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Causation Determination in Forensic Appraisal and Its Coordination with Legal Evaluation: A Perspective on Personal Injury WANG Xu, XU Keyi Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (5): 37-44.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.05.005 Abstract （47）      PDF（pc） （1286KB）（40）       Knowledge map    Save The determination of causation in forensic appraisal of personal injury is essentially a process of medical fact-finding that connects with legal value judgment, and its results directly or indirectly influence judicial decisions on personal injury cases. Medical causation focuses on the objective causal link between the harmful outcomes and the injurious act, emphasizing scientific explanation and empirical probability. Legal causation, by contrast, focuses on the reasonableness of attributing liability, highlighting normative choice and value assessment. The currently effective standards in the field of forensic appraisal provide technical norms for causation assessment in different cases, the core of which lies in the scientific evaluation of the underlying objective connections. Meanwhile, it is necessary to consider the boundaries between forensic appraisal and legal judgment and their reasonable coordination. The objectivity of medical evidence should serve as the foundation to avoid legal interference in factual determination, and it is also important to prevent forensic appraisal from substituting judicial adjudication. This paper discusses the layered structure of causation analysis, clarifies the positioning principle for determining factual causation, and proposes mechanisms to optimize the coordination between factual causation and legal evaluation. Additionally, this paper explores the technical support through information-based tools and the role of the expert assistant system, with the aim of achieving an effective integration of scientific rationality and legal values in causation determination. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Causes and Optimization Paths for Difficulties in Submission of Medical Damage Appraisal in China ZHANG Dong, ZHAN Anle Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (5): 1-9.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.05.001 Abstract （51）      PDF（pc） （1220KB）（33）       Knowledge map    Save In medical disputes, medical damage appraisal plays a crucial role in determining such aspects as the fault of medical behaviors, causation, scope of damage compensation, and liability allocation. However, predicaments such as difficulties in submitting cases for appraisal and long duration of appraisal have become prominent issues restricting the quality and efficiency of the trial of medical dispute cases in courts. Through an empirical analysis of medical dispute cases in the two-level courts of City H since 2024, it is found that medical damage appraisal has problems including an imbalance between supply and demand for appraisal, difficulties in initiating appraisal procedures, long appraisal cycles, and widespread disputes over appraisal conclusions. The root causes of the difficulties in submitting cases for medical damage appraisal lie in the non-smooth operation of the system, insufficient resource guarantee, and the failure to effectively establish a social trust mechanism. Therefore, it is necessary to take multiple measures in terms of integrating resources, improving systems, strengthening guarantees, tightening supervision, and diversifying dispute resolution, so as to solve the problem of difficulties in submitting cases for medical damage appraisal, enhance the quality and efficiency of the trial of medical dispute cases, and build a scientific and efficient medical damage appraisal system. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Causation Analysis: An Exploration of a Specialized Issue in Forensic Appraisal XIA Wentao, LIU Ningguo Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (5): 22-29.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.05.003 Abstract （56）      PDF（pc） （1357KB）（43）       Knowledge map    Save Forensic clinical and forensic pathological identifications focus on analyzing and assessing damages to an individual’s life, health and functions resulting from external injurious factors. Among them, the causal relationship between damages and their consequences in forensic clinical and forensic pathological appraisals often gives rise to disputes due to the empirical and subjective nature of the judgment criteria and analytical methods involved. The main purpose of forensic appraisal is to assist in resolving specialized issues at the factual level and in providing technical support for the determination of legal causation and the assessment of legal liability in judicial trials. In the assessment of human injury severity, analyzing the relationship between injury and illness and conducting downgrade evaluations when necessary are rights and responsibilities entrusted to the assessors by the assessment standards. In the assessment of human disability levels, objectively explaining the extent to which the injury contributes to the disability outcome is a fundamental requirement for the assessors as stipulated by the law and the assessment standards. In cases involving death, it is also necessary to clearly explain the causal relationship between bodily injuries and the resulting death in accordance with judicial requirements.Accordingly, further refinement of techniques and standards for causal-relationship appraisal is required to achieve their consistent implementation in relevant appraisals and improve the uniformity of forensic opinions. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Forensic Appraisal Opinions: Cognitive Judgment between Objective Facts and Legal Facts in Communication GUO Hua Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (5): 30-36.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.05.004 Abstract （39）      PDF（pc） （1154KB）（30）       Knowledge map    Save Due to the diversity and complexity of the objects and content involved in forensic appraisal, appraisers face greater difficulties in understanding the appraisal issues and conducting the assessment. In particular, under the influence of appraisal standards with legal attributes and related legal factors, there is a substantial gap between the reality of forensic appraisal and the ideal goals presupposed by the institutional framework. Forensic appraisal not only requires the use of forensic medical knowledge to communicate objective facts and legal facts, but also needs the results of communication between forensic medicine and law to meet the requirements of legal facts. Furthermore, the facts established through forensic knowledge and judgment must be subject to scrutiny by non-experts under legal standards. Given the differences in the nature of criminal and civil cases, forensic appraisal in ambiguous areas or within ranges of discretion should not only consider the exogenous, endogenous, and intervening factors of existing facts, but also make value choices based on different concepts of rule of law. This realizes the goal of incorporating forensic knowledge cognitive judgment into legal value judgment, thereby giving full play to the functions of forensic medicine in cognitive judgment of objective facts and interpreting specialized issues as evidence, and providing key opinion evidence for the determination of legal facts of cases. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A Pilot Study of Isotopic Analysis for the Geographic Provenance of Aged Human Skeletal Remains CAO Yuanfei, ZHANG Meng, CUI Linlin, WU Chang, HUANG Kejia, LI Youlian, WANG Xueye, LIU Liwen, TANG Zihua Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (5): 85-90.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.05.011 Abstract （39）      PDF（pc） （1250KB）（28）       Knowledge map    Save Objective To evaluate the potential of stable isotope analysis for determining the geographic provenance of aged human remains, and to assess its effectiveness as a screening tool in forensic identification when prior information is limited. Methods Enamel samples from twelve aged human remains were analyzed for strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes (δ13C, δ18O). Geographic assignment was conducted using the assignR package by integrating isotopic data with global isoscapes to generate probabilistic provenance maps. Results The 87Sr/86Sr ratios of enamel samples ranged from 0.708 647 to 0.717 172, while δ13C and δ18O values indicated substantial inter-individual variation in diet and environmental conditions. Isotopic assignment effectively excluded incompatible regions and significantly narrowed the range of possible origins. Among the twelve individuals, eight showed concordance between isotopic predictions and known places of origin, demonstrating the method’s relatively high accuracy. Conclusion Multi-isotope analysis provides an effective approach for determining the geographic provenance of aged human remains, particularly in cases where DNA evidence is unavailable or limited. The reliability of isotopic assignments depends on the quality of isoscapes, individual life history, the preservation state of samples, and rigorous laboratory quality control. Future work should focus on improving baseline datasets, standardizing analytical protocols, and integrating multidisciplinary data to enhance the precision and applicability of isotope-based provenance methods. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Development Directions of Forensic DNA Database Technology in China in the Era of Massively Parallel Sequencing LIU Zhiyong, LIU Chao Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (4): 1-12.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.04.001 Abstract （242）      PDF（pc） （1415KB）（269）       Knowledge map    Save The forensic DNA database constructed based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) technology is an important foundation of modern forensic science and plays an irreplaceable role in public security and social governance in China. With the growing application needs, the limitations of CE-based DNA databases have become increasingly evident, while massively parallel sequencing (MPS) technology provides an opportunity for DNA database iteration. This paper briefly reviews the history of DNA database construction in China during the CE era, explores the valuable experience gained from attempts to apply MPS technology in DNA database exploratory construction, and focuses on key directions for future MPS-based DNA database  upgrading in China. These include achieving compatibility of CE/MPS-STR allele length typing, screening for more new core STR loci, establishing quality control systems for MPS-STR typing detection, deepening complex kinship searches in DNA databases, strengthening Y-STR paternal kinship searches, and advancing the construction of forensic mitochondrial DNA databases. The establishment of an MPS-based DNA database is not merely a technical iteration but also a multidimensional reconstruction and improvement of database structure, data comparison, and quality control. It is expected that these findings will better serve forensic practice in China and contribute Chinese experience to the international construction of forensic DNA databases based on MPS. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Research on the Legal Regulation of False Appraisal in the Field of Ecological and Environmental Adjudication HUANG Hao, LI Peilin Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (4): 13-22.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.04.002 Abstract （117）      PDF（pc） （1265KB）（125）       Knowledge map    Save Forensic appraisal opinions serve as crucial evidence for fact-finding in environmental adjudication. However, the review of appraisal opinions in environmental adjudication commonly remains superficial. False forensic appraisal significantly undermines the fairness and justice of environmental trials and may cause irreparable harm to the ecological environment and relevant parties. Due to ambiguities concerning whether and how judges should identify false forensic appraisal, and how to link this to accountability mechanisms, false forensic appraisal in environmental adjudication has not been effectively identified or regulated. To address this, the concept and characteristics of false forensic appraisal should be clarified. A system of technical assistance for judges should be established to enhance their ability to identify false appraisal. Furthermore, a coordinated system integrating criminal, civil, and administrative accountability should be established to fully pursue the legal liability of those responsible for false forensic appraisal. These measures would comprehensively strengthen the legal regulation of false forensic appraisal in the field of ecological and environmental adjudication. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Practical Dilemmas and Improvement Pathways for Quantifying Loss of Ecological Service Functions TANG Yan Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (4): 30-38.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.04.004 Abstract （137）      PDF（pc） （1219KB）（109）       Knowledge map    Save The scientific quantification of loss of ecological service functions serves as a crucial technical foundation and a key step in determining compensation amounts for ecological environmental damage cases. By benchmarking against the national standard series “Technical Guidelines for Identification and Assessment of Ecological Environmental Damage”, this study systematically reviews the methodological framework and assessment indicators for quantifying the loss of ecological service functions. The research highlights three major challenges in current judicial practice: controversies over non-use value assessment techniques, divergences in legal application, and gaps in institutional coordination. The study proposes improvement pathways, including establishing a quantification selection matrix at the levels of standard guidance and practical operation, formulating practical guidelines for non-use value assessment, improving explanatory mechanisms for technical investigators and expert jurors in ecological and environmental damage compensation cases, and strengthening funding support systems for quantification work, thereby facilitating the effective translation of scientific conclusions on loss of ecological service functions into judicial opinions. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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Interpretation and Determination of “Unclear” Appraisal Opinion under the Rules of Court Cost Allocation ZHOU Yiyan, HUANG Yingjie Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (4): 70-78.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.04.009 Abstract （188）      PDF（pc） （1160KB）（148）       Knowledge map    Save Article 39 of The Provision of Civil Evidence promulgated by the Supreme People’s Court in 2019 stipulates that an appraiser who issues an“unclear” appraisal opinion shall bear the costs of appearing in court. Scholars have yet to reach a consensus on the meaning of “unclear” and the standards by which it should be judged, while in practice, the rules governing the allocation of court appearance costs are also applied inconsistantly. Judicial appraisal lies at the intersection of scientific technology and legal practice. To bridge the knowledge gap for judges and correctly determine specialized issues in litigation, judicial decisions often hold high expectations for the certainty of appraisal opinions. However, the scientific nature of appraisals means they inherently tolerate objectively uncertain conclusions. From a unified perspective, the interpretative boundary of the “clarity” of appraisal opinions should be set as compliance with appraisal standards and possessing value for litigation proof. Under the current legislative framework, the “clarity” of appraisal opinions can be further deconstructed into normative, relevance, sufficiency of reasoning, and usefulness. In practice, the “unclear” nature of appraisal opinions can be identified by inversely establishing “clarity” review standards, forming a four-tier review framework: “consistency of expression, specificity of conclusion, sufficiency of reasoning and functionality of proof  Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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On the Reform of the French Forensic Appraisal System and Its Implications for China FANG Baoguo Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (3): 1-11.