Submitted by Leonardo Bueno de Melo (leonardo.melo@fgvmail.br) on 2012-06-01T15:34:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LeonardoMelo.pdf: 1174017 bytes, checksum: 6eb252cb58122c95109b70ab9281ce8e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ÁURA CORRÊA DA FONSECA CORRÊA DA FONSECA (aurea.fonseca@fgv.br) on 2012-06-06T15:02:48Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LeonardoMelo.pdf: 1174017 bytes, checksum: 6eb252cb58122c95109b70ab9281ce8e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-06-11T13:53:38Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LeonardoMelo.pdf: 1174017 bytes, checksum: 6eb252cb58122c95109b70ab9281ce8e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-06-11T13:53:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LeonardoMelo.pdf: 1174017 bytes, checksum: 6eb252cb58122c95109b70ab9281ce8e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-31 / A necessidade de lidar com a identificação, o desenvolvimento, a formalização e a implementação de estratégias na Criminalística da Polícia Federal leva a questionamentos quanto à presença das condições necessárias para a implantação efetiva de um processo de planejamento estratégico institucional no ambiente considerado, e cuja resposta constituiu o objetivo da presente pesquisa. Neste contexto, combinam-se elementos ligados à natureza de organização pública da Criminalística e conceitos da Administração advindos do ambiente da iniciativa privada, assim como idiossincrasias da categoria profissional formada pelos peritos criminais. E, por ser o planejamento estratégico uma atividade insólita na organização, está sujeito a uma série de riscos e ameaças sobre os quais ainda não se tem conhecimento suficiente. Este estudo valeu-se de entrevistas semiestruturadas para avaliar, a partir da percepção dos próprios peritos criminais federais, se estão presentes fatores relacionados a três perspectivas de destaque identificadas na literatura acadêmica que poderiam viabilizar a implantação do planejamento estratégico na Criminalística da Polícia Federal. A primeira perspectiva se refere ao contexto mais amplo de organização, extraída a partir de uma abordagem integradora sobre o processo de formação da estratégia, que considera a visão como elemento agregador entre a racionalidade do planejamento estratégico formalizado e a participatividade geradora das estratégias emergentes. A segunda diz respeito ao contexto mais restrito que abrange as organizações do setor público, em que as dimensões de propriedade comum, financiamento público e controle político resultam em uma série de especificidades em relação ao setor privado. Por fim, a terceira perspectiva trata da caracterização da Criminalística como organização profissional, em que a tensão entre controle gerencial e autonomia profissional assume importância de destaque. O resultado, obtido a partir de análise interpretativa fenomenológica das entrevistas, revelou que a falta de um senso comum sobre a direção a ser seguida pela organização, associada ao baixo envolvimento dos peritos, constitui um fator condicionante do sucesso do planejamento estratégico na Criminalística. / The need to deal with identification, development, formalization and implementation of strategies in the Federal Police Forensic Body leads to questions about the feasibility of effective implementation of an institutional strategic planning process in the referred environment, and whose answer was the objective of this research. In this scenario, elements related to the public nature of the organization and management theories arising from the private sector are combined, as well as idiosyncrasies of the forensic expert profession. And, as an unusual activity in the organization, strategic planning is subject to a number of risks and threats about which one is still not aware enough. This study relied on semi-structured interviews to assess, from the perception of federal forensic experts themselves, the presence of factors related to three prominent perspectives identified in the academic literature that could make the implementation of strategic planning in the Federal Police Forensic Body possible. The first perspective refers to the broader organization level, derived from an integrative perspective on the process of strategy formation which considers the existence of vision as an aggregator between the rationality of a formalized strategic planning and the involvement that generates emerging strategies. The second concerns the more restricted context which includes the public sector organizations, where the dimensions of common property, public funding and political control result in a number of specific features in comparison to the private sector. Finally, the third perspective deals with the specific nature of Forensics as a professional organization, in which the tension between managerial control and professional autonomy assumes an outstanding importance. The result, obtained from an interpretative phenomenological analysis of interviews, revealed that the lack of common sense about the direction to be trailed by the organization, associated with low involvement of the forensic experts, proved to be a determinant of the success of the strategic planning in the Federal Police Forensic Body.

