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Forensic Sciences
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New Interdisciplinary Frontiers in Forensic Sciences: Innovations, Ethical Principles and...
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New Interdisciplinary Frontiers in Forensic Sciences: Innovations, Ethical Principles and Collaborative Approaches

A special issue of Forensic Sciences (ISSN 2673-6756).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 2603

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Lina De Paola

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Guest Editor
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: legal medicine
Prof. Dr. Enrico Marinelli

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Guest Editor
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: legal medicine; clinical and forensic toxicology; insurance medicine; bioethics; endometrial cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Gabriele Napoletano

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Guest Editor
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic, and Orthopedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Interests: forensic medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forensic sciences are constantly evolving and are currently undergoing a radical transformation, primarily driven by the integration of advanced technologies and the adoption of interdisciplinary approaches drawing from various fields of knowledge. While forensic sciences once relied mainly on traditional and well-established techniques, today they benefit from contributions across multiple domains, from biotechnology to psychology, criminology to law, and pathology to artificial intelligence.

Interdisciplinarity is thus one of the driving forces behind this change, as the fight against crime increasingly demands a multidimensional approach. Criminal investigations are now more frequently required to examine evidence that not only calls for expertise in information technology but also touches upon issues of privacy and legal safeguards. Moreover, these investigations often require psychological and criminological analysis to understand the motives behind the crime. This trend is evident in many other fields as well.

The integration of expertise from various disciplines is therefore essential, not only for solving crimes, but also for addressing the ethical implications associated with the use of modern technologies. The debate surrounding privacy protection, the legitimacy of data collection methods, and the impact of emerging technologies on individuals' fundamental rights remains both highly relevant and ongoing.

In this context, an interdisciplinary approach becomes crucial as it fosters collaboration among experts from different fields, promoting a comprehensive perspective and an instructive dialogue for all actors involved. This approach allows for the overcoming of the limitations of each discipline through harmonious and productive collaboration towards the achievement of concrete objectives. For example, combining expertise in forensic medicine, forensic pathology, and criminology enables a more complete understanding of a crime, while the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data analysis allows for the examination of large volumes of information and provides more accurate analysis of criminal behavior, including predictive elements.

This Special Issue aims to explore the extent to which interdisciplinarity in forensic sciences is opening up new approaches to complex investigations, while also raising ethical and legal issues that require a careful balance between technological innovation, social responsibility, and respect for human rights. Forensic experts, working in a coordinated and integrated manner beyond the boundaries of their areas of expertise, are in the best position to combine innovation, process efficiency, and ethical–legal respect for procedures.

Dr. Lina De Paola
Prof. Dr. Enrico Marinelli
Dr. Gabriele Napoletano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forensic Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • interdisciplinarity
  • international cooperation
  • legal medicine
  • forensic neuropathology
  • forensic odontology
  • forensic pathology
  • forensic criminology
  • forensic toxicology
  • technological innovation
  • artificial intelligence
  • medical ethics
  • privacy and cybercrime

