Ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) provides a non-invasive method for assessing the biochemical state of biological materials. In this work, we investigated UPE in fruits of various colours (red, orange, yellow, and green) for potential forensic applications. Firstly, fruits were exposed to natural sunlight for 10 min, after which UPE was measured at 10 min intervals over a three-hour period. The results indicated that, following the initial induced response, all fruit types stabilised to a spontaneous UPE state after approximately 60 min in darkness. Subsequently, we compared UPE responses following exposure to natural sunlight with those obtained under artificial red, green, and blue lights. Under natural sunlight, induced UPE values ranged from 15 to 35 intensity units (IU) and spontaneous UPE from 1 to 25 IU, whereas under artificial lighting, induced UPE ranged from 5 to 30 IU and spontaneous UPE from 1 to 20 IU. Finally, a preliminary comparative study between organic and conventional fruits revealed that organic fruits consistently emitted slightly higher UPE levels than conventional ones, suggesting subtle differences in their biochemical properties. All these findings underscore the potential of UPE as a forensic tool for differentiating plant-based materials, with promising applications in food fraud detection and criminal investigations.

The Investigator ESSplex SE QS Kit (Qiagen) is a next-generation polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kit that, in 60 min, amplifies 17 Short Tandem Repeat (STR) markers, including the five European Standard Set (ESS) loci (D10S1248, D12S391, D1S1656, D22S1045, D2S441), the SE33 marker, and the locus Amelogenin for sex determination. Two quality sensors (QS1 and QS2) are also co-amplified to check PCR performance. Since forensic laboratories carry out hundreds of DNA typings annually, we verified the kit’s performance using half reaction volumes with the aim of improving the number of samples that may be amplified with a single kit and consequently reducing laboratory costs. In the present study, intended as a technical note rather than internal validation, some control samples (oral swabs) with known DNA profiles and 40 real casework samples were analyzed. We observed that reducing the total reaction volume, while keeping all component ratios unaltered, yields DNA profiles comparable to those obtained using standard reaction volumes and with allele peaks higher than those with regular volumes. Using half volumes for PCR amplification enables the analysis of a larger number of samples compared to the standard protocol, thereby reducing laboratory costs without compromising the quality of the analysis.

Background: the Investigator ESSplex SE QS Kit (Qiagen) is a next generation PCR kit that, in 60 minutes, amplifies 17 STRs markers, including the 5 European Standard Set (ESS) loci, the SE33 marker and the locus Amelogenin for sex determination. Two Quality Sensors (QS1 and QS2) are co-amplified to check PCR performance. Since forensic laboratories carry out annually hundreds of DNA typing, we verified the kit performance using half reaction volumes with the aim to improve the number of samples that may amplified with a kit, reducing consequently the laboratory costs. Methods: in the study, that is intended as a technical note and not an internal validation, were analyzed control samples (oral swabs) with known DNA profiles and 40 real caseworks samples. Results: we observed that reducing the total reaction volume, while keeping unaltered all components ratio’s, yields DNA profiles comparable to the ones obtained using standard reaction volumes and with alleles peaks higher than with standard volumes.. Conclusions: the use of half volumes for PCR amplification allows the analysis of a wider number of samples than the standard protocol, reducing laboratory costs while maintaining unaltered the quality level of the analysis.

Currently, the cosmetic industry is developing several treatments based on the use of lights with different wavelengths for anti-ageing strategies and facial rejuvenation. Some lights have been proven to be beneficial for our skincare, but their actual effects require an in-depth analysis.Ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is a spontaneous, low intensity emission from all living systems produced as a consequence of metabolic reactions (e.g., oxidative metabolism, cell division, photosynthesis, or carcinogenesis). However, it can also be induced by several factors, such as light exposure, wounds, thermal shock, and other stress elements. Thus, measuring human biophotonic emission can open new horizons to explore the real benefits of light therapies, particularly regarding the direct relationship between light exposure and free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are the main cause of UPE.In this study, the ultra-weak photon emission from a sample of ten human beings after exposure to different lights was studied using red and green lights (artificially produced by an RGB LED lamp) and natural light (directly received from the sun), aiming to assess the UPE changes when directly focusing these types of lights on the skin. Hence, this technique could be proposed as a pioneering control tool in cosmetics, principally with phototherapies.Our preliminary results showed that the UPE response after light stimulation differed when a person was exposed to artificial lights compared to sunlight. Besides, there were relevant variations between women and men that should be deeply examined in further investigations by increasing the number of participating subjects in this experience. Furthermore, it was serendipitously discovered that the presence of certain unusual elements in our body, such as using hyaluronic acid fillers and having white hair (natural or dyed), could change the UPE intensity of our skin.

