Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2025-12-09DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100441
Paul Musa Obadia , Elodie Lwendela Kalasa , Georges Kalenga Ilunga , Tony Kayembe-Kitenge , O. Inès , Margot De Vis , Jan Tytgat , Daniel Okitundu Luwa E-Andjafono , Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu , Benoit Nemery
A man was kidnapped and then drugged during a 5-day captivity. After his release, he exhibited various neurological symptoms (inability to walk independently, drowsiness, difficulties to speak, dizziness, headache and a dry mouth). Toxicological analyses of blood and urine samples obtained 3 days after his release revealed therapeutic levels of carbamazepine and its active metabolite in both blood and urine, along with metronidazole and nicotinamide. Carbamazepine has hitherto not been implicated in drug-related crimes. This case highlights the potential misuse of easily available therapeutic drugs for criminal purposes in low-income countries and illustrates the value of prompt international collaboration to elucidate etiologies in forensic toxicology.
{"title":"Criminal use of carbamazepine: A case of drug-facilitated captivity in Lubumbashi, DR Congo","authors":"Paul Musa Obadia , Elodie Lwendela Kalasa , Georges Kalenga Ilunga , Tony Kayembe-Kitenge , O. Inès , Margot De Vis , Jan Tytgat , Daniel Okitundu Luwa E-Andjafono , Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu , Benoit Nemery","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100441","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100441","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A man was kidnapped and then drugged during a 5-day captivity. After his release, he exhibited various neurological symptoms (inability to walk independently, drowsiness, difficulties to speak, dizziness, headache and a dry mouth). Toxicological analyses of blood and urine samples obtained 3 days after his release revealed therapeutic levels of carbamazepine and its active metabolite in both blood and urine, along with metronidazole and nicotinamide. Carbamazepine has hitherto not been implicated in drug-related crimes. This case highlights the potential misuse of easily available therapeutic drugs for criminal purposes in low-income countries and illustrates the value of prompt international collaboration to elucidate etiologies in forensic toxicology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100441"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145792049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-22DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100455
Yasmeen Abdhool, Lienke Perold
Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an uncommon cause of sudden death, particularly in non-cirrhotic individuals. We report a 59-year-old male who presented with one week of abdominal pain and died unexpectedly. His clinical history included a prior positive GeneXpert test for tuberculosis (2010) and multiple subsequent TB investigations over 15 years, though no record of anti-TB treatment was documented. At autopsy, a massive haemoperitoneum and hepatomegaly were observed, with a focal rupture of the liver capsule. The lungs demonstrated multiple nodules macroscopically suggestive of miliary tuberculosis in a high TB-burden setting. Post-mortem GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in lung and liver tissue; however, histology revealed no granulomatous inflammation or acid-fast bacilli. Histopathological examination confirmed HCC with regions of both well- and poorly differentiated tumour, vascular invasion, and subcapsular necrosis corresponding to the site of rupture. Pulmonary lesions were consistent with metastatic HCC. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges in high-TB-burden, resource-limited settings, where malignancies may be overlooked due to presumptive attribution of non-specific symptoms to tuberculosis. It underscores the importance of comprehensive differential diagnoses, clinical vigilance, and the value of autopsy in uncovering undiagnosed pathology.
