuropathological features, diagnostic modalities, and forensic and medicolegal implications of DAI in traumatic brain injury, with particular emphasis on its role in death investigation. Main body The pathophysiology of DAI involves shearing forces that disrupt axons at interfaces of differing brain densities, particularly within the corpus callosum, brainstem, and subcortical white matter. Histopathological findings include axonal swellings and retraction bulbs, with enhanced detection through immunohistochemical markers such as β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) and neurofilaments. Radiologically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrates superior sensitivity compared to computed tomography (CT), especially with advanced techniques including susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). From a forensic perspective, DAI is central to the evaluation of traumatic brain injury, including cases of abusive head trauma (AHT), where it contributes to the assessment of both mechanism and timing of injury. Conclusion Diffuse axonal injury remains a diagnostically challenging yet forensically significant entity in traumatic brain injury. Accurate identification requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating clinical context, advanced neuroimaging, and targeted histopathology. Improved recognition enhances the accuracy and reliability of medicolegal determinations, particularly in complex trauma and suspected abuse, reinforcing its value in forensic practice.
Abstract Background Fatal spider envenomation is exceptionally rare in contemporary medical practice; however, sporadic reports continue to appear in the forensic literature, often characterized by diagnostic uncertainty and heterogeneous documentation. This systematic review critically evaluated all published fatal cases attributed to spider envenomation, with emphasis on autopsy findings, histopathological patterns, and medico-legal robustness of causal attribution. Results A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus was conducted from database inception to 14 February 2026 in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Twelve studies met predefined inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. Seven cases (58%) were supported by autopsy findings, while five were clinically well-documented fatalities without post-mortem examination. Loxosceles accounted for most cases (8/12), followed by Latrodectus (3/12) and Atrax (1/12). Three recurrent genus-specific patterns emerged. Loxosceles envenomation showed a hemolytic–coagulopathic profile characterized by intravascular hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and acute renal injury. Latrodectus cases demonstrated a predominantly cardiotoxic pattern with myocardial injury and pulmonary edema. Atrax envenomation was associated with a neurotoxic–pulmonary presentation marked by severe pulmonary edema and autonomic instability. Conclusion Although the number of cases is limited, the recurrence of distinct pathological patterns supports biological plausibility. Nevertheless, substantial risk of misclassification persists, particularly in the absence of entomological confirmation or systematic exclusion of alternative causes of sudden death. Fatal spider envenomation should therefore be interpreted through a structured forensic framework integrating exposure plausibility, clinicopathological coherence, and exclusion of competing causes of death.
Abstract Background Marital Sexual Violence (MSV) or marital rape is a concealed form of domestic violence that may confront a forensic doctor. Respecting religious and social beliefs, referring to marital rape as MSV is more appropriate. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and attitude (supportive or non-supportive) towards MSV in a sample of married or previously married women in Sohage governorate. Methods A validated questionnaire was administered to 358 women to assess demographics, knowledge, attitudes, prevalence, and consequences of MSV. Participants were categorized as “supportive” or “non-supportive” based on a 16-item scale. Results Most of the study participants (73.46%) were non-supportive of MSV, with urban residence, education, and older husband age identified as significant predictors of this view. Most participants understood and acknowledged the harm of MSV but rejected the term “marital rape,” and prioritized marital stability over reporting abuse. The total prevalence was 20.1%. Exposed women had psychological (100%), physical/sexual (86%), and social (75%) impacts. Conclusions MSV is a truly existing problem in Upper Egypt characterized by significant multidimensional trauma and cultural barriers to disclosure. The study recommends culturally sensitive and collaborative approaches, as well as further research involving male partners, to address the causes and develop solutions.
Abstract Background The identification of unknown individuals is one of the crucial goals of forensic anthropology. This process begins with reconstructing the biological profile and is complemented by the analysis of individualizing factors. Such features can be particularly valuable in forensic contexts because distinctive skeletal traits, pathological changes, or signs of medical procedures may serve as recognizable markers to help establish a positive identification. This case report aims to emphasize the importance of individualizing factors and to provide an instructional forensic analog for evaluating how such traits may support positive identification. Case presentation This study examines a female individual from the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection housed at the Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology at the University of Coimbra. The skeleton presents several noteworthy individualizing features. Severe eburnation is observed in multiple major joints, including the shoulder, elbow, and knee. The tibial plateaus display marked deformation, and the left scapula exhibits a pseudoarthrosis between the scapular spine and the acromion. The vertebral column also shows extensive osteophyte formation. Evidence of medical intervention, probably due to a left femur fracture, where a dynamic hip screw (DHS) with a visible serial number was identified. Additional distinctive characteristics include a supernumerary unerupted tooth. Conclusion The pronounced alteration of the tibial plateaus may be associated with genu varum, a condition characterized by outward bowing of the knees that likely affected the individual’s gait and daily mobility. In addition, the osteosynthesis plate in the femur, bearing a serial number, represents a valuable identifying marker. Although this individual exhibits a wide range of distinctive skeletal traits, even a limited number of such features would be enough to facilitate identification. This case highlights the significance of individual traits in forensic anthropology and shows how unique life histories can be reflected in skeletal remains.