The remarkable geographical situation of the Mediterranean region, located between Europe, Africa, and Asia, with numerous migratory routes, has made this area a crucible of cultures. Studying the Y-chromosome variability is a very performant tool to explore the genetic ancestry and evaluate scenarios that may explain the current Mediterranean gene pool. Here, six Mediterranean populations, including three Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Majorca, and Minorca) and three Southern Italian regions (Catanzaro, Cosenza, and Reggio di Calabria) were typed using 23 Y-STR loci and up to 39 Y-SNPs and compared to geographically targeted key reference populations to explore their genetic relationship and provide an overview of Y-chromosome variation across the Mediterranean basin. Pairwise RST genetic distances calculated with STRs markers and Y-haplogroups mirror the West to East geographic distribution of European and Asian Mediterranean populations, highlighting the North-South division of Italy, with a higher Eastern Mediterranean component in Southern Italian populations. In contrast, the African populations from the Southern coast of the Mediterranean clustered separately. Overall, these results support the notion that migrations from Magna Graecia or the Byzantine Empire, which followed similar Neolithic and post-Neolithic routes into Southern Italy, may have contributed to maintaining and/or reinforcing the Eastern Mediterranean genetic component in Southern Italian populations.

Oral fluid is commonly found at crime scenes, as a liquid sample or more frequently as a stain (i.e., cigarette butts, bottles, chewing gum, cloths, etc.). The study of the time since deposition (TSD) is of great significance in forensics because it allows to collect and analyse only those samples directly related to the criminal case, excluding the occupational traces, and reducing laboratory costs and efforts. In the present study, we evaluated the suitability of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) to establish the TSD of human and canine oral fluid stains on different porous substrates such as paper, cotton, denim, and polyester fabric. We used the ATR FTIR spectra and chemometrics to detect the presence of human and canine oral fluid as stains on these substrates. Our results showed that Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) models were able to distinguish human and canine oral fluid stains according to their TSD independently of the substrate.

Oral fluids are common evidence that can be found as stains on a variety of substrates at crime scenes. The porosity of the substrate may influence their collection and analysis. Moreover, companion animals, such as dogs, may appear in many scenarios or even be involved in a crime. Determining the source (identification and classification) of human and canine oral fluid stains on different substrates found at crime scene is important prior to DNA extraction to diminish laboratory cost and time efforts. In the present work, the potential of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR) was explored to study how several types of porous substrates influence in the source determination of human and animal (canine) oral fluid stains. Results showed that the main bands of human or canine oral fluid stains were visible among the characteristic infrared bands of the porous substrates. This allowed the identification of human or animal (canine) oral fluid stains origin in the three types of papers and six fabrics porous substrates studied. Then, the application of Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) models to the obtained infrared spectra, allowed the classification of human and canine oral fluid stains independently of the substrate they were deposited on. This approach could be developed for real forensic investigations to distinguish the source (identification and classification) of oral fluid stains as human or animal.

Oral fluid is a sample commonly found at crime scenes, as liquid or stain, especially in cases involving sexual assaults. The study of the time since deposition (TSD) of oral fluid stainsis of great significance in forensics because it allows to collect and analyse only those samples directly related to the criminal case, excluding the occupational traces, and reducing laboratory costs and efforts. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the suitability of attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy (ATR FTIR) to study the TSD of human and animal (canine) oral fluidstainson differentsubstrates. Results showed that Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) models differentiated human and animal oral fluid stainsaccording to their TSD independently of the substrate they were deposited on.

In this study, we investigate the forensic and population genetics properties of 21 X-chromosome markers (9 X-Alu insertions and 12 X-STRs) in a dataset composed of 716 individuals from 11 Western Mediterranean populations. The high values of combined forensic parameters indicate that this 21 X-loci panel can complement autosomal or uniparental markers in kinship analysis and complex deficient paternity testing in the populations studied. Population analyses revealed a lower differentiation between Western Mediterranean human groups for X-STRs than for X-Alu insertion polymorphisms. Moreover, X-chromosome markers suggest a sex-biased migration rate, confirming the predominance of patrilocality in this area.

