Forensic Sciences

Background/Objectives: The recovery of latent fingerprints from submerged evidence remains a critical challenge in forensic science, as ridge details deteriorate rapidly once under water. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of three established fingerprint development techniques—cyanoacrylate fuming, small particle reagent (SPR), and powder dusting—on non-porous substrates (glass slides and stainless steel blades) immersed in different water types representative of Rajasthan’s Shekhawati region. The objective was to evaluate the influence of water composition and immersion duration on the quality and reproducibility of developed prints. Methods: Experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Fingerprints were submerged in hard water, mineral water, and rainwater for durations of 10 min, 1 day, 5 days, and 10 days. Each condition was replicated three times. Developed fingerprints were assessed for ridge clarity using a five-point scoring scale, and the results were statistically analyzed using Chi-Square and correlation tests. Results: Cyanoacrylate fuming consistently produced the highest quality ridge detail across all submersion periods, particularly in mineral and rainwater environments. SPR exhibited moderate effectiveness, while powder dusting showed limited performance under all conditions. Statistical analysis indicated that fingerprint quality was significantly affected by water composition, substrate type, and immersion duration (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study highlights that fingerprint recovery from submerged non-porous evidence depends strongly on water chemistry and exposure time. Cyanoacrylate fuming is confirmed as the most reliable method, while environmental variables such as ion content and water hardness play decisive roles in fingerprint preservation and visualization.

Background/Objectives: The external occipital protuberance (EOP) is an anatomical landmark with radiological and anthropological implications. Although the morphology and prevalence of EOP have been studied in many populations, data remain lacking for Northeastern Thais. Population-specific characterization of EOP variation may improve diagnostic and forensic accuracy applications. Materials and Methods: This study has investigated the prevalence and morphometry of EOPs using two primary sources: CT brain scans from 750 adult patients (375 males, 375 females) and anatomical investigations of 1060 dry skulls. EOPs were classified as Type I (flat), Type II (crest), or Type III (spur). Measurements for Type II (crest-shaped) EOPs were performed using standardized linear and angular parameters. Data differences were analyzed by sex and age group; intra- and inter-observer reliability was calculated for imaging measurements. Results: The study showed that Type II EOP was most common in both CT (56.1%) and dry skull (64.6%) samples. Type I was significantly more frequent in females (CT: 37.0%; dry skull: 32.8%), while Type III prevalence was higher in males (CT: 28.5%; dry skull: 18.4%). After age 60, the incidence of Type III declined in both datasets. Type II EOPs were significantly larger in males (mean crest length in CT: males 7.1 ± 0.1 mm, females 5.6 ± 0.1 mm; p < 0.001), with notable sex- and age-associated variation in associated angular dimensions. Conclusions: These findings established the first region-specific morphometric reference database for EOP in Northeastern Thais. The demonstrated sexual dimorphism in Type II EOP measurements provided the foundational data that may support future applications in clinical assessment, radiological interpretation, and forensic sex estimation in this population.

Background/Objectives: A global approach to age estimation is being refined to integrate the contributions of skeletal and dental structures. Teeth represent a unique and durable tool for assessing age, particularly valuable when other biological indicators are unavailable. However, age estimation becomes increasingly difficult in older individuals. This study aims to evaluate whether colorimetric analysis of teeth can serve as a reliable and accurate method for estimating chronological age in both living individuals and cadavers. Methods: The study explores the measurement of tooth color as a non-ionizing and non-invasive alternative to conventional age estimation techniques. The approach emphasizes the preservation of forensic evidence and the feasibility of prospective data collection. The methodological framework involves colorimetric assessment supported by emerging technological instruments designed to standardize and improve the objectivity of measurements. Results: Recent advances in color analysis technology have enhanced the precision and reproducibility of dental color measurement. Preliminary findings suggest that age-related color changes in teeth show measurable and consistent patterns, supporting their potential use as indicators of chronological age. Conclusions: Tooth color measurement appears to be a promising complementary tool for age estimation in forensic and clinical contexts. Its non-invasive and reproducible nature offers significant advantages, provided that standardized protocols and validated instruments continue to evolve to ensure accuracy and reliability in practical applications.