{"title":"When hoofbeats aren’t always horses: Hepatocellular carcinoma rupture in a Tuberculosis‐Endemic Context","authors":"Yasmeen Abdhool, Lienke Perold","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100455","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100455","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an uncommon cause of sudden death, particularly in non-cirrhotic individuals. We report a 59-year-old male who presented with one week of abdominal pain and died unexpectedly. His clinical history included a prior positive GeneXpert test for tuberculosis (2010) and multiple subsequent TB investigations over 15 years, though no record of anti-TB treatment was documented. At autopsy, a massive haemoperitoneum and hepatomegaly were observed, with a focal rupture of the liver capsule. The lungs demonstrated multiple nodules macroscopically suggestive of miliary tuberculosis in a high TB-burden setting. Post-mortem GeneXpert MTB/RIF testing detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in lung and liver tissue; however, histology revealed no granulomatous inflammation or acid-fast bacilli. Histopathological examination confirmed HCC with regions of both well- and poorly differentiated tumour, vascular invasion, and subcapsular necrosis corresponding to the site of rupture. Pulmonary lesions were consistent with metastatic HCC. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges in high-TB-burden, resource-limited settings, where malignancies may be overlooked due to presumptive attribution of non-specific symptoms to tuberculosis. It underscores the importance of comprehensive differential diagnoses, clinical vigilance, and the value of autopsy in uncovering undiagnosed pathology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100455"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-20DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100454
Cassandra Creamer , Jolandie Myburgh , Desiré Brits , Brenda Z. De Gama
Forensic taphonomy facilities play an important role in decomposition research by providing controlled environments to investigate decomposition rates, patterns, and the influence of environmental factors on post-mortem interval estimations. Furthermore, establishing such facilities in different geographical locations is important for region-specific research. This paper outlines the experiences and challenges encountered in establishing a forensic taphonomy facility at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, based on guidelines obtained from existing literature. The establishment process involved extensive planning, including securing appropriate land, navigating complex ethical approval processes, obtaining permits, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. Financial and security measures also added to the aforementioned challenges. This facility was established with the aim of conducting animal decomposition research to investigate the effects of the humid-subtropical climate on post-mortem interval estimations and to contribute to the broader body of forensic decomposition research in South Africa. The experiences documented in this paper provide insights and guidance for future facility development in South Africa, with the potential to expand access to animal or human decomposition research and training opportunities.
{"title":"Establishing a forensic taphonomy facility at the University of KwaZulu-Natal: Experiences and challenges","authors":"Cassandra Creamer , Jolandie Myburgh , Desiré Brits , Brenda Z. De Gama","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Forensic taphonomy facilities play an important role in decomposition research by providing controlled environments to investigate decomposition rates, patterns, and the influence of environmental factors on post-mortem interval estimations. Furthermore, establishing such facilities in different geographical locations is important for region-specific research. This paper outlines the experiences and challenges encountered in establishing a forensic taphonomy facility at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, based on guidelines obtained from existing literature. The establishment process involved extensive planning, including securing appropriate land, navigating complex ethical approval processes, obtaining permits, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. Financial and security measures also added to the aforementioned challenges. This facility was established with the aim of conducting animal decomposition research to investigate the effects of the humid-subtropical climate on post-mortem interval estimations and to contribute to the broader body of forensic decomposition research in South Africa. The experiences documented in this paper provide insights and guidance for future facility development in South Africa, with the potential to expand access to animal or human decomposition research and training opportunities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100454"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146038179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2025-12-30DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100447
Smith Purdum , Justin P. Miller-Schulze
This work introduces a novel application of chemometric-based preprocessing and machine learning for fire debris analysis, which is crucial in origin and cause investigations. The most technically demanding and interpretative aspect of fire debris analysis is the qualitative classification of GC-MS data using pattern matching, which can be performed by artificial intelligence to support human analysts. Three different methods for preprocessing GC-MS data for machine learning, each requiring varying levels of analyst input, were developed using chromatographic software for feature extraction and data export. These methods were evaluated alongside several machine and deep learning models to classify fire debris and liquid samples containing self-heating fatty acids. The dataset comprised 310 samples (153 positive and 157 negative) generated from spontaneous heating experiments, neat exemplars, forensic casework, and pyrolyzed substrates. Models trained on each preprocessing method were evaluated using repeated 2-fold and Monte Carlo cross-validation across multiple training/testing splits. Within the scope of this data set and preprocessing methods, naive bayes, random forest, and gradient boosting performed best across 2-fold evaluations, with mean accuracies of 100 %, 99.90 %, and 99.65 % for the three preprocessing methods. This pilot study demonstrates a novel, chemometric workflow for fatty acid classification and establishes options for extending machine learning to more complicated fire debris tasks such as ignitable liquid residue analysis. The results imply that machine learning has the potential to enhance fire debris analysis by improving accuracy and analytical efficiency by streamlining routine classification tasks, allowing laboratories to allocate expert effort more effectively and reduce turnaround time.
