On the frequency of occurrence of a peculiar polyester fibre type found in blue denim textiles

In a double murder investigation, the victims were found after a prolonged stay in a drainage canal. In spite of the expectations, fibre examination established a multitude of primary and secondary transferred fibres. One of these fibre types was a colourless polyester fibre possessing a blue coloured molten fibre end. These matched one of the types present in the suspect's blue denim trousers. The aim of this study was to verify the rarity of this peculiar fibre type and more precisely its presence in blue denim textiles. Over five hundred different blue jeans textiles were examined and only one of these presented exactly the same type. The comparison involved microscopy, microspectrophotometry in the visible range and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate this fibre type is extremely rare in a blue jeans fabrics and that “standard” blue denim should not be disregarded in case work.     

国内外液态爆炸物安全检查技术和设备的发展

液态爆炸物具有制造简易、不易识别、威力巨大、易于引爆等特点,这些特点增加了液态爆炸物安全检查的难度。液态爆炸物的安全检查分为探测、防护和处置三个环节。针对探测环节,文章综述了国内外主要使用的液态爆炸物探测技术及其特点,介绍了有代表性的技术产品,探讨了液态爆炸物探测技术的发展趋势,最后,对我国液态爆炸物安全检查行业的技术发展提出了几点建议。     

Forensic Investigation of a Shawl Linked to the “Jack the Ripper” Murders

A set of historic murders, known as the “Jack the Ripper murders,” started in London in August 1888. The killer's identity has remained a mystery to date. Here, we describe the investigation of, to our knowledge, the only remaining physical evidence linked to these murders, recovered from one of the victims at the scene of the crime. We applied novel, minimally destructive techniques for sample recovery from forensically relevant stains on the evidence and separated single cells linked to the suspect, followed by phenotypic analysis. The mtDNA profiles of both the victim and the suspect matched the corresponding reference samples, fortifying the link of the evidence to the crime scene. Genomic DNA from single cells recovered from the evidence was amplified, and the phenotypic information acquired matched the only witness statement regarded as reliable. To our knowledge, this is the most advanced study to date regarding this case.     

Identification of Opioids and Related Substances using Handheld Raman Spectrometers

This study describes the performance of handheld Raman devices for detecting one hundred opioids and related substances including fentanyl and several analogs. Using a single “parent” device, signatures (spectra) with excellent signal-to-noise ratios were generated using <5 mg of most compounds. The signatures were added to a method (library), which was electronically transferred to three “daughter” devices. The devices were able to discriminate different salt forms and isomers. On average, the daughter devices yielded a true-positive rate of 97.3% for generating an alarm for opioids and were 93.3% effective for correctly identifying the opioid. The devices yielded true-negative, false-positive and false-negative rates of 100%, 0%, and 2.7%, respectively, where false negatives were due to weak signal and fluorescence. These data demonstrate that the parent-daughter electronic transfer method was successful and effective, which permits the ability to develop methods in the laboratory that can be seamlessly pushed out to field devices.     

Toner Particles as Forensic Evidence: Microanalytical Characterization of Known Toner and Recognition of Toner in Environmental Samples*†‡

Modern printing toners represent a prime example of subvisible particles that can be easily transferred to hands, clothing, and other surfaces. To explore the potential evidentiary value of toner particles, toner samples were collected from known printer cartridges and characterized by various microanalytical techniques to establish the properties most useful for recognition, identification, and comparison. Environmental samples (i.e., dust) were then collected from various locations at varying distances from toner-based printers, using both tape lifts and carbon adhesive stubs, to assess the possibility of detecting toner. By light microscopy, toner can be recognized on the basis of particle size and shape, as well as color. Further examination of the micromorphology in the field emission scanning electron microscope reveals characteristic morphologies and differences in surface texture and shape among toner sources. Raman spectroscopy provides chemical identification of the pigment (or pigment class) and, in some cases, also permits identification of the polymer component. While black and blue pigment chemistry remained constant among toner varieties that were studied (copper phthalocyanine and carbon black), variation in yellow and magenta pigments was observed. Analysis of dust samples collected from various environments demonstrated that while toner is consistently detectable in close proximity to printers (within 2 feet), it also can be detected in dust collected in nearby rooms. This research demonstrates that toner particles can be located, characterized, and discriminated, using a suite of microanalytical methods that are applicable to forensic casework.     

