The Application of Reflected Infrared Photography in Forensic Science

Uloga fotografije u forenzici nije samo dokumentiranje mjesta događaja, već otkrivanje i dokumentiranje nevidljivih i slabo vidljivih tragova, a može biti i dokazno sredstvo kad tragove nije moguće fizički izuzeti s mjesta događaja. U tome kontekstu posebno je važna infracrvena (IC) fotografija koja omogućuje vizualizaciju tragova na temelju njihovih različitih svojstava apsorpcije, reflektiranja i transmisije IC zračenja. Stoga je cilj ovoga rada stremio analizirati dostupna tehnička rješenja za snimanje IC fotografija te mogućnosti njihove primjene u forenzici. Pretragom podatkovne baze Web of Science u razdoblju od 2000. do 2019. pronađena su 23 rada koja se bave primjenom IC fotografije u forenzici. Pokazano je da je IC fotografija prikladna za otkrivanje i/ili poboljšanje vidljivosti raznih vrsta tragova. Uspješno je primijenjena na tragovima krvi na tamnim i raznobojnim površinama, kao i na površinama koje su prebojene ili zahvaćene vatrom. Također ju je bilo moguće primijeniti za otkrivanje tragova barutnih čestica na tamnim materijalima te za poboljšavanje vidljivosti tragova papilarnih linija na raznobojnim pozadinama. Istraživanja pokazuju i primjenjivost u otkrivanju i dokumentiranju loše vidljivih, preinačenih i laserski uklonjenih tetovaža, modrica i tragova ugriza, a katkad i u dokumentiranju nalaza obdukcije. Za snimanje IC fotografija nisu potrebna velika ulaganja, nego je dostatno s DSLR fotoaparata ukloniti filtar koji blokira IC zračenje te uporabiti jedan od filtara koji blokiraju svjetlost iz vidljivoga spektra. Iako se način snimanja ne razlikuje puno od standardne fotografije, brojna svojstva materijala utječu na rezultate, pa je ishod često neizvjestan i ne postoje univerzalno primjenjive postavke.The role of forensic photography is not only to document the crime scene but also to detect and document poorly visible and latent evidence. Moreover, it might have evidential value when it is not possible to collect the evidence physically. In that context, infrared (IR) photography plays an essential role in the visualization of the evidence, using the differences in the absorptive, reflective, and transmissive properties of the material. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze available technical set-ups for IR photography, as well as the application of IR photography in forensic science. By searching the Web of Science database for the period from 2000 to 2019, 23 papers dealing with the application of IR photography in forensic sciences were found. The studies showed that IR photography was suitable for the detection and enhancement of various evidence. It could be used for bloodstains on dark and multicolored surfaces, beneath painted surfaces, and on surfaces affected with the fire. It could be employed to detect gunshot residue on dark materials and to enhance the visibility of fingermarks on multicolored surfaces. Research also shows the applicability of IR photography for identifying and documenting poorly visible, modified and laser-removed tattoos, bruises and bite marks, as well as for documenting autopsy findings in some instances. IR photography does not take a lot of investments as it is sufficient to remove the IR blocking filter from the DLSR camera and to add a filter that blocks visible light. Although the shooting method is not much different from standard photography, many material properties affect the results. So, the outcome is often uncertain, and there are no universally applicable settings

