The program of Forensic Science’s publications gained momentum in 2019, with 6 publications per faculty.
This was a significant leap from 2018, when the publications were at 0.33 per faculty. The year 2020 per faculty publication ratio retained at 4.33. 2021 through 2022 the publications per faculty plateaued at one per faculty.
Forensics, as an applied science, is embedded in experiments with the use of appropriate equipment to determine inter-disciplinary subjects of enquiry including but not limited to the use of Nano- carbon for visual enhancement of latent fingerprints or investigating dust deposition on solar panels. The intervention of Artificial Intelligence in the future of firearm examination, Forensic Block Chain and it's linkage with Artificial Intelligence, and the Implementation of Blockchain Technology in Forensic Evidence Management. A very key area of Forensic investigation is investigating interventions in Wildlife Mediated Zoonotic Outbreaks.
The above and ongoing work in Forensic sciences is prompted by the need to respond to emerging questions in Forensic science teaching and fueling research. This scholarly work has been undertaken in liaison with faculty from other schools (particularly Engineering) in order to be able to tap on knowledge, skills and competencies of different disciplines in developing a holistic argument.
A synopsis for each publication is provided below:
Madhavan, A. A., Philip, S., Ann, M., & Alsuwaidi, M. (2020, February). Camphoric based Nano carbon for the visual enhancement of latent fingerprints. In 2020 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences (ASET) (pp. 1-4). IEEE.
This study brings in the expertise of Dr Asha (Engineering faculty) in the application of green synthesized Nano carbon soot which is environmentally benign, and low cost option and can be used in the crime scene for the development of latent finger print, combining the Forensics expertise (Ms. Sharon Philip).
Different surfaces like paper, plastic and metals are explored to evaluate the performance of Nano carbon as compared with standard carbon powder. Nano carbon showed an improved image quality on both porous and nonporous surfaces by revealing more number of minutiae in comparison with commercial black powder.
Apurv Yadav, Swaroop Ramaswamy Pillai, Nrashant Singh, Sharon Ann Philip, Vidya Mohanan (2021), Preliminary investigation of dust deposition on solar cells, Materials Today: Proceedings ,Volume 46, Part 15,2021, pp 6812-6815, ISSN 2214-7853, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.04.361.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214785321032818)
Solar panel soiling loss is a serious issue and area of interest for researchers. Deposition of airborne dust particles on outdoor located solar cell or modules may reduce the transmittance of solar cell glazing and cause a significant degradation of solar conversion efficiency of PV modules.
Detection of effect of soiling can be done by various methods. Preliminary investigation for visual inspection using a microscope is one of the less costly and easily accessible method. The cleaning of panels also leads to some form of deformation in the solar cells. This paper discusses the investigation of these defects.
N. Mani, S. S. Parab, S. Manaswini, S. Philip, P. B. Hari and N. Singh, "Forensic Block Chain and it's linkage with Artificial Intelligence: A new Approach," 2021 2nd International Conference on Computation, Automation and Knowledge Management (ICCAKM), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2021, pp. 70-74, doi: 10.1109/ICCAKM50778.2021.9357739.
Forensic block chain is an emerging technique in the field of forensic science. This study aimed to link Artificial Intelligence to forensic block chain and develop a digitalize chain of custody of evidences that will help the forensic investigators to link the cases worldwide and help in solving crimes efficiently. It is a system integrated tool that helps in maintaining and representing the chain of custody, which ought to be maintained throughout the investigation.
Forensic block chain is an approach wherein the investigators or law enforcement officials store the history of criminal case in a digitalized form on block chains which in turn stores the information on remote servers. The data regarding the criminal records are highly encrypted providing less probability for intruders to gain access into the system.
Implementing artificial intelligence will help to manage and sort the data related to case records/criminal profile. AI helps in creating and analyzing a case report, and further processing of evidence.
Kudonu, M. A. AlShamsi, S. Philip, G. Khokhar, P. B. Hari and N. Singh, "Artificial Intelligence: Future of Firearm Examination," 2022 Advances in Science and Engineering Technology International Conferences (ASET), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2022, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/ASET53988.2022.9735105.
The purpose of this research was to evaluate the approach of artificial intelligence for the examination of bullets to obtain an objective analysis. An effort was made through this research to evaluate the aims of artificial intelligence in forensic ballistics and to examine the class characteristics such as rifling marks and individual characteristics of a bullet and include a method of recommendation.
The current standard procedure for firearm examination is to compare two gunshot samples, one from the crime scene and the other from a firearm test shot. A bullet recovered at a crime scene can be studied using a comparison microscope, which allows a ballistics examiner to determine and compare the bullet to ascertain its source and if it was shot from the same firearm, which is a subjective analysis.
The end-point objectives of this review are improvements and alterations to enhance the examination of a submitted bullet using the latest technological innovation such as a virtual microscope, quantum 3D microscope, and artificial intelligence expert systems.
R. Sathyaprakasan, P. Govindan, S. Alvi, L. Sadath, S. Philip and N. Singh, "An Implementation of Blockchain Technology in Forensic Evidence Management," 2021 International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Knowledge Economy (ICCIKE), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2021, pp. 208-212, doi: 10.1109/ICCIKE51210.2021.9410791.
This study aimed to create a framework and further propose an algorithm to implement Blockchain Technology to digitalize forensic evidence management system and maintain Chain of Custody. Based on the concept of Hyperledger Fabric. Evidence management is crucial in the field of forensic science.
Evidences obtained from a crime scene are important in solving the case and delivering justice to the parties involved. Hence, protecting these evidences from any form of alteration is of utmost important. Chain of Custody is the process which maintains the integrity of evidence. Inability to maintain the chain of custody will make the evidence inadmissible in court, eventually leading to the case dismissal.
Digitalization of forensic evidence management system is a need of time as it is an environment friendly model. Blockchains are digitally distributed ledgers of transactions signed cryptographically in chronological order that are sorted into blocks and is completely open to anyone in the blockchain network.
Joseph A, Bishnoi MM. Forensic Science Interventions in Wildlife Mediated Zoonotic Outbreaks: A Systematic Review. J Commun Dis 2020; 52(4): 8896. doi: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202046
This review discusses the nature and types of zoonotic diseases and the link to human activities of wildlife poaching and trafficking. It is estimated that about billions of currencies are spent by nations annually due to these diseases and millions of people die as a consequence of zoonotic diseases. This article reviewed the past and present zoonotic diseases and transmission through natural, accidental and deliberate modes.
This review addresses the impact of human vs. wildlife conflict in emerging zoonotic diseases focusing on bioterrorism. The objective of the present review was to highlight the significance of advanced forensic science technologies for the detection and prevention of the future zoonotic outbreaks of the suspected bio crimes and wildlife crimes.
