A Novel 3D Gait Model for Subject Identification Robust against Carrying and Dressing Variations

Subject identification via the subject’s gait is challenging due to variations in the subject’s carrying and dressing conditions in real-life scenes.This paper proposes a novel targeted 3-dimensional(3D)gait model(3DGait)represented by a set of interpretable 3DGait descriptors based on a 3D parametric body model.The 3DGait descriptors are utilised as invariant gait features in the 3DGait recognition method to address object carrying and dressing.The 3DGait recognitionmethod involves 2-dimensional(2D)to 3DGaitdata learningbasedon3Dvirtual samples,a semantic gait parameter estimation Long Short Time Memory(LSTM)network(3D-SGPE-LSTM),a feature fusion deep model based on a multi-set canonical correlation analysis,and SoftMax recognition network.First,a sensory experiment based on 3D body shape and pose deformation with 3D virtual dressing is used to fit 3DGait onto the given 2D gait images.3Dinterpretable semantic parameters control the 3D morphing and dressing involved.Similarity degree measurement determines the semantic descriptors of 2D gait images of subjects with various shapes,poses and styles.Second,using the 2D gait images as input and the subjects’corresponding 3D semantic descriptors as output,an end-to-end 3D-SGPE-LSTM is constructed and trained.Third,body shape,pose and external gait factors(3D-eFactors)are estimated using the 3D-SGPE-LSTM model to create a set of interpretable gait descriptors to represent the 3DGait Model,i.e.,3D intrinsic semantic shape descriptor(3DShape);3D skeleton-based gait pose descriptor(3D-Pose)and 3D dressing with other 3D-eFators.Finally,the 3D-Shape and 3D-Pose descriptors are coupled to a unified pattern space by learning prior knowledge from the 3D-eFators.Practical research on CASIA B,CMU MoBo,TUM GAID and GPJATK databases shows that 3DGait is robust against object carrying and dressing variations,especially under multi-cross variations.

ECGID:a human identification method based on adaptive particle swarm optimization and the bidirectional LSTM model

Physiological signal based biometric analysis has recently attracted attention as a means of meeting increasing privacy and security requirements.The real-time nature of an electrocardiogram(ECG)and the hidden nature of the information make it highly resistant to attacks.This paper focuses on three major bottlenecks of existing deep learning driven approaches:the lengthy time requirements for optimizing the hyperparameters,the slow and computationally intense identification process,and the unstable and complicated nature of ECG acquisition.We present a novel deep neural network framework for learning human identification feature representations directly from ECG time series.The proposed framework integrates deep bidirectional long short-term memory(BLSTM)and adaptive particle swarm optimization(APSO).The overall approach not only avoids the inefficient and experience-dependent search for hyperparameters,but also fully exploits the spatial information of ordinal local features and the memory characteristics of a recognition algorithm.The effectiveness of the proposed approach is thoroughly evaluated in two ECG datasets,using two protocols,simulating the influence of electrode placement and acquisition sessions in identification.Comparing four recurrent neural network structures and four classical machine learning and deep learning algorithms,we prove the superiority of the proposed algorithm in minimizing overfitting and self-learning of time series.The experimental results demonstrated an average identification rate of 97.71%,99.41%,and 98.89% in training,validation,and test sets,respectively.Thus,this study proves that the application of APSO and LSTM techniques to biometric human identification can achieve a lower algorithm engineering effort and higher capacity for generalization.

TRANSFORMING ACTIVITY OF DNA FROM HUMAN ESOPHAGEAL CANCER AND THE IDENTIFICATION OF THE TRANSFORMING GENE

Rat-1 cells were transfected with DNA from human esophageal cancer 2K, 4K, 6K, 7K. 8K. The transforming foci were obtained and the transforming cell lines were established. The cell lines can form larger colony in soft agar. Those nude mice injected subcutaneously with the cells suffered from larger fibrous sarcoma. This indicates that the cell lines have carcinogenicity. The experimental results suggest that human DNA sequence and human Ha-ras special 616Kb (BamHI) band are present in the DNA of the transforming cells. The over-expression of ras gene products P21 were found in the tissues of exophageal cancer, the tissues adjacent to tumor and the transforming cells.

