Authentication of Video Evidence for Forensic Investigation: A Case of Nigeria

Video shreds of evidence are usually admissible in the court of law all over the world. However, individuals manipulate these videos to either defame or incriminate innocent people. Others indulge in video tampering to falsely escape the wrath of the law against misconducts. One way impostors can forge these videos is through inter-frame video forgery. Thus, the integrity of such videos is under threat. This is because these digital forgeries seriously debase the credibility of video contents as being definite records of events. This leads to an increasing concern about the trustworthiness of video contents. Hence, it continues to affect the social and legal system, forensic investigations, intelligence services, and security and surveillance systems as the case may be. The problem of inter-frame video forgery is increasingly spontaneous as more video-editing software continues to emerge. These video editing tools can easily manipulate videos without leaving obvious traces and these tampered videos become viral. Alarmingly, even the beginner users of these editing tools can alter the contents of digital videos in a manner that renders them practically indistinguishable from the original content by mere observations. This paper, however, leveraged on the concept of correlation coefficients to produce a more elaborate and reliable inter-frame video detection to aid forensic investigations, especially in Nigeria. The model employed the use of the idea of a threshold to efficiently distinguish forged videos from authentic videos. A benchmark and locally manipulated video datasets were used to evaluate the proposed model. Experimentally, our approach performed better than the existing methods. The overall accuracy for all the evaluation metrics such as accuracy, recall, precision and F1-score was 100%. The proposed method implemented in the MATLAB programming language has proven to effectively detect inter-frame forgeries.

Environmental Forensic Investigation in the Residential Neighborhood Volta Grande IV,Volta Redonda,RJ,Brazil,Using TPH and PAHs Analyses in Soil Samples

This article presents the results of a forensic investigation concerning the origin of hydrocarbons detected in the subsurface soil of the residential neighborhood Volta Grande IV, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil. Previous investigations identified several areas with concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) above the Brazilian regulatory standards of CONAMA 420/2009 within the study area. Concern was raised that these hydrocarbons might be derived from local steel mill wastes. This forensic investigation determined that the VOCs in the residential soil are associated with gasoline and possibly diesel fuel oil releases into the subsurface soils that are not associated with the steel mill waste. The PAHs in residential subsurface soil generally fell below background concentrations and are likely associated with regional soot. The PAHs in the three samples with concentrations above background (out of a total of thirty-six samples) exhibit compositional features similar to coal byproducts, such as tar and coke, possibly attributable to the steel mill operation. This work discusses the geoforensic data and chemical signatures that support these findings.

Forensic imaging:a powerful tool in modern forensic investigation

Forensic imaging is a non-invasive examination process during the forensic investigation.It is mainly used in forensic pathology as an adjunct to the traditional autopsy.In the past two decades,forensic imaging has been vigorously developed by forensic experts from computed tomography(CT)to multiple augmented techniques through CT and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).The application field of forensic imaging has also been broadened as its advantages are recognised by more forensic practitioners.In addition to the forensic pathology,this technique has been used in other forensic disciplines,including forensic anthropology,forensic odontology,forensic ballistics and wildlife forensics,etc.This article reviews the development of forensic imaging as the practice and research development in different forensic disciplines based on the relevant literature analysis.

Geotechnical forensic investigation of a slope failure on silty clay soil--A case study

Qila Bala Hisar is one of the noteworthy places of Peshawar,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The fort was constructed on a flled ground during the 18th century and it was renovated several times by the occupants ever since.Recently,due to an earthquake of magnitude 7.3,the upper part of the south-western wall of the fort collapsed.The collapse of the wall was attributed to the failure of the retained slope.This research was undertaken to characterize the slope material,study causal factors of failure and evaluate remedial strategy.The investigation involved conventional field and laboratory testing and geophysical investigation using electrical resistivity technique to evaluate the nature of stratum.Also,X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy was used to study the slope material at a molecular level to evaluate the existence of swelling potential.The analysis has shown that excessive seepage of water caused by the poor maintenance of runoff and sewage drains is the causal factor triggered by the seismic event.A remedial strategy involving soil nails,micro piles and improvement of the surface drainage is recommended.

