Question- How is fingerprint matching done? Answer- fingerprints can be compared to each other by examining the minutiae to determine whether: • the same minutiae are present (eg a bifurcation); • the minutiae flow in the same direction (eg the bifurcation is on a ridge running horizontally and the two divided ridges are to the right of the bifurcation); and • the minutiae occupy the same relative positions to each other (eg the bifurcation is separated from an enclosure below it by six intervening ridges). Where minutiae on two different fingerprint impressions meet these criteria, they are referred to as points of similarity. Where minutiae do not meet these criteria, they are referred to as points of dissimilarity. When sufficient minutiae are located in the same true relative sequence or unit relationship, then an identification is assumed, and the points of similarity are referred to as points of identification.

Fingerprints have usually 20 to 30 minutiae and two fingerprints are considered to be matched if they have more than 10 matched minutiae.

This fight for justice of forensic students should not stop. Please use this hashtag, not only on Twitter but on every social media

Massive Explosion in Beirut, Labnon

The explosion took place at 6:07 p.m. local time Tuesday near Beirut’s port and central district, close to many highly-populated areas and tourist sites. It has rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut on Tuesday evening,The explosion tore through the city, flipping cars, shattering glass and causing some homes to crumble leaving at least 135 dead and thousands injured.

Intensity of Explosion

The blast was even felt in Cyprus, around 240 kilometers (150 miles) away, and registered as a 3.3 magnitude earthquake.

What caused the blast?

There have been conflicting reports of what caused the blast. Initially the explosion was blamed on a major fire at a warehouse for firecrackers near the port. But on Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Hassan Diab said that about 2,750 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive material, had been stored at the port for the past six years “without preventive measures.”

What is Ammonium Nitrate?

Ammonium nitrate is an odorless, nearly colorless crystal salt. A common chemical ingredient of agricultural fertilisers, the nitrogen rich compound is also the main component of the explosive composition known as ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate, Fuel Oil). In its pure form, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is a white, crystalline chemical which is soluble in water. It is the main ingredient in the manufacture of commercial explosives used in mining and construction. Pure ammonium nitrate is not an explosive on its own. It is classified as an oxidiser under the United Nations classification of dangerous goods. If mixed with ingredients like fuel or some other contaminants, or because of some other external factors, it can be very explosive.

Ammonium Nitrate in Terrorist Attack:

Question- What is an Evidence? Answer- Evidence is anything that can be used to determine whether a crime has been committed.

Question- What are the different types of evidence in a crime scene? Answer- Types of Evidence Used in Forensics

Evidence is divided into numerous categories depending on its characteristics and reliability.

👉 Direct and circumstantial evidence

Direct evidence establishes a fact. Examples of direct evidence are eyewitness statements and confessions.

Circumstantial evidence, requires that a judge and/or jury make an indirect judgment, or inference, about what happened.

👉 Physical versus biological evidence

Forensic evidence can be divided into two basic categories: Physical and Biological.

Physical evidence may take the form of nonliving or inorganic items, such as fingerprints, impressions, tool marks, fibers, paint, glass, drugs, firearms, documents, explosives, etc.

Biological evidence, on the other hand, includes organic things like blood, saliva, urine, semen, hair, and botanical materials, such as wood, plants, pollens,etc.

👉 Reconstructive evidence

Any evidence that helps law enforcement officers better grasp what happened at the crime scene is considered reconstructive evidence.

Q:- Why soil is considered as an Evidence? Ans:- Forensic soil scientists consider soil as any earth material that has been collected accidentally or on purpose and is related to the problem they are investigating. Though the technology isn’t perfect, soil forensics is considered as an important wing during investigations. Soil in includes rock, minerals, vegetation, glass, paint, asphalt, etc. The presence of these objects in that area helps to make that area of soil unique from other areas.

Q:- What quantity of soil sample is required ? Ans:- In most forensics cases, only about one cup of the top layer of soil needs to be collected.

Q:- How analysis should be performed? Ans:- Samples are dried before testing, to prevent further decomposition of the material in the soil. 👉 At the crime lab, the forensic soil scientist conducts chemical and physical analysis tests and compares the soil samples from the crime scene location with the soil sample found on the suspect or on his or her belongings. 👉 Another test for soil is ground-penetrating radar technology (GPR). Scientist use radar energy pulses to look for breaks in the soil’s structure. GPR helps detect anomalies in the soil, where radar energy is sent back to the receiving antennae. But the drawback- it is not always accurate, especially with heavy clay soils. In the end, with the use of soil forensics and GPR technology, scientists and investigators can make connections between differences in the soil and collected evidence. By identifying by the individual characteristics of soil, investigators can use this knowledge to help solve crimes.

Psychiatric Disorder-Linked Deaths: Key Forensic Findings from Southern China #worldresearchawards

This video presents a comprehensive forensic investigation into psychiatric disorder-related deaths based on a retrospective study conducted in southern China. The analysis explores key patterns of mortality, manner of death, demographic trends, risk factors, and forensic indicators associated with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and other severe mental illnesses.

Through detailed case reviews, this study highlights the importance of forensic pathology, mental-health risk assessment, and public health intervention strategies for preventing avoidable deaths in vulnerable populations. The findings also provide valuable insights for forensic experts, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers working at the intersection of forensic science and mental health.

Nomination Link: https://forensicscientist.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee

Website: https://forensicscientist.org/