O panorama das ciências forenses no Brasil poderia ser mais auspicioso. O aumento incontrolável das dissensões sociais e da criminalidade comum, o crescimento de facções do crime organizado, o surgimento de novas modalidades de delitos, os desastres de massa e o incremento de novas tecnologias são fatores que apontam no sentido de uma maior demanda por exames periciais e da crescente complexidade dos trabalhos relacionados com as ciências forenses. Paradoxalmente, a falta de investimentos públicos na área, os baixos salários, a ausência de perspectiva profissional e o acúmulo de serviço são alguns dos fatores que claramente influenciam na queda de qualidade do trabalho técnico. Não se publicam mais obras de Criminalística e Medicina Legal no país. As revistas especializadas são poucas e os cursos de Direito paulatinamente vão destinando cada vez menos espaço para aquelas que, ao lado da formação jurídica específica, deveriam ser as matérias principais na formação do bacharel, especialmente daqueles que militam na área penal. Além disso, e exatamente pela natureza técnica da matéria, poucos são os questionamentos que recaem sobre a cadeia de custódia ou sobre a validade das provas periciais apresentadas pelos organismos públicos encarregados da prevenção e da repressão criminal. Este trabalho pretende apresentar uma breve revisão dos dispositivos que regulamentam a prova pericial no sistema processual penal, recentemente alterados pela Lei n. 11.690, de 09/06/08, a estrutura da polícia científica e os procedimentos periciais de levantamento dos locais de interesse à Justiça Criminal, desde o momento que antecede à perícia até a entrega do relatório técnico, apontando seus limites, deficiências e qualidades. / The overview of forensic sciences in Brazil could be more auspicious. The uncontrollable raise of social disagreements and common criminality, the increase of organized crime factions, the appearance of new forms of crime, mass disasters and improvement of new technologies are factors which leads to a sense of higher demand for expert examinations and an increasing complexity of works related to forensic sciences. Paradoxically, the absence of public investment in the area, the low wages, the lack of professional perspectives and the accrual of workload are some of the factors that clearly influence the decline of quality of technical works. There are few new publications about Criminalistics and Legal Medicine in Brazil. The specialized journals are few and law schools are gradually giving less space for those which, like specific legal matters, should be the main ones in the training of new lawyers, especially those who work with criminal law. Besides that, and exactly because of the technical nature of the matter, few are the questions which fall upon the chain of custody or the validity of the expert evidence shown by the public organisms which are responsible for the criminal prevention and repression. This dissertation intends to present a brief review of the articles that regulate the expert evidence in the criminal procedural law, recently altered by Law nº 11.690 of 09/06/08, and the structure of forensic science and the expert procedures to gather places of interest to the Criminal Justice, from the moment preceding the expertise until the delivery of the technical report, pointing out its limitations, shortcomings and qualities.

In forensic sciences, the serological methods used to determine which body fluid was collected from the crime scene are merely presumptive or labor intensive since they rely on protein detection or on microscopic identification of cells. Given that certain forensic cases may need the precise identification of a body fluid to determine criminal contact, such is the example of a suspected sexual assault of a minor; certainty in the body fluid of origin may depict a precise picture of the events. The identification of loci that show differences in methylation according to the tissue of origin can aid forensic analysts in determining the origin of a DNA sample. The process of DNA methylation occurs naturally in the genome of living organisms and consists in the presence of a methyl group on the carbon 5 of a cytosine, which is typically followed by a guanine (CpG). Analyzing patterns of DNA methylation in body fluids collected from a crime scene is preferential to the analysis of proteins or mRNA since the same extracted DNA used for STR typing can be used for DNA methylation analysis. We have validated and identified loci able to discriminate blood, saliva, semen and vaginal epithelia. In the current study, we have also established the minimum amount of DNA able to provide reliable results using methodologies such as pyrosequencing and high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis for the different markers identified. Lastly, we performed an alternative bioinformatic analysis of data collected using an array that studied methylation in over 450,000 individual cytosines on the human genome. We were able to sort the locations that showed potentially higher methylation differences between body fluids and investigated over 100 of them using HRM analysis. The results of that study, allowed the identification of three new loci able to distinguish blood and two new loci able to distinguish saliva and vaginal epithelia, respectively. The use of DNA methylation patterns to aid forensic investigations started with a publication in 2010, therefore each small contribution such as this work may, similarly to what occured in the biochemistry field, result in the discovery of a method able to put the technology in the hands of forensic analysts.