Submitted by Rogério Mesquita (rogerio.rlm@gmail.com) on 2012-10-16T11:38:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_final.pdf: 2285647 bytes, checksum: 704ecfd12a53b0dd7bfe52cb549056cc (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by ÁUREA CORRÊA DA FONSECA CORRÊA DA FONSECA (aurea.fonseca@fgv.br) on 2012-10-19T12:56:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_final.pdf: 2285647 bytes, checksum: 704ecfd12a53b0dd7bfe52cb549056cc (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-10-23T17:29:06Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_final.pdf: 2285647 bytes, checksum: 704ecfd12a53b0dd7bfe52cb549056cc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-10-23T17:29:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_final.pdf: 2285647 bytes, checksum: 704ecfd12a53b0dd7bfe52cb549056cc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-26 / This research focuses on the internalization of the Criminalistics (Forensic Service) of the Federal Police, which consists of a project to open scientific and technical units to perform forensic examinations in some cities in the interior of Brazil where there are police stations of the Federal Police. After the opening of the first units in the interior of the country, some positive results have been achieved. However, it also emerged undesirable situations and negative aspects that were not provided for. The objective of this study was to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of installing of technical-scientific units within the country for the administration of federal forensics. The survey was conducted with 59 heads of forensic units of the capitals of Member States and of some cities in the interior of the country. The study showed that some positive results have been achieved, as faster service and better interaction with the forensic service users. But it has been found also that there are problems related to infrastructure, human resources and materials in the units of the interior of the country. After this study it was possible to conclude that the continuation of the program of internalization of federal forensics depends on the achievement of the necessary investments preliminarily in human and material resources to that currently existing units may have the appropriate conditions for its functioning. / A presente pesquisa versa sobre a interiorização da Perícia Criminal da Polícia Federal, que consiste num projeto de implantação de Unidades Técnico-Científicas para a execução de exames periciais em algumas cidades do interior do Brasil onde existem delegacias da Polícia Federal. Após a abertura das primeiras unidades no interior do país surgiram alguns resultados positivos. Entretanto, também surgiram situações indesejáveis e aspectos negativos que não foram previstos. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as vantagens e as desvantagens da instalação de Unidades Técnico-Científicas no interior do país para a administração da Perícia Criminal Federal. A pesquisa foi realizada com 59 chefes das unidades de perícia criminal das capitais dos estados e das unidades do interior. O estudo demonstrou que alguns resultados positivos foram alcançados, como a maior rapidez no atendimento e a melhor interação com o usuário do serviço de perícia criminal. Mas foi constatado também que existem problemas relacionados à infraestrutura, recursos humanos e materiais nas unidades do interior. Com o estudo foi possível concluir que a continuidade do programa de interiorização da perícia criminal federal depende preliminarmente da realização dos investimentos necessários em recursos humanos e materiais para que as unidades atualmente existentes possam ter as condições adequadas para seu funcionamento.

Submitted by NÚBIA FERNANDA GOMES PEREIRA (nubiafgp@yahoo.com.br) on 2013-11-12T16:57:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Núbia Fernanda Gomes Pereira - Gestão de Mudanças VERSÃO FINAL.pdf: 5730211 bytes, checksum: 0d4a03445718a6190d033db4ed9980e8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Janete de Oliveira Feitosa (janete.feitosa@fgv.br) on 2013-11-27T13:37:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Núbia Fernanda Gomes Pereira - Gestão de Mudanças VERSÃO FINAL.pdf: 5730211 bytes, checksum: 0d4a03445718a6190d033db4ed9980e8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2013-11-28T12:26:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Núbia Fernanda Gomes Pereira - Gestão de Mudanças VERSÃO FINAL.pdf: 5730211 bytes, checksum: 0d4a03445718a6190d033db4ed9980e8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-11-28T12:26:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Núbia Fernanda Gomes Pereira - Gestão de Mudanças VERSÃO FINAL.pdf: 5730211 bytes, checksum: 0d4a03445718a6190d033db4ed9980e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-09-27 / The purpose of this research was to investigate how