This study compares sexual variation of the human skeletal pelvis through geometric morphometric analyses. Digitization of the skeletal elements provides the framework for a multi-faceted examination of shape. The sample used in the study consists of individuals from the Bass Donated Skeletal Collection, located at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Landmarks digitized for the study are derived from the 36 points implemented in Joan Bytheway and Anne Ross’s geometric morphometric study of human innominates (2010). The author hypothesizes that morphological variation between males and females will be visible to varying degrees throughout the pelvis, with structures to be compared consisting of the ilium, ischium, pubis, obturator foramen, and acetabulum. Particular attention will be paid to the pelvic canal, as this area seems to carry the most sex-specific function of the bone. It is hypothesized that structures directly contributing to the pelvic canal will be more sexually dimorphic than peripheral structures. Data points plotted throughout the pelvis will allow for comparison of various regions. Results indicate that the innominate can be divided into modules with relatively low levels of covariation between them. Greatest amounts of sexual dimorphism are located at the pubis and ischium. The shape of the acetabulum and obturator foramen display little variation between the two sexes. Areas that have the potential for sex determination could be investigated more thoroughly in the future and may be of use in forensic cases in which remains are incomplete.

In any forensic investigation it is important to consider sample preservation. Oftentimes trace quantities of biological materials are found at crime scenes. The usual practice among forensic analysts is to take one sample of a suspected biological stain for presumptive testing, another for confirmatory testing and if both these results are positive, take a third portion for DNA analysis. This works well when sufficient sample is available, however, when trace quantities of sample are present at crime scenes, sample preservation becomes of importance. Thus, this study attempts to develop a procedure where presumptive, confirmatory and DNA analysis could be carried out on a single portion of the sample. In this study four different presumptive reagents – phenolphthalein, o-tolidine, 3, 3’, 5, 5’- tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and luminol – were used and their effects on the ABAcard® Hematrace® immunochromatographic membrane test and subsequent DNA analysis were studied. In order to develop the method for one-sample analysis, the lowest volume of blood that gave sufficient quantity of DNA was determined by extracting different volumes (20, 10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 μL) of whole blood. Additionally, different volumes of blood mixed with ABAcard® Hematrace® buffer were extracted. From this preliminary work it was determined that 1.25 μL of whole blood yielded sufficient DNA quantity even when mixed with the ABAcard® Hematrace® buffer. Bloodstains of 1.25 μL were then prepared and the one-sample analysis was carried out. The method developed was most successful when luminol was used as the presumptive reagent. For the bloodstains treated with the other three presumptive reagents (phenolphthalein, o-tolidine and TMB), a decrease in DNA yield was detected. This decrease was attributed to the inability of the Qiagen® QIAmp® column to adsorb the DNA after exposure to the chemical reagents and to the insolubility of the bloodstain in ABAcard® Hematrace® buffer following the addition of presumptive blood test reagents. Extraction of DNA from the ABAcard® Hematrace® immunochromatographic membrane was also carried out using the Qiagen® QIAmp® DNA investigator kit; no DNA was obtained from the membranes on which 150 μL of a dilute blood sample had been applied. This suggests that either the extraction method used was not capable of extracting the minute quantities of DNA that might be present on the membrane or there were insufficient white blood cells deposited on the membrane during the testing process. Thus, a one-sample procedure was successfully developed for bloodstains treated with luminol. A loss/reduction of DNA was observed for the samples previously exposed to phenolphthalein, o-tolidine and TMB due to the incapability of the reagents to work with silicon-based extraction chemistries. Further experimentation is needed to develop a similar procedure to be used with such presumptive testing reagents. Alternatively, a procedure can be developed that utilizes two samples: one for presumptive testing and another for confirmatory and subsequent DNA analysis, since it was observed that only the presumptive reagents, and not the ABAcard® Hematrace® buffer, interfered with DNA analysis.

