Inherent Fluorescence Detection of Latent Fingermarks by Homemade Shortwave Ultraviolet Laser

Detection of latent fingermarks on various substrates is critical in crime investigations. Conventional chemical methods using reagents could contaminate or even destruct biological information of samples. Here, an optical method and successful case application of detecting latent fingermarks through long‐wave ultraviolet (UV) fluorescence (300–400 nm) by shortwave UV laser excitation is reported. Experimental results indicate that the recovery rate of the latent fingermarks on various paper items is in the range of 70–80% without chemical treatments. Moreover, the optical method allows for the preservation of samples for further examination, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The technique has also been successfully applied to a criminal case in identifying the suspect, which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been reported in real crime investigations. Therefore, such a method as UV‐excited UV fluorescence in detecting latent fingermarks may be better for examination in cases where biological information of samples is needed for consequent testing.     

The Use of Laser Microdissection in Forensic Sexual Assault Casework: Pros and Cons Compared to Standard Methods

Sexual assault samples are among the most frequently analyzed in a forensic laboratory. These account for almost half of all samples processed routinely, and a large portion of these cases remain unsolved. These samples often pose problems to traditional analytic methods of identification because they consist most frequently of cell mixtures from at least two contributors: the victim (usually female) and the perpetrator (usually male). In this study, we propose the use of current preliminary testing for sperm detection in order to determine the chances of success when faced with samples which can be good candidates to undergo analysis with the laser microdissection technology. Also, we used laser microdissection technology to capture fluorescently stained cells of interest differentiated by gender. Collected materials were then used for DNA genotyping with commercially available amplification kits such as Minifiler, Identifiler Plus, NGM, and Y‐Filer. Both the methodology and the quality of the results were evaluated to assess the pros and cons of laser microdissection compared with standard methods. Overall, the combination of fluorescent staining combined with the Minifiler amplification kit provided the best results for autosomal markers, whereas the Y‐Filer kit returned the expected results regardless of the used method.     

Application of MALDI‐TOF MS for Estimating the Postmortem Interval in Rat Muscle Samples

Estimating the postmortem interval (PMI) is very important in the forensic sciences. Although many approaches have been used for estimating the PMI, accurate PMI calculations are still difficult. In this study, four Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were sacrificed by suffocation, and muscle samples were collected by dissection at various time intervals (0, 48, 96, and 144 h) after death. All samples were probed using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) to obtain molecular images and data for principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that the peaks at m/z 1511, 1543, 1564, 1586 clearly decreased in intensity from 0 to 144 h postmortem and that the time groups were separated from each other on the PCA score plot. The prediction model showed high recognition capability (95.93%) and cross‐validation (83.72%). Our work suggests that MALDI‐TOF MS can be used to determine the PMI.     

A Computational Framework for Age‐at‐Death Estimation from the Skeleton: Surface and Outline Analysis of 3D Laser Scans of the Adult Pubic Symphysis

In forensic anthropology, age‐at‐death estimation typically requires the macroscopic assessment of the skeletal indicator and its association with a phase or score. High subjectivity and error are the recognized disadvantages of this approach, creating a need for alternative tools that enable the objective and mathematically robust assessment of true chronological age. We describe, here, three fully computational, quantitative shape analysis methods and a combinatory approach that make use of three‐dimensional laser scans of the pubic symphysis. We report a novel age‐related shape measure, focusing on the changes observed in the ventral margin curvature, and refine two former methods, whose measures capture the flatness of the symphyseal surface. We show how we can decrease age‐estimation error and improve prior results by combining these outline and surface measures in two multivariate regression models. The presented models produce objective age‐estimates that are comparable to current practices with root‐mean‐square‐errors between 13.7 and 16.5 years.     

Laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of triacylglycerols and other components in fingermark samples

The chemical composition of fingermarks could potentially be important for determining investigative leads, placing individuals at the time of a crime, and has applications as biomarkers of disease. Fingermark samples containing triacylglycerols (TAGs) and other components were analyzed using laser desorption/ionization (LDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS). Only LDI appeared to be useful for this application while conventional matrix-assisted LDI-TOF MS was not. Tandem MS was used to identify/confirm selected TAGs. A limited gender comparison, based on a simple t-distribution and peaks intensities, indicated that two TAGs showed gender specificity at the 95% confidence level and two others at 97.5% confidence. Because gender-related TAGs differences were most often close to the standard deviation of the measurements, the majority of the TAGs showed no gender specificity. Thus, LDI-TOF MS is not a reliable indicator of gender based on fingermark analysis. Cosmetic ingredients present in some samples were identified.     

Visualizing latent fingerprints on color-printed papers using ultraviolet fluorescence

Laser detection of latent fingerprints on a white paper has been performed, previously. Ultraviolet fluorescence from various kinds of printer toner and ink used for home printers were measured to study fluorescence imaging of fingerprints on a color-printed white paper. The experimental system consisted of a nanosecond pulsed tunable laser and a cooled CCD camera. Excitation wavelengths are 230 and 280 nm. Fourteen printers consisting of three color laser printers, three color inkjet printers, five monochrome laser printers, two monochrome copy machines, and a color copy machine were tested. Toner and ink of most printers exhibited fluorescence in the region from 360 to 550 nm. In most cases, clear fluorescence images were obtained by time-resolved imaging with a band-pass filter and 280-nm excitation. However for toners from laser color printers that showed strong fluorescence, better results were obtained with 230-nm excitation. Latent fingerprints on a photograph page and a black-character page of a newspaper were also imaged.     

激光捕获显微切割技术用于分离混合斑中精子细胞

目的 评估激光捕获显微切割(laser capture microdissection.LCM)技术在分离混合斑中少量精子细胞的应用价值.方法 配制不同比例的精液-阴道上皮细胞混合液.分别用差异裂解法和LCM法分离精子细胞,用磁珠法提取精子细胞DNA,并用IdentifilerTM试剂盒进行STR基因型检测.结果 LC...     

激光捕获显微分离技术在DNA检验中的应用研究

目的建立一套显微细胞捕获技术用于法医学生物检材DNA检验方法。方法使用VeritasTM LCM激光捕获仪,采用紫外加红外的捕获方式,对框架覆膜玻片上经苏木素染色口腔上皮细胞进行捕获,采用改良硅珠法提取细胞DNA,使用Identifiler TM试剂盒在5μL体系中进行PCR扩增。结果成功获得20个口腔上皮细胞的13个以上完整STR基因座分型谱带。结论本研究建立的方法适合法医学生物检材制成的染色涂片上细胞的DNA检验。     

DVI-300微痕迹色差分析系统对激光打印文字与印章印文交叉时序检验的方法研究

目的研究常见的打印字迹与不同印章印文交叉时序的相关性,为检验提供依据。方法应用DVI-300微痕迹色差分析系统对制成的实验样本进行实体观察,并对微痕迹色差模型图进行特征分析。结果先墨后朱,交叉部位字迹边缘状态完整,等高线宽度、流向未见明显变化;先朱后墨,交叉部位中心字迹等高线排列出现游离状态,色料分布发生数字图形曲面变化。结论用本系统可以观察、分析朱墨交叉部位的微观特征和无损检验研究。     

山东省机械企业一线职工收入分配状况的调查分析与对策建议

经调查,2007-2009年近三年来,山东省机械企业一线职工的工资收入增长缓慢,收入水平偏低,职工收入分配差距不断扩大,职工对企业工资决定机制参与度低,职工对收入分配不公平反映强烈。分析造成这种状况的原因,主要是有关法律法规不完善、政府宏观调控乏力、企业内部工资决定机制设置不合理、工会组织发挥作用不够等。改进的对策和建议是：加快修订和完善企业工资分配等方面的法律、法规;强化政府宏观调控的措施和手段;指导企业建立公平合理的工资分配机制;充分发挥工会组织在调节企业收入分配中不可代替的作用。