Abstract Background Portrait photographs showing a person’s smile, widely available on smartphones and social media, are increasingly used as ante-mortem (AM) data in missing person investigations, particularly when conventional dental records are unavailable. Previous case reports and methodological studies have demonstrated that smile images may support human identification; however, existing approaches are heterogeneous, largely case-dependent, and often developed for controlled photographic material. To date, no consensus-based and reproducible protocol specifically designed for the forensic analysis of smile selfie images has been established. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of smile selfies for AM–post-mortem (PM) dental comparison and to propose a structured protocol adapted to non-clinical smile images. Results A total of 253 volunteers provided smile selfies showing the maxillary anterior teeth, simulating AM portrait images. Among them, 71 participants also produced intraoral photographs simulating PM documentation. Four experienced forensic odontologists independently compared the 71 PM images with the full set of 253 AM selfies using predefined dental criteria, including axial inclination, incisal edge morphology, incisor proportions, and anterior dental anomalies. Recognition accuracy ranged from 63.38% to 70.42%, with a mean of 67.25%. The incisal edge morphology of the maxillary central incisors showed the highest inter-operator agreement (95%), whereas the relative position of the upper lateral incisors demonstrated the lowest reliability (25–30%). Statistical analyses confirmed consistent recognition patterns among evaluators. Conclusions Smile selfie images can provide useful supplementary AM information for the preliminary sorting of compatible and incompatible dental profiles when dental records are absent or unavailable. Although the recognition rates observed in this exploratory study indicate that selfie-based comparison should be applied conservatively and in conjunction with other identification methods, the findings confirm that specific anterior dental traits may meaningfully contribute to forensic decision-making. The proposed protocol offers a structured framework for the forensic evaluation of smile selfies. Further validation on larger and more diverse populations is needed to enhance standardization and refine criteria for the use of photographic material in forensic odontology.
Abstract Background The recovery of latent fingermarks on fired cartridge cases is still problematic despite advances in the techniques for their development. This problem is exacerbated in low-resource forensic laboratories where access to the advanced enhancement techniques is limited. The present study addresses this limitation by evaluating the efficiency of a cost-effective, locally adaptable technique for developing fingermarks from fired brass cartridge cases. Latent fingermarks from fifteen donors were naturally deposited on five different types of brass ammunition, subsequently fired, and aged for 1 day, 7 days, and 14 days before enhancement. The fingermarks on each batch of fired cartridge cases were developed using a non-conventional cyanoacrylate fuming chamber (for fuming), followed by fluorescent dyeing and a locally prepared acidified hydrogen peroxide solution. The enhanced fingermarks on the fired cartridge cases were graded using the Home Office fingermark grading scheme and statistically analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis H-test post hoc Dunn’s test. Results The results show that all the sequential fingermark detection techniques were efficient, with cyanoacrylate fuming followed by Basic yellow 40 dye and acidified hydrogen peroxide solution, demonstrating superior performance, yielding an estimated 90% of identifiable fingermarks across all ammunition types and aging periods. The quality of the developed fingermark diminished with increased aging time, with the most profound decline observed at 14 days. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed in the performance of the fingermark techniques. Conclusion This finding suggests that low-cost, non-conventional fingermark development techniques, such as those tested in the present study, may produce results comparable to standard forensic methods, indicating their potential as practical alternatives for operational forensic laboratories in low-resource settings.
Abstract Background Reliable estimation of biological sex is a fundamental aspect of human skeletal analysis and human identification. However, the pelvis, which traditionally provides the highest accuracy, is not always preserved or available for examination. The present study aimed to generate discriminant function equations for sex estimation using the first rib found in Central Thailand. The study analyzed a total of 100 samples, comprising 60 males and 40 females. Six morphometric parameters of the first rib were measured on both the left and right sides, and parameters showing significant sexual differences were selected for stepwise discriminant function analysis to generate side-specific and combined equations. Results The combined discriminant function equation, using both ribs, achieved 89% accuracy in the training samples and 88.0% in the cross-validation. Side-specific equations yielded 81.0–87.0% in the training samples and 81.0–85.0% in the cross-validation. Conclusion These results suggest that the first rib may serve as a useful alternative skeletal element for sex estimation in the population of Central Thailand. The discriminant equations developed in this study provide population-specific reference data and may offer a practical method for sex estimation.
