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Keywords = judicial proceedings

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18 pages, 297 KiB  
Article
AI Accountability in Judicial Proceedings: An Actor–Network Approach
by Francesco Contini, Elena Alina Ontanu and Marco Velicogna
Laws 2024, 13(6), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws13060071 - 23 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2844
Abstract
This paper analyzes the impact of AI systems in the judicial domain, adopting an actor–network theory (ANT) framework and focusing on accountability issues emerging when such technologies are introduced. Considering three different types of AI applications used by judges, this paper explores how [...] Read more.
This paper analyzes the impact of AI systems in the judicial domain, adopting an actor–network theory (ANT) framework and focusing on accountability issues emerging when such technologies are introduced. Considering three different types of AI applications used by judges, this paper explores how introducing non-accountable artifacts into justice systems influences the actor–network configuration and the distribution of accountability between humans and technology. The analysis discusses the actor–network reconfiguration emerging when speech-to-text, legal analytics, and predictive justice technologies are introduced in pre-existing settings and maps out the changes in agency and accountability between judges and AI applications. The EU legal framework and the EU AI Act provide the juridical framework against which the findings are assessed to check the fit of new technological systems with justice system requirements. The findings show the paradox that non-accountable AI can be used without endangering fundamental judicial values when judges can control the system’s outputs, evaluating its correspondence with the inputs. When this requirement is not met, the remedies provided by the EU AI Act fall short in costs or in organizational and technical complexity. The judge becomes the unique subject accountable for the use and outcome of a non-accountable system. This paper suggests that this occurs regardless of whether the technology is AI-based or not. The concrete risks emerging from these findings are that these technological innovations can lead to undue influence on judicial decision making and endanger the fair trial principle. Full article
13 pages, 227 KiB  
Article
Unjust Deprivation of Liberty During the Criminal Process: The Romanian National Standard Compared to the European Standard for the Protection of Individual Freedom in Judicial Proceedings
by Anca-Lelia Lorincz and Adriana Iuliana Stancu
Laws 2024, 13(6), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws13060066 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1319
Abstract
The provisions of international documents that guarantee the fundamental right to freedom and security are transposed into Romanian legislation both in the Constitution and in the Code of Criminal Procedure. In this context, the present study aims to analyze the national standard of [...] Read more.
The provisions of international documents that guarantee the fundamental right to freedom and security are transposed into Romanian legislation both in the Constitution and in the Code of Criminal Procedure. In this context, the present study aims to analyze the national standard of protection of individual freedom in judicial proceedings compared to the standard established by the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Through documentation, interpretation, and scientific analysis as the main research methods, this paper emphasizes the possibility of establishing, through domestic legislation, a level of protection higher than that imposed by the conventional standard. From this perspective, by regulating a right to repair the damage suffered in the situation of unjust deprivation of liberty as a result of ordering a preventive measure, the national standard of protection established by the Romanian Code of Criminal Procedure is higher than the European standard. This study concludes with a proposal to expand the current procedural framework configured by the provisions of the Romanian Code of Criminal Procedure (with the amendments made in 2023) regarding the special procedure for repairing the damage suffered as a result of the illegal or unjust deprivation of liberty during the criminal process. Full article
13 pages, 855 KiB  
Article
Age Estimation Based on Computed Tomography Analysis of the Scapula
by Gokçe Karaman, Ismail Ozgur Can, Yasin Ertug Cekdemir, Oguzhan Ekizoglu and Handan Guleryuz