[Truncated abstract] The analysis and subsequent interpretation of trace evidence is of paramount importance to the forensic scientist. While a variety of methods are available to facilitate comparison between recovered and control samples, the use of a specific analytical method depends upon both the physical and chemical nature of the material itself and the material to which it is to be compared. Elemental analysis of evidentiary material is one such method of sample comparison and has been extensively applied to this purpose following the introduction of neutron activation analysis in the early 1960s. However, over the last 15 years, another instrumental technique has taken centre stage in the analytical armoury of the forensic scientist: laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The modification and adaptation of this technique, to a point where it is possible to distinguish between glass materials produced only hours apart on the same production line, is detailed in this thesis. Additional protocols have also been developed for the analysis of fibreglass and plastic crime scene debris. Finally, a method for quantification of elemental concentrations in headlamp plastics has also been developed to facilitate inter-comparison of data between both different analytical techniques and different laboratories. Glass material is one of the most common varieties of trace evidence and the forensic examination of glass traditionally involves the determination of its refractive index (RI). ... The analytical protocol involves the analysis of 46 analytes on material comprising the exterior surface of the lens. Using this data, it was found that although minor variations in elemental composition exist within a single headlamp lens, discrimination between lenses produced from a single manufacturing plant over a short period of time could still be achieved. Discrimination between all headlamp lenses, with the exception of some lenses produced on the same day, could be facilitated using the analytical protocol developed. Furthermore, an interpretational protocol has been developed that has successfully classified all unknown headlamp lens samples investigated in this study, within the discrimination limits of the analytical method. The semi-quantitative analysis of glass and plastic samples has also been examined using LA-ICP-MS. The concentrations of 16 analytes in container and float glass samples were determined. However, the levels of discrimination afforded by the semi-quantitative data were inferior to those achieved using qualitative data. Finally, a series of plastic-based standards, containing 25 analytes of known concentrations, was produced. Using these standards, relative concentrations of the study analytes were determined in polycarbonate headlamp lenses. Interpretation of the data produced made it possible to discriminate between all study samples. Consequently, the total analytical and interpretational protocol developed in this study has established the foundation for LA-ICP-MS to be adopted internationally as a recognised method for the analysis of plastic crime scene debris.

Thesis (M.A. (Hons.))--University of Wollongong, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references: leaf 159-171.

O panorama das ciências forenses no Brasil poderia ser mais auspicioso. O aumento incontrolável das dissensões sociais e da criminalidade comum, o crescimento de facções do crime organizado, o surgimento de novas modalidades de delitos, os desastres de massa e o incremento de novas tecnologias são fatores que apontam no sentido de uma maior demanda por exames periciais e da crescente complexidade dos trabalhos relacionados com as ciências forenses. Paradoxalmente, a falta de investimentos públicos na área, os baixos salários, a ausência de perspectiva profissional e o acúmulo de serviço são alguns dos fatores que claramente influenciam na queda de qualidade do trabalho técnico. Não se publicam mais obras de Criminalística e Medicina Legal no país. As revistas especializadas são poucas e os cursos de Direito paulatinamente vão destinando cada vez menos espaço para aquelas que, ao lado da formação jurídica específica, deveriam ser as matérias principais na formação do bacharel, especialmente daqueles que militam na área penal. Além disso, e exatamente pela natureza técnica da matéria, poucos são os questionamentos que recaem sobre a cadeia de custódia ou sobre a validade das provas periciais apresentadas pelos organismos públicos encarregados da prevenção e da repressão criminal. Este trabalho pretende apresentar uma breve revisão dos dispositivos que regulamentam a prova pericial no sistema processual penal, recentemente alterados pela Lei n. 11.690, de 09/06/08, a estrutura da polícia científica e os procedimentos periciais de levantamento dos locais de interesse à Justiça Criminal, desde o momento que antecede à perícia até a entrega do relatório técnico, apontando seus limites, deficiências e qualidades. / The overview of forensic sciences in Brazil could be more auspicious. The uncontrollable raise of social disagreements and common criminality, the increase of organized crime factions, the appearance of new forms of crime, mass disasters and improvement of new technologies are factors which leads to a sense of higher demand for expert examinations and an increasing complexity of works related to forensic sciences. Paradoxically, the absence of public investment in the area, the low wages, the lack of professional perspectives and the accrual of workload are some of the factors that clearly influence the decline of quality of technical works. There are few new publications about Criminalistics and Legal Medicine in Brazil. The specialized journals are few and law schools are gradually giving less space for those which, like specific legal matters, should be the main ones in the training of new lawyers, especially those who work with criminal law. Besides that, and exactly because of the technical nature of the matter, few are the questions which fall upon the chain of custody or the validity of the expert evidence shown by the public organisms which are responsible for the criminal prevention and repression. This dissertation intends to present a brief review of the articles that regulate the expert evidence in the criminal procedural law, recently altered by Law nº 11.690 of 09/06/08, and the structure of forensic science and the expert procedures to gather places of interest to the Criminal Justice, from the moment preceding the expertise until the delivery of the technical report, pointing out its limitations, shortcomings and qualities.