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.03.001 Abstract （383）      PDF（pc） （1173KB）（384）       Knowledge map    Save Using procedural rationality as the theoretical framework, this study systematically deconstructs the reform mechanism of the French forensic appraisal system and its implications for China’s judicial reform. Through the dual filtering mechanism of the roster system, the three-tier procedural supervision system, and the remedy mechanism based on collective rationality, France has established a collaborative governance framework integrating technical rationality and judicial authority, and has realized the judicial transformation of scientific judgments. However, the system still faces inherent tensions, including the paradox of cognitive dependence, the potential danger of power concentration, and the challenge of algorithmic black boxes, driving France to achieve dynamic adjustments through reforms such as strengthening judges’ obligation of technical review, introducing checks and balances in roster selection, and codifying algorithmic transparency into law. The French experience reveals the core logic that procedure takes precedence over technology. First, China should abandon the inertia of administrative management, promote the transformation of legislation from management-oriented law to procedure-oriented law, and incorporate review rules for technical disputes by amending the three major procedural laws. Second, China should build a two-track roster system (technical access review by the Ministry of Justice and ethical review by the Supreme People’s Court), and transform the principle of fault-based liability in the French Civil Code into a lifelong accountability system for forensic appraisers. Third, through the establishment of a technical judge system and the enhancement of the cross-examination rights of expert assistants, China should realize the coordination between professional autonomy and public participation under judicial guidance, thereby bridging the gap between technical rationality and judicial justice. Ultimately, procedural rationality becomes the embodied carrier of justice. Its value lies not in eliminating scientific uncertainty, but in transforming technical disputes into a productive force for judicial consensus through an institutionalized dialogue mechanism. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）

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A Review on the Evaluation of Evidentiary Value in Forensic Science LUO Hongdi, CHEN Xiaohong Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences    2026, 0 (3): 22-34.   DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2026.03.003 Abstract （274）      PDF（pc） （1355KB）（301）       Knowledge map    Save The validity of evidence value assessment directly affects judicial fairness. The traditional assessment model that relies on expert experience suffers from problems such as subjective bias. The likelihood ratio (LR) based on the Bayesian framework provides an objective measurement of probative force by calculating the probability ratio of evidence under the prosecution and defense hypotheses, and has become a key tool for connecting the technical and legal dimensions. This paper systematically reviews the research status of the LR method in the three major fields: physical evidence, forensic medical examination, and audio-visual material identification. From a technical perspective, the LR method covers feature-based and score-based feature acquisition methods, as well as model construction techniques using classical statistics and artificial intelligence. System performance calibration and evaluation techniques continue to improve, providing dual guarantees for the reliability and accuracy of LR results. Current research shows new trends from experience-driven to data-driven, from single-modal to multi-modal fusion, and from laboratory analysis to real-time intelligent on-site detection. The LR method not only promotes technological updates but also facilitates the transformation of judicial proof concepts to an “experience-data” hybrid model. However, China still faces challenges in database construction, standardized validation, interdisciplinary talent cultivation, and judicial acceptance. This paper aims to provide a theoretical reference for building an interpretable, verifiable, and scalable evidence assessment framework, and to assist in the standardization of forensic science evidence assessment and the practice of judicial fairness in China. Related Articles | Metrics | Comments（0）