{"title":"Chemometric-based machine learning for the forensic classification of fire debris for the presence of self-heating fatty acids following analysis by ASTM E2881","authors":"Smith Purdum , Justin P. Miller-Schulze","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100447","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100447","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work introduces a novel application of chemometric-based preprocessing and machine learning for fire debris analysis, which is crucial in origin and cause investigations. The most technically demanding and interpretative aspect of fire debris analysis is the qualitative classification of GC-MS data using pattern matching, which can be performed by artificial intelligence to support human analysts. Three different methods for preprocessing GC-MS data for machine learning, each requiring varying levels of analyst input, were developed using chromatographic software for feature extraction and data export. These methods were evaluated alongside several machine and deep learning models to classify fire debris and liquid samples containing self-heating fatty acids. The dataset comprised 310 samples (153 positive and 157 negative) generated from spontaneous heating experiments, neat exemplars, forensic casework, and pyrolyzed substrates. Models trained on each preprocessing method were evaluated using repeated 2-fold and Monte Carlo cross-validation across multiple training/testing splits. Within the scope of this data set and preprocessing methods, naive bayes, random forest, and gradient boosting performed best across 2-fold evaluations, with mean accuracies of 100 %, 99.90 %, and 99.65 % for the three preprocessing methods. This pilot study demonstrates a novel, chemometric workflow for fatty acid classification and establishes options for extending machine learning to more complicated fire debris tasks such as ignitable liquid residue analysis. The results imply that machine learning has the potential to enhance fire debris analysis by improving accuracy and analytical efficiency by streamlining routine classification tasks, allowing laboratories to allocate expert effort more effectively and reduce turnaround time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100447"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145927179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100440
Gabriela Idaline de Freitas , Carlos E. Rodrigues Jr , Daniel Eduardo Visciano de Carvalho , Ricardo Utsunomia , Fabio Porto-Foresti
The rapidly expanding global trade in fish maw (dried swim bladders) necessitates urgent forensic monitoring, as this highly processed commodity is morphologically unidentifiable, directly facilitating the illicit inclusion of vulnerable species in the legal supply chain. This research applied DNA Barcoding (cytochrome oxidase I; COI gene) to 120 fish maw samples seized by Brazilian environmental authorities at a major international airport to provide species-level identification and crucial data on trade practices. We identified eight species, with the overwhelming majority belonging to Amazonian Sciaenids (Cynoscion acoupa and Plagioscion auratus) and the catfish Sciades parkeri. Crucially, the definitive identification of C. acoupa and S. parkeri confirms the direct exploitation of species listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, tracing their flow from multiple Brazilian states to major global consumer hubs, including Hong Kong, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Furthermore, the study exposed a critical methodological constraint: an initial ambiguous species assignment by the BOLD system (94 % match) was only resolved by confirming the correct species, S. parkeri, through the NCBI database (100 % match). This finding demonstrates the essential need for critical evaluation and the utilization of complementary reference libraries to overcome 'code gaps' in forensic analyses. These data underscore the essential role of molecular techniques as an enforcement tool for traceability and provide unequivocal evidence supporting the immediate need for targeted legislation and rigorous regulatory oversight to protect vulnerable Amazonian stocks.