Analysis of sexual dimorphism of antique and late antique Salona population

Cilj: Utvrditi kod kojih je standardnih i nestandardnih mjera spolni dimorfizam izražen, razviti statističke modele za procjenu spola s pomoću pojedinačnih mjera i njihovih kombinacija te usporediti njihovu točnost. Cilj je bio i ispitati sličnost u spolnome dimorfizmu s drugim populacijama iz srodnoga vremensko-prostornoga okvira, odnosno širu primjenjivost razvijenih metričkih standarda. Metode: U istraživanje su uključeni ljudski koštani ostatci s dvaju nalazišta sa salonitanskih nekropola, nalazišta Solin – Smiljanovac (974 groba) i Bencunuše – Porta Salonae (15 grobova), datiranih 1. – 6., i 2. – 5. stoljeća. Za razvoj metričkih standarda za procjenu spola, uključeni su kosturi odraslih osoba iz kosturnih jednostrukih ukopa ili onih kod kojih je bilo moguće točno razdvojiti osobe. Isključeni su kosturi sa sustavnim patološkim promjenama i/ili anomalijama. Spol je procijenjen DSP metodom na temelju 4 – 10 dostupnih mjera zdjelice. Na kostima bez izraženih posmrtnih oštećenja i/ili patoloških i traumatskih promjena izmjereno je 84 standardnih i 19 nestandardnih mjera. Kod parnih kostiju izmjerene su obje kosti radi ispitivanja bilateralne asimetričnosti, a 20 kostura izmjereno je u dvama krugovima kako bi se ispitala ponovljivost. Ispitano je postoje li razlike u dimenzijama kostura između klasičnoga razdoblja i kasne antike. Ispitano je kod kojih je mjera spolni dimorfizam izražen te su linearnom diskriminacijskom analizom izračunane funkcije za procjenu spola, kao i podatci o njihovoj točnosti. Mjere kostura uspoređene su s mjerama kasnoantičke populacije Tarragone i uvrštene u diskriminacijske funkcije razvijene na toj populaciji. Rezultati: DSP metodom spol je uspješno procijenjen na kosturima 106 muškaraca i 101 žene ujednačene dobne strukture. Devet je mjera isključeno zbog nedostatne razine ponovljivosti. Kod 10/48 parnih mjera bilateralna asimetrija bila je statistički značajna. Mjere kostura iz klasičnoga i kasnoantičkoga razdoblja nisu se značajno razlikovale. Statistički značajan spolni dimorfizam zapažen je kod 62/80 standardnih te svih nestandardnih mjera. Razvijeno je 75 jednovarijantnih diskriminacijskih funkcija točnosti 63 % – 92,1 % te 18 viševarijantnih, točnosti 77,2 % – 93,1 %. Točnost veću od 80 % ostvarilo je 43/75 jednovarijantnih te 17/18 viševarijantnih funkcija. Mjere zglobnih ploha i nestandardne mjere opsega dijafiza ostvarile su najveću razinu točnosti, a bile su i najdostupnije u istraživanju. Sve mjere koje su bile bilateralno asimetrične dostigle su veću točnost uporabom mjere veće strane. Mjere kostura iz salonitanske populacije bile su veće od mjera kostura iz tarragonske populacije, a diskriminacijske funkcije razvijene na toj populaciji nisu se mogle uspješno primijeniti na salonitanskoj. Zaključci: Ponovljivost mjerenja bila je zadovoljavajuća za većinu standardnih i nestandardnih mjera te je kod većine standardnih i svih nestandardnih mjera spolni dimorfizam bio izražen, pa su standardne i odabrane nestandardne mjere pogodne za uporabu. Mjere kostura iz klasičnoga i kasnoantičkoga razdoblja nisu se značajno razlikovale, zbog čega bi standardi trebali biti primjenjivi na kosturnim ukopima iz obaju razdoblja. U istraživanju je razvijen veliki broj diskriminacijskih funkcija visoke točnosti, što upućuje na važnost uključivanja standardnih mjera, ali i primjene odabranih nestandardnih mjera u budućim istraživanjima. Većina mjera s najvećom točnošću bila je i najčešće zastupljena u uzorku (posebno nestandardne mjere opsega), pa je pouzdana procjena spola u promatranoj populaciji moguća gotovo neovisno o stupnju očuvanosti kostura. Istaživanje je također pokazalo i važnost analiziranja bilateralne asimetrije jer je veća točnost procjene spola ostvarena mjerama kod kojih je ona bila statistički značajna, i to upravo na strani koja je bila veća. Najveći stupanj točnosti ostvaren je s pomoću viševarijantnih funkcija, no on nije bio znatno veći od ponajboljih jednovarijantnih funkcija. Rezultati su pokazali da izraženost spolnoga dimorfizma nije slična u populaciji Salone i kasnoantičkoj populaciji Tarragone te da diskriminacijske funkcije nisu međusobno primjenjive, pa se njihova pouzdanost prije primjene na drugim populacijama mora ispitati.Aim: To determine which standard and non-standard measurements exhibit