Bones and teeth often represent the only sources of DNA available for identifying human remains. DNA in bones and teeth is generally better preserved than that in soft tissues because of the presence of hard connective tissue with a high level of calcium. Because of the extensive mineralisation, the choice of an efficient DNA extraction procedure is important to minimise the sampling of a high level of minerals and to remove polymerase chain reaction (PCR) inhibitors. Some protocols are available for DNA extraction from bones and teeth as part of the Qiagen EZ1 DNA Investigator Kit using the EZ1 Advanced XL automated purification platform. To improve the efficiency of DNA extraction from skeletal remains, the present study focuses on a modification to these already available protocols. In this study, different bones and teeth collected between 1 and 50 years after death were subjected to DNA extraction using the standard EZ1 protocol, a supplementary protocol, and a modified protocol. The modified approach included a decalcification step, whereas the Qiagen protocols worked directly on non-decalcified powder. In all three procedures, 150 mg samples were used for DNA extraction. We evaluated the quantity of DNA recovered from samples, the presence of any PCR inhibitors co-extracted, the level of DNA degradation, the quality of short tandem repeat (STR) profiles, and the reproducibility of the modified procedure. When compared with the other protocols, the modified protocol resulted in the best recovery of DNA that was free of PCR inhibitors. Additionally, the STR profiles were reliable and of high quality. In our opinion, the decalcification step increases DNA recovery by softening tissues, which allows lysis solutions to act more effectively. Furthermore, the use of two lysis solutions and the variation added to the EZ1 purification step allow for DNA recovery with quality and quantity superior to those of the previously available Qiagen-based protocols. These findings may be helpful solutions to the problems commonly encountered when dealing with difficult samples, such as bones and teeth.

EZ1 Advanced XL (Qiagen) is an instrument designed to purify automatically nucleic acids from a wide variety of samples: different protocols for DNA extraction from forensic samples are pre-loaded into special EZ1 Advanced XL DNA Investigator Cards. The present study focuses on DNA extraction from biological samples (blood, saliva, sperm) mixed with 3 different types of soils (loam, silt, sandy), using a modified version of the Manufacturer standard protocol. In order to create several traces in the soil, we used biological samples (blood, saliva, sperm) from known donors. Quantification data, reliability and trends in STRs typing success rates using two different commercial multiplexes were evaluated. EZ1 modified DNA extraction protocol allows to recover DNA free of inhibitors and in good quantity for downstream applications.

Forensic science plays a crucial role in criminal justice. In the last few years, due to great advances in technologies and the effect of many TV shows, movies, and true crime podcasts, there has been an increased interest to forensic science by both students and professionals. In particular, forensic science appears to be a very exciting career for women, whose numbers greatly exceed men's in the field. The present study is an international overview about the role of women in forensic science with a special look to awards and international associations promoting and recognising the female role in forensic disciplines.