change management have been applied in the Forensic Branch of the Brazilian Federal Police, as part of a broader field of study related to organizational changes. To determine which analytical categories were crucial to better understand this change process, a comprehensive review of published articles in this field was undertaken, leading to an investigation of three different themes. The first goal of this research was content of change, to determine the exact nature of the transformation proposed. Next, it was evaluated the change implementation process utilized and, finally, in what type of context was this change implemented. More specifically, this qualitative project attempted to assess the change management process occurred during the implementation of complexity indicators in the Forensic Branch of the Brazilian Federal Police, in light of the model proposed by John P. Kotter for the effective implementation of change in organizations, considering their interaction with the organizational context. Data was obtained through semistructured interviews with those responsible for spearheading the process, including management leaders and Directors of the Forensics Branch. Additional data was gathered through the study of organizational documents and direct observation. The results indicated significant competitive factors related to the three fields studied that prevented the achievement of the expected goals, including: a) the proposed change is a kind of performance evaluation, which is a contentious issue that raises many discussions, and, therefore, had very low acceptance; b) unfavorable organizational context, as the Forensics Branch is currently a part of a police organization with a strong punitive and discipline culture; c) process change management was mishandled, according to the theoretical model for the effective implementation of changes in the organizations proposed by Kotter (1995, 1997). / Este pesquisa, inserida no campo de estudo sobre mudanças organizacionais, buscou investigar como é realizada a gestão de mudanças na Criminalística da Polícia Federal. Para isso, partiu-se de um referencial teórico para a estruturação de categorias de análise essenciais para o estudo do tema, agrupadas em três dimensões: conteúdo da mudança, processo de implementação da mudança e contexto em que ocorreu a mudança. Dessa forma, essa pesquisa de caráter qualitativo avaliou o processo de gestão de mudança ocorrido por meio da implementação de indicadores de complexidade na Criminalística da Polícia Federal, à luz do modelo proposto por John P. Kotter para a implementação eficaz de mudanças nas organizações, considerando sua interação com as circunstâncias contextais prevalecentes. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com os componentes do corpo gerencial e diretor da Criminalística, responsáveis pela condução do processo de implementação da mudança. A análise de documentos institucionais e a observação direta complementaram a coleta dos dados. Os resultados apontaram para uma significante concorrência dos fatores relacionados às três dimensões estudadas que impediu o alcance dos objetivos esperados com a mudança, destacando-se: a) aspecto negativo relacionado à própria natureza da mudança, que se enquadra no campo de avaliação de desempenho, questão polêmica que levanta muitas discussões; b) contexto organizacional desfavorável, por estar inserida em uma organização policial, com forte cultura disciplinar e punitiva; c) processo de gestão de mudança mal conduzido, de acordo com modelo teórico para a implementação eficaz de mudanças nas organizações proposto por Kotter (1995, 1997).

L’analyse et l’interprétation d’´echantillons constitu´es de mélanges d’ADN de plusieurs individus est un défi majeur en science forensique. Lorsqu’un expert de la police scientifique a affaire à un mélange d’ADN il doit répondre à deux questions: d’abord, “combien de contributeurs y a-t-il dans ce mélange ?”et puis, “quels sont les génotypes des individus impliqués ?” Le typage seul de cet ADN ne permet pas toujours de r´epondre `a ces questions. En effet leproblème est posé d`es lors que plus de deux allèles sont observées à un locus donné, plusieurscombinaisons génotypiques sont alors `a envisager et il est impossible de déterminer avec certitudele nombre d’individus qui ont contribué au m´elange. De plus, la présence d’anomalies liées àl’analyse de marqueurs g´en´etiques, comme la contamination ou la perte d’all`eles (“drop-out”),peut davantage compliquer l’analyse.Les nombreux d´eveloppements statistiques d´edi´es `a ces probl´ematiques n’ont pas eu le succ`esescompt´e dans la communaut´e forensique, essentiellement, parce que ces m´ethodes n’ont pas ´et´evalid´ees. Or sans cette validation, les experts de la police scientifique ne peuvent exploiter cesm´ethodes sur des m´elanges issus d’affaires en cours d’investigation.Avant d’ˆetre valid´ees, ces