Medicina 2024, 60(4), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60040581 - 31 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Age estimation from skeletal remains and in living individuals is an important issue for human identification, and also plays a critical role in judicial proceedings for migrants. Forensic analysis of ossification centers is the main evaluation method for age [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Age estimation from skeletal remains and in living individuals is an important issue for human identification, and also plays a critical role in judicial proceedings for migrants. Forensic analysis of ossification centers is the main evaluation method for age estimation, and ossification degree can be determined using computed tomography analysis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of CT (computed tomography) in the analysis of left scapula ossification centers, for forensic age estimation in Turkish society. Materials and Methods: We analyzed six ossification centers of the left scapula and these ossification centers are the coracoid, subcoracoid, coracoid apex, acromial, glenoid, and inferior angle ossification centers. A pediatric radiologist analyzed these six ossification centers of the scapula by using a staging method defined by Schmeling et al. in 2004. Two months after the first assessment, 20 randomly selected cases was reanalyzed by the first observer and by another pediatric radiologist. Correlation between the age and ossification stage was assessed using Spearman’s nonparametric correlation test. Linear regression analysis was performed using a backwards model. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used for evaluating interobserver and intraobserver variability. Results: In this retrospective study, 397 (248 male and 149 female) cases were evaluated. Ages ranged between 7.1 and 30.9. The mean age was 19.83 ± 6.49. We determined a positive significant correlation between the age and the ossification stages of ossification centers analyzed in both sexes. In each ossification center, except inferior angle, all of the stage 1 and 2 cases in both sexes were under 18 years old. Intraobserver and interobserver evaluations showed that reproducibility and consistency of the method was relatively good. Conclusions: The present study indicated that CT analysis of scapula ossification centers might be helpful in forensic age assessment of living individuals and dry bones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Orthopedics)
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19 pages, 355 KiB  
Article
The Interplay between the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and Domestic Violence
by Katarina Trimmings, Onyója Momoh and Konstantina Kalaitsoglou
Laws 2023, 12(5), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12050078 - 12 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3669
Abstract
When a mother commits an international child abduction, even if she is fleeing domestic violence perpetrated by the left-behind father, she is bound to face complicated return proceedings under the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention. Such mothers are particularly vulnerable; apart from the [...] Read more.
When a mother commits an international child abduction, even if she is fleeing domestic violence perpetrated by the left-behind father, she is bound to face complicated return proceedings under the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention. Such mothers are particularly vulnerable; apart from the costly, cross-border proceedings they face, if the court issues a return order, they risk returning to the abusive setting they fled from. This article explores avenues for safeguarding the protection of abducting mothers in return proceedings. The authors provide a range of potential avenues for improving the standing of the abducting mother fleeing domestic violence, including judicial and legislative interventions. The article delves deeper by considering the interplay between international child abduction law and international refugee law in cases involving domestic violence allegations. Particular emphasis is given to Article 20 and the growing instances of mothers defending return orders on asylum grounds pursuant to Article 20 and the flowing human rights implications. The authors point out a niche area for further research: the interplay between domestic violence and asylum claims. Full article
12 pages, 212 KiB  
Article
The U.S. Experience in Drafting Guidelines for Judicial Interviews of Children and Its Translation to Hague Abduction Convention Return Proceedings Globally
by Melissa Ann Kucinski
Laws 2023, 12(3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12030054 - 9 Jun 2023
Viewed by 2070
Abstract
This article will focus on judicial interviews of children, in chambers, including in Hague Abduction Convention cases; the potential promise and pitfalls of conducting such interviews; and how the U.S. experience provides an excellent template for future discussions and work on creating a [...] Read more.
This article will focus on judicial interviews of children, in chambers, including in Hague Abduction Convention cases; the potential promise and pitfalls of conducting such interviews; and how the U.S. experience provides an excellent template for future discussions and work on creating a soft law instrument on this important information-gathering tool. Full article
11 pages, 638 KiB  
Review
The Chain of Custody in the Era of Modern Forensics: From the Classic Procedures for Gathering Evidence to the New Challenges Related to Digital Data
by Tommaso D’Anna, Maria Puntarello, Giovanni Cannella, Giovanni Scalzo, Roberto Buscemi, Stefania Zerbo and Antonina Argo
Healthcare 2023, 11(5), 634; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11050634 - 21 Feb 2023
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 11368
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to renew the interest and attention for the chain of custody in forensic medicine, its establishment and maintenance, protecting the integrity and validity of evidence as well as to analyze how over time the establishment of the [...] Read more.