Computer controlled scanner for laser enhanced photography

The use of a scanner to control the photography of fingerprints, shoeprints and other trace contacts which fluoresce under irradiation from an argon ion laser is described. This scanner has been built to cover areas varying in size from a single fingerprint to a shoeprint and provides for variable speed, step size and angle of radiation which are all very important in this highly specialised area of photography.     

地面三维激光扫描在交通事故勘查及重建中的应用进展

本文回顾了地面三维激光扫描技术的发展历程和应用场景,简要阐述了地面三维激光扫描系统的技术原理和作业流程,对地面三维激光扫描技术在交通事故领域的应用进行分类,并详细梳理了各类别下的最新研究成果与实例,结合交通事故勘查和重建发展需求,探讨了目前存在的问题和未来发展方向。     

MALDI-TOF-MS对DAI大鼠脑干蛋白质组学的分析

目的应用基质辅助激光解吸/电离-飞行时间质谱(matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization timeof-flight mass spectrometry,MALDI-TOF-MS)技术建立弥漫性轴索损伤(diffuse axonal injury,DAI)诊断模型,筛选DAI相关蛋白或多肽,为寻找DAI的分子标志物提供理论基础。方法将15只雄性SD大鼠随机分为DAI组(n=10)和对照组(n=5),采用MALDI-TOF-MS技术对两组大鼠脑干组织的蛋白或多肽表达谱进行检测,运用Clin Pro Tools 2.2分析软件筛选出具有差异的分子峰,应用遗传算法建立诊断模型。结果筛选出有差异的分子峰61个(P0.05),其中DAI组有9个分子峰下调,52个分子峰上调。筛选出5个分子峰建立诊断模型,交叉验证的特异性为96.14%、敏感性为95.98%,盲法验证结果的特异性为73.33%、敏感性为70.00%。结论应用MALDI-TOF-MS技术不仅能够建立特异性和敏感性较高的DAI诊断模型,还可以筛选差异蛋白或多肽,为DAI的法医学鉴定奠定理论基础。     

Identification of Different Forms of Cocaine and Substances Used in Adulteration Using Near‐infrared Raman Spectroscopy and Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

Identification of cocaine and subsequent quantification immediately after seizure are problems for the police in developing countries such as Brazil. This work proposes a comparison between the Raman and FT‐IR techniques as methods to identify cocaine, the adulterants used to increase volume, and possible degradation products in samples seized by the police. Near‐infrared Raman spectra (785 nm excitation, 10 sec exposure time) and FT‐IR‐ATR spectra were obtained from different samples of street cocaine and some substances commonly used as adulterants. Freebase powder, hydrochloride powder, and crack rock can be distinguished by both Raman and FT‐IR spectroscopies, revealing differences in their chemical structure. Most of the samples showed characteristic peaks of degradation products such as benzoylecgonine and benzoic acid, and some presented evidence of adulteration with aluminum sulfate and sodium carbonate. Raman spectroscopy is better than FT‐IR for identifying benzoic acid and inorganic adulterants in cocaine.     

Analytical Characterization of Erythritol Tetranitrate,an Improvised Explosive

Erythritol tetranitrate (ETN), an ester of nitric acid and erythritol, is a solid crystalline explosive with high explosive performance. Although it has never been used in any industrial or military application, it has become one of the most prepared and misused improvise explosives. In this study, several analytical techniques were explored to facilitate analysis in forensic laboratories. FTIR and Raman spectrometry measurements expand existing data and bring more detailed assignment of bands through the parallel study of erythritol [¹⁵N₄] tetranitrate. In the case of powder diffraction, recently published data were verified, and ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR spectra are discussed in detail. The technique of electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was successfully used for the analysis of ETN. Described methods allow fast, versatile, and reliable detection or analysis of samples containing erythritol tetranitrate in forensic laboratories.