m´ethodes doivent passer par une rigoureuse ´etape d’´evaluation.Cette derni`ere soul`eve deux questions: d’abord, la question de la m´ethodologie `a adopter, puis,celle des outils `a d´eployer. Dans cette th`ese, nous tentons de r´epondre aux deux questions.D’abord, nous menons des ´etudes d’´evaluation sur des m´ethodes d´edi´ees `a deux questions cl´es: i)l’estimation du nombre de contributeurs `a un m´elange d’ADN et ii) l’estimation des probabilit´esde “drop-out”. En second lieu, nous proposons un logiciel “open-source” qui offre un certainnombre de fonctionnalit´es permettant de faciliter l’´evaluation de m´ethodes statistiques d´edi´eesaux m´elanges d’ADN.Cette thèse a pour but d’apporter une r´eponse concr`ete aux experts de la police scientifiqueen leur fournissant `a la fois une d´emarche m´ethodologique pour l’´evaluation de m´ethodes, et lapossibilit´e d’analyser la sensibilit´e de leurs r´esultats au travers d’un outil informatique en libreacc`es. / Analysis of forensic DNA mixtures recovered from crime scenes is one of the most challengingtasks in forensic science. DNA mixture raise two main questions: “how many contributors arethere” and “what are the genotypes of the contributing individuals?” The genetic characterizationalone of such samples does not always answer these questions. In fact, whenever more thantwo alleles are observed at a given locus, several distinct genotypic combinations are plausiblefor the unknown contributors to the sample, and it is not possible to determine the number ofthese contributors with absolute certainty. Besides, the presence of anomalies related to DNAtyping techniques, such as contamination or allele loss (drop-out), can further complicate theanalysis.Numerous statistical developments facilitating DNA mixtures interpretation were proposed,but they did not receive the expected success in the forensic community. The main explanationfor this is that these methods are not validated for forensic casework.In order to achieve this validation criterion, the methods must undergo a rigorous evaluationstep. The latter raises two questions: i) how methods should be evaluated? and ii) whattools can be used to conduct evaluation studies? In this thesis we attempt to answer bothquestions. First, we evaluate methods dedicated to two key issues, the estimation of the numberof contributors to DNA mixtures and the estimation of drop-out probabilities. Second, wepropose an “open-source” software that offers a number of functionalities dedicated to facilitatingmethod evaluation through the simulation of data commonly encountered in forensic settings.This thesis aims to provide a concrete answer to the issues raised by forensic DNA mixtures,by providing a methodology for method evaluation and by offering necessary tools to enablemethod evaluation.

Introduction : La détermination du délai postmortem dans les cas de découvertes de restes squelettisés est un élément clé de l’enquête judiciaire. Pour autant, face à la découverte de restes osseux, peu de méthodes sont applicables pour une estimation précise de ce délai. Cette étude taphonomique souhaitait s’inscrire dans une temporalité rejoignant les impératifs judiciaires appliqués en médecine légale. Ainsi, l’hypothèse principale de ce travail était constituée par une dégradation organique précoce de l’os en période postmortem, notamment sous la forme d’une dégradation collagénique. Celle ci a donc fait l’objet d’une évaluation prospective.Matériels et Méthodes : 6 dons de corps humains, sans pathologie osseuse connue ont été inclus et pour chaque sujet, le choix des os étudiés s’est orienté vers les côtes. Ces os ont été inclus dans un environnement de diagénèse et étudiés sur 2 ans. Une analyse macroscopique de perte de poids de l’os a été réalisée, et complétée par deux méthodes : l’une moléculaire (microspectrométrie Raman) et l’autre morphologique (histologie).Résultats : Ce travail, a permis de mettre en évidence certaines caractéristiques de l’altération temporelle des différentes phases osseuses via : une dessiccation mise en évidence par une perte de poids osseuse ; une diagénèse des fractions organiques et minérales. Ainsi, l’étude des paramètres physico-chimiques en microspectrométrie Raman a montré une tendance temporelle à la diminution des rapports phase minérale/phase organique ; la diminution de la carbonatation minérale ; l’augmentation de la cristallinité. L’analyse statistique multivariée des spectres Raman a permis : de distinguer des groupes temporels en les discriminant via leurs contributions organiques ; de construire l’ébauche d’un modèle statistique d’utilisation pratique. L’étude microscopique des prélèvements a montré l’absence de toute attaque microbienne en période postmortem précoce, mais un mécanisme d’altération organique collagénique de type hydrolyse chimique.Discussion : Notre travail, a permis d’identifier 3 paramètres fondamentaux du vieillissement