Egyptian journal of forensic sciences 

About: Egyptian journal of forensic sciences is an academic journal published by Springer Nature. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Population. It has an ISSN identifier of 2090-536X. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 566 publications have been published receiving 4151 citations. The journal is also known as: Al-Maǧallaẗ al-Miṣriyyaẗ l-ilʿulūm Al-Ṭibbiyyaẗ Al-Šarʿiyyaẗ & EJFS.

Raman spectroscopy – Basic principle, instrumentation and selected applications for the characterization of drugs of abuse

Abstract: This review gives an overview of the developments in the analysis of drugs of abuse and other illicit substances by Raman spectroscopy for forensic purpose. The review covers the brief overview of basic principle and instrumentation of Raman spectroscopy along with selected and recent applications for characterization of drugs of abuse using this technique. These applications show the potential value of Raman spectroscopy in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of trace amounts of drugs of abuse and other illicit substances on different matrices such as cloth, currency notes, fiber etc., without extensive sample preparation in a non-destructive manner.

Some medicolegal aspects concerning tramadol abuse: The new Middle East youth plague 2010. An Egyptian overview

Abstract: An increasingly alarming phenomenon of tramadol drug abuse has been demonstrated in the Egyptian community. The alleged usages of tramadol had also contributed greatly to its popularity and massive use especially among Egyptian youth as a remedy for premature ejaculatory function and for extended orgasm and increase sexual pleasure as promoted through many online drug stores and media. 1 Aim of the work To study the impact of tramadol and its increasing rates of drug abuse widely spread among Egyptian youth on the observed association with recently increasingly noted variable forms of aggression and accidents. Patients and methods This study was carried out on the patients who presented to (PCC-ASU) Hospitals, Egypt in the year 2010 (January–December). Results The total number of studied cases was 640 with the adult (67.9%), males (77.2%). Abuse form of drug intake was the highest (50.8%). Oral intake (96.8%). The most frequent forms of injuries were cerebral edema (55.9%). Conclusions The significantly notable increasing violence forms are closely related to drug abuse. Tramadol’s prevalence is the mostly noted due to its wider availability and cheaper prices than other types of abused drugs. The unplanned indirect media advertising for tramadol abuse through movies and show series also played a remarkable role in promoting tramadol abuse. Recommendations Drug screening for tramadol should be added to all forms of basic toxicological screening. Especially in cases of patients involved in violent crimes and road traffic accidents, also for those applying for drivers’ license fitness program.

Various methods for the estimation of the post mortem interval from Calliphoridae: A review

Abstract: Insects play a fundamental ecological role in the decomposition of organic matter. It is the natural tendency of sarcosaprophagous flies to find and colonize on a food source such as a cadaver as a natural means of survival. Sarcosaprohagous fly larvae are frequently encountered by forensic entomologists during post mortem investigations. The most relevant colonizers are the oldest individuals derived from the first eggs deposited on the body. The age of the oldest maggots provides the precise estimate of the post mortem interval. With advancement in technology, various new methods have been developed by scientists that allow the data to be used with confidence while estimating the time since death. Forensic entomology is recognized in many countries as an important tool for legal investigations. Unfortunately, it has not received much attention in India as an important investigative tool. The maggots of the flies crawling on the dead bodies are widely considered to be just another disgusting element of decay and are not collected at the time of autopsy. They can aid in death investigations (time since death, manner of death, etc.). This paper reviews the various methods of post mortem interval estimation using Calliphoridae to make the investigators, law personnel and researchers aware of the importance of entomology in criminal investigations. The various problems confronted by forensic entomologists in estimating the time since death have also been discussed and there is a need for further research in the field as well as the laborator. Correct estimation of the post mortem interval is one of the most important aspects of legal medicine.

Determination of sex from hand dimensions and index/ring finger length ratio in Upper Egyptians

Abstract: Background Identification of human remains is an imperative element of any medicolegal investigation, and a challenging task for forensic experts and physical anthropologists worldwide. Aim The aim of this study was to determine sex (male/female) by hand dimensions and index and ring finger length ratio in Upper Egyptians. Materials and methods Five hundred students (250 males and 250 females) above age 18 years were examined. Hand length, breadth and hand index (breadth divided by length × 100), as well as index and ring finger ratio were estimated. Results The average hand length was found to be about 1.3 cm greater in males than females. Hand index ⩽40.55 is suggestive of females and >40.55 is suggestive of males. The index and ring finger ratio is found to be higher in females. Index and ring finger ratio ⩽0.976 is suggestive of males, and ratio >0.976 is suggestive of females. Conclusion This study may prove useful to determine the sex of an isolated hand when it is subjected for medicolegal examination.

A study on oxidative stress biomarkers and immunomodulatory effects of pesticides in pesticide-sprayers

Abstract: This work was conducted on 95 adult males from Al-Salheya Algadeeda-Sharkeya governorate. They were classified according to pesticides residues into control group (30 unexposed healthy adult males living in the same area), insecticides exposed workers group (55 adult males exposed to organophosphate and carbamates) and fungicides exposed workers group (10 adult males exposed to fungicides). The study was designed to investigate and compare the oxidative stress and immunomodulatory effects of pesticides exposure among agricultural workers according the level of pesticide residues in their blood which was measured by HPLC. The oxidative stress status has been evaluated by assessment of (SH-protein), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity was measured as a biomarker of toxicity. We used IgG, IgM, as immunological biomarkers to test the humoral immune function as well as TNFα as a biomarker of cellular immune function. Our result revealed statistically significant reduction of the activity of (AchE), antioxidant defense enzymes, total antioxidant capacity, IgM and IgG while, MDA and TNF levels showed significant elevations in insecticides-exposed workers versus control. Results of fungicides exposed workers revealed non-significant reduction of the activity of (AchE), antioxidant defense enzymes, IgM, IgG and TNFα levels while there was significant elevation of MDA level and significant reduction of total antioxidant capacity level.