A Systematic Review of Forensic Approaches to Disasters: Gaps and Challenges

Disaster forensic approaches aim to identify the causes of disasters to support disaster risk management.However,few studies have conducted a systematic literature review of scientific articles that labeled themselves as a forensic approach to disasters.This article provides a qualitative analysis of these forensic studies,focusing on five main issues:(1)the methodologies applied;(2)the forensic approaches used in the disaster risk management phases;(3)the hazards addressed;(4)if the methodologies involve social participation,and using what types of participation;and(5)if there are references to urban planning in the scientific studies analyzed.Our results showed a predominance of the Forensic Investigations of Disasters(FORIN)and Post-Event Review Capability(PERC)methodologies used in isolation or combination.There is a need for methodologies that engage people in participatory FORIN,fostering the co-production of knowledge and action research approaches.

A Reverse Dynamical Investigation of the Catastrophic Wood-Snow Avalanche of 18 January 2017 at Rigopiano, Gran Sasso National Park, Italy

On 18 January 2017 a catastrophic avalanche destroyed the Rigopiano Gran Sasso Resort&Wellness(Rigopiano Hotel)in the Gran Sasso National Park in Italy,with 40 people trapped and a death toll of 29.This article describes the location of the disaster and the general meteorological scenario,with field investigations to provide insight on the avalanche dynamics and its interaction with the hotel buildings.The data gathered in situ suggest that the avalanche was a fluidized dry snow avalanche,which entrained a sligthtly warmer snow cover along the path and reached extremely long runout distances with braking effect from mountain forests.The avalanche that reached the Rigopiano area was a‘‘wood-snow’’avalanche—a mixture of snow and uprooted and crushed trees,rocks,and other debris.There were no direct eyewitnesses at the event,and a quick post-event survey used a numerical model to analyze the dynamics of the event to estimate the pressure,velocity,and direction of the natural flow and the causes for the destruction of the hotel.Considering the magnitude and the damage caused by the event,the avalanche was at a high to very high intensity scale.

Purkait’s triangle revisited:role in sex and ancestry estimation

Identification of unknown remains recovered from marine and terrestrial locations is a significant humanitarian problem.This investigation proposes a simple method applicable to fragmentary femora for a more refined level of ancestry and/or sex estimation.To that end,we re-examined Purkait’s triangle which involves three inter-landmark distances between the traction epiphyses and the articular rim of femoral head.A large sample(n=584)from geographically diverse(Egyptian,Indian and Greek)populations was compiled.Additionally,shape(n=3)and trigonometrically derived variables and ratios(n=9 variables)were employed to detect any geographically-clustered morphological differences between these populations.Random forest modelling(RFM)and linear discriminant function analysis(LDA)were employed to create classification models in instances where sex was known or unknown.The sample was apportioned into training and test sets with a ratio 70/30.The classification accuracies were evaluated by means of k fold cross-validation procedure.In sex estimation,RFM showed similar performance to LDA.However,RFM outperformed LDA in ancestry estimation.Ancestry estimation was satisfactory in the Indian and Egyptian samples albeit the Greek sample was problematic.The Greek samples presented greater morphological overlap with the Indian sample due to high within-group variation.Test samples were accurately assigned to their ancestral category when sex was known.Generally,higher classification accuracies in the validation sample were obtained in the sex-specific model of females than in males.Using RFM and the linear variables,the overall accuracy reached 83%which is distributed as 95%,71%and 86%for the Egyptian,Indian and Greek females,respectively;whereas in males,the overall accuracy is 72%and is distributed as 58%,87%and 50%for the Egyptian,Indian and Greek males,respectively.Classification accuracies were also calculated per group in the test data using the 12 derived variables.For the females,the accuracies using the medians model was comparable to the linear model whereas in males the angles model outperformed the linear model for each group but with similar overall accuracy.The classification rates of male specific ancestry were 82%,78%and 56%for the Egyptian,Indian and Greek males,respectively.In conclusion,Purkait’s triangle has potential utility in ancestry and sex estimation albeit it is not possible to separate all groups successfully with the same efficiency.Intrapopulation variation may impact the accuracy of assigned group membership in forensic contexts.