Ghosts in the shell:identification of microglia in the human central nervous system by P2Y12 receptor

Microglia are the tissue resident macrophages of the brain and represent the sole immune population located in the parenchyma of the central nervous system （CNS）. These cells are hidden be-tween neurons, astrocytes as well as oligodendrocytes and account for only 5-10% of CNS cells. Even though microglia were already identified in 1913 by the Spanish neuroanatomist Ramon y Cajal and further seminally investigated by his student Pio del Rio Hortega,

Interframe Variation Vector:A Novel Feature for Gait Recognition

Gait representation is an important issue in gait recognition. A simple yet efficient approach, called Interframe Variation Vector （IW）, is proposed. IW considers the spatiotemporal motion characteristic of gait, and uses the shape variation information between successive frames to represent gait signature. Different from other features, IVV rather than condenses a gait sequence into single image resulting in spatial sequence lost; it records the whole moving process in an IVV sequence. IVV can encode whole essential features of gait and preserve all the movements of limbs. Experimental results show that the proposed gait representation has a promising recognition performance.

Forensic Human Image Identification Using Medical Indicators

Diseases not only bring troubles to people’s body functions and mind but also influence the appearances and behaviours of human beings.Similarly,we can analyse the diseases from people’s appearances and behaviours and use the personal medical history for human identification.In this article,medical indicators presented in abnormal changes of human appearances and behaviours caused by physiological or psychological diseases were introduced,and were applied in the field of forensic identification of human images,which we called medical forensic identification of human images(mFIHI).The proposed method analysed the people’s medical signs by studying the appearance and behaviour characteristics depicted in images or videos,and made a comparative examination between the medical indicators of the questioned human images and the corresponding signs or medical history of suspects.Through a conformity and difference analysis on medical indicators and their indicated diseases,it would provide an important information for human identification from images or videos.A case study was carried out to demonstrate and verify the feasibility of the proposed method of mFIHI,and our results showed that it would be important contents and angles for forensic expert manual examination in forensic human image identification.

Stature Estimation Using Hand and Foot Metrics among the Meena Tribal Population of the North-western Indian Region

Background:Studies on stature estimation models for North West Indian populations are limited.The present study attempts to develop stature estimation models for the Indian population using hand and foot dimensions.Materials and Methods:Hand and foot measurements of 280 individuals(140 males and 140 females)were recorded for the estimation of stature in the present study.The stature and nine hand and foot anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard methods and relevant landmarks.For bilateral and sex differences,independent and paired t-tests were used to statistically analyze the data.Results:The findings showed statistically significant sex differences(P<0.05)in stature,foot,and hand measurements.However,there were no significant bilateral differences.The Pearson correlation coefficient assessed the association between stature and hand/foot measurements.All the studied parameters in both sexes demonstrated a statistically significant(P<0.001)and strong positive correlation with stature.Males and females had the strongest correlation coefficients for right-foot length(r=0.70)and right-hand length(r=0.64),respectively.Each sex’s regression equations were calculated separately.Stature predictions were accurate to within 4.02-6.64 cm.Conclusion:Stature estimated from hand and foot measurements can help in personal identification by creating an individual’s biological profile.Morphological differences in feet and hands demonstrate the significance of developing ethnic group-specific models to determine stature.According to the study’s findings,the stature of a person belonging to the Indian subcontinent can be estimated using hands and feet for anthropological and forensic purposes.

The role of forensic anthropology in disaster victim identification(DVI):recent developments and future prospects

Forensic anthropological knowledge has been used in disaster victim identification(DVI)for over a century,but over the past decades,there have been a number of disaster events which have seen an increasing role for the forensic anthropologist.The experiences gained from some of the latest DVI operations have provided valuable lessons that have had an effect on the role and perceived value of the forensic anthropologist as part of the team managing the DVI process.This paper provides an overview of the ways in which forensic anthropologists may contribute to DVI with emphasis on how recent experiences and developments in forensic anthropology have augmented these contributions.Consequently,this paper reviews the value of forensic anthropological expertise at the disaster scene and in the mortuary,and discusses the way in which forensic anthropologists may use imaging in DVI efforts.Tissue-sampling strategies for DNA analysis,especially in the case of disasters with a large amount of fragmented remains,are also discussed.Additionally,consideration is given to the identification of survivors;the statistical basis of identification;the challenges related to some specific disaster scenarios;and education and training.Although forensic anthropologists can play a valuable role in different phases of a DVI operation,they never practice in isolation.The DVI process requires a multidisciplinary approach and,therefore,has a close collaboration with a range of forensic specialists.

