The transfer and persistence of metals in latent fingermarks

The author discusses the benefits for forensic science from greater engagement with basic and other applied areas of chemistry and gives examples of how his organization, the Australian Federal Police, have partnered with academia and others to promote the use of chemistry in areas of trace evidence, illicit drugs, fingerprint detection, and explosives.

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The transfer and persistence of metals in latent fingermarks

10.33774/chemrxiv-2021-kvtmv ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rhiannon Boseley ◽

Daryl Howard ◽

Mark Hackett ◽

Simon Lewis

Keyword(s):

Trace Metal ◽

Metal Ions ◽

Forensic Science ◽

Spatial Resolution ◽

Metal Ion ◽

Activity Level ◽

X Ray ◽

Trace Metal Ions ◽

Gun Barrel ◽

Trace Metal Detection

In forensic science, knowledge and understanding of material transfer and persistence is inherent to the interpretation of trace evidence and can provide vital information on the activity level surrounding a crime. Detecting metal ions in fingermark residue has long been of interest in the field of forensic science, due to the possibility of linking trace metal ion profiles to prior activity with specific metal objects (e.g. gun or explosive handling). Unfortunately, the imaging capability to visualise trace metal ions at sufficient spatial resolution to determine their distribution within a fingermark (micron level) was not previously available. Here, we demonstrate for the first time transfer and persistence of metals in fingermarks, at micron spatial resolution, using synchrotron sourced x-ray fluorescence microscopy. Fingermarks were taken before and after brief handling of a gun barrel, ammunition cartridge case and party sparkler to demonstrate the transfer of metals. The results reveal increased metal content after contact with these objects, and critically, a differential pattern of metal ion increase was observed after handling different objects. Persistence studies indicate that these metals are removed as easily as they are transferred, with a brief period of hand washing appearing to successfully remove metallic residue from subsequent fingermarks. Preliminary work using x-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopic mapping highlighted the potential use of this technique to differentiate between different chemical forms of metals and metal ions in latent fingermarks. It is anticipated that these findings can now be used to assist future work for the advancement of trace metal detection tests and fingermark development procedures

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The end of the (forensic science) world as we know it? The example of trace evidence

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2014.0260 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 370 (1674) ◽

pp. 20140260 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Claude Roux ◽

Benjamin Talbot-Wright ◽

James Robertson ◽

Frank Crispino ◽

Olivier Ribaux

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Criminal Justice ◽

Forensic Science ◽

Justice System ◽

Business Models ◽

The United States ◽

First Century ◽

Trace Evidence ◽

The Us ◽

Future Challenges

The dominant conception of forensic science as a patchwork of disciplines primarily assisting the criminal justice system (i.e. forensics) is in crisis or at least shows a series of anomalies and serious limitations. In recent years, symptoms of the crisis have been discussed in a number of reports by various commentators, without a doubt epitomized by the 2009 report by the US National Academies of Sciences (NAS 2009 Strengthening forensic science in the United States: a path forward). Although needed, but viewed as the solution to these drawbacks, the almost generalized adoption of stricter business models in forensic science casework compounded with ever-increasing normative and compliance processes not only place additional pressures on a discipline that already appears in difficulty, but also induce more fragmentation of the different forensic science tasks, a tenet many times denounced by the same NAS report and other similar reviews. One may ask whether these issues are not simply the result of an unfit paradigm. If this is the case, the current problems faced by forensic science may indicate future significant changes for the discipline. To facilitate broader discussion this presentation focuses on trace evidence, an area that is seminal to forensic science both for epistemological and historical reasons. There is, however, little doubt that this area is currently under siege worldwide. Current and future challenges faced by trace evidence are discussed along with some possible answers. The current situation ultimately presents some significant opportunities to re-invent not only trace evidence but also forensic science. Ultimately, a distinctive, more robust and more reliable science may emerge through rethinking the forensics paradigm built on specialisms, revisiting fundamental forensic science principles and adapting them to the twenty-first century.

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Detection of Nanoscale Soil Organic Matter by Middle Infrared Spectrum for Forensic Science

Journal of Chemistry ◽

10.1155/2015/189421 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Yingzi Liu ◽

Qiang Li ◽

Yumei Li ◽

Jie Bao ◽

Zhiheng Hu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Organic Matter ◽

Soil Organic Matter ◽

Infrared Spectrum ◽

Forensic Science ◽

Soil Samples ◽

Trace Evidence ◽

One Step ◽

The One ◽

Fingerprint Database ◽

Middle Infrared

Soil is useful as a kind of trace evidence for forensic science. Thus it is very crucial to identify sources of soil. The nanoscale soil organic matter (NSOMs) can be used to differentiate soil sources because their constituents and contents are relatively stable with time but variant by location. In this study, NSOMs from eighteen regions of Shandong Province in China were examined by middle infrared spectrum (4000–400 cm−1). The results showed that the constituents and contents of NSOMs in eighteen samples were dramatically different; a NSOM fingerprint for each sample was drawn based on these characteristics. This suggests that a national or global NSOM fingerprint database could be rapidly established by the one-step middle infrared spectrum analysis for different soil samples, which will be helpful to determine crime scenes by comparing the middle infrared spectrum of forensic soil with the NSOMs fingerprint database.