The use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has revolutionized DNA typing in forensic laboratories. Producing a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profile now requires less time and less DNA than before. However, not all evidence samples can be reliably profiled, particularly those with low masses of DNA. These samples often exhibit stochastic effects such as allele dropout, elevated stutter and peak height imbalance, which are challenging to separate from true donor alleles. Several scholarly articles have documented these difficulties and suggest that these stochastic effects are due to uneven amplification of heterozygous alleles in early PCR. However, in early PCR all reaction components are at their maximum concentrations and should be able to amplify all alleles in a sample proportionate to their original concentrations. If both alleles are present in the sample at equal concentrations prior to PCR, both alleles should theoretically be amplified with the same efficiency; the fact that this is not the case suggests that there may already be variation within the sample. One possible reason is that pre-PCR sampling error from pipetting and sample transfers results in an uneven number of allele copies in the sample prior to amplification. Thus, it may not be PCR chemistry alone that contributes to stochastic effects, but also sampling error, which creates unequal allele concentrations prior to PCR. In order to separate and study these possibilities, a single-tube DNA extraction method was developed. The forensicGEM™ Saliva kit developed by ZyGEM provides an extraction method that utilizes a thermostable proteinase found in a proprietary Bacillus species to lyse the cell and destroy nucleases without inhibiting downstream amplification. Combining this extraction protocol with the McCrone and Associates, Inc. cell transfer method allowed for the addition of cells directly to the PCR tube, giving an approximate DNA mass without quantitation. These samples should show the effects of PCR chemistry alone, with pipetting and tube transfer steps prior to amplification removed. For comparison, samples of bulk DNA extracted with forensicGEM™ Saliva were diluted down to a comparable concentration and subjected to multiple transfer steps in an effort to identify both pre-PCR sampling error and any error due to PCR chemistry. Results show that the single-tube extraction method gives reliable results, with forensicGEM™ Saliva showing comparable peak heights (PH) and peak height ratios (PHR) to the Qiagen QIAmp DNA Investigator kit and the cell transfer method providing accurate DNA concentrations with minimal PCR inhibition. Comparison of the cell transfer-generated samples to the diluted bulk DNA samples showed that the cell transfer samples had higher average PHRs at 0.0625 ng of target DNA when amplified with Identifiler® Plus, but showed no significant difference between the sample types at 0.125 ng of target DNA. The cell transfer samples were also shown to have lower overall PHs at both concentrations and a higher occurrence of allelic dropout, but only when amplified with the Identifiler® kit; when amplified with Identifiler® Plus, the occurrence of dropout was low for cell transfer and bulk DNA samples at both concentrations. These results suggest that as DNA mass decreases, pre-PCR sampling error may contribute to the development of stochastic effects; however, the vast majority of stochastic effects are due to the PCR chemistry itself. As the PCR chemistry improves and the prevalence of stochastic effects decreases, the importance of pre-PCR sampling error may increase.

No description available.

No description available.

The maltreatment of children has been recorded in history as early as the first century B.C. when weak and infirm children of the Ceylonese were reported to tarnish the rest of the healthy population and were put to death. The medical implications of child maltreatment however, have been recognized for less than a century. Pioneered by John Caffey in 1946, the advances in medical science technology and the education of the medical community have served as an infallible ally against abuse. Early studies reported a direct correlation between infants with reported subdural hematomas also having unreported long bone fractures. These undeniable correlations lead to a trend in the investigations on the mechanisms of non-accidental injuries and their manifested outcomes. Certain injuries when unsupported by appropriate history, or the presence of multiple injuries in different stages of healing, warrant specific investigations and should raise suspicion of abuse. In addition to clinical and medical evaluation, a physical evaluation of height and weight may indicate overall health. This thesis will research, through a literature review of published sources and exploratory data analysis, the effects of child maltreatment on the juvenile skeleton.