Identification of a female murder victim found in Burgenland,Austria in 1993

In 1993,the skeletal remains of a female corpse were found in Burgenland,Austria.Initial identification of the approximately 25–35-year-old female appeared impossible,but the case was reopened 23 years later.By applying biogeochemical isotope methods to her body tissues,the geographical origin of the unknown corpse could be predicted.The results of the C,N,S,H,Sr,and Pb isotope analyses suggested that the female did not originate from Europe and most likely spent her youth in the northern Caribbean.Using these findings,the police were able to identify the woman within 2 weeks.The female came from the Dominican Republic and resided in Austria for only a short period before she was murdered.This case shows that isotope biogeochemistry investigations can provide the police with crucial information that enables unknown persons to be identified.

Identification of a decedent in a 103-year-old homicide case using forensic anthropology and genetic genealogy

Anthropologists are often the custodians of long-term unidentified human remains though their positions as curators of university or museum skeletal collections.Various factors decrease the solvability of these legacy cases including the passage of time,the loss of provenience for specific cases,and lack of documentation or case records.While anthropologists can contribute important information toward identification,it is often necessary to explore novel and cross-disciplinary strategies to resolve difficult cold cases.In long cold cases,the postmortem interval,in particular,may be difficult to estimate leading to further challenges in achieving identification.Modern advances in radiocarbon bomb pulse dating,isotope analysis,and actualistic studies have contributed to positive identification of unidentified human remains in some legacy cases,but may not be available to all forensic practitioners and law enforcement from resource-poor agencies.Pooling resources,as well as collaborating with professionals outside of forensic anthropology,is a useful strategy to pursue when anthropological methods are exhausted.The case study presented here demonstrates a collaborative approach between forensic anthropologists,forensic genetic genealogists,and law enforcement in a century-old homicide.The dismembered and mummified parts of a male body were recovered in a remote cave in 1979 and again in 1991.Despite forensic anthropologists creating and updating the biological profile over the decades from recovery to present,no identification was made until the application of forensic genetic genealogy(FGG)to the case in 2019.New interpretations of bone microstructure and trauma analysis are presented for the case,alongside the historical documentation and“proof of life”evidence used by the genealogy team.A review of the FGG methods underscores the challenges in this case(e.g.significant endogamy,multiple aliases used by the victim)and the steps taken toward resolution.Ultimately,a combined anthropology and genealogy approach resulted in a confirmed identity for a man who was murdered in 1916.

Use of Intraoral Three-dimensional Images for the Identification of Dental Morphological Traits Related to Ancestry Estimation

Victim identification through dental features is one of the main objectives of forensic dentistry.In circumstances where information regarding antemortem dental records is missing,reconstruction of a biological profile can be useful as a first step toward personal identification.This reconstructive method provides valuable information,namely regarding the individual’s ancestry,through the detection and degree of expression of dental morphological traits,which may help to restrict the number of candidates for identification.Technological advances allowed the development of alternative methods for dental evaluation,that complement or substitute those already in use in clinical practice.Among these,intraoral three‑dimensional(3D)images are increasingly used in dentistry,as they have a high level of accuracy and are easy to obtain and store.However,a fundamental question regarding forensic dentistry is whether they allow recognition and analysis of dental morphological traits in detail,namely those related to ancestry.In this study,we evaluated 20 teeth morphological features using intraoral 3D imaging from 77 individuals from Northern Portugal.Our results showed that it was possible to identify and classify a large part of the main morphological traits used in the estimation of ancestry.As these 3D images present sufficient morphological detail to be classified,we believe that future applications of this technique can be expected in forensic dentistry.

