Fraud appraisal constitutes a category of erroneous appraisal inconsistent with factual reality, which differs in nature from biased appraisal, partially tampered appraisal, and distinct appraisal opinions. As regulations emphasize the element of “intention” in fraud appraisal, it is necessary to distinguish between fraud appraisal and objectively erroneous appraisal, with corresponding different legal liabilities to be established. Both fraud appraisal and erroneous appraisal should be evaluated based on the consistency between the appraisal opinion and factual evidence, but liability determinations shall not adopt a purely outcome-based approach. Clarifying the legal boundaries of fraud appraisal and establishing appropriate liability allocation are of particular significance for safeguarding judicial justice and maintaining the healthy development of the appraisal industry.

Fraud appraisal has long been a key target for crackdown in the field of judicial appraisal. Relevant authorities have been actively improving the accountability system for it through legislation, aiming to enhance the quality and credibility of forensic science by strengthening the supervision of forensic appraisal practice. It is unequivocal that holding one accountable for a fraud appraisal must be predicated on its proper assessment. However, at present, the lack of scientific and objective rules for such assessment across regional functional departments has made the characterization of fraud appraisal and the subsequent imposition of liability challenging in judicial practice. Based on the characteristics of fraud appraisal assessment, including the authority of the assessing body, the independence of the process, the complexity of content, the limitation in form, the clarity of the outcome, and the quasi-finality of the conclusion, a tiered assessment framework is constructed from the perspectives of the subject, process, and outcome of the fraud appraisal, involving sequential evaluation of: (1) whether the appraisal opinion is erroneous; (2) whether the conduct violated forensic appraisal standards; and (3) whether the appraiser acted with subjective intent. This approach aims to address the current operational inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of the assessment mechanism, thereby ensuring the functional role of the accountability system for fraud appraisal.

The 61st Annual Meeting of The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) was held in St. Gallen, Switzerland, from September 2 to 6, 2024. As the most influential academic platform in the field, the meeting gathered global experts and scholars to present and discuss research findings, hot topics, and developmental trends. The meeting highlighted several cutting-edge and widely followed topics, including applications of high-resolution mass spectrometry, identification of new psychoactive substances and abused drugsalongside their emerging trends, hair analysis, ethanol- and drug-impaired driving, new analytical technologies, and emerging matrices in toxicological analysis. By systematically synthesizing the key outcomes of this meeting, this review aims to provide insights and references for scientific innovation and technological advancement in forensic toxicology in China.

This paper systematically reviews the development, classification of application scenarios, and practical workflows of forensic geology, with an in-depth discussion on innovative pathways for establishing standardized protocols and an evidence evaluation system. Three critical research priorities are proposed: the formulation of unified principles and procedures for geological sample collection, the improvement of analystical methodologies for these samples and the exploration of novel characteristic methods with regional indicative significance, and the in-depth analysis and integration of geological data. By integrating evidence collection, analysis, and evaluation strategies, the probative value and adoption rate of geological evidence in legal cases will be significantly enhanced, thereby driving forward both the scholarly and practical deployment of forensic geology.

Objective To investigate the cause of the exclusion of a parent-child relationship between the biological mother and her daughters in a trio parentage test. Methods Genotyping and parentage testing were performed using the GoldeneyeTM 20A kit on blood samples from the alleged father, the daughter (younger daughter), and the biological mother. Additional samples, including the mother’s hair with follicles, buccal swab, and a blood sample from the elder daughter, were subsequently collected for further genotyping. Results The alleged father was confirmed to as the biological father of both daughters. However, the genotype obtained from the mother’s blood sample excluded her as the biological mother of the younger daughter and exhibited inconsistencies at two STR loci with the elder daughter’s genotype, violating Mendelian inheritance. A different genotype was detected in the mother’s hair sample, and the hair-derived genotype was consistent with her being the biological mother of both daughters. The mother’s buccal swab displayed a mixted genotype, comprising both the genetic profiles found in her blood and hair samples. Conclusion In this case, the mother was identified as a rare chimeric individual and is the biological mother of both daughters.

Objective To evaluate the value of simulation experiments in identifying causality for agricultural environmental damage, especially when the site conditions are compromised or pollutants are present at non-detectable levels. Methods Field and laboratory simulations were conducted, in which key variables such as pesticide concentrations were rigorously controlled, along with the setup of replicates and controls, to reconstruct the damage process. Case studies involving yam, adzuki bean, and crucian carp were analyzed. Results The simulation experiments successfully reproduced damage symptoms in crops and aquatic organisms, establishing dose- response relationships and causality between pollutants and observed damage. This approach provided critical scientific evidence in cases where the original scene was destroyed or pollutants could no longer be detected. Conclusion Simulation experiments serves as an effective auxiliary tool in the judicial identification of agricultural environmental damage. However, limitations such as model simplification and subjective parameter selection must be acknowledged. It is recommended to enhance their reliability through standardized procedures and multidisciplinary validation.