The purpose of this work is to renew the interest and attention for the chain of custody in forensic medicine, its establishment and maintenance, protecting the integrity and validity of evidence as well as to analyze how over time the establishment of the chain of custody and the collection of evidence has evolved also in function of the advent of technology and the use of electronic devices connected to the network. The analysis of the various aspects of the chain of custody demonstrates how necessary it is for the professional figures involved in the phases of the investigation (especially those who manage the evidence and who have, therefore, designated the assignment) to know the procedures to follow, trace the movement and the handling of objects subjected to seizure, also for the purposes of toxicological and/or histological investigations. The knowledge of interferences or complications helps to reduce errors and safeguard the validity of the evidence, assuring the proceeding judicial authority that the evidence is authentic and that it is, in other words, the same evidence seized at the scene of the crime. Furthermore, the issue is particularly felt today, with the recent need to guarantee the originality of digital data. Following a careful review and analysis of the literature currently available in this regard, it is worth adding that further efforts are needed to formulate internationally validated guidelines, harmonizing the different reference criteria in forensic science and medical areas, given the current absence of good international practices valid in the field and applicable both in the case of physical evidence and in the case of seizure of digital evidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Old Issues and New Challenges in Forensic and Legal Medicine)
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11 pages, 1178 KiB  
Article
Colonization of Artificial Substrates by Invertebrate Macrofauna in a River Ecosystem—Implications for Forensic Entomology
by Aleksandra Bartkowska, Tomasz Mieczan and Wojciech Płaska
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 2834; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042834 - 6 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2293
Abstract
Forensic entomology includes the analysis of organisms colonizing various parts of the body in order to determine the circumstances of an incident, mainly the time, place, and cause of death. The presence of insects and other arthropods on carcasses can be a source [...] Read more.
Forensic entomology includes the analysis of organisms colonizing various parts of the body in order to determine the circumstances of an incident, mainly the time, place, and cause of death. The presence of insects and other arthropods on carcasses can be a source of knowledge for the judicial system. However, this type of research (on submerged bodies) is less published. The aim of our study was to analyse the qualitative and quantitative structure of macroinvertebrates colonizing potential evidence in an upland river. The experimental research involved an eight-week exposure to articles of clothing made of different materials: natural materials (bottom sediments with plants from a river), synthetic (socks), and cotton (t-shirts). Control samples of water after 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks were taken from experiment locations in the River Bystrzyca with a tube apparatus and hand net. The results indicated that the abundance of organisms on a given substrate depended on the period of development of invertebrate macrofauna and the time of exposure of the substrates. The abundance of aquatic macrofauna on the exposed items increased in direct proportion to the duration of the experiment, which may indicate the adaptability of these organisms to new habitat conditions. Among the taxonomic groups used in forensic entomology, Diptera, Coleoptera, and Odonata were the most abundant. The remaining taxa (including Heteroptera), though not widely used in judicial proceedings, can also provide valuable information about the circumstances of an incident. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Influences on Endangered Species)
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28 pages, 383 KiB  
Article
Cross-Border Document Service Procedures in the EU from the Perspective of Italian Practitioners—The Lessons Learnt and the Process of Digitalisation of the Procedure through e-CODEX
by Rosanna Amato and Marco Velicogna
Laws 2022, 11(6), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws11060081 - 10 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4608
Abstract
An effective legal framework for judicial cooperation in the field of the service of documents is a keystone for the effective functioning of the area of freedom, security and justice, as referred to in the Treaty on the EU. In particular, the proper [...] Read more.