osseux qui doivent être connus du praticien qualifié en anthropologie médico-légale, et cela même sur une période d’étude de 2 ans « courte » à l’échelle de l’anthropologie :- L’environnement influence fortement la diagénèse osseuse et doit être aussi bien étudié que l’os en lui même. En effet, l’étude de la perte de poids de l’os, a montré une altération de composition osseuse très précoce avec phénomène de dessiccation osseuse, comparable à la déshydratation globale du corps en période postmortem ;- La diagénèse osseuse est un phénomène global dans lequel les différentes altérations de phases minérales et organiques sont interdépendantes et peuvent être appréciées par la microspectrométrie Raman, qui outre son apport dans l’analyse de la dégradation chimique de l’os, permet par les outils statistiques qui y sont associés, d’identifier des classes temporelles de diagénèse. Ces classes, qui devront faire l’objet d’études supplémentaires, pourraient à terme être une aide pratique et servir de référence dans la datation précise d’un os ;- L’altération organique de l’os peut s’opérer selon des modes de dégradations chimiques ou bactériens en fonction de l’environnement et du délai postmortem. L’histologie peut permettre de faire ce distinguo. Sur ce délai d’étude, la dégradation collagénique de type chimique par hydrolyse est prédominante.Conclusion : Ces paramètres forment une unité structurelle indissociable qui est connue de longue date en anthropologie archéologique, et qui est parfaitement transposable en pratique médico-légale si des méthodologies adaptées sont développées. Les voies de recherche sur cette thématique ont un rôle essentiel à jouer pour que la médecine légale puisse répondre aux légitimes demandes exprimées par les victimes et leurs ayants-droits auprès de la justice. / Introduction: Determining the postmortem interval in cases of skeletonized remains is a key element of the judicial investigation. However, few methods are applicable for an accurate estimate of this period. This taphonomic study wanted to be performed in a temporality joining the legal requirements applied in forensics. Thus, the main hypothesis of this study was an early organic postmortem bone degradation, particularly a collagen degradation. The latter has been studied prospectively.Materials and Methods: 6 human bodies without known bone disease were included, and for each subject, the ribs were chosen. The bones were included in a diagenetic environment and studied over 2 years. Macroscopic analysis of bone weight loss was performed, and completed by two methods: one molecular (Raman microspectrometry) and the other morphological (histology).Results: This work has highlighted certain features of the temporary bone alteration on its different phases via: a desiccation highlighted by bone mass loss; a diagenesis of organic and mineral phases. Thus, the study of physicochemical parameters by Raman microspectrometry revealed a temporary trend of declining mineral / organic ratios; decreasing carbonation; increasing crystallinity. Multivariate analysis of Raman spectra allowed: to distinguish temporal groups by discriminating via their organic contributions; to design a statistical model of practical use. The microscopic study of the samples revealed no microbial attack in the early postmortem period, but an alteration of collagen by chemical hydrolysis.Discussion: Our study identified three basic parameters of bone diagenesis that must be known to the forensic anthropologist, even over a period of 2 years which is \\\"short\\\" on the scale of anthropology:- The environment strongly influences bone diagenesis and should be studied as well as the bone itself. Indeed, the study of weight loss of the bone, revealed a phenomenon of bone drying, similar to the overall dehydration of the body in the postmortem period;- Bone diagenesis is a global phenomenon in which the various alterations of inorganic and organic phases are interdependent and can be evaluated by Raman microspectrometry. Also its contribution in the analysis of the chemical degradation of the bone, Raman spectroscopy and statistical tools associated with it, allows the identification of diagenesis classes. These classes will require additional studies, eventually to be a practical support in dating a bone;- The organic alteration of the bone may be due to chemical or bacterial degradation, according to the environment and the postmortem period. Histology can make this distinction. On this period of study, the collagen degradation by chemical hydrolysis is predominant.Conclusion: These parameters form a structural unit, which is well known in archaeological anthropology, and is absolutely transposable in forensic practice if appropriate methodologies are developed. Research on this topic has an essential role as forensics can respond to legitimate requests from victims and their relatives towards justice.

