Morphometric analysis of dog bitemarks. An experimental study.

Authors : Giovannini, Elena; Bianchini, Simone; Roccaro, Mariana; +6 more

Forensic science international, 2025 Mar

 

Abstract

Dog attacks on humans represent a global issue with significant health and medico-legal implications. A dog attack may cut or puncture a victim's skin resulting in distinctive lesions representing the morphology of the dentition that created it. Analysing the compatibility of dog bite marks is exceedingly intricate due to numerous variables involved in wound dynamics. The primary parameter under evaluation is the inter-canine distance, representing the space between two canine teeth within the same dental arch. However, a limitation arises when suspected dogs have similar skull sizes, particularly among adults of the same breed and no studies have been identified that experimentally analyze bite marks on human tissues. The aim of this experimental study is to conduct a morphometric comparison between the dental measurements of canine teeth from 20 different dogs and the skin lesions produced on human tissue. Two metric parameters were assessed: "inter-canine distance" and "interdental incisor-canine distance". The inter-canine measurements ranged between 21 and 52 mm, and 20-53 mm on skin. The incisor-to-canine measures ranged between 5 and 21 mm, and 4-21 mm on skin. The degree of agreement for all inter-canine measurements is high, regardless of the type of arch or skull (superior-inferior or mesocephalic-dolichocephalic-brachycephalic). Conversely, the agreement for incisor-to-canine measurements is high in measurements obtained from the lower arches and brachycephalic skulls. Considering the promising results shown by the morphological and morphometric analysis reported in the study, a multidisciplinary approach, fostering collaboration between forensic experts in pathology, dentistry, anthropology, DNA and veterinary medicine, is essential for a comprehensive evaluation of bite marks.

 

 

 

Evaluating the scope of peer review in digital Forensics: Insights from Norway and the U.K.

Authors: Kenneth Bauge a, Elénore Ryser b, Nina Sunde c, Graeme Horsman b

Science & Justice: March 2025

 

Abstract

This paper investigates the implementation and utilisation of peer review practices in digital forensics (DF) within Norway and the U.K. Through a comprehensive survey of 113 DF practitioners and managers, we explore the extent to which peer review is integrated into DF investigations and the variations in practices between these two countries. Our findings reveal that while both Norway and the U.K. recognize the importance of peer review in ensuring the integrity and accuracy of DF work, there is a tendency to limit peer reviews to the examination of reports, rather than extending them to more thorough verification of results and methodologies. Utilising the Peer Review Hierarchy for DF as an analytical framework, our study highlights a significant gap in the depth of peer review practices, with both countries primarily focusing on lower-level reviews that are less likely to detect critical errors. The paper discusses the implications of these findings in the field of DF, emphasising the need for more robust and comprehensive peer review mechanisms to enhance the quality and reliability of digital evidence. Furthermore, we discuss the systemic and resource-related challenges that may hinder the implementation of more extensive peer review practices.

 

 

Investigations on stainless steel knives using fingermark development processes including Recover Latent Fingerprint Technology

Authors: Sarah Kirk, Debbie Crooks, Shannon Vassell, Trevor Cutler, ... Helen Bandey

Science & Justice: March 2025

 

Abstract

The disulfur dinitride (S2N2) process has demonstrated an ability to develop fingermarks on a range of metal substrates. However, the commercialised system ‘Recover Latent Fingerprint Technology (LFT)’, which utilises this scientific process, has not been evaluated on stainless steel kitchen knives, an item commonly encountered in major crime cases in the United Kingdom. This paper reports on the planted fingermark experiments conducted to investigate the Recover LFT performance relative to, and after, other visualisation processes; such as Superglue Fuming (with and without Basic Yellow 40 dye staining), Carbon-based Powder Suspension, Basic Violet 3 and Acid Violet 17. The results from this study indicate that Recover LFT is a promising process for fingermark visualisation on the blades of stainless steel kitchen knives. Additional studies are required in order to fully assess and determine the benefits of the process and to optimise the position in a sequential processing chart. This novel process would also benefit from a deeper understanding of the underlying chemistry.

 

 

Transfer and persistence of owner DNA on domestic pets

Authors: Rachel Oefelein, Sarah Cresswell, Carney Matheson

Science & Justice: March 2025

 

Abstract

Domestic pets are frequently present at crime scenes, the homes of victims and suspects, and other persons of interest associated or allegedly associated with a crime. The presence of traces of animal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at a scene can be an investigative lead but could our furry friends also be depositing our DNA along the way? Routine contact with our domestic pets from a pat on the head, kisses, and hugs may all result in transfer of our DNA to an animal. In an effort to explore this possibility, the background human DNA on domestic pets was measured and whether any DNA attributable specifically to the owner of the domestic pet was assessed. Finally, whether the pet would transfer the owner’s DNA onto a smooth surface item was also evaluated. Ten domestic pets comprised of felines and canines were utilized for this study. None of the secondary transfer samples produced profiles that would be considered suitable for comparison to known DNA profiles or eligible to be uploaded to a DNA database. Approximately 53 % of all samples collected directly from the pet produced DNA profiles that provided support for the DNA profile under the proposition that the primary pet owner is a contributor rather than an unknown person is to the DNA profile obtained from the sample. However, it is unlikely to have results that support that the source of the DNA is the owner, rather than an unknown person, when the DNA is taken from an item that has been touched by the pet.