An effective legal framework for judicial cooperation in the field of the service of documents is a keystone for the effective functioning of the area of freedom, security and justice, as referred to in the Treaty on the EU. In particular, the proper service of a claim to the addressee is a necessary step for starting a proceeding and, simultaneously, an essential requirement for exercising the right of defence. The EU has adopted specific provisions to remodel the traditional channel of documents’ transmission with smoother solutions that assist cross-border judicial proceedings. Despite this, the European service procedure is not that straightforward and can still be very complex for most users, causing additional costs and legal uncertainty. Against this background, this article explores how the cross-border service of documents works in practice. It presents the findings resulting from empirical exploratory research carried out in Italy to assess the concrete use and usability of the European rules adopted to simplify, speed up and reduce the costs of cross-border service of judicial and extrajudicial documents in civil and commercial matters, also in the view to support a possible digitalisation of the procedure. Building on empirical data, the paper brings to light the existing hiatus between the service procedure ‘on the books’ and the reality of how the relevant provisions are applied daily, so as to provide solid ground for reflecting on the current situation and on the impact that the recast Regulation 2020/1784/EU, which took effect in July 2022, will have to the supranational system of cross-border service of documents, in particular concerning the potential of the use of ICT to support it. Full article
8 pages, 330 KiB  
Article
Testifying after an Investigation: Shaping the Mental Health of Public Safety Personnel
by Rosemary Ricciardelli, R. Nicholas Carleton, Barbara Anschuetz, Sylvio Gravel and Brad McKay
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13643; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013643 - 21 Oct 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2190
Abstract
In this editorial, we draw on two Canadian cases to interrogate how mass causality events and investigations consume many responders before (e.g., public safety communicators, detachment service assistants), during (e.g., police, fire, paramedics), and after the incident (e.g., coroners, correctional workers, media coverage). [...] Read more.
In this editorial, we draw on two Canadian cases to interrogate how mass causality events and investigations consume many responders before (e.g., public safety communicators, detachment service assistants), during (e.g., police, fire, paramedics), and after the incident (e.g., coroners, correctional workers, media coverage). Their well-being may suffer from the associated processes and outcomes. In the current article, we focus on the mass causality incident of 2020 in Nova Scotia, Canada, and the investigation following a prisoner death in 2019 in Newfoundland, Canada, to explore how testifying post-incident can be made more palatable for participating public safety personnel (PSP). Specifically, we study how testifying after an adverse event can affect PSP (e.g., recalling, vicarious trauma, triggers) and how best to mitigate the impact of testimony on PSP well-being, with a lens to psychological “recovery” or wellness. We focus here on how to support those who may have to testify in a judicial proceeding or official inquiry, given being investigated for best-intended actions can result in moral injury or a posttraumatic stress injury, both exacerbated by judicial review, charge, accusation, or inquiry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Traumas)
9 pages, 238 KiB  
Communication
Microbiome Forensic Biobanking: A Step toward Microbial Profiling for Forensic Human Identification
by Luciana Caenazzo and Pamela Tozzo
Healthcare 2021, 9(10), 1371; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9101371 - 14 Oct 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3297
Abstract
In recent years many studies have highlighted the great potential of microbial analysis in human identification for forensic purposes, with important differences in microbial community composition and function across different people and locations, showing a certain degree of uncertainty. Therefore, further studies are [...] Read more.
In recent years many studies have highlighted the great potential of microbial analysis in human identification for forensic purposes, with important differences in microbial community composition and function across different people and locations, showing a certain degree of uncertainty. Therefore, further studies are necessary to enable forensic scientists to evaluate the risk of microbial transfer and recovery from various items and to further critically evaluate the suitability of current human DNA recovery protocols for human microbial profiling for identification purposes. While the establishment and development of microbiome research biobanks for clinical applications is already very structured, the development of studies on the applicability of microbiome biobanks for forensic purposes is still in its infancy. The creation of large population microbiome biobanks, specifically dedicated to forensic human identification, could be worthwhile. This could also be useful to increase the practical applications of forensic microbiology for identification purposes, given that this type of evidence is currently absent from most real casework investigations and judicial proceedings in courts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forensic Science and Legal Medicine: A Multidisciplinary Puzzle!)
15 pages, 1736 KiB  
Communication
The Effectiveness of Multi-Label Classification and Multi-Output Regression in Social Trait Recognition
by Will Farlessyost, Kelsey-Ryan Grant, Sara R. Davis, David Feil-Seifer and Emily M. Hand
Sensors 2021, 21(12), 4127; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21124127 - 16 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2805
Abstract
First impressions make up an integral part of our interactions with other humans by providing an instantaneous judgment of the trustworthiness, dominance and attractiveness of an individual prior to engaging in any other form of interaction. Unfortunately, this can lead to unintentional [...] Read more.
