Preparation of a Ytterbium‐tagged Gunshot Residue Standard for Quality Control in the Forensic Analysis of GSR

Preparation of a ytterbium‐tagged gunshot residue (GSR) reference standard for scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopic (SEM‐EDS) microanalysis is reported. Two different chemical markers, ytterbium and neodymium, were evaluated by spiking the primers of 38 Special ammunition cartridges (no propellant, no projectile) and discharging them onto 12.7 mm diameter aluminum SEM pin stubs. Following SEM‐EDS microanalysis, the majority of tri‐component particles containing lead, barium, and antimony (PbBaSb) were successfully tagged with the chemical marker. Results demonstrate a primer spiked with 0.75% weight percent of ytterbium nitrate affords PbBaSb particles characteristic of GSR with a ytterbium inclusion efficiency of between 77% and 100%. Reproducibility of the method was verified, and durability of the ytterbium‐tagged tri‐component particles under repeated SEM‐EDS analysis was also tested. The ytterbium‐tagged PbBaSb particles impart synthetic traceability to a GSR reference standard and are suitable for analysis alongside case work samples, as a positive control for quality assurance purposes.     

An Investigation into the Effects of Force Applied During Deposition on Latent Fingermarks and Inked Fingerprints Using a Variable Force Fingerprint Sampler

Physical factors, including the magnitude of the force applied during fingermark deposition, may affect friction ridge surface area and clarity, and the quantity of residue transferred. Consistency between fingermarks may be required; for example, in research projects, yet differences between marks are likely to exist when physical factors are not controlled. Inked fingerprints and latent fingermarks were deposited at 1–10 N at 1 N increments using a variable force fingerprint sampler to control the force, angle of friction ridge and surface contact, and the duration of friction ridge and surface contact. Statistically significant differences existed between the length and width measurements of the inked prints (p ≤ 0.05), particularly at lower forces. Scanning electron microscopy and surface plot analysis demonstrated how differences in force applied during deposition affected ridge surface area, displacement of latent residue, and differences in the quantity of residue transferred. Consistency between inked prints was demonstrated at equivalent forces.     

利用扫描电镜/能谱仪和X-射线衍射仪鉴别假“冰毒”

冰毒为纯白或淡黄色结晶体,为利益所驱,很多制贩毒者利用其它外观相似的晶体充当替代品或者掺杂剂,在常规检测时,用气/质联用仪无法检验其成分。本文利用扫描电镜/能谱仪和X-射线衍射仪对外观酷似"冰毒"的晶状物成分进行检测,先利用扫描电镜/能谱仪测定未知物主要元素,再利用X-射线衍射仪测定其晶体结构和成分。两者有效结合成功地鉴别假"冰毒"物质的成分。     

溺死的法医学检验现状及进展

本文概括阐述了近年来,国内外学者将硅藻的检验、内脏异物颗粒和微量元素成分的检验、血液化学的检验、电子显微镜的观察等方法应用于溺死的诊断,试图为溺死的法医学鉴定提供准确的诊断指标。     

Evaluation of the Forensic Utility of Scanning Electron Microscopy‐Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry for Printing Ink Examinations

Improvements in printing technology have exacerbated the problem of document counterfeiting, prompting the need for analytical techniques that better characterize inks for forensic analysis and comparisons. In this study, 319 printing inks (toner, inkjet, offset, and Intaglio) were analyzed directly on the paper substrate using scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) and Laser Ablation‐Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS). As anticipated, the high sensitivity of LA‐ICP‐MS pairwise comparisons resulted in excellent discrimination (average of ~ 99.6%) between different ink samples from each of the four ink types and almost 100% correct associations between ink samples known to originate from the same source. SEM‐EDS analysis also resulted in very good discrimination for different toner and intaglio inks (>97%) and 100% correct association for samples from the same source. SEM‐EDS provided complementary information to LA‐ICP‐MS for certain ink types but showed limited utility for the discrimination of inkjet and offset inks.     