sexual dimorphism, to develop statistical models for sex estimation using single and multiple measurements, and to compare their accuracy. The additional aim was to test the similarity of sexual dimorphism with other populations from a related temporal and spatial frame, i.e., to test the broader applicability of the developed discriminant functions. Methods: The sample comprised skeletons from two archaeological sites from Salona necropoles, Solin-Smiljanovac (974 graves) and Bencunuše-Porta Salonae (15 graves), dated 1st – 6th and 2nd – 5th century. To develop sex estimation standards, we selected only adult skeletons form skeletal burials and single-burial graves or those in which persons could be separated. We also excluded those with systematic pathological changes or anomalies. For sex estimation, we employed DSP method using 4 – 10 pelvic measurements. We took 84 standard and 19 non-standard measurements on the bones free of post-mortem damage, pathological or traumatic changes. For paired bones, we took measurements on each side to test bilateral asymmetry, and for 20 skeletons we took measurements twice to test repeatability. We tested if skeletal measurements differ in the sample from the classical period and late antiquity. We examined which measurements show sexual dimorphism, developed functions for sex estimation using linear discriminant analysis, and calculated data on accuracy. We compared skeletal measurements to those of late antique Tarragona population, and tested applicability of discriminant functions developed on Tarragona population on our sample. Results: DSP method estimated sex for 106 male and 101 female skeletons with similar age distribution. We excluded nine measurements due to measurement error. Total of 10/48 paired measurements showed statistically significant bilateral asymmetry. Skeletal measurements did not differ significantly on samples from the classical period and late antiquity. 62/80 measurements showed statistically significant sexual dimorphism. We developed 75 univariate discriminant functions with accuracy 63% – 92.1% and 18 multivariate functions with accuracy 77.2% – 93.1%. 284 For 43/75 univariate and 17/18 multivariate functions sexing accuracy was greater than 80%. Articular surface measurements and non-standard shaft circumference measurements reached the highest accuracy rates and were also the most represented in the sample. Univariate discriminant functions that included bilaterally asymmetric measurements obtained higher accuracy when using right-side measurements. Measurements from Salona population were greater than those of Tarragona population and previously developed discriminant functions could not be applied to the sample from Salona. Conclusions: Most of the standard and non-standard measurements were sufficiently repeatable and exhibited sexual dimorphism, which means that standard and selected non-standard measurements are suitable for application in osteometric research. As skeletal measurements from the classical period and late antiquity did not differ significantly, discriminant functions should be applicable on skeletal burials from both periods. In this research, we developed a large number of highly accurate discriminant functions which highlighted the importance both of the standard and of the selected non-standard measurements in sex estimation research. Most of the measurements with the highest accuracy rate were also the most represented once in the sample (especially non-standard circumference measurements), so reliable sex estimation on observed population should be almost independent of skeletal preservation. The research emphasized the importance of the independent analysis of measurements that showed statistically significant bilateral asymmetry because we obtained higher accuracy rates when using functions that included measurements from a greater side. We obtained the highest accuracy with multivariate discriminant models, but their accuracy was not considerably greater than the accuracy of best univariate functions. The population comparison showed that sexual dimorphism was not similar in Salona and Tarragona population and that discriminant functions are not mutually applicable. Therefore, the reliability of discriminant functions developed in the present study should be tested prior to the application to another population