First impressions make up an integral part of our interactions with other humans by providing an instantaneous judgment of the trustworthiness, dominance and attractiveness of an individual prior to engaging in any other form of interaction. Unfortunately, this can lead to unintentional bias in situations that have serious consequences, whether it be in judicial proceedings, career advancement, or politics. The ability to automatically recognize social traits presents a number of highly useful applications: from minimizing bias in social interactions to providing insight into how our own facial attributes are interpreted by others. However, while first impressions are well-studied in the field of psychology, automated methods for predicting social traits are largely non-existent. In this work, we demonstrate the feasibility of two automated approaches—multi-label classification (MLC) and multi-output regression (MOR)—for first impression recognition from faces. We demonstrate that both approaches are able to predict social traits with better than chance accuracy, but there is still significant room for improvement. We evaluate ethical concerns and detail application areas for future work in this direction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sensing and Imaging)
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16 pages, 256 KiB  
Article
Gender Bias in Indonesian Courts: Is Perma No. 3 of 2017 the Solution for Gender-Based Violence Cases?
by Rika Saraswati
Laws 2021, 10(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/laws10010002 - 29 Dec 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5918
Abstract
To support women who are dealing with the legal system, especially women victims of gender-based violence, the Indonesian government issued Supreme Court Regulation (Perma) No. 3 of 2017 on Guidelines for Judging Cases of Women in Conflict with the Law. This regulation deals [...] Read more.
To support women who are dealing with the legal system, especially women victims of gender-based violence, the Indonesian government issued Supreme Court Regulation (Perma) No. 3 of 2017 on Guidelines for Judging Cases of Women in Conflict with the Law. This regulation deals with women as victims, defendants and witnesses, and is used for civil and criminal cases. The Perma appears to attempt to counterbalance existing discriminatory practices in the courts and their processes. This article discusses the effectiveness of the “special treatment” in Supreme Court Regulation (Perma) No. 3 of 2017 on Guidelines for Judging Cases of Women in Conflict with the Law. This Perma seems to provide hope for producing progressive court decisions by contributing to the elimination of discrimination against women in the court process. However, this expectation certainly needs to be reviewed, given that, in their entirety, any such proceedings involve not only judges but also other law enforcement officials, namely the prosecutors. Furthermore, the presence of this Perma is considered by some Indonesian feminists to contradict the Judicial Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Judicial Behaviour (“the Code”). The Code requires judges to be neutral in judging but this Perma demands the opposite. This study is a qualitative study, and the data is obtained through a literature study of research conducted on court decisions and gender-based violence cases involving Indonesian women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Criminology and Criminal Justice)
16 pages, 647 KiB  
Article
Better Decisions for Children with “Big Data”: Can Algorithms Promote Fairness, Transparency and Parental Engagement?
by Beth Coulthard, John Mallett and Brian Taylor
Societies 2020, 10(4), 97; https://doi.org/10.3390/soc10040097 - 9 Dec 2020
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4339
Abstract
Most countries operate procedures to safeguard children, including removal from parents in serious cases. In England, care applications and numbers have risen sharply, however, with wide variations not explained by levels of socio-economic deprivation alone. Drawing on extensive research, it is asserted that [...] Read more.
Most countries operate procedures to safeguard children, including removal from parents in serious cases. In England, care applications and numbers have risen sharply, however, with wide variations not explained by levels of socio-economic deprivation alone. Drawing on extensive research, it is asserted that actuarial decision tools more accurately estimate risks to children and are needed to achieve consistency, transparency, and best outcomes for children. To date, however, child protection has not achieved gains made within comparable professions through statistical methods. The reasons are examined. To make progress requires understanding why statistical tools exert effect and how professionals use them in practice. Deep-rooted psychological factors operating within uncertainty can frustrate processes implemented to counter those forces. Crucially, tools constitute evidence; their use and interpretation should not fall to one practitioner or professional body and modifications must be open to scrutiny and adjudication. We explore the potential of novel big data technology to address the difficulties identified through tools that are accurate, simple, and universally applied within child protection. When embraced by all parties to proceedings, especially parents and their advisors, despite societal fears, big data may promote transparency of social work and judicial decisions. Full article
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16 pages, 1320 KiB  
Article
Resolving Conflict between Parties and Consequences for Foreign Direct Investment: The Repsol-YPF Case in Argentina
by Raquel Fernández González, María Elena Arce Fariña and María Dolores Garza Gil
Sustainability 2019, 11(21), 6012; https://doi.org/10.3390/su11216012 - 29 Oct 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 8407
Abstract
In 2012, the Argentine government expropriated 51% of the shares of Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales S.A. (YPF) from the Spanish company Repsol S.A. The YPF was nationalized without prior compensation, violating Argentina’s own laws and, consequently, the institutional framework in force in the country. [...] Read more.
