1
|
Sharma S, Gupta S, Yadav PK. Sex and blood group determination from hair using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics. Int J Legal Med 2024; 138:801-814. [PMID: 37980281 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-023-03123-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Examination of hair with its intact root is commonly used for DNA profiling of the donor. However, its use for gathering other types of information is less explored. Using attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, the present study aims to explore other relevant aspects in a non-destructive manner for forensics. Determining the sex and blood group of human hair samples were the major goals of the study. Sex determination was accomplished by analyzing the differential vibrational intensities and stretching of various chemical groups associated with hair and its proteins. Statistical inference of spectral data was performed using chemometric algorithms such as PCA and PLS-DA. The PLS-DA model determined sex with 100% accuracy and blood grouping with an average accuracy of 95%. The present study is the first of its kind to determine sex and blood grouping from human scalp hair shafts, as far as the author knows. By acting as a preliminary screening test, this study could have significant implications for forensic analysis of crime scene samples. Human and synthetic hair were used in validation studies, resulting in 100% accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity, with 0% false positives and false negatives. The technique ATR FTIR spectroscopy could complement the currently used methods of hair analysis such as physical examination and mitochondrial or genomic DNA analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sweety Sharma
- LNJN NICFS, School of Forensic Sciences, National Forensic Science University, An Institute of National Importance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, Delhi Campus, Delhi, 110085, India.
| | - Srishti Gupta
- LNJN NICFS, School of Forensic Sciences, National Forensic Science University, An Institute of National Importance, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, Delhi Campus, Delhi, 110085, India
| | - Praveen Kumar Yadav
- Department of Forensic Science, Sandip University, Nashik, Maharastra, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tastekin B, Akcan R, Evran E, Tamer U, Zengin HY, Yildirim MS, Boyaci IH. Estimation of time since deposition of semen stain on different fabric types using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometrics. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 354:111885. [PMID: 38007869 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/28/2023]
Abstract
Various body fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, and saliva are frequently encountered at crime scene. In cases of sexual assault, semen stains are one of the most reliable evidence of biological origin. In this study, our objective was to develop a method for estimating the time since deposition of semen stains on five different fabric types using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectroscopy, with a focus on a time frame of up to 8 weeks. Semen samples from six different volunteers were dripped onto five distinct fabric materials, and ATR-FTIR measurements were obtained at 17 different time points. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) methods were employed to differentiate semen stains on various fabric samples and estimate the age of semen stains. Models constructed using PCA and PLSR achieved high R2 values and low root-mean-square error (RMSE). While the performance varies depending on fabric types, it was observed that age estimation of semen stains can be made within following intervals: 0.39-0.76 days for 0-7 day range, 2.59-3.38 days for the 1-8 week range, and 3.98-8.1 days for the 0-56 day range. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy in combination with chemometrics to estimate the age of human semen stains on various fabric types based on time-dependent spectral changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Burak Tastekin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Ramazan Akcan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Eylul Evran
- Department of Food Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Ugur Tamer
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - H Yagmur Zengin
- Department of Biostatistics, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Mahmut Serif Yildirim
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cano-Trujillo C, García-Ruiz C, Ortega-Ojeda FE, Romolo F, Montalvo G. Forensic analysis of biological fluid stains on substrates by spectroscopic approaches and chemometrics: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1282:341841. [PMID: 37923402 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.341841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bodily fluid stains are one of the most relevant evidence that can be found at the crime scene as it provides a wealth of information to the investigators. They help to report on the individuals involved in the crime, to check alibis, or to determine the type of crime that has been committed. They appear as stains in different types of substrates, some of them porous, which can interfere in the analysis. The spectroscopy techniques combined with chemometrics are showing increasing potential for their use in the analysis of such samples due to them being fast, sensitive, and non-destructive. FINDINGS This is a comprehensive review of the studies that used different spectroscopic techniques followed by chemometrics for analysing biological fluid stains on several surfaces, and under various conditions. It focuses on the bodily fluid stains and the most suitable spectroscopic techniques to study forensic scientific problems such as the substrate's characteristics, the influence of ambient conditions, the aging process of the bodily fluids, the presence of animal bodily fluids and non-biological fluids (interfering substances), and the bodily fluid mixtures. The most widely used techniques were Raman spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FTIR). Nonetheless, other non-destructive techniques have been also used, like near infrared hyperspectral imaging (HSI-NIR) or surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), among others. This work provides the criteria for the selection of the most promising non-destructive techniques for the effective in situ detection of biological fluid stains at crime scene investigations. SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY The use of the proper spectroscopic and chemometric approaches on the crime scene is expected to improve the support of forensic sciences to criminal investigations. Evidence may be analysed in a non-destructive manner and kept intact for further analysis. They will also speed up forensic investigations by allowing the selection of relevant samples from occupational ones.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Cano-Trujillo
- Universidad de Alcalá, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33,6, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, Libreros 27, 28801, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen García-Ruiz
- Universidad de Alcalá, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33,6, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, Libreros 27, 28801, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando E Ortega-Ojeda
- Universidad de Alcalá, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33,6, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, Libreros 27, 28801, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Universidad de Alcalá, Departamento de Ciencias de la Computación, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33,6, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesco Romolo
- Università degli Studi di Bergamo, Dipartimento di Giurisprudenza, Via Moroni 255, 24127, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Gemma Montalvo
- Universidad de Alcalá, Departamento de Química Analítica, Química Física e Ingeniería Química, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona km 33,6, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Universidad de Alcalá, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Ciencias Policiales, Libreros 27, 28801, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yildirim MŞ, Akçan R, Aras S, Tamer U, Evran E, Taştekin B, Aydogan C, Boyaci İH. Overcoming obstacles: Analysis of blood and semen stains washed with different chemicals with ATR-FTIR. Forensic Sci Int 2023; 344:111607. [PMID: 36801543 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blood and semen stains are the most common biological stains encountered at crime scenes. The washing of biological stains is a common application that perpetrators use to spoil the crime scene. With a structured experiment approach, this study aims to investigate the effects of washing with various chemicals on the ATR-FTIR detection of blood and semen stains on cotton. MATERIALS AND METHODS On cotton pieces, a total of 78 blood and 78 semen stains were applied, and each group of six stains was immersed or mechanically cleaned in water, 40% methanol, 5% sodium hypochlorite solution, 5% hypochlorous acid solution, 5 g/L soap dissolved pure water, and 5 g/L dishwashing detergent dissolved water. ATR-FTIR spectra gathered from all stains and analyzed with chemometric tools. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION According to performance parameters of developed models, PLS-DA is a powerful tool for discrimination of washing chemical for both washed blood and semen stains. Results from this study show that FTIR is promising for use in detecting blood and semen stains that have become invisible to the naked eye due to washing of the findings. CONCLUSION Our approach allows blood and semen to be detected on cotton pieces using FTIR combined with chemometrics, even though it is not visible to the naked eye. Washing chemicals also can be distinguished via FTIR spectra of stains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahmut Şerif Yildirim
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
| | - Ramazan Akçan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sümer Aras
- Department of Biotechnology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Uğur Tamer
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Eylül Evran
- Department of Food Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Burak Taştekin
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Canberk Aydogan
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Gülhane Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Weber A, Hoplight B, Ogilvie R, Muro C, Khandasammy SR, Pérez-Almodóvar L, Sears S, Lednev IK. Innovative Vibrational Spectroscopy Research for Forensic Application. Anal Chem 2023; 95:167-205. [PMID: 36625116 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Weber
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States.,SupreMEtric LLC, 7 University Pl. B210, Rensselaer, New York 12144, United States
| | - Bailey Hoplight
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Rhilynn Ogilvie
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Claire Muro
- New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, Building #30, Campus Access Rd., Albany, New York 12203, United States
| | - Shelby R Khandasammy
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Luis Pérez-Almodóvar
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Samuel Sears
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States
| | - Igor K Lednev
- Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12222, United States.,SupreMEtric LLC, 7 University Pl. B210, Rensselaer, New York 12144, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aparna R, Iyer R, Das T, Sharma K, Sharma A, Srivastava A. Detection,discrimination and aging of human tears stains using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy for forensic purposes