Stature estimation from anthropometric measurements of hand and handprints may prove useful in forensic investigations. Since its accuracy may be population specific, and because a similar study on the monoethnic Maldivians in Maldives remains unreported, this current research that evaluates such an aspect merits forensic significance. Using stratified-random sampling, this current research examined the standing height, as well as 22 anthropometric measurements from each hand and handprints collected from consenting 191 male and 193 female Maldivians in Maldives. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used for interpreting the anthropometric measurements and their association in estimating stature. The simple linear regression analysis provided significant (p < 0.05) moderate-highly correlated (range: 0.61-0.70) regressions for hand lengths of hands and handprints of Maldivians for accurate estimation of their stature. The accuracy of the estimated stature (Standard Error of the Estimate, SEE) observed here ranged between 3.82 and 5.76 cm. Stepwise multiple regression analysis provided improved accuracy to the equation (SEE: +/- 3.78-4.45 cm). The data gathered here are the first of their kind for the Maldivians and may prove forensically relevant in crime scene investigation and disaster victim identification, a pragmatic approach for estimating stature from forensic anthropological means.

The use of 21 autosomal STR loci for human identification has been gaining popularity throughout the world. It has been indicated that the forensic statistical parameters for supporting the use of 21 STR loci varied among different populations. Hitherto, such data for the diverse Malaysian populations remain unreported, rendering doubts in the court of law about its real ability for human identification in Malaysian population. Using the GlobalFiler (TM) Express PCR Amplification Kit, complete DNA profiles of 21 STR loci from buccal swabs of convicted Malaysian criminal (n = 570; 190 each for Malays, Chinese, and Indians) (by the year 2016-2017) were analyzed for their allele frequencies, exact test of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, observed and expected heterozygosity, power of discrimination, power of exclusion, match probability, and polymorphism information content. Most of the loci were found to be in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after the Bonferroni correction. Being the most informative locus, SE33 demonstrated the highest power of discrimination and power of exclusion, indicating its usefulness to discriminate individuals. In contrast, TPOX had the lowest power of discrimination and power of exclusion, as well as being the less informative genetic locus for all Malaysian population studied here. The probabilities that two individuals would share the same DNA profiles among the Malaysian Malays, Chinese, and Indians, as well as in general Malaysian population, were 1.3713 x 10(-25), 2.8822 x 10(-25), 7.5668 x 10(-26), and 1.0385 x 10(-26), respectively. The results obtained here were found comparable with similar studies reported in other populations. Hence, its robustness for forensic human identification among the Malaysian populations is, therefore, statistically supported.

The microbiological quality of thirty ready-to-eat (RTE) keropok lekor (a sausage shape Malaysian fish product) was evaluated in comparison to microbiological guidelines for ready to eat foods. The two E. coli isolates were subjected to DNA sequencing, identified and tested for their resistance towards fifteen different antibiotics. The survival and growth of the isolated E. coli strains inoculated in keropok lekor at atmospheric air and vacuum packaging were also evaluated. Results revealed that four samples (13.33%) contained Enterobacteriaceae counts that exceeded the recommended allowable counts of 4.0 log(10) CFU/g. Unsatisfactory level of coliforms (> 1.7 log(10) CFU/g) was also observed in ten of the samples; two of which contained E. coli (2.1 +/- 0.17 and 3.7 +/- 0.02 log(10) CFU/g), suggesting of poor hygiene and sanitation practices. While the 'Possible E10' E. coli strain was observably resistant towards Nalidixic acid (30 mu g) alone, B10 E. coli isolate was worryingly resistant towards Ampicillin (10 mu g), Ceftazidime (30 mu g), Ciprofloxacin (5 mu g), Ceftriaxone (30 mu g), Nalidixic acid (30 mu g) and Tetracycline (30 mu g). This study also revealed that the growth and survival of the 'Possible E10' and B10 E. coli strains were not significantly affected by vacuum packaging when stored at both 4 degrees C and 28 degrees C. Therefore, intervention programmes to alert and educate small-medium enterprisers (SMEs) of keropok lekor producers on food safety as well as potential health risks that can be associated due to inappropriate handling procedures of such product, merits consideration.