In 2012, the Argentine government expropriated 51% of the shares of Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales S.A. (YPF) from the Spanish company Repsol S.A. The YPF was nationalized without prior compensation, violating Argentina’s own laws and, consequently, the institutional framework in force in the country. As a consequence, the country’s reputation deteriorated and, although there were several contacts with multinational enterprises to become YPF’s new partner, the investment climate was affected, making it really difficult to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). In order to attract these investments after the expropriation, the Argentine government understands that it is necessary to settle the legal proceedings with Repsol. In order to avoid an imperfect judicial procedure of long duration and with high transaction costs, both parties reached a settlement agreement. This paper presents an institutional economic analysis of expropriation, contextualizing it within the Argentine institutional framework and studying the trajectory of the nationalization of YPF. In this way, it seeks to contextualize institutionally the Argentine government’s decision and the impact it has had on both the FDI and the credibility of the country’s institutional framework. It also analyzes how the resolution of the conflict occurs through an agreement between the parties that avoids the judicial process, given its high transaction costs. Full article
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19 pages, 9747 KiB  
Article
Estimating Diphenylamine in Gunshot Residues from a New Tool for Identifying both Inorganic and Organic Residues in the Same Sample
by Ana Isabel Argente-García, Lusine Hakobyan, Carmen Guillem and Pilar Campíns-Falcó
Separations 2019, 6(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations6010016 - 19 Mar 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6162
Abstract
A method involving the collection and determination of organic and inorganic gunshot residues on hands using on-line in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) coupled to miniaturized capillary liquid chromatography with diode array detection (CapLC-DAD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersion X-ray (SEM-EDX), respectively, [...] Read more.
A method involving the collection and determination of organic and inorganic gunshot residues on hands using on-line in-tube solid-phase microextraction (IT-SPME) coupled to miniaturized capillary liquid chromatography with diode array detection (CapLC-DAD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersion X-ray (SEM-EDX), respectively, for quantifying both residues was developed. The best extraction efficiency for diphenylamine (DPA) as the main target among organic residues was achieved by using a dry cotton swab followed by vortex-assisted extraction with water, which permits preservation of inorganic residues. Factors such as the nature and length of the IT-SPME extractive phase and volume of the sample processed were investigated and optimized to achieve high sensitivity: 90 cm of TRB-35 (35% diphenyl, 65% polydimethylsiloxane) capillary column and 1.8 mL of the processed sample were selected for the IT-SPME. Satisfactory limit of detection of the method for analysis of DPA deposited on shooters’ hands (0.3 ng) and precision (intra-day relative standard deviation, 9%) were obtained. The utility of the described approach was tested by analyzing several samples of shooters’ hands. Diphenylamine was found in 81% of the samples analyzed. Inorganic gunshot residues analyzed by SEM-EDX were also studied in cotton swab and lift tape kit samplers. Optical microscopy was used to see the inorganic gunshot residues in the cotton swab samplers. The lift tape kits provided lesser sensitivity for DPA than dry cotton swabs—around fourteen times. The possibility of environmental and occupational sources could be eliminated when DPA was found together with inorganic residues. Then, the presence of inorganic and organic residues in a given sample could be used as evidence in judicial proceedings in the forensic field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Five Years of Separations: Feature Paper 2018)
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