Author(s):
1. Aleksandra Mitrović, Department of Forensic Engineering, Faculty of Forensic Sciences and Engineering, CBRNe Center of Excellence, University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
2. Jelena Lamovec, Serbia
3. Svetlana Pelemiš, Faculty of Technology - University of East Sarajevo, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
In forensic investigations, materials are traditionally treated as passive carriers of damage, rather than as active sources of information about past events. However, modern material science reveals that engineering materials inherently record mechanical, thermal, and chemical histories through permanent or transient changes in their structure and properties. This paper introduces and formalizes the concept of forensic memory of materials, defining materials as silent witnesses capable of preserving evidence of loading conditions, environmental exposure, and failure mechanisms over time. A comprehensive review is presented, classifying forensic material memory according to the dominant physical mechanism: mechanical (plastic deformation, residual strain fields, fracture morphology), thermal (phase transformations, heat-affected zones, transient thermal signatures), chemical (oxidation, degradation, corrosion products), and microstructural (grain evolution, defects, texture changes). The temporal stability of each memory type is discussed, distinguishing between short-term, medium-term, and long-term forensic indicators, with emphasis on their relevance for event reconstruction. Special attention is given to advanced full-field measurement techniques, such as digital image correlation and infrared thermography, which enable non-contact detection and visualization of latent material memory that is often invisible to conventional forensic methods. The paper highlights critical challenges, including the absence of standardized forensic protocols for interpreting material memory, the risk of misattributing similar damage to identical causes, and the growing need for interdisciplinary frameworks combining engineering mechanics, materials science, and forensic analysis. By bringing together knowledge from different fields, this work presents material forensic memory as a common framework for understanding the history of material damage and failure. The proposed approach provides a foundation for future experimental studies, standard development, and the integration of physics-based evidence into forensic decision-making. Ultimately, recognizing materials as active recorders of past events enhances the reliability, objectivity, and scientific validity of modern forensic investigations.

Key words:
: forensic materials science,material memory,digital image correlation,infrared thermography,failure analysis,non-destructive evaluation

Date of abstract submission:
20.08.2026.

Conference:
Contemporary Materials 2026 - Savremeni Materijali