Evaluation of Pedestrian–Train Fatalities in the State of Maryland: A 5‑Year Retrospective Study

Few studies have been done on the incidences of train-related pedestrian fatalities throughout the United States,with no previous studies reported in the State of Maryland.A retrospective study was conducted at the statewide medical examiner’s office in Maryland to evaluate the characteristics of train-related pedestrian fatalities from 2014 to 2018.The aim of the study was to analyze circumstances of deaths through the medicolegal death investigation and postmortem examination findings,including toxicological study,to help identify epidemiological characteristics of pedestrian–train‑related fatalities.A total of 48 pedestrian-train deaths were identified.Of the 48 cases identified,21 deaths(43.75%)were determined to be accident,20 deaths(41.67%)were suicide,and 7 deaths(14.58%)whose manner of death could not be determined.Of the 21 accidental victims,17 were male and 4 were female(M:F ratio=4.3:1),11(52.38%)were white,6(28.57%)African American,and 4 Hispanic(19.05%),with age ranging from 16 to 58 years(mean age=35).Of the 20 suicide victims,17 were males and 3 females(M:F ratio=5.7:1),16(80%)were white,2(10%)African American,and 2(10%)Hispanic,with age ranging from 22 to 60 years(mean age=40).The majority of accidents occurred during weekday evening rush hours between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm,while the suicides showed no specific time frames.No specific peak for seasons of year was found in suicides or accidents.Postmortem toxicological studies showed that 52.38%(11/21 cases)of accidental victims were positive for alcohol and 30%(6/20 cases)of suicide victims were positive for alcohol.Manner of death could not be determined in 7 cases because of unclear circumstances of death.Thorough death scene investigation and complete postmortem examination,including comprehensive toxicological testing,is very important in all train-related pedestrian fatalities.Determining the manner of death can directly affect the outcome of civil ligation and dispersal of insurance benefits.The characteristic profiles of train‑related pedestrian fatalities can also assist effective preventive measures on railway suicides and accidents.

Evaluation of Medical Malpractice Litigations in China, 2002–2011

In the past 10 years,medical malpractice litigations have become a serious public health and social issues in China.This study aims to evaluate the medical malpractice litigations in Beijing.A retrospective study was conducted using the database from the Key Laboratory of Evidence Science(KLES)at China University of Political Science and Law(CUPL)to demonstrate the extent and characteristics of the alleged medical malpractice cases and the conclusions of forensic evaluation from 2002 to 2011 in Beijing.A total of 1515 alleged medical malpractice cases were investigated by forensic medical experts at KLES‑CUPL during the study period.Of the 1515 cases,45.2%were male patients and 54.8%were female patients.The age of the patients ranged from newborn to 90 years,with average age of 44 years.The alleged medical malpractice cases involved 11.3%of newborns.From 2002 to 2006,the average number of medical malpractice litigations was 123 cases per year,while from 2007 to 2011,the average number of medical malpractice litigations was 180 per year,a 46%increase.Of the 1515 cases,588(38.8%)litigations were due to the patients’death.Clinical departments involved in claims most often were obstetrics(18.9%),followed by orthopedics(15.1%)and general surgery(11.5%).Medical error was found in 945(62.4%)cases.Of the 945 confirmed medical malpractice cases,the top medical misadventures were diagnostic errors(36.5%),improper performance of procedures(36.4%),and medication error(12.6%).Although tertiary hospitals were more likely to be sued than the secondary and primary hospitals(63.6%vs.36.4%),there was no significant difference between tertiary and secondary hospitals in the percentage of confirmed malpractice cases(62.3%vs.59.4%).The primary hospitals had the highest confirmed malpractice cases(73.2%).