Objective Fracture failure analysis of vehicle components was conducted to determine whether their fracture occurred prior to or as a result of the traffic accident. Methods A preliminary analysis of potential accident causes was carried out based on the client’s requirements, accident details, and relevant case files. An appropriate appraisal strategy, including dynamic, static, or component failure inspection, was then determined. Where component failure was identified as a contributing factor to the accident, dedicated failure analysis was carried out. Fractographic examination results were subsequently integrated with other relevant factors for comprehensive evaluation to form expert conclusions. Results The proposed methodology was applied in actual traffic accident cases. Through macroscopic and microscopic examination of fracture surface morphology, metallographic structure, and chemical composition of the failed components, the effectiveness of the analytical approach was validated. Conclusion This method enables accurate identification of accident causes, and offers a valuable reference for the investigation of similar component fracture failures in future traffic accident cases.

Objective To identify distinguishing characteristics between colored fingerprints produced by fingerprint stamps or silicone molds and those made by real fingers, and to provide a reference for accurate authentication of highly simulated forged fingerprints. Methods A combined approach incorporating morphological analysis, ninhydrin fuming, and electrostatic indentation was adopted to compare the features of colored fingerprints imprinted by fingerprint stamps, silicone molds, and real fingers under different development conditions. Results Significant characteristic differences were observed between forged fingerprints (from stamps or silicone molds) and genuine fingerprints across all three development methods: direct morphology, ninhydrin fuming, and indentation development. Conclusion Under certain conditions, the established method can effectively identify highly simulated fingerprints formed by fingerprint stamps, providing a practical technical solution for forensic institutions with limited resources. However, its effectiveness is limited in distinguishing fingerprints produced by silicone molds.

High-quality development has become an imperative for  the forensic appraisal industry in the new era. This article examines the core dimensions of such development, which encompass seven key aspects: a sound institutional framework, a highly qualified professional workforce, scientifically rigorous casework, a rational and orderly distribution of appraisal institutions, strengthed by public-welfare orientation, effective and proportionate regulatory measures, and intelligent, efficient information. The study also addresses practical challenges that impede high-quality development, including issues in top-level design, grassroots Party building, enforcement supervision, and entry-exit mechanisms. Drawing on Beijing’s practical experience and the measures it has implemented to advance the sector, the article proposes several pathways for high-quality development. These include upholding the Party’s leadership and enhancing Party building within the industry, optimizing top-level institutional design and improving the legal framework, strengthening institutional support and guidance, and intensifying supervision to improve the professional environment.

As a critical component of modern judicial evidence practice, forensic appraisal serves as an essential method for ascertaining case facts. It occupies a central role among forms of evidence and directly influences trial outcomes and realization of judicial justice. In 2005, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress adopted the Decision on the Administration of Forensic Appraisal. In thorough compliance with national requirements, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has actively advanced the specialization, standardization, and systematization of forensic appraisal, achieving notable results. However, alongside increasing societal complexity and diverse challenges within the industry, pressing issues have emerged in the Region regarding the structure, distribution, and personnel composition of forensic appraisal institutions. Building on the existing institutional framework and operational mechanisms, this study proposes focusing on six key areas: Party building, integrity in practice, scientific advancement, administrative governance, association-led supervision, and egulatory improvement, with the aim of fostering long-term, stable, and sound development of the forensic appraisal industry in  Inner Mongolia.

Despite years of institutional reforms, judicial administrative authorities still face multiple persistent challenges in the management of forensic appraisal, which necessitate further legislative reforms. The newly revised 2023 Chongqing Municipal Regulations on Forensic Appraisal actively addresses these issues: the rational allocation of appraisal management powers to judicial administrative organs, the establishment of an expert review system for the admission of appraisal institutions and appraisers, the systematic regulation—including the introduction of procedures for suspending appraisals—and the enhanced legal liability of appraisal institutions and appraisers, especially the heads of the institutions. These revisions not only showcase the local innovative approaches of the Chongqing Municipal Regulations on Forensic Appraisal, but also provide valuable practical experience and local reference for the formulation of the national Forensic Appraisal Law, which has been included in the second category of the legislative plan of the 14th National People’s Congress Standing Committee.

Although current Chinese legislation provides for a “Dual-Combination” management system (integrating administrative and industry self-regulation) in forensic appraisal, it does not compel forensic appraisal institutions to join forensic appraisal associations. In practice, some institutions operating in the “Four Major Categories” of forensic appraisal remain outside these associations, thereby evading industry self-regulation and creating a gap in the self-regulatory part of the “Dual-Combination” model. By examining data and materials from non-member “Four Major Categories” institutions in S City, this study identifies that these non-member entities are typically small-scale, under-resourced, and operationally weak. Their reluctance to join often stems from an intend to avoid oversight or hconcerns over membership fees. To achieve comprehensive coverage and effective industry self-regulation for all “Four Major Categories” institutions, it is imperative to attract non-members through measures such as specialized legislation and optimized association functions. This approach would expand the association’s services and supervisory reach, thereby strengthening the “Dual-Combination” management system.