Orientador: Felippe Bevilacqua Prado / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T15:43:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Matoso_RodrigoIvo_M.pdf: 5791267 bytes, checksum: 01cfe26513615d72227501ff1a54a3c2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Armas de fogo podem causar feridas fatais e serem identificadas pelos vestígios deixados no corpo ou em torno deste. Entretanto, há casos em que nem projétil e nem arma do delito estão dispostos no local de crime. Estudos balísticos envolvendo modelos de elementos finitos podem reproduzir condições biomecânicas computacionais, sem ferir princípios bioéticos, pois não ocorrem testes diretos em animais ou em seres humanos. O objetivo deste estudo é comparar as morfologias de orifícios de entrada causados por projéteis calibre .40 Smith & Wesson (S&W), calibre .380 e calibre 9x19 mm Luger. Um projétil .40 S&W encamisado total, um projétil .380 encamisado total e um projétil 9x19 mm Luger encamisado total foram computacionalmente disparados contra região de glabela do modelo de elementos finitos, à distância de 10 cm, com incidência perpendicular ao ponto do alvo. Os resultados apresentam diferentes morfologias nos orifícios de entrada produzidos pelos três projéteis, utilizando-se o mesmo modelo de crânio e na mesma distância de tiro. Os resultados e as características dos orifícios de entrada foram discutidos. Modelos de elementos finitos permitem pesquisas balísticas computacionais praticáveis, que podem ser úteis para peritos forenses quando da comparação e análise de dados relacionados a feridas por arma de fogo na região frontal do crânio / Abstract: Firearms can cause fatal wounds, which can be identified by traces on or around the body. However, there are cases where neither the bullet nor gun is found at the crime scene. Ballistic research involving finite element models can reproduce computational biomechanical conditions, without compromising bioethics, as they involve no direct tests on animals or humans. This study aims to compare the morphologies of gunshot entrance holes caused by .40-caliber Smith & Wesson (S&W), .380-caliber, and 9x19-mm Luger bullets. A fully metal-jacketed .40 S&W projectile, a fully metal-jacketed .380 projectile, and a fully metal-jacketed 9x19-mm Luger projectile were computationally fired at the glabellar region of the finite element model from a distance of 10 cm, at perpendicular incidence. The results show different morphologies in the entrance holes produced by the three bullets, using the same skull at the same shot distance. The results and traits of the entrance holes are discussed. Finite element models allow feasible computational ballistic research, which may be useful to forensic experts when comparing and analyzing data related to gunshot wounds in the forehead / Mestrado / Odontologia Legal e Deontologia / Mestre em Biologia Buco-Dental