Forensic Validation Studies of a Novel 35-InDel Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction System

Background:A difficulty associated with forensic applications is the detection of degraded biological materials.Due to the large amplicon sizes of short tandem repeat alleles,valid genotyping results cannot be obtained from degraded biological materials.Recently,insertion/deletion(InDel)polymorphisms have been used in forensic applications for their widespread distributions in the human genome,short amplicon sizes,and low mutation rates.Purpose:Human identification InDel panels have mostly been designed for European populations.Therefore,our laboratory independently developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR)system with 35 polymorphic InDel loci to be used for human identification in China.Forensic validation studies were conducted on this novel 35-InDel multiplex PCR system.Methods:The 35 InDel loci were screened in the database,and then used with the traditional PCR amplification and capillary electrophoresis platform combined with five-color fluorescence parallel detection technology.Validation studies were performed on this novel panel,including accuracy,repeatability and reproducibility,species specificity,sensitivity,stability,forensic case sample detection,and mixture studies.In addition,forensic efficiency assessments were conducted in populations from different continents.Results:The data of validated studies indicated that the novel 35-InDel panel was accurate,stable,and efficient for forensic purposes.For human identification,the cumulative power of discrimination values for the these 35 InDel loci in East Asian,South Asian,European,American,and African populations were 0.999999999999995,0.999999999999995,0.999999999999971,0.9999999999999960,and 0.999999999998166,respectively.Conclusions:In this study,a set of 35 InDel loci were conducted in a multiplex amplification system for human identification of degraded DNA sample,and this new assay was efficient and stable.The present results suggested that the 35-InDel panel was a reliable tool for forensic use and could be efficiently used for human identification in the East Asian populations.

Forensic odontology in DVI:current practice and recent advances

Forensic odontology frequently plays a significant role in identification of the victims of multi-fatality disasters,but not in all.It depends on adequate dental remains surviving the disaster and on the availability of dental records to be successful.This paper describes current practice in the techniques of identification in forensic odontology and outlines recent advances that are moving into the mainstream.

The“microwave oven”practice in Brazil

This article presents a forensic case of an unusual illegal cremation of a person using a process colloquially known as the“microwave oven”practice in Brazil.The microwave process involves two actions:placing the victim in a tire stack and then setting the structure on fire using flammable substances to accelerate the progression.Asimilar practice,identified as“necklacing”,has also been reported in other countries such as South Africa.This report presents a case of microwave oven cremation of a body found in a rural area of Minas Gerais,Brazil.The forensic work helped determine the biological profile and identity of the victim using radiological comparisons.Although the microwave oven cremation practice is rare,it can impose challenges for investigators.Therefore,fully understanding this practice can be helpful to the academic and forensic communities.

Case report of a criminal dismemberment in Northeast Brazil

Several decomposed body parts were received for examination by the Forensic Anthropology section of the Medico-legal Institute of João Pessoa,Paraíba,Brazil.The portions of the lower and upper limbs,ribs,vertebrae,and a skull were thoroughly examined.The biological profile indicated a male individual with an estimated age range between 23 and 57 years and a mean age of 35.2 years(SD=9.4;phase IV,Suchey-Brooks).The skeleton showed injuries caused by sharp force and sharp-blunt force trauma that affected all body segments.Macroscopically,the lesions are mainly in the diaphyseal segments of the long bones,sacrum,pelvis,mandible,maxilla,scapulae,sternum,vertebrae,the distal epiphysis of the left fibula,and the distal epiphysis of the left tibia displayed characteristics compatible with injuries produced perimortem.It was not possible to determine the cause of death.DNAanalysis resulted in a positive identification.Because of common difficulties faced in forensic practice,it is often not possible for forensic anthropologists to go to the crime scene,X-ray or body scanners are frequently unavailable,and the victim’s medical and/or dental records are sometimes absent.These difficulties make identification ultimately depend on genetic analysis,which is more time-consuming than other identification methods.Despite this,bone fragment examination in dismemberment cases is a complex task.Forensic Anthropology can shed light on cases involving the identification of dismembered remains,which are challenging because of the number of traumatic injuries,as well as different injury patterns,on bones.

When identity is not reached:two cases from Brasilia

When human remains are examined,three questions always need to be answered:who is the deceased,what was the cause of death,and when did the death occur,the former question being the most relevant.The identification of half or fully skeletonized human remains is a complex process and always requires the use of methods that allow individualization beyond any reasonable doubt.However,no matter how vigorous the search for identification,this is not always achieved.Here,the author presents two cases in which identification was exhaustively attempted but not achieved despite the existence of an osteo implanted device in one case and the presence of documents in the other.In one case,we could not find a potential identity for the deceased,while in the other we found a possible identity but not a family member to provide antemortem data to confirm it.Although the scientific literature tends to favour the publication of cases with favourable outcomes,one should also learn from failures,which is the reason why the author decided to publish his unsuccessful experiences.The reasons for the failures are discussed,as well as methodological improvements for future cases.