Sex estimation from handprints in a Croatian population sample: developing a tool for sex identification in criminal investigations

Aim: To test if handprint measurements show sexual dimorphism in the Croatian population, and to develop population-specific sex estimation standards. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 adult volunteers from a Croatian population (50 males and 50 females) aged between 20 and 45 years. Using a fingerprint ink, we collected handprints of both hands on a paper sheet. We scanned handprints and took 13 measurements. Bilateral asymmetry and sexual dimorphism of the measurements was analyzed and sex estimation models were developed using linear discriminant analysis. Results: All measurements exhibited statistically significant sexual dimorphism (P<0.001). Univariate discriminant functions provided sexing accuracy from 75% to 92%. The highest accuracy rate (92%) and the lowest sexing bias (0%) was obtained using the handprint breadth. A multivariate discriminant function could estimate sex with 93% accuracy, but with more pronounced sexing bias (10%). Conclusion: We showed that handprint measurements could be used for sex estimation in the Croatian population with a high accuracy level. Therefore, they could serve as a valuable tool for biological profiling of perpetrators in criminal investigations when other evidence is not conclusive

Određivanje fiksne točke mjerenja na mjestu događaja s pomoću jednoga GPS uređaja: utvrđivanje i minimiziranje pogrešaka na primjeru simuliranoga slučaja

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a standard tool for establishing a datum point at the outdoor crime scenes that lack fixed objects or landmarks. However, GPS is prone to multiple errors that occur with a different intensity in different time intervals and degrade the accuracy of the positioning. In the present simulated case, we have examined the error of establishing a position using a single hand-held GPS unit, as well as the efficiency of reducing the error by averaging multiple coordinates collected at the same spot through the time. The results have shown great variations between the actual position and position obtained by GPS through collection time, demonstrating that a single GPS reading is not a reliable tool for establishing an accurate datum point in a forensic context. However, when a sufficient number of fixes is averaged, periodical variations of GPS error less affect accuracy, and error linearly decreases. To minimize the error of positioning in forensic cases, we suggest developing a model for GPS application that considers the acceptable degree of error, available equipment, the specificity of the crime scene location and defining a detailed workflow for reducing the error with the averaging method.Globalni položajni sustav (engl. Global Positioning System - GPS) standardno je sredstvo za određivanje fiksne točke mjerenja na vanjskim mjestima događaja na kojima nema fiksnih objekata i prepoznatljivih točaka. Ipak, GPS je osjetljiv na brojne pogreške koje se pojavljuju u različitim intenzitetima i u različitim vremenskim intervalima te nepovoljno utječu na točnost određivanja položaja. U izloženome slučaju, ispitana je pogreška određivanja položaja s pomoću jednoga GPS uređaja, kao i učinkovitost smanjenja pogreške s pomoću uprosječivanja većega broja koordinata prikupljenih na istoj točki u širemu vremenskom intervalu. Rezultati su pokazali znatne varijacije između stvarnoga položaja i položaja određenoga GPS-om tijekom razmatranoga vremena; što upućuje na to da jednostruko očitavanje GPS položaja nije prikladno za određivanje fiksne točke mjerenja u forenzičnome kontekstu. Međutim, kada se uprosječi određeni broj točaka prikupljenih na istome položaju – periodička kolebanja pogreške GPS-a manje utječu na točnost i pogreška linearno opada. Kako bi se pogreška utvrđivanja položaja svela na najmanju moguću mjeru, predlaže se razvijanje modela za primjenu GPS-a kojim bi se razmotrila prihvatljiva razina pogreške, dostupna oprema i posebnosti različitih mjesta događaja te potanko odredio način i tijek smanjenja pogreške metodom uprosječivanja

Određivanje fiksne točke mjerenja na mjestu događaja s pomoću jednoga GPS uređaja: utvrđivanje i minimiziranje pogrešaka na primjeru simuliranoga slučaja