An inconsistency in the nomenclature used for the rapidly mutating (RM) Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) marker DYS449 was noted in the above paper [[1]Robino C. Ralf A. Pasino S. De Marchi M.R. Ballantyne K. et al.Development of an Italian RM Y-STR haplotype database: results of the 2013 GEFI collaborative exercise.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2015; 15: 56-63Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar] In this paper [[1]Robino C. Ralf A. Pasino S. De Marchi M.R. Ballantyne K. et al.Development of an Italian RM Y-STR haplotype database: results of the 2013 GEFI collaborative exercise.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2015; 15: 56-63Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar], the DYS449 allele nomenclature introduced by Ballantyne et al. [[2]Ballantyne K.N. Keerl V. Wollstein A. Choi Y. Zuniga S.B. et al.A new future of forensic Y-chromosome analysis: rapidly mutating Y-STRs for differentiating male relatives and paternal lineages.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2012; 6: 208-218Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (196) Google Scholar] was used, instead of that described by Redd et al. [[3]Redd A.J. Agellon A.B. Kearney V.A. Contreras V.A. Karafet T. et al.Forensic value of 14 novel STRs on the human Y chromosome.Forensic Sci. Int. 2002; 4: 97-111Crossref Scopus (140) Google Scholar] and subsequently adopted by the International RM Y-STR User Group [[4]Ballantyne K.N. Ralf A. Aboukhalid R. Achakzai N.M. Anjos M.J. et al.Towards male individualization with rapidly mutating Y-chromosomal STRs.Hum. Mutat. 2014; 35: 1021-1032Crossref PubMed Scopus (133) Google Scholar] and in the AMPFlSTR® YFiler Plus kit [[5]Mulero J. Ballantyne J. Ballantyne K. Budowle B. Coble M. et al.Nomenclature update and allele repeat structure for the markers DYS518 and DYS449.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2014; 13: e3Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar]. To convert from the first [1Robino C. Ralf A. Pasino S. De Marchi M.R. Ballantyne K. et al.Development of an Italian RM Y-STR haplotype database: results of the 2013 GEFI collaborative exercise.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2015; 15: 56-63Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar, 2Ballantyne K.N. Keerl V. Wollstein A. Choi Y. Zuniga S.B. et al.A new future of forensic Y-chromosome analysis: rapidly mutating Y-STRs for differentiating male relatives and paternal lineages.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2012; 6: 208-218Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (196) Google Scholar] to the second [3Redd A.J. Agellon A.B. Kearney V.A. Contreras V.A. Karafet T. et al.Forensic value of 14 novel STRs on the human Y chromosome.Forensic Sci. Int. 2002; 4: 97-111Crossref Scopus (140) Google Scholar, 4Ballantyne K.N. Ralf A. Aboukhalid R. Achakzai N.M. Anjos M.J. et al.Towards male individualization with rapidly mutating Y-chromosomal STRs.Hum. Mutat. 2014; 35: 1021-1032Crossref PubMed Scopus (133) Google Scholar, 5Mulero J. Ballantyne J. Ballantyne K. Budowle B. Coble M. et al.Nomenclature update and allele repeat structure for the markers DYS518 and DYS449.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2014; 13: e3Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar] nomenclature, a simple correction factor needs to be applied, i.e. subtracting one from the repeat number of every DYS449 allele as described elsewhere [[5]Mulero J. Ballantyne J. Ballantyne K. Budowle B. Coble M. et al.Nomenclature update and allele repeat structure for the markers DYS518 and DYS449.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2014; 13: e3Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar]. The only consequence of this DYS449 allele nomenclature change is for comparing the RM Y-STR haplotypes newly obtained for the Italians in this study [[1]Robino C. Ralf A. Pasino S. De Marchi M.R. Ballantyne K. et al.Development of an Italian RM Y-STR haplotype database: results of the 2013 GEFI collaborative exercise.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2015; 15: 56-63Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar], with those from 111 worldwide populations obtained previously using a different nomenclature [[4]Ballantyne K.N. Ralf A. Aboukhalid R. Achakzai N.M. Anjos M.J. et al.Towards male individualization with rapidly mutating Y-chromosomal STRs.Hum. Mutat. 2014; 35: 1021-1032Crossref PubMed Scopus (133) Google Scholar]. Considering the DYS449 nomenclature correction, the complete absence of full 13 loci RM Y-STR haplotype matches in this dataset was confirmed. However, when limiting the haplotype comparisons to 11 RM Y-STR loci by excluding the multi-copy markers DYF399S1 and DYF403S1, the previously reported single haplotype match between a single Italian sample from Abruzzo and a single Austrian sample from Salzburg [[1]Robino C. Ralf A. Pasino S. De Marchi M.R. Ballantyne K. et al.Development of an Italian RM Y-STR haplotype database: results of the 2013 GEFI collaborative exercise.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2015; 15: 56-63Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (35) Google Scholar] disappeared when applying the corrected DYS499 nomenclature due to an observed mismatch at DYS449. Moreover, no additional haplotype match between Italians and worldwide populations was seen when considering these 11 RM Y-STR loci after DYS449 nomenclature harmonization. The corrected Supplementary Fig. S1 graphically depicting RM Y-STR haplotype matches in the tested populations is provided here. The corrected Supplementary Tables showing the results according to the current DYS449 nomenclature [3Redd A.J. Agellon A.B. Kearney V.A. Contreras V.A. Karafet T. et al.Forensic value of 14 novel STRs on the human Y chromosome.Forensic Sci. Int. 2002; 4: 97-111Crossref Scopus (140) Google Scholar, 4Ballantyne K.N. Ralf A. Aboukhalid R. Achakzai N.M. Anjos M.J. et al.Towards male individualization with rapidly mutating Y-chromosomal STRs.Hum. Mutat. 2014; 35: 1021-1032Crossref PubMed Scopus (133) Google Scholar, 5Mulero J. Ballantyne J. Ballantyne K. Budowle B. Coble M. et al.Nomenclature update and allele repeat structure for the markers DYS518 and DYS449.Forensic Sci. Int. Genet. 2014; 13: e3Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (4) Google Scholar] for control DNA 2800M included in the PowerPlex® Y23 kit (Promega) and for the entire Italian dataset are provided here in Table S2 and S3, respectively. No other findings and conclusions were affected by the DYS449 nomenclature correction noted here. The following are Supplementary data to this article: Download .pdf (.07 MB) Help with pdf files Download .doc (.03 MB) Help with doc files Download .xlsx (.39 MB) Help with xlsx files Development of an Italian RM Y-STR haplotype database: Results of the 2013 GEFI collaborative exerciseForensic Science International: GeneticsVol. 15PreviewRecently introduced rapidly mutating Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (RM Y-STR) loci, displaying a multiple-fold higher mutation rate relative to any other Y-STRs, including those conventionally used in forensic casework, have been demonstrated to improve the resolution of male lineage differentiation and to allow male relative separation usually impossible with standard Y-STRs. However, large and geographically-detailed frequency haplotype databases are required to estimate the statistical weight of RM Y-STR haplotype matches if observed in forensic casework. Full-Text PDF