In contexts such as natural disasters, humanitarian efforts, and other forensic investigations, the timely and accurate development of the biological profile (sex, age, ancestry, and stature of skeletonized remains) is vital to the identification of decedents. At present, the term “Hispanic” is a socio-linguistic classifier that includes all persons of South or Central American, Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, or other Latino and Spanish-speaking persons into a single category; the term is also the current designator used by forensic anthropologists—in ancestry estimation—to identify anyone from a Latin American country. From a biological standpoint, the term is ineffective in describing these individuals because the human biological variation within and among different Hispanic populations cannot be encompassed by a single category. With regards to the development of the biological profile, ancestry estimations for these individuals are tenuous at best. This is due to the poor nature of the single reference sample used to create the current methods in ancestry and sex estimation—a common trend in forensic anthropology. The untested assumption that all Hispanic individuals are skeletally homogenous results in haphazard identifications and hinders effective forensic investigation. The primary objective of this research is to examine geometric morphometric variability in 547 documented individuals from three contemporaneous Latin American groups represented by Colombian, Mexican, and Migrant (U.S./Mexico border crossers) samples in order to ascertain whether it is possible to distinguish specific Hispanic populations. Using geometric morphometric (GM) analyses, the effects of shape-related variation independent of size can be implemented to isolate where on the cranium differences between groups are expressed. The results suggest that GM-derived population-specific criteria for Hispanic individuals possess the discriminatory power that is necessary towards improving the underdeveloped methods of identification for diverse Hispanic individuals living in the U.S. and abroad. Canonical variate analyses of the three samples separates the groups distinctly along both axes (CV1 and CV2). The morphological differences are predominantly seen in cranial height and sagittal vault shape, with Colombians having taller cranial vaults than the Mexican samples. The final results of this study demonstrate the utility that GM approaches have in forensic anthropology with respect to ancestry estimation and can be used to update various techniques required to develop the biological profile. Without constantly updating, refining, and re-validating the techniques, forensic anthropologists fail to provide the caliber of service required to approach the various forensic contexts.

No description available.

As smartphone technology continues to evolve, it begs the question as to whether or not smartphones could be used by crime scene investigators. Crime scene documentation is a time-consuming task when using a standard tape measure compared to advanced techniques (such as 3D scanners). However, these advanced techniques are expensive and take time to set up. Measurement applications could potentially serve as an affordable and sufficient alternative. Therefore, it’s important to understand how accurate these applications are as well as how well they work for measuring crime scenes and forensic evidence. Eleven measurement applications were downloaded (onto an Apple iPhone XR) and evaluated and then narrowed down to four applications to be used in this study. Several parameters were assessed in all eleven applications. Factors such as tools available, effective maximum distance, ease of use, and accuracy were tested. The applications that best met all criteria were used for this study. First, the applications were used to measure several known dimensions such as a ruler, then they were used to measure room dimensions, outdoor scenes, footwear impressions, and bloodstains. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the results from the applications to the measurements made from a standard tape measure or ruler. Standard deviation of all measurements was calculated and compared against one another. Feasibility was evaluated by recording the amount of time that it took to conduct the measurements and comparing the times to one another. Adaptability to various environments was also factored in when evaluating feasibility. Overall, the applications Tape Measure and MagicPlan were found to be the most accurate and feasible applications to use for crime scene measurements. Moasure was found to be the least efficient and precise application in this study. Measure, Moasure, MagicPlan, and Tape Measure serve as an affordable, fast, and easy presumptive tool for crime scene documentation. In the future, these applications could be used to document crime scenes, and could assist particular agencies with insufficient monetary resources. While the applications selected (Measure, Moasure, MagicPlan, and Tape Measure) proved to be accurate, additional tests should be conducted before being implemented exclusively by investigators. With continual progression in modern technology, substantial improvements are anticipated that encompass these smartphone applications, which will increase reliability as it relates to forensics.