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a standard tool for establishing a datum point at the outdoor crime scenes that lack fixed objects or landmarks. However, GPS is prone to multiple errors that occur with a different intensity in different time intervals and degrade the accuracy of the positioning. In the present simulated case, we have examined the error of establishing a position using a single hand-held GPS unit, as well as the efficiency of reducing the error by averaging multiple coordinates collected at the same spot through the time. The results have shown great variations between the actual position and position obtained by GPS through collection time, demonstrating that a single GPS reading is not a reliable tool for establishing an accurate datum point in a forensic context. However, when a sufficient number of fixes is averaged, periodical variations of GPS error less affect accuracy, and error linearly decreases. To minimize the error of positioning in forensic cases, we suggest developing a model for GPS application that considers the acceptable degree of error, available equipment, the specificity of the crime scene location and defining a detailed workflow for reducing the error with the averaging method.Globalni položajni sustav (engl. Global Positioning System - GPS) standardno je sredstvo za određivanje fiksne točke mjerenja na vanjskim mjestima događaja na kojima nema fiksnih objekata i prepoznatljivih točaka. Ipak, GPS je osjetljiv na brojne pogreške koje se pojavljuju u različitim intenzitetima i u različitim vremenskim intervalima te nepovoljno utječu na točnost određivanja položaja. U izloženome slučaju, ispitana je pogreška određivanja položaja s pomoću jednoga GPS uređaja, kao i učinkovitost smanjenja pogreške s pomoću uprosječivanja većega broja koordinata prikupljenih na istoj točki u širemu vremenskom intervalu. Rezultati su pokazali znatne varijacije između stvarnoga položaja i položaja određenoga GPS-om tijekom razmatranoga vremena; što upućuje na to da jednostruko očitavanje GPS položaja nije prikladno za određivanje fiksne točke mjerenja u forenzičnome kontekstu. Međutim, kada se uprosječi određeni broj točaka prikupljenih na istome položaju – periodička kolebanja pogreške GPS-a manje utječu na točnost i pogreška linearno opada. Kako bi se pogreška utvrđivanja položaja svela na najmanju moguću mjeru, predlaže se razvijanje modela za primjenu GPS-a kojim bi se razmotrila prihvatljiva razina pogreške, dostupna oprema i posebnosti različitih mjesta događaja te potanko odredio način i tijek smanjenja pogreške metodom uprosječivanja

Characteristics of COVID-19 Infection among -Nursing Home Residents – A Cross Sectional Study from Croatia

Given high risk of infection-related mortality due to impaired immunity, elderly patients are at increased risk with COVID-19. In its diagnostic procedure clinical laboratory medicine has a pivotal role. The aim of this study was to investigate clinical and laboratory specificities in Croatian population of nursing home residents affected by coronavirus. One hundred and six residents of nursing homes that were hospitalized due to COVID-19 infection, were included in this retrospective study. Clinical and laboratory findings at three time points were extracted from medical records. There were 86 females and 20 males, with median of age 84 (min-max: 47–97) years. Patients were divided into three groups: Survivors (S), patients who are still alive (N=65), In-Hospital Non-Survivors (IHNS), patients who died from coronavirus during hospitalization (N=31) and Out-of-Hospital Non-Survivors (OHNS), patients who recovered from infection but died during the period of three months of the follow-up (N=10). We have established differences between these three groups in laboratory findings (p<0.05). At the admission, survivors had lower values of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, sedimentation ratio, ferritin and C-reactive protein, OHNS were in the middle, and IHNS had the highest values. Leukocytes and absolute lymphocyte count were greater in OHNS group, and same between survivors and IHNS. After 7 days, we noticed increase in leukocyte and neutrophils count among IHNS. Assessing of complete blood count, differential blood count, reactants of acute infection and combination of their ratios might predict worse outcome in nursing home residents due to coronavirus infection

Primjena denosumaba na bol tijekom terapije difuznoga sklerozirajućeg osteomijelitisa mandibule: prikaz slučaja