Current commercially available mimics contain varying amounts of either the actual explosive/drug or the chemical compound of suspected interest by biological detectors. As a result, there is significant interest in determining the dominant chemical odor signatures of the mimics, often referred to as pseudos, particularly when compared to the genuine contraband material. This dissertation discusses results obtained from the analysis of drug and explosive headspace related to the odor profiles as recognized by trained detection canines. Analysis was performed through the use of headspace solid phase microextraction in conjunction with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Upon determination of specific odors, field trials were held using a combination of the target odors with COMPS. Piperonal was shown to be a dominant odor compound in the headspace of some ecstasy samples and a recognizable odor mimic by trained detection canines. It was also shown that detection canines could be imprinted on piperonal COMPS and correctly identify ecstasy samples at a threshold level of approximately 100ng/s. Isosafrole and/or MDP-2-POH show potential as training aid mimics for non-piperonal based MDMA. Acetic acid was shown to be dominant in the headspace of heroin samples and verified as a dominant odor in commercial vinegar samples; however, no common, secondary compound was detected in the headspace of either. Because of the similarities detected within respective explosive classes, several compounds were chosen for explosive mimics. A single based smokeless powder with a detectable level of 2,4-dinitrotoluene, a double based smokeless powder with a detectable level of nitroglycerine, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, DMNB, ethyl centralite and diphenylamine were shown to be accurate mimics for TNT-based explosives, NG-based explosives, plastic explosives, tagged explosives, and smokeless powders, respectively. The combination of these six odors represents a comprehensive explosive odor kit with positive results for imprint on detection canines. As a proof of concept, the chemical compound PFTBA showed promise as a possible universal, non-target odor compound for comparison and calibration of detection canines and instrumentation. In a comparison study of shape versus vibration odor theory, the detection of d-methyl benzoate and methyl benzoate was explored using canine detectors. While results did not overwhelmingly substantiate either theory, shape odor theory provides a better explanation of the canine and human subject responses.

The goal of this project was to develop a rapid separation and detection method for analyzing organic compounds in smokeless powders and then test its applicability on gunshot residue (GSR) samples. In this project, a total of 20 common smokeless powder additives and their decomposition products were separated by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM). Some of the targeted compounds included diphenylamines, centralites, nitrotoluenes, nitroglycerin, and various phthalates. The compounds were ionized in the MS source using simultaneous positive and negative electrospray ionization (ESI) with negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) in order to detect all compounds in a single analysis. The developed UPLC/MS/MS method was applied to commercially available smokeless powders and gunshot residue samples recovered from the hands of shooters, spent cartridges, and smokeless powder retrieved from unfired cartridges. Distinct compositions were identified for smokeless powders from different manufacturers and from separate manufacturing lots. The procedure also produced specific chemical profiles when tested on gunshot residues from different manufacturers. Overall, this thesis represents the development of a rapid and reproducible procedure capable of simultaneously detecting the widest possible range of components present in organic gunshot residue.

Mobile device data continues to increase in significance in both civil and criminal investigations. Location data is often of particular interest. To date, research has established that the devices are location aware, incorporate a variety of resources to obtain location information, and cache the information in various ways. However, a review of the existing research suggests varying degrees of reliability of any such recovered location data. In an effort to clarify the issue, this project offers case studies of multiple Android mobile devices utilized in controlled conditions with known settings and applications in documented locations. The study uses data recovered from test devices to corroborate previously identified accuracy trends noted in research involving live-tracked devices, and it further offers detailed analysis strategies for the recovery of location data from devices themselves. A methodology for reviewing device data for possible artifacts that may allow an examiner to evaluate location data reliability is also presented. This paper also addresses emerging trends in device security and cloud storage, which may have significant implications for future mobile device location data recovery and analysis. Discussion of recovered cloud data introduces a distinct and potentially significant resource for investigators, and the paper addresses the cloud resources' advantages and limitations.