The Effect of Skin Debris on Gunshot Residue Sampling and Detection

These experiments were designed to determine whether skin debris (desquamated epithelial cells and apparent skin oils) affects gunshot residue (GSR) particle detection on the sticky tape lift samples prepared for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A dabbing experiment showed that GSR particles accumulate not only on the adhesive surface of the sampler, but also on the epithelial cell surfaces. Samplers were loaded with target GSR followed by dabbing 30 times on the back of a hand. Backscatter electron images were taken at 20 kV and for some at 30 kV of the same areas. The samplers were then treated with a sodium/calcium hypochlorite solution (bleach) to remove skin debris and again imaged in the SEM. Comparison of these images shows more GSR particles will likely be revealed at 30 kV than 20 kV and more particles revealed by the bleach treatment in an automated SEM system.     

激光显微共聚焦拉曼光谱仪对红色墨迹的研究

目的利用激光显微共聚焦拉曼光谱仪对文书中常见的红色墨迹材料进行表征,研究该方法对红色墨迹材料的区分能力。方法在785nm激发波长,50倍物镜条件下,对49种红色印文,以及9种彩色喷墨打印和13种彩色激光打印的红色墨迹材料进行拉曼光谱表征。结果通过对71种墨迹样品的谱图进行分析,可以发现,红色印文墨迹、喷墨打印红色墨迹及激光打印红色墨迹的拉曼光谱间均存在差异,同时,拉曼光谱可将这三种墨迹材料分别进一步区分。结论显微共聚焦激光拉曼光谱可对红色墨迹材料进行有效表征和区分。这一方法可对红色印文墨迹进行识别,并且可实现对伪造印文文件的鉴别。     

微量纤维的横截面样品制备及检验方法研究

目的建立一种纤维横截面样品的制样和检验方法,实现对微量和单根纤维的横截面检验。方法以速干胶为包埋剂,细塑料管为模具,包埋体用切片机切片,制成纤维的横截面样品,在环境扫描电镜下检测纤维的横截面形态。结果制成的纤维横截面样品分散性好,截面挤压变形小,包埋体与截面边界明确,形态特征清晰。结论该方法操作简单、快速,适合微量或单根纤维物证的横截面检验。     

扫描电镜/X射线能谱仪检验电流斑规范化方法探讨

目的探讨电流斑皮肤金属化的机理、检材提取处理和扫描电镜/能谱仪检验规范化方法,对检验结果进行分析和价值判断。方法用扫描电镜/能谱检验,采用低倍大窗口覆盖损伤区域采集平均元素能谱图,并在可能的金属元素富集区域寻找球形金属颗粒。结果扫描电镜下可观察到散在的孔穴、细胞碎屑、龟裂、裂隙等特征,有些电流斑可检出金属元素,其中部分电流斑可发现球形金属颗粒。结论采用规范化的检材提取、处理和检验方法可消除随意性方法造成错检的可能。电流斑皮肤上异常含量的金属附着可支持病理检验符合电流斑表现的结论,同时也为电击导体的推断和金属元素成分比对提供依据。球形金属颗粒的发现揭示存在电弧高温的可能性极大,可强力支持病理检验符合电流斑表现的结论。     

SEM and Stereomicroscopic Analysis of Cut Marks in Fresh and Burned Bone

This study documents the prevalence of cut mark characteristics in fresh and burned domestic pig ribs. Stab wounds from single edge serrated and smooth‐edged knives were inflicted in the vertebral and sternal regions of each fresh rib. Each rack of ribs was then divided into vertebral and sternal units. Vertebral units were defleshed and their associated cut marks were examined using a stereomicroscope. Sternal units were burned in an outdoor fire pit and examined with the addition of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Linear cuts, V‐shaped cross‐sections, mounding, hinge fractures, and wastage were all observed on burned ribs. There was an overall decrease in the prevalence of all features (up to a 40% decrease), regardless of knife type, in burned ribs. Striations within cut marks were not observed in either fresh or burned ribs. Oblique faulting and bone lifts could only be observed using the SEM. Mounding and wastage were obliterated during the burning process. Therefore, cut marks in burned bone should ideally be examined for their characteristics utilizing an SEM.