Le XXIème siècle étant le siècle du passage au tout numérique, les médias digitaux jouent un rôle de plus en plus important. Les logiciels sophistiqués de retouche d’images se sont démocratisés et permettent de diffuser facilement des images falsifiées. Ceci pose un problème sociétal puisqu’il s’agit de savoir si ce que l’on voit a été manipulé. Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le cadre de la criminalistique des images. Trois problèmes sont abordés : l'identification de l'origine d'une image, la détection d'informations cachées dans une image et la détection d'un exemple falsification : le rééchantillonnage. Ces travaux s'inscrivent dans le cadre de la théorie de la décision statistique et proposent la construction de détecteurs permettant de respecter une contrainte sur la probabilité de fausse alarme. Afin d'atteindre une performance de détection élevée, il est proposé d'exploiter les propriétés des images naturelles en modélisant les principales étapes de la chaîne d'acquisition d'un appareil photographique. La méthodologie, tout au long de ce manuscrit, consiste à étudier le détecteur optimal donné par le test du rapport de vraisemblance dans le contexte idéal où tous les paramètres du modèle sont connus. Lorsque des paramètres du modèle sont inconnus, ces derniers sont estimés afin de construire le test du rapport de vraisemblance généralisé dont les performances statistiques sont analytiquement établies. De nombreuses expérimentations sur des images simulées et réelles permettent de souligner la pertinence de l'approche proposée / The remarkable evolution of information technologies and digital imaging technology in the past decades allow digital images to be ubiquitous. The tampering of these images has become an unavoidable reality, especially in the field of cybercrime. The credibility and trustworthiness of digital images have been eroded, resulting in important consequences in terms of political, economic, and social issues. To restore the trust to digital images, the field of digital forensics was born. Three important problems are addressed in this thesis: image origin identification, detection of hidden information in a digital image and an example of tampering image detection : the resampling. The goal is to develop a statistical decision approach as reliable as possible that allows to guarantee a prescribed false alarm probability. To this end, the approach involves designing a statistical test within the framework of hypothesis testing theory based on a parametric model that characterizes physical and statistical properties of natural images. This model is developed by studying the image processing pipeline of a digital camera. As part of this work, the difficulty of the presence of unknown parameters is addressed using statistical estimation, making the application of statistical tests straightforward in practice. Numerical experiments on simulated and real images have highlighted the relevance of the proposed approach

MSc (Zoology) / Department of Zoology

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Automotive paints have used an ultraviolet (UV) absorbing clear coat system for nearly thirty years. These clear coats have become of forensic interest when comparing paint transfers and paint samples from suspect vehicles. Clear coat samples and their ultraviolet absorbers are not typically examined or characterized using Raman spectroscopy or microspectrophotometry (MSP), however some past research has been done using MSP. Chemometric methods are also not typically used for this characterization. In this study, Raman and MSP spectra were collected from the clear coats of 245 American and Australian automobiles. Chemometric analysis was subsequently performed on the measurements. Sample preparation was simple and involved peeling the clear coat layer and placing the peel on a foil-covered microscope slide for Raman or a quartz slide with no cover slip for MSP. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering suggested three classes of spectra, and principal component analysis confirmed this. Factor loadings for the Raman data illustrated that much of the variance between spectra came from specific regions (400 – 465 cm-1, 600 – 660 cm-1, 820 – 885 cm-1, 950 – 1050 cm-1, 1740 – 1780 cm-1, and 1865 – 1900 cm-1). For MSP, the regions of highest variance were between 230 – 270 nm and 290 – 370 nm. Discriminant analysis showed that the three classes were well-differentiated with a cross-validation accuracy of 92.92% for Raman and 91.98% for MSP. Analysis of variance attributed differentiability of the classes to the regions between 400 – 430 cm-1, 615 – 640 cm-1, 825 – 880 cm-1, 1760 – 1780 cm-1, and 1860 – 1900 cm-1 for Raman spectroscopy. For MSP, these regions were between 240 – 285 nm and 300 – 370 nm. External validation results were poor due to excessively noisy spectra, with a prediction accuracy of 51.72% for Raman and 50.00% for MSP. No correlation was found between the make, model, and year of the vehicles using either method of analysis.

Forensic science television shows, especially CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, have been said to influence the public’s perception of how forensic science is used and create interest in studying forensic science and pursuing jobs in the field. This study investigates this claim through a variety of methods. First, definitions of the CSI effect are discussed, including how it was first used and mentioned in the media. Second, survey data from students in a forensic anthropology course regarding interest in forensic science media and educational and career choices are analyzed. Third, the number and debut dates of forensic science non-fiction books, novels, non-fiction television shows, and television dramas are investigated. Finally, a content analysis of the television show Bones is undertaken in order to understand how the forensic anthropology presented in this show differs from the actual practice of forensic anthropology. Results of this study indicate that, overall, students who wanted to pursue forensic science careers and graduate study did not watch more forensic science television shows and read more forensic science novels than those who did not want to pursue forensic science careers and graduate study. Also, based on the decreased interest in a number of forensic careers, it appears that respondents may have started the course with false perceptions regarding the actual job descriptions of these careers. Regarding the number and debut dates of forensic science media, this study found that the majority of non-fiction forensic anthropology books, non-fiction television shows, television dramas debuted after CSI appeared, corroborating the claim that CSI led to an increase in interest in forensic iii anthropology. In addition, this study found that while much of Bones is fictionalized for entertainment purposes, many of the techniques and analyses presented on the show have a peripheral basis in scientific methods.