{"title":"DNA barcoding for the identification of swim bladders: An approach to international trade monitoring","authors":"Gabriela Idaline de Freitas , Carlos E. Rodrigues Jr , Daniel Eduardo Visciano de Carvalho , Ricardo Utsunomia , Fabio Porto-Foresti","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100440","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100440","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapidly expanding global trade in fish maw (dried swim bladders) necessitates urgent forensic monitoring, as this highly processed commodity is morphologically unidentifiable, directly facilitating the illicit inclusion of vulnerable species in the legal supply chain. This research applied DNA Barcoding (cytochrome oxidase I; COI gene) to 120 fish maw samples seized by Brazilian environmental authorities at a major international airport to provide species-level identification and crucial data on trade practices. We identified eight species, with the overwhelming majority belonging to Amazonian Sciaenids (<em>Cynoscion acoupa</em> and <em>Plagioscion auratus)</em> and the catfish <em>Sciades parkeri</em>. Crucially, the definitive identification of <em>C. acoupa</em> and <em>S. parkeri</em> confirms the direct exploitation of species listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, tracing their flow from multiple Brazilian states to major global consumer hubs, including Hong Kong, the United States, United Kingdom and China. Furthermore, the study exposed a critical methodological constraint: an initial ambiguous species assignment by the BOLD system (94 % match) was only resolved by confirming the correct species, <em>S. parkeri</em>, through the NCBI database (100 % match). This finding demonstrates the essential need for critical evaluation and the utilization of complementary reference libraries to overcome 'code gaps' in forensic analyses. These data underscore the essential role of molecular techniques as an enforcement tool for traceability and provide unequivocal evidence supporting the immediate need for targeted legislation and rigorous regulatory oversight to protect vulnerable Amazonian stocks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100440"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145711883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A 47-year-old woman was found her sitting on the street. She was a heavy drinker. She went into cardiopulmonary arrest during emergency transport and died in the hospital approximately 45 min after being found. Post-mortem computed tomography (CT) scan showed massive intra-abdominal fluid retention. At autopsy, 2825 mL of blood was found in the intra-abdominal cavity. The liver showed cirrhosis. The source of bleeding was identified as a ruptured varices in the retroperitoneum at the colo–hepatic curvature. Varices may develop as a result of portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, but they generally occur at the gastroesophageal junction. Varices that develop in other locations are referred to as ectopic varices. And among these, retroperitoneal varices are rare. In the present case, the presence of intra-abdominal hemorrhage could be suspected before autopsy based on post-mortem CT findings, but autopsy was necessary to identify the bleeding source. In conclusion, in cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis, ectopic variceal rupture should also be considered.
{"title":"Fatal hemoperitoneum due to rupture of retroperitoneal varices","authors":"Tomoka Yamaguchi, Taiga Nakamura, Shiori Hattori, Keisuke Mizuo, Satoshi Watanabe","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100457","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100457","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A 47-year-old woman was found her sitting on the street. She was a heavy drinker. She went into cardiopulmonary arrest during emergency transport and died in the hospital approximately 45 min after being found. Post-mortem computed tomography (CT) scan showed massive intra-abdominal fluid retention. At autopsy, 2825 mL of blood was found in the intra-abdominal cavity. The liver showed cirrhosis. The source of bleeding was identified as a ruptured varices in the retroperitoneum at the colo–hepatic curvature. Varices may develop as a result of portal hypertension due to cirrhosis, but they generally occur at the gastroesophageal junction. Varices that develop in other locations are referred to as ectopic varices. And among these, retroperitoneal varices are rare. In the present case, the presence of intra-abdominal hemorrhage could be suspected before autopsy based on post-mortem CT findings, but autopsy was necessary to identify the bleeding source. In conclusion, in cases of intra-abdominal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis, ectopic variceal rupture should also be considered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100457"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188892","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100452
Yang Chen , Manrui Li , Zhuo Li , Xilong Lin , Yang Xu , Shengqiu Qu , Meili Lv , Miao Liao , Lin Zhang , Qiuyun Yang , Xiameng Chen , Weibo Liang
Accurate determination of the timing and progression of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is critical in forensic pathology, particularly for reconstructing injury events and estimating post-traumatic intervals. However, conventional timing approaches of TBI rely on limited pathological features and often lack sufficient accuracy. To address this limitation, we re-analyzed publicly available single-cell RNA-seq datasets from GEO (GSE269748 and GSE160763) and integrated murine cortical transcriptomes across three post-injury stages—acute (24 h), subacute (7 days), and chronic (6 months)—to characterize time-resolved neuronal molecular changes after TBI. Neuron-focused differential expression and functional enrichment analyses revealed a progression from early stress and inflammatory-response programs toward later synaptic and neurodegeneration-associated alterations. We further curated representative gene sets for 14 regulated cell-death programs and quantified their activity using AUCell-derived AUC scoring, identifying stage-dependent shifts in death-associated transcriptional signatures, with higher necroptosis- and pyroptosis-associated signals in the acute phase and increased ferroptosis- and autophagic cell death–associated signals in the chronic phase, accompanied by transcriptional patterns consistent with altered iron handling and glutathione metabolism. This re-analysis provides a time-resolved, neuron-centered molecular framework that may support forensic estimation of injury timing and offers insight into mechanisms of secondary brain injury.