Background: Since 2008 there is a law stating that patients who do not require institutional forensic psychiatric care may be moved to non-institutional forensic care, with special conditions. RättspsyK is a national quality register where all of the 25 forensic care units in Sweden collect information about their patients and their care. Previous analysis showed that a considerable amount of patients continue to receive institutional forensic psychiatric care despite they are assessed and found ready to move onto non-institutional forensic care. Aim: The objective of this study was to identify factors affecting why patients were still in institutional forensic care despite assessed to be ready for non-institutional forensic care.Method: First, yearly assessment of each patient between 2009 and 2014 was drawn from the RättspsyK register. Answers to the specific question, Question 10, were analyzed with descriptive statistics and were planned to be used in regression analyses as dependent variable. Result: 1900 patients were included. During analyses the fact that answers to this question were not trustable was found, therefore no exact prevalence of inpatients kept in institutional forensic care despite assessed ready for non-institutional care could be determined. Other information revealed that lack of housing and lack of collaboration were the most frequent reasons for this phenomenon. Conclusion: The present study could not give answer to the original question, but pointed out avalidity problem in the Swedish Forensic Psychiatry Register. The result calls for caution and for the need of validation of RättspsyK register.

Forensic taphonomy is concerned with investigation of graves and grave sites. The primary aim of forensic taphonomy is development of accurate estimations of postmortem interval (PMI) and/or postburial interval (PBI). Soil has previously been largely ignored, therefore this thesis is designed to investigate changes in decomposition as imparted by the soil. Furthermore the impact of cadaver interment on the surrounding soil may offer prospects for identification of clandestine graves. A series of laboratory controlled decomposition experiments using cadavers (Mus musculus) and cadaver analogues (skeletal muscle tissue (SMT); Sus scrofa, Homo sapiens, Ovis aries and Bos Taurus) were designed to investigate decomposition in burial environments. Sequential destructive harvests were carried out to monitor temporal changes during decomposition. Analyses conducted included; mass loss, microbial activity (CO2 respiration) and soil chemistry (pH, EC and extractable NH4 +, NO3 -, PO4 3- and K+). Several experimental variables were tested; frozen-thawed versus refrigerated SMT, different mammalian sources of SMT, different soil type and contribution of soil versus enteric microbial communities. Mass loss measurements for SMT experiments demonstrated a sigmoidal pattern of mass loss, however, larger cadavers (Mus musculus, 5 weeks) did not. The inhumation of SMT (frozen, unfrozen, different mammalian sources) or cadavers leads to an increase in microbial activity (CO2 respiration) within 24 hours of burial. A peak of microbial activity is attained within a week, followed by a decrease and eventual plateau. The rapid influx in microbial activity is matched by corresponding increases in pH and NH4 + concentration. pH and NH4 + are strongly correlated in soils with acidic basal pH, by comparison highly alkaline soil demonstrated no relationship. NH4 + concentration also appeared to be related directly to NO3 - concentration and cadaver or SMT mass. A decrease in NH4 + corresponds with an increase in NO3 -, however, nitrification was unpredictable. Rapid nitrification was observed in sand systems when SMT was interred, but was not noted when cadavers were interred. By comparison both sandy clay loam and loamy sand soils demonstrated rapid nitrification after inhumation of a cadaver. When cadaver or cadaver analogue mass was larger, so were NH4 + and NO3 - concentrations in systems that experienced nitrification.