This is the first case report where two patients were under uniform denosumab administration protocol in diffuse sclerosing osteomyelitis (DSO) treatment and were closely monitored for 18 months. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the beneficial effects of denosumab in DSO treatment as well as pain relief and the significant lack of long-term use due to poorer outcomes after repeated use. DSO of the jaw is a poorly understood rare chronic disease the treatment of which is still very challenging despite a rapid development of medicine. Different medical treatments have been pro-posed without any significant long-lasting success. Bisphosphonates have offered substantial clinical benefit in DSO therapy, but due to harmful pharmacodynamic properties, denosumab therapy has been used to replace bisphosphonate therapy. Patients had a reduction in pain intensity with each subsequent application of denosumab but with less success than the first administration of de-nosumab. This case report has shown that denosumab could be a promising conservative treatment option for pain treatment in patients suffering from DSO.Opisane su dvije pacijentice s difuznim sklerozirajućim osteomijelitisom (DSO) mandibule koje su liječene denosumabom prema jednakom protokolu i praćene su 18 mjeseci. Cilj je bio opisati korisne učinke denosumaba u liječenju DSO-a, ali i slabije djelovanje na ublažavanje boli poslije dugotrajne primjene. DSO čeljusti nedovoljno je istražena rijetka kronična bolest čije je liječenje, unatoč razvoju medicine, još uvijek vrlo izazovno. Predloženim metodama ne postiže se značajan i dugotrajan uspjeh. Bisfosfonati su se pokazali korisnima u liječenju DSO-a, no zbog štetnih farmakodinamičkih svojstava potrebna je alternativna terapija. Ovaj prikaz slučaja pokazuje da se dvjema pacijenticama bol smanjila poslije aplikacije denosumaba čiji je najjači učinak uočen poslije prve primjene. Denosumab bi mogao biti opcija konzervativnog liječenja boli koja obećava kad je riječ o pacijentima s DSO-om

Sposobnost održavanja pažnje i ispoljavanje hiperaktivnosti i impulsivnosti u zavisnosti od pola deteta

Abilities of keeping attention, expressing hyperactivity and impulsiveness, i.e. difficulties in controlling them, represent the basis of the criterion upon which hyperactivity is defined. This paper is on the sex differences in abilities of keeping attention and expressing hyperactivity and impulsiveness of the children of ordinary population. Interviewees (64) were children of the fourth grade, age 10, and they were divided into two groups depending on the sex - 32 boys and 32 girls. Estimation of a child's behavior was done by 18 items scale IVJR- R and teachers were estimators. Arithmetical mean on the scale IVJER-R on our interviewees was low (M=2, 92), which means that children of the ordinary population, the examined behavior is not so widely expressed (possible range of scores is from 0 to 18). Differences between boys and girls are connected to abilities of keeping attention, and they are expressed within limits expected for that age. The second part of the scale referring to hyper-activity and impulsiveness, average score is lower than in the first part of the scale, which shows difficulties in deferring hyperactivity and impulsiveness as manifested forms of behavior. Results of the realized research show that there is no statistically significant difference between boys and girls considering the ability of keeping attention and expressing hyperactivity and impulsiveness.Sposobnost održavanja pažnje, ispoljavanje hiperaktivnosti i impulsivnosti, odnosno teškoće u njihovom kontrolisanju predstavljaju okosnicu kriterijuma definisanja hiperaktivnosti. U ovom radu bavili smo se ispitivanjem polnih razlika u sposobnosti održavanja pažnje i ispoljavanju hiperaktivnosti i impulsivnosti kod dece normalne populacije. Ispitanici su bili učenici četvrtog razreda osnovne škole (N = 64) podeljeni u dve grupe u odnosu na pol (32 dečaka i 32 devojčice). Procena ponašanja deteta vršena je 18-ajtemskom skalom IVJER-R, a procenjivači su bili učitelji. Aritmetička sredina na skali IVJER-R dobijena na našim ispitanicima je niska (M = 2.92), što navodi na zaključak da se kod dece normalne populacije ispitivana ponašanja slabo ispoljavaju (mogući raspon skorova od 0 do 18). Razlike između dečaka i devojčica vezane za sposobnost održavanja pažnje ispoljavaju se u granicama očekivanih za uzrast. U drugom delu skale koji se odnosi na hiperaktivnost i impulsivnost, srednje vrednosti su još niže nego u prvom delu skale, što upućuje na teškoću razlikovanja hiperaktivnosti i impulsivnosti kao manifestnih oblika ponašanja. Rezultati realizovanog istraživanja pokazuju da nema statistički značajne razlike između dečaka i devojčica u pogledu sposobnosti održavanja pažnje i ispoljavanja hiperaktivnosti i impulsivnosti