In forensic casework analysis it is necessary to obtain genetic profiles from increasingly smaller amounts of biological material left behind by perpetrators of crime. The ability to obtain profiles from trace biological evidence is demonstrated with so-called ‘touch DNA evidence’ which is perceived to be the result of DNA obtained from shed skin cells transferred from donor to an object or person during physical contact. However, the current method of recovery of trace DNA involves cotton swabs or adhesive tape to sample an area of interest. This "blindswabbing" approach may result in the recovery of biological material from different individuals resulting in admixed DNA profiles which are often difficult to interpret. Profiles recovered from these samples are reported to be from shed skin cells with no biological basis for that determination. A specialized approach for the isolation of single or few cells from ‘touch DNA evidence’ is necessary to improve the analysis and interpretation of recovered profiles. Here we describe the development of optimized and robust micro volume PCR reactions (1-5 μL) to improve the sensitivity and efficiency of ‘touch DNA’ analysis. These methods will permit not only the recovery of the genetic profile of the donor of the biological material, but permit an identification of the tissue source of origin using mRNA profiling. Results showed that the 3.5 uL amplification volume, a fraction of the standard 25 uL amplification volume, was the most ideal volume for the DNA assay, as it had very minimal evaporation with a 50% profile recovery rate at a single cell equivalent input (~5 pg) with reducing amplification volume alone. Findings for RNA showed that by reducing both amplification steps, reverse transcriptase PCR (20 uL) and body fluid multiplex PCR (25 uL), to iv 5 uL, ideal results were obtained with an increase in sensitivity and detection of six different body fluids down to 50 pg. Once optimized at the trace level, the assays were applied to the collection of single and few cells. DNA findings showed that about 40% of a full profile could be recovered from a single buccal cell, with nearly 80% of a full profile recovered from only two cells. RNA findings from collected skin particles of "touched" surfaces showed accurate skin detection down to 25 particles and detection in one clump of particles. The profiles recovered were of high quality and similar results were able to be replicated through subsequent experiments. More studies are currently underway to optimize these developed assays to increase profile recovery at the single cell level. Methods of doing so include comparing different locations on touched surfaces for highest bio-particle recovery and the development of physical characteristics of bio-particles that would provide the most ideal results

It is now a matter of routine for the forensic scientist to obtain the genetic profile of an individual from DNA recovered from a biological stain deposited at a crime scene. Potential contributors of the stain must either be known to investigators (i.e. a developed suspect) or the questioned profile must be searched against a database of DNA profiles such as those maintained in the CODIS National DNA database. However, in those instances where there is no developed suspect and no match is obtained after interrogation of appropriate DNA databases, the DNA profile per se presently provides no meaningful information to investigators, with the notable exception of gender determination. In these situations it would be advantageous to the investigation, if additional probative information could be obtained from the biological stain. A useful biometric that could provide important probative information, and one that may be amenable to molecular genetic analysis, is the biological age of an individual. The ability to provide investigators with information as to whether a DNA donor is a newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult, middle-aged or elderly individual could be useful in certain cases, particularly those involving young children such as kidnappings or in providing additional intelligence during terrorist investigations. Currently no validated molecular assays exist for age determination. Biological human ageing can be defined by two distinct processes, degenerative and developmental ageing. The degenerative process of ageing is based on theories which identify an increase or decrease in physiological conditions with increasing age. In contrast, the developmental process of ageing is based on the theory that as individuals increase in chronological age, there will be subtle corresponding molecular based biological changes, each requiring genes to be expressed or silenced, indicative of that particular stage of life. We investigated the degenerative process of chromosomal telomere shortening, as well as the developmental process of gene expression profiling analysis, in an attempt to identify biomarkers of biological age in a self-renewing tissue such as blood. While telomere length analysis was an ineffective method for age determination; gene expression analysis revealed three gene transcripts expressed in an age-dependent physiological manner. These species namely- COL1A2, HBE1 and IGFBP3, were found to be expressed at elevated levels in younger individuals, newborns, or post-pubertal individuals, respectively. The biological process of hemoglobin switching was also investigated for the possibility of determining human age. While experimenting with the potential of using the gamma-hemoglobin chains, as newborn specific gene candidates, we serendipitously discovered four novel truncated transcripts, which we have termed HBG1n1, HBG1n2, HBG2n2 and HBG2n3; whose expression was restricted to whole-blood newborn samples and specific fetal tissues. The molecular origin of these transcripts appears to be at the RNA level, being produced by specific rearrangement events occurring in the standard gamma hemoglobin transcripts (HBG1 and HBG2), which yield these new isoforms that are expressed in a highly regulated tissue specific manner.