As early as 1883, forensic artists and forensic anthropologists have utilized forensic facial reconstruction in the attempt to identify skulls from decomposed remains. Common knowledge dictates that in order to complete identification from the skull with facial reconstruction, the splanchnocranium (also known as the viscerocranium or facial portion of the skull) needs to still be intact. However, there has been very little research conducted (Colledge 1996; Ismail 2008; Wilkinson and Neave 2001) to determine the minimal amount of intact skull that can be present for a reconstruction to still be possible and accurate. Accordingly, in the present study, the researcher attempted to prove that a skull with significant damage to the splanchnocranium could be repaired and facially reconstructed to bear a likeness to the original skull and face. Utilizing FreeForm Modeling Plus Software, version 11.0 (Geomagic Solutions - Andover, MA), in conjunction with the Phantom Desktop Haptic Device (Geomagic Solutions - Andover, MA), five CT scans of males between 19 and 40 years old and of varying ethnicities (four Caucasian and one Asian) were digitally altered to present significant skull damage to the splanchnocranium. The hard tissue digital images were repaired using the same software mentioned above and template skulls (i.e., superfluous CT scanned skulls of similar age, sex, and ancestry). The soft tissue digital images were facially reconstructed also utilizing the same software mentioned above and by following basic tissue depth charts/placement rules and guidelines for feature reconstruction. The reconstructed images were compared to their original CT scans in a side-by-side comparison. Assessors were given a rating scale rubric to fill out that asked them specific questions pertaining to both certain facial features and overall similarity between the original and reconstructed images. Two of the reconstructions each ranked an overall 29% "close resemblance" to their original counterparts, one was ranked an overall 71% "no resemblance" to its original counterpart, and the other three fell somewhere in the middle ("slight" or "approximate") in the rating scale. The results reflected a number of issues related to this project (i.e., the researcher's lack of artistic skill) and to facial reconstruction in general (i.e., tissue depth measurement charts) and showed that while it is not impossible to reconstruct skulls that had been damaged in some capacity, the accuracy of the resulting facial reconstruction is questionable. Future studies would benefit from using an artist to reconstruct the images rather than someone with little to no experience in the field, a larger sample size consisting of one ancestry to avoid the cross-race effect, a comparison of the original skull to the repaired one utilizing Geomagic Qualify (Geomagic Solutions - Andover, MA) to glean an overall view of the project's accuracy, and utilization of a photo lineup as the method of comparison in addition to a side-by-side comparison to give a more realistic feel to the comparison process.

Whereas the problem of fraud is a global one, the rate and extent to which it is perpetrated in Nigeria, particularly in the public sector, is quite high and alarming. Literature reveals that different fraud prevention and detection mechanisms are being adopted to combat the menace of fraud; forensic accounting techniques appears to be the most effective and are currently used in most developed countries of the world. However, the extent to which forensic accounting techniques are being applied in fraud prevention and detection in Nigeria is not known. Also, the intention to use forensic accounting services in the public service has not been investigated. This study was therefore aimed at examining the application of forensic accounting techniques in fraud prevention and detection in Nigeria. Specific objectives were: (1) to investigate the mechanisms of fraud prevention and detection, and their levels of effectiveness in Nigeria, (2) to identify the major factors that hinder the application of forensic accounting techniques in fraud prevention and detection in Nigeria, (3) to examine practitioners' opinions and behavioural intention to use forensic accounting techniques in fraud prevention and investigation in Nigeria, (4) to explore the level of awareness of forensic accounting techniques in Nigeria and (5) to examine the readiness of universities in taking up forensic accounting courses. The study involved the collection of quantitative data. These data were collected from three sets of populations, viz. accounting students, accounting academics and accounting practitioners. The questionnaire served as the survey instruments. The data collected were analysed using appropriate statistical techniques and computer software. The study identified several fraud prevention and detection mechanisms that are currently used in Nigeria, such as systems of internal controls, operational audits and corporate code of conduct. Students' t-test indicates a significant difference between the perceived effectiveness and actual usage of fraud prevention and detection mechanisms in Nigeria. It was further discovered that the most effective mechanisms, like the forensic accounting techniques, are the least used in fraud prevention and detection. This implies that the current mechanisms of fraud prevention and detection are not proactive in dealing with the fraud menace. Also, legal, educational and political factors were identified to hinder the application of forensic accounting techniques in Nigeria. The level of awareness in forensic accounting in Nigeria is generally low. While the one-way analysis of variance indicates a significant variation among the three populations, it was discovered that students had the lowest level of awareness. Further findings of the study reveal that the universities are not yet ready to take up forensic accounting courses. Using the structural equation modelling (SEM), all the other seven propositions were supported. The findings of this study have both theoretical and practical implications. Theoretically, it further strengthened the findings of previous studies on the organisational intention. From the practical point of view, there is urgent need for manpower development in universities with specialisation in forensic accounting. Again, the educational institutions, and particularly the universities in Nigeria, would need to include forensic accounting courses in the undergraduate curriculum as education has been shown to be pivotal in creating awareness on the use of forensic accounting techniques. Furthermore, from the sampled space, the study has captured the current state of forensic accounting in Nigeria and the findings will be very useful for the public service, private organisations and policy makers.