{"title":"Single-cell transcriptomics reveals time-resolved neuronal death characteristics in traumatic brain injury","authors":"Yang Chen , Manrui Li , Zhuo Li , Xilong Lin , Yang Xu , Shengqiu Qu , Meili Lv , Miao Liao , Lin Zhang , Qiuyun Yang , Xiameng Chen , Weibo Liang","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100452","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100452","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate determination of the timing and progression of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is critical in forensic pathology, particularly for reconstructing injury events and estimating post-traumatic intervals. However, conventional timing approaches of TBI rely on limited pathological features and often lack sufficient accuracy. To address this limitation, we re-analyzed publicly available single-cell RNA-seq datasets from GEO (GSE269748 and GSE160763) and integrated murine cortical transcriptomes across three post-injury stages—acute (24 h), subacute (7 days), and chronic (6 months)—to characterize time-resolved neuronal molecular changes after TBI. Neuron-focused differential expression and functional enrichment analyses revealed a progression from early stress and inflammatory-response programs toward later synaptic and neurodegeneration-associated alterations. We further curated representative gene sets for 14 regulated cell-death programs and quantified their activity using AUCell-derived AUC scoring, identifying stage-dependent shifts in death-associated transcriptional signatures, with higher necroptosis- and pyroptosis-associated signals in the acute phase and increased ferroptosis- and autophagic cell death–associated signals in the chronic phase, accompanied by transcriptional patterns consistent with altered iron handling and glutathione metabolism. This re-analysis provides a time-resolved, neuron-centered molecular framework that may support forensic estimation of injury timing and offers insight into mechanisms of secondary brain injury.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100452"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977845","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cases of fatality caused by a tire explosion are extremely rare, especially during the disassembly process. Tire explosions can occur due to improper techniques during assembly or maintenance; however, serious accidents can also occur during disassembly due to the high-pressure air remaining inside the tire tube, as in this case. We present the case of a man in his 60 s who died after being struck by a tire rim due to a tire explosion during the dismantling of a large wheel and tire set of an airplane passenger boarding bridge. Autopsy revealed complex fractures of the head and chest, fractures of the thoracic vertebrae and upper extremities, and damage to multiple organs. A characteristic feature of this case is thoracic vertebral fracture, which has not been found in previous fatal tire explosion cases, suggesting that the injury resulted from a very large external force. This indicates that discarded tires still contain enough pressurized air to launch the rim, posing a danger equal to or greater than that of tire explosions during assembly or maintenance. This case highlights the importance of safety measures during tire disassembly. Although it is mandatory to use a safety cage to fill the tire with air during maintenance, no such safety measures were undertaken during disassembly. It is necessary to implement safety measures and provide equipment in the workplace to protect the workers.