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Review

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13 pages, 316 KB  
Review
From Laws and Court Rulings to Daily Clinical Practice: The Role of Forensic Experts in Modelling Informed Consent Disclosure for Health Treatment
by Livio Pietro Tronconi, Vittorio Bolcato, Luca Bianco Prevot, Alessandro Carrozzo, Giulia Bambagiotti and Giuseppe Basile
Forensic Sci. 2025, 5(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci5030040 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 380
Abstract
Informed consent is a fundamental component of both the right to health and self-determination. Its violation, which occurs when the acquisition process is absent or flawed, can also lead to legal proceedings for isolated harm, regardless of the simultaneous existence of those related [...] Read more.
Informed consent is a fundamental component of both the right to health and self-determination. Its violation, which occurs when the acquisition process is absent or flawed, can also lead to legal proceedings for isolated harm, regardless of the simultaneous existence of those related to biological and psychological harm. Across Europe, this remains a legal and ethical cornerstone, increasingly important in the context of cross-border care and culturally diverse healthcare settings. Many countries have enacted specific laws to ensure patients receive adequate information, while courts continue to refine its interpretation—often highlighting the inadequacy of informed consent in daily clinical practice. In Italy, in particular, recent rulings underscore the need for clear, comprehensive, and properly documented consent formats for health treatments. This review synthesizes rulings, regulations, and the scientific literature to offer practical guidance for improving informed consent practices in Italy, valuing the role of forensic experts in the integration in healthcare settings of the different interests at stake. The aim is to support both legal compliance and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care. Courts and legislation in Italy demand clear and tailored informative disclosure for health treatments, with indications of the treatment and outcomes, to be in written form. Yet, foreseeable risks, more common complications, and alternative treatment options are often poorly communicated in practice—frequently forming the basis of claims for compensation. Integrating team-based consultations and multimedia tools can significantly enhance patient understanding and secure the informed consent process. Those key points are summarized in a brief table, ideally suggesting the minimal requirements for an informed consent form. Investing in standardizing informed consent protocols, and also fostering the sharing of best practices with forensic medicine experts, are crucial steps in ensuring shared decision-making in healthcare and trying to reduce legal disputes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Interdisciplinary Frontiers in Forensic Sciences: Innovations, Ethical Principles and Collaborative Approaches)
29 pages, 730 KB  
Review
Legal Perspectives on Sexual Violence: A Cross-European Study
by Paola Frati, Stefania De Simone, Giovanni Pollice, Elena Giacani, Luigi Cipolloni and Francesco Orsini
Forensic Sci. 2025, 5(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci5030038 - 24 Aug 2025
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Background: Sexual violence poses a significant challenge to European lawmakers, impacting the victim’s physical and psychological health. This study examines sexual violence legislation across EU member states, Switzerland, and the UK, analyzing similarities, differences, challenges, and potential solutions for effective policy development. [...] Read more.
Background: Sexual violence poses a significant challenge to European lawmakers, impacting the victim’s physical and psychological health. This study examines sexual violence legislation across EU member states, Switzerland, and the UK, analyzing similarities, differences, challenges, and potential solutions for effective policy development. The research was motivated by the adoption of EU Directive 2024/1385. Methods: This study analyzes sexual violence legislation across European countries in a comparative and qualitative way, highlighting differences, commonalities, and the potential for uniform regulation. The data were collected from the literature published between 2015 and 2024, focusing the EU member states, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Results: The examination of the norms governing sexual offenses in various European countries revealed significant differences in legislative frameworks, reflecting diverse cultural, ethical, and legal perspectives. Conclusions: Despite European countries sharing the goal of protecting victims and combating sexual violence, there are significant legislative disparities. Key recommendations include enhancing EU member state cooperation, implementing joint training programs, developing a specific EU directive, and creating coordinated prevention and education programs. While respecting national legal diversity, a unified approach is needed for effective prevention and prosecution of sexual violence across Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Interdisciplinary Frontiers in Forensic Sciences: Innovations, Ethical Principles and Collaborative Approaches)
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13 pages, 437 KB  
Case Report
Sodium Nitrite-Related Fatalities: Are We Facing a New Trend? Case Report and Literature Review
by Valentina Caparrelli, Margherita Pallocci, Roberta Tittarelli, Carmelo Russo, Laura Donato, Francesca Ponzani, Pierluigi Passalacqua, Filippo Milano and Michele Treglia
Forensic Sci. 2025, 5(3), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci5030042 - 5 Sep 2025
Viewed by 304
Abstract
Suicide is a public health concern worldwide. The methods used worldwide can vary based on geographical context and the ease with which victims can find the means to act on suicidal thoughts. In this context, the recent emergence of an online market for [...] Read more.
Suicide is a public health concern worldwide. The methods used worldwide can vary based on geographical context and the ease with which victims can find the means to act on suicidal thoughts. In this context, the recent emergence of an online market for toxic and narcotic substances has increased accessibility to these substances for recreational and suicidal purposes. The presented case concerns a fatal sodium nitrite dose purchased online. The body exhibited the characteristic blue-gray staining of hypostasis, more evident on the neck and the upper third of the posterior surface of the chest, and toxicological analysis revealed methemoglobin levels exceeding 30%. Although there is no standardized analytical procedure, the determination of nitrite in postmortem samples is crucial in these cases. Additionally, nitrite is difficult to detect postmortem because it rapidly turns into sodium nitrate. In the case presented, capillary ion analysis (CIA) with direct UV detection was performed for the qualitative and quantitative determination of nitrite and nitrate in the cadaveric central blood samples. The analytical determination identified the presence of nitrite ions and sodium nitrate, in a concentration of 9515 µmol/L. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Interdisciplinary Frontiers in Forensic Sciences: Innovations, Ethical Principles and Collaborative Approaches)
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12 pages, 526 KB  
Systematic Review
Advances in Understanding Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Pathological Evidence
by Francesco Orsini, Giovanni Pollice, Francesco Carpano, Luigi Cipolloni, Andrea Cioffi, Camilla Cecannecchia, Roberta Bibbò and Stefania De Simone
Forensic Sci. 2025, 5(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci5030033 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 616
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability. When traumatic brain injury is repeated over time, it can lead to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a chronic neurodegenerative disease commonly observed in individuals who engage [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of death and disability. When traumatic brain injury is repeated over time, it can lead to the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a chronic neurodegenerative disease commonly observed in individuals who engage in contact sports or military personnel involved in activities with a high risk of repeated head trauma. At autopsy, the examination of the brain reveals regional atrophy, corresponding to high concentrations of glutamate receptors. Microscopically, the primary findings are the deposition of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. The aim of this study is to highlight the clinical and histopathological characteristics of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, providing diagnostic support to forensic pathologists. Additionally, it seeks to aid in the differential diagnosis of similar conditions. Methods: A review of literature was conducted following the PRISMA criteria. Of 274 articles, 7 were selected. Results: According to these papers, most patients were male and exhibited neurological symptoms and neuropsychiatric impairments, and a proportion of them committed suicide or had aggressive behavior. Conclusions: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy remains largely underdiagnosed during life. The definitive diagnosis of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy is established post-mortem through the identification of pathognomonic tauopathy lesions. Early and accurate antemortem recognition, particularly in at-risk individuals, is highly valuable for its differentiation from other neurodegenerative conditions, thereby enabling appropriate clinical management and potential interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Interdisciplinary Frontiers in Forensic Sciences: Innovations, Ethical Principles and Collaborative Approaches)
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