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Applying Microscopy in Forensic Science

Microscopy and Microanalysis ◽

10.1017/s1431927600022571 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 4 (S2) ◽

pp. 490-491

Author(s):

Henry C. Lee

Keyword(s):

Criminal Justice ◽

Criminal Justice System ◽

Forensic Science ◽

Real World ◽

Justice System ◽

Serial Killer ◽

Trace Evidence ◽

Physical Evidence ◽

Forensic Scientist ◽

Forensic Scientists

Microscopy is of vital importance in the real world of the forensic scientist. In today's society, physical evidence is critical to the criminal justice system for the detection, investigation and prosecution of criminal acts. A trail of microscopic fibers led investigators in Atlanta to the conviction of the serial killer, Wayne Williams. Flecks of paint on a hit-run victim, analyzed microscopically, can be compared with the paint on a suspect vehicle to exclude or match it to the crime. The forensic firearms examiner compares the microscopic striations on a bullet to match it to the gun it was fired from. Microscopes are used throughout the modern forensic laboratory. They are essential in searching for evidence. They aid the examiner in identifying and comparing trace evidence. As the scales of justice symbolize forensic science, microscopes symbolize the trace evidence examiner.Because of the variety of physical evidence, forensic scientists use several types of microscopes in their investigations.

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DNA Transfer in Forensic Science: Recent Progress towards Meeting Challenges

Genes ◽

10.3390/genes12111766 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (11) ◽

pp. 1766

Author(s):

Roland A. H. van van Oorschot ◽

Georgina E. Meakin ◽

Bas Kokshoorn ◽

Mariya Goray ◽

Bianca Szkuta

Keyword(s):

Forensic Science ◽

Recent Progress ◽

Activity Level ◽

Dna Transfer ◽

Related Activity

Understanding the factors that may impact the transfer, persistence, prevalence and recovery of DNA (DNA-TPPR), and the availability of data to assign probabilities to DNA quantities and profile types being obtained given particular scenarios and circumstances, is paramount when performing, and giving guidance on, evaluations of DNA findings given activity level propositions (activity level evaluations). In late 2018 and early 2019, three major reviews were published on aspects of DNA-TPPR, with each advocating the need for further research and other actions to support the conduct of DNA-related activity level evaluations. Here, we look at how challenges are being met, primarily by providing a synopsis of DNA-TPPR-related articles published since the conduct of these reviews and briefly exploring some of the actions taken by industry stakeholders towards addressing identified gaps. Much has been carried out in recent years, and efforts continue, to meet the challenges to continually improve the capacity of forensic experts to provide the guidance sought by the judiciary with respect to the transfer of DNA.

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Prawno-kryminalistyczna problematyka przesłuchania małoletniego w procedurach prawnych

Nowa Kodyfikacja Prawa Karnego ◽

10.19195/2084-5065.50.10 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 ◽

pp. 159-179

Author(s):

Iwona Zieniewicz

Keyword(s):

Forensic Science ◽

Science Knowledge ◽

Administrative Procedure ◽

Negative Results ◽

Special Approach ◽

Polish Law ◽

To Receive

Legal and forensic science issues of children hearing in Polish law proceedingsThe children witness hearing belongs to special trial activities and requires a special approach of judges, prosecutors, policemen who are responsible for its conduct. The most extensive regulations are those concerning witness hearing in a criminal proceding. In civil and administrative procedure the regulations are evaluated as insufficient. The person questioning the children has to have psychological and forensic science knowledge. Those fields of science formulate the tactical rules of child hearing. Their first aim is the protection of children from negative results of participation in law trials and the second aim is to receive trusted information concerning circumstances of law case. This publication is presenting the tactical rules which can be used in law proceedings.

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2018 Impression, Pattern and Trace Evidence Symposium

10.3768/rtipress.2018.cp.0006.1805 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Nicole S. Jones

Keyword(s):

Law Enforcement ◽

Knowledge Transfer ◽

Best Practices ◽

Information Sharing ◽

Forensic Science ◽

Forensic Sciences ◽

Trace Evidence ◽

National Institute Of Justice ◽

Support Of Research ◽

Poster Presentations

From January 22 to 25, 2018, RTI International, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) held the 2018 Impression, Pattern and Trace Evidence Symposium (IPTES) in Arlington, VA, to promote collaboration, enhance knowledge transfer, and share best practices and policies for the impression, pattern, and trace evidence forensic science communities. NIJ and FTCoE are committed to improving the practice of forensic science and strengthening its impact through support of research and development, rigorous technology evaluation and adoption, effective knowledge transfer and education, and comprehensive dissemination of best practices and guidelines to agencies dedicated to combating crime. The future of forensic sciences and its contribution to the public and criminal justice community is a motivating topic to gather expertise in a forum to discuss, learn, and share ideas. It’s about becoming part of an essential and historic movement as the forensic sciences continue to advance. The IPTES was specifically designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information-sharing and promote collaboration among the impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. The IPTES was designed to bring together practitioners and researchers to enhance information sharing and promote collaboration among impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysts, law enforcement, and legal communities. This set of proceedings comprises abstracts from workshops, general sessions, breakout sessions, and poster presentations.

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