{"title":"Fatal injury from tire explosion during disassembly: A forensic case report","authors":"Shota Furukawa , Ako Sasao , Yuki Ohtsu , Hiroshi Tsutsumi , Chihiro Kawai , Masashi Miyao , Rie Sano , Yoko Nishitani","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100445","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2025.100445","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cases of fatality caused by a tire explosion are extremely rare, especially during the disassembly process. Tire explosions can occur due to improper techniques during assembly or maintenance; however, serious accidents can also occur during disassembly due to the high-pressure air remaining inside the tire tube, as in this case. We present the case of a man in his 60 s who died after being struck by a tire rim due to a tire explosion during the dismantling of a large wheel and tire set of an airplane passenger boarding bridge. Autopsy revealed complex fractures of the head and chest, fractures of the thoracic vertebrae and upper extremities, and damage to multiple organs. A characteristic feature of this case is thoracic vertebral fracture, which has not been found in previous fatal tire explosion cases, suggesting that the injury resulted from a very large external force. This indicates that discarded tires still contain enough pressurized air to launch the rim, posing a danger equal to or greater than that of tire explosions during assembly or maintenance. This case highlights the importance of safety measures during tire disassembly. Although it is mandatory to use a safety cage to fill the tire with air during maintenance, no such safety measures were undertaken during disassembly. It is necessary to implement safety measures and provide equipment in the workplace to protect the workers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100445"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145926636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100486
Disha Manjunatha
Accurate interpretation of decomposition is central to forensic investigation, yet the influence of body containment materials remains insufficiently understood. Conventional polyethylene body bags are widely used in forensic and mortuary practice, but interest in more sustainable alternatives is increasing. The forensic consequences of biodegradable wrappings, however, have not been systematically tested within a comparative design. This study examined decomposition under nine conditions using a murine model (n = 27): polyethylene, PLA/PVA bioplastic, linen, cotton, jute, banana leaf, palm leaf, papyrus, and unwrapped controls. Three specimens were allocated to each treatment and deployed for 55 days in a semi-controlled outdoor setting representative of temperate UK summer conditions. Decomposition was assessed morphologically using Total Body Score (TBS) and chemically using surface pH, alongside contextual environmental monitoring. Plastics produced the most rapid early morphological progression, with polyethylene and PLA/PVA reaching TBS 19 by Day 10. Textiles showed steadier trajectories and near-neutral terminal pH values, with linen showing partial desiccation consistent with incipient mummification. Botanical wrappings generated the strongest acidification, with banana leaf and papyrus declining from pH 7.0 at Day 17 to pH 5.0 at Day 55. Exploratory multivariate analysis further suggested clustering by material type. These findings show that wrapping materials create distinct decomposition microenvironments and therefore alter morphological and chemical pathways relevant to post-mortem interval estimation, recovery practice, and the evaluation of sustainable alternatives to polyethylene.
准确解释分解是法医调查的核心，但对尸体收容材料的影响仍未充分了解。传统的聚乙烯尸袋广泛用于法医和太平间的实践，但对更可持续的替代品的兴趣正在增加。然而，可生物降解包装的法医后果尚未在比较设计中进行系统测试。本研究使用小鼠模型（n = 27）检查了九种条件下的分解：聚乙烯、PLA/PVA生物塑料、亚麻、棉花、黄麻、香蕉叶、棕榈叶、纸莎草和未包装的对照。每个处理分配三个标本，并在一个半受控的室外环境中放置55天，代表英国温带夏季条件。利用总体评分（Total Body Score， TBS）进行形态评估，利用表面pH值进行化学评估，同时进行环境监测。塑料的早期形态发展最快，聚乙烯和PLA/PVA在第10天达到TBS 19。纺织品显示出稳定的轨迹和接近中性的终端pH值，亚麻显示出与早期木乃伊化一致的部分干燥。植物膜的酸化作用最强，蕉叶和纸莎草的pH值从第17天的7.0下降到第55天的5.0。探索性多变量分析进一步显示了材料类型的聚类。这些发现表明，包裹材料创造了独特的分解微环境，因此改变了与死后间隔估计、回收实践和可持续聚乙烯替代品评估相关的形态和化学途径。
{"title":"From wrapping to remains: Evaluating eco‑sustainable alternatives to traditional body bags in forensic decomposition studies","authors":"Disha Manjunatha","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100486","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100486","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Accurate interpretation of decomposition is central to forensic investigation, yet the influence of body containment materials remains insufficiently understood. Conventional polyethylene body bags are widely used in forensic and mortuary practice, but interest in more sustainable alternatives is increasing. The forensic consequences of biodegradable wrappings, however, have not been systematically tested within a comparative design. This study examined decomposition under nine conditions using a murine model (n = 27): polyethylene, PLA/PVA bioplastic, linen, cotton, jute, banana leaf, palm leaf, papyrus, and unwrapped controls. Three specimens were allocated to each treatment and deployed for 55 days in a semi-controlled outdoor