Literature concerning the time frames for detection of various seminal components commonly tested for in forensic laboratories in sexual assault cases is limited in quantity and in scope. Determining a more accurate time since intercourse (TSI) interval based on an extensive review of forensic case work would provide investigators with a tool for estimating the time elapsed between the occurrence of a sexual assault and the collection of a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit (SAECK) which could be vital information in certain cases. This study demonstrates that the presence of intact spermatozoa is a significant finding on microscope slides prepared from vaginal, anorectal, and oral swabs and that the percentage of intact sperm cells decreases over time. This study also proved that sperm tails are lost during the preparation of microscope slides from SAECK swabs by directly comparing medical personnel-prepared smear slides and analyst-prepared extract slides from 95 Boston Police Department (BPD) Crime Laboratory Unit cases. Additionally, this study presents maximum TSI values for the persistence of sperm heads, intact spermatozoa, and prostate specific antigen (P30) through a retrospective examination of 355 cases processed by the BPD Crime Laboratory Unit over 5 years. The maximum persistence values for P30 in the vaginal, anorectal, and oral cavities were 19 hours, 17 hours, and 20 hours, respectively. In the vaginal cavity, maximum persistence values for intact spermatozoa were 43 hours for smear slides and 41.5 hours for extract slides. The maximum persistence of sperm heads was equivalent for vaginal smear and extract slides at 105 hours. In the anorectal cavity, maximum persistence values for intact spermatozoa were 43 hours for smear slides and 13 hours for extract slides. The maximum persistence of sperm heads was equivalent for anorectal smear and extract slides at 43 hours. In the oral cavity, maximum persistence values for intact spermatozoa were 3.75 hours for smear slides and 5 hours for extract slides. The maximum persistence of sperm heads were equivalent for oral smear and extract slides at 24 hours.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Forensic entomology is a subdiscipline of entomology that involves the use of insect behavior and developmental data to aid in criminal investigations. Genetic data has become increasingly important to the field as there has been a push for DNA-based species identification methods of forensically relevant insects. Genetic data can also elucidate population structure and relatedness of these insects, and such knowledge can contribute to the development of more specific datasets for insects in different regions. The first study presented here investigated the phylogenetics of sister species Lucilia cuprina and Lucilia sericata to identify possible subspecies divisions and issues with DNA-based identifications in the United States. The initial aim of this study was to identify genetic differences between specimens of L. cuprina that preferred live versus carrion flesh. Flies collected from Indiana, USA and South Africa were sequenced and analyzed. Upon sequencing of the genes COI, Period, and 28s, our results indicated that L. cuprina from Indiana possess a unique combination of nuclear and mitochondrial haplotypes that suggest a unique lineage, possibly indicating modern hybridization with L. sericata. The inability of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes to distinguish between L. cuprina and L. sericata raises questions about the capabilities of DNA-based species identifications within this genus. Additionally, the inability of these genes to distinguish between specimens that preferred live versus carrion flesh highlights a need for continued research of these behavioral differences. The second study presented here investigated the population structure and relatedness of house flies in the American southwest in relation to a civil lawsuit where neighbors of a poultry farm alleged that flies were emanating from the farm to their homes. Musca domestica (house fly) specimens were collected from the chicken farm and from locations in varying directions and distances from the farm. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was performed and the data were used in a number of analyses. Population reallocation simulations generally indicated that samples from different locations were not genetically different enough from other locations to allocate to their true origin population over others. Kinship analysis showed differences in samples collected in a later season that indicate a genetic bottleneck over time. Population structure analysis indicated the presence of two intermixing genetic populations in the dataset. AMOVA revealed that the majority of genetic variation laid within, rather than among, populations. A Mantel test revealed no significant correlation between genetic and geographic distances. These results indicate that the M. domestica population in this region of southwestern America is large and intermixing, with no clear genetic distinctions between specimens collected at the poultry farm versus the surrounding locations. In regard to the civil lawsuit, it was not possible to conclude that the flies did not emanate from the poultry farm. In a broader perspective, these data can be utilized to develop pest management strategies in this region. Overall, the data from both studies presented here will be useful to forensic investigations, development of more specific and detailed data and identification techniques, and pest control measures.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) plays a critical role in modern industrial systems, contributing to increased efficiency, productivity, and innovation. However,its rapid evolution and the complexity of devices pose significant challenges to digital forensics readiness (DFR). This thesis aims to provide a set of guidelines forimplementing DFR within IIoT environments, addressing challenges such as datacollection and logging, device and data identification, verification, security, analysis,and reporting. The framework was developed through rigorous research processesand guided by expert interviews and a final survey, adhering to design science principles. Although the study’s outcomes are subject to some limitations, such as a smallnumber of experts for evaluation, the research contributes to a significant gap in theexisting literature by providing a robust, adaptable, and comprehensive guide to DFRin IIoT. Offering a foundation for future research to build upon, enhance DFR, andaddressing emerging IIoT technologies and scenarios.

Digital forensics examiners have a growing problem caused by their own success. The need for digital forensics is increasing and so are the devices that need examining. Not only are the number of devices growing, but so is the amount of information those devices can hold. One result of this problem is a growing backlog that could soon overwhelm digital forensics labs across the country. One way to combat this growing problem is to use digital triage to find the most pertinent information first. Unfortunately, although several digital forensics models have been created, very few digital triage models have been developed. This results in most organizations, if they perform digital triage at all, performing digital triage in an untested ad hoc fashion that varies from office to office. This dissertation will contribute to digital forensics science by creating and testing a digital triage model. This model will be semi-automated to allow for the use by untrained users; it will be as operating system independent as possible; and it will allow the user to customize it based on a specific crime class or classes. The use of this model will decrease the amount of time it takes a digital triage examiner to make a successful assessment concerning evidence.

Children are at a greater risk for abuse due to their small size and powerlessness. As pregnancies and births can be easily hidden, a child's death can be equally as unnoticeable. Often, these deaths are unknown until skeletal evidence is discovered. At this point, any incriminating evidence that may have been soft tissue in nature is gone or of no use, and all that remains is the skeleton. This is especially important in areas of the United States that are characterized by hot and humid climates, as in the Southeast, or in situations that mimic such conditions. These circumstances favor a faster rate of decomposition and thus quicker and earlier loss of soft tissue along with any of the important information it could provide about identification and time and manner of death. It is important for law enforcement agents and forensic anthropologists to be familiar with what the patterns of child abuse look like by being able to differentiate between intentional trauma from non-intentional trauma; this requires a basic knowledge of bone biology and healing rates in order to sequence injuries to aid in the determination of cause and manner of death. It also necessary to understand what other events can mimic child abuse such as disease. In addition to the skeletal evidence, the sociological risk factors that can increase the risk of child abuse must also be taken into consideration.

No description available.

Forensic analysis on a media with fragmented and deleted files is a difficult task. There is a lack of tools and techniques that can accurately and quickly detect fragmented suspect files. Fragmented file data that resides in slack space is often overlooked by digital forensic tools. This thesis proposes to use a prefix signature of 4, 8, 16, or 32 bytes instead of either a complete sector comparison or a hash of the complete sector. The experiments show that the 32 byte has as much discrimination as an MD5 or SHA hash in uniquely identifying a sector. It is shown that the false positive rate does not exceed 10% for prefix signature sizes of 32, 16, and 8 bytes. Also the difference in false positive rates for the 32 and 16 byte prefixes does not exceed 25% as compared to MD5 and SHA hashes.