Age Related Variation in Feminine Handwriting among Population Groups of Delhi, India

Background: Handwriting is a uniquely human trait which progresses and evolves during lifetime and declines with age. The aim of the present paper is to assess variation in handwriting features with age among female writers of select population groups of Delhi, India (for roman script). Method: A total of 405 handwritten samples were obtained from female (n=405) writers in the age range of 14-60 years. Writers were stratified into three age groups (≤ 18 years, 19-38 years and ≥39 years) in accordance to population group. Macro- and micro-features of handwriting were extracted from the scanned handwritten samples. These features were subjected to statistical analysis in the objective driven research. Result: The mean difference among age groups for pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Significant difference was also observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study, namely, nature of ‘i’ – dot (p < 0.001), nature of lower loop of ‘g’ (p < 0.01); nature of‘d’- stem (p < 0.01), nature of ‘m’-hump (p < 0.05) and ‘r’- shape (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that there was a significant variation in both macro- and micro- features of handwriting with respect to age of the writer. Pen pressure, height of handwriting and handwriting connectivity were prominent macro-features that addressed age related variation in handwriting. In addition, significant variation was observed among age groups for all micro-features of handwriting selected in the present study. The present study has immense forensic significance as it can assist to analyze age of the writer on the basis of handwriting characteristics.

“Only Cigarette Butt is Left, DNA Fingerprinting Traps the Theft”

The examination of saliva traces left on cigarette butts as evidences are complicated due to the availability of biological material in trace amounts and its rapid degradation due to extreme effects of environmental factors. This study is aimed to assess the DNA purity and quantify the amount of DNA preserved in saliva found on cigarette butts subjected to various temperatures and humidity. Isolation of cell material from biological traces on forensic evidence is often a serious challenge to solving forensic cases. Successful isolation of high-grade DNA from cell material even in critically low quantity could be achieved in examination of traces. The proper collecting and storage of the material is very important for successful DNA typing from saliva traces and epithelial cells from the lips and oral cavity. Meeting these conditions would increase the chances for successful DNA profiling of biological traces on evidence of an earlier date. In the presented forensic cases the opportunity for solving the crime was given by the vices of the suspects. In this case one cigarette butt found at scene of crime was the only evidence to detect the accused. DNA is extracted from salivary epithelial cells adheres to the cigarette butt and profiled successfully. DNA profiles of suspected accused and the cigarette butt are matched in the source.

Accurate Age Estimations from Dental Cementum and A Childbirth Indicator - A Pilot Study

This work is a pilot study that introduces an improved method for estimation of a chronological age of a human being using the incremental lines in a dental cementum. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of longitudinal sections of the tooth roots were subject to SEM analysis. The protocol allows accurate age estimation even if the SEM images reveal a limited number of distinct incremental lines. Micrographs were analyzed with a calibrated thickness measuring tool, such as ImageJ. The study was based on fifteen freshly extracted teeth from adult males and females of a known age. An average cementum thickness (C) and average incremental line thickness (IL) was calculated for each chosen perpendicular level of the tooth root from the SEM image. The number of the incremental lines (nIL) was calculated from the ratio of the mean C and IL, averaged across all levels. Finally, the estimated age is presented as a mean age from the data measured. The proposed protocol for age estimation represents a highly accurate (95%), repeatable and reliable tool for estimation of the chronological age of an individual, using one single SEM scan. Also, from a single case study, we report that an anomalously thick incremental line occurred at the time position which could be related to a childbirth of that female individual. The method can serve forensic purposes.

Impaired Driving Associated with the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-ADB

Synthetic marijuana compounds are more potent than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and are known to produce a wide variety of clinical symptoms including cardiac toxicity, seizures, and death. Erratic driving by a 45 y/o male was witnessed in the fall of 2017 and roadside evaluation of the driver by the responding law enforcement officer concluded that the driver was intoxicated. Comprehensive analysis of the cigarettes by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detected the synthetic cannabinoid 5-fluoro-ADB (5F-ADB or 5F-MDMB-PINACA). Validated forensic liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods were used to detect the 5-fluoro ADB metabolite 7 (26.37 ng/mL) in the driver’s blood sample. No other drugs were detected. This case report is one of the first to conclusively show that designer synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as “K2” and “Spice”, can significantly impair driving at relatively low concentrations.