setting representative of temperate UK summer conditions. Decomposition was assessed morphologically using Total Body Score (TBS) and chemically using surface pH, alongside contextual environmental monitoring. Plastics produced the most rapid early morphological progression, with polyethylene and PLA/PVA reaching TBS 19 by Day 10. Textiles showed steadier trajectories and near-neutral terminal pH values, with linen showing partial desiccation consistent with incipient mummification. Botanical wrappings generated the strongest acidification, with banana leaf and papyrus declining from pH 7.0 at Day 17 to pH 5.0 at Day 55. Exploratory multivariate analysis further suggested clustering by material type. These findings show that wrapping materials create distinct decomposition microenvironments and therefore alter morphological and chemical pathways relevant to post-mortem interval estimation, recovery practice, and the evaluation of sustainable alternatives to polyethylene.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100486"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148183653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
In forensic examination, inorganic gunshot residue (iGSR) can potentially refer to the act of shooting from a person and become value case evidence. The iGSR analysis is performed by the detection of particles containing antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), or lead (Pb) in a sample. For reliable evidence examination, laboratory competence for the iGSR analysis can be evaluated via the proficiency testing (PT). PT schemes can be achieved by examination of sample magnitude and properties while the iGSR analysis is targeted for quantitative information or characteristic iGSR particles obtained from PT samples. In this study, the Royal Thai Police aims to perform the assessment in comparison with interlaboratory and propose a quick guide to assess the iGSR analysis based on forensic examination techniques, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and inductively coupled plasmaoptical emission spectrometry (ICPOES). Standard deviation index (SDI) was employed for the performance assessment. The differences in the interlaboratory results were compared. The nearly zero SDI indicated optimal readiness for both schemes of iGSR analysis. While standard guidelines accept an absolute SDI up to 2, we propose a preliminary internal guideline wherein an absolute SDI above 1 cautiously suggests restricting the laboratory to qualitative-only PT participation. The observed SDI values can be used as a tool for performance assessment and decision making prior to PT subscription of iGSR analysis. Therefore, quick evaluation offers the benefit of time saving and budgets on PT process for each laboratory under the forensic unit in terms of laboratory performance.
{"title":"Proficiency testing of inorganic gunshot residue analysis for laboratory performance assessment","authors":"Worapot Prongmanee , Phuritpach Nantasitangkool , Parinya Seelanan","doi":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100485","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.fsir.2026.100485","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In forensic examination, inorganic gunshot residue (iGSR) can potentially refer to the act of shooting from a person and become value case evidence. The iGSR analysis is performed by the detection of particles containing antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), or lead (Pb) in a sample. For reliable evidence examination, laboratory competence for the iGSR analysis can be evaluated via the proficiency testing (PT). PT schemes can be achieved by examination of sample magnitude and properties while the iGSR analysis is targeted for quantitative information or characteristic iGSR particles obtained from PT samples. In this study, the Royal Thai Police aims to perform the assessment in comparison with interlaboratory and propose a quick guide to assess the iGSR analysis based on forensic examination techniques, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM/EDS) and inductively coupled plasma<img>optical emission spectrometry (ICP<img>OES). Standard deviation index (SDI) was employed for the performance assessment. The differences in the interlaboratory results were compared. The nearly zero SDI indicated optimal readiness for both schemes of iGSR analysis. While standard guidelines accept an absolute SDI up to 2, we propose a preliminary internal guideline wherein an absolute SDI above 1 cautiously suggests restricting the laboratory to qualitative-only PT participation. The observed SDI values can be used as a tool for performance assessment and decision making prior to PT subscription of iGSR analysis. Therefore, quick evaluation offers the benefit of time saving and budgets on PT process for each laboratory under the forensic unit in terms of laboratory performance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36331,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science International: Reports","volume":"13 ","pages":"Article 100485"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148184354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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