We review the application of Nuclear Analytical Techniques (NATs) to forensic problems for the first time. NATs include neutron activation analysis (NAA), carried out in nuclear reactors for elemental analysis; accelerator-based techniques, mainly Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) for elemental and molecular analysis; and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) for dating of traces of forensic interest by \"radiocarbon dating\" and other related methods. Applications include analysis of drugs of abuse, food fraud, counterfeit medicine, gunshot residue, glass fragments, forgery of art objects and documents, and human material. In some applications only the NATs are able to provide relevant information for forensic purposes. This review not only includes a wide collection of forensic applications, but also illustrates the wide availability worldwide of NATs, opening up opportunities for an increased use of NATs in routine forensic casework.

Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) collects and processes information from the entire electromagnetic spectrum to obtain the spectrum of each pixel in the image of a scene, with the aim of finding objects and identifying materials. It is a non-contact, non-destructive technology that can be used without modifying or altering the analysed target. Forensic analysis and crime scene investigations are two of the most investigated fields of application, being able to detect and analyse many types of evidence.In this paper we analysed the most commonly reported forensic science applications.The literature indicates that the fields in which HSI appears most promising are the analysis of blood traces, document forgery, gunshot residues and the identification of fingerprints.

Dental and maxillofacial trauma analysis in the forensic context, includes assessment of both living and deceased persons. It is required in all cases where human abuse is suspected and where signs of skeletal trauma are detected in human remains. Skeletal trauma refers to the damage inflicted to bone, teeth and other hard tissues. An accurate analysis of the dental and maxillofacial trauma is achieved by the assessment of the remains by forensic pathologists, anthropologists and odontologists. This paper aims to review dental and maxillofacial skeletal trauma in the scope of forensic science. High-velocity projectile, sharp force, blunt force, and thermal trauma showing different traits in maxillofacial structures are discussed. Regarding non-fatal physical abuse, head and neck are the most frequently injured areas, resulting in fractures, contusions, burns and traumatic dental injuries.

Schiff bases and their transition metal complexes are inexpensive and easy to synthesize. These compounds display several structural and electronic features that allow their application in numerous research fields. Over the last three decades, electroanalytical scientists of various areas have developed electrochemical sensors from many compounds. The present review discusses the applicability of Schiff bases, their transition metal complexes and new materials containing these compounds as electrode modifiers in sensors to detect analytes of forensic, pharmaceutical and environmental interest. In forensic sciences, Schiff bases are mainly used to analyze illicit drugs: chemical reactions involving Schiff bases can help to elucidate illicit drug production and to determine analytes in seized samples. In the environmental area, given that most methodologies provide Limit of Detection (LOD) values below the values recommended by regulatory agencies, Schiff bases constitute a promising strategy. As for pharmaceutical applications, Schiff bases represent an approach for analysis of complex biological samples containing low levels of the target analytes in the presence of a large quantity of interfering compounds. This review will show that new highly specific materials can be synthesized based on Schiff bases and applied in the pharmaceutical industry, toxicological studies, electrocatalysis and biosensors. Most literature papers have reported on Schiff bases combined with carbon paste to give a chemically modified electrode that is easy and inexpensive to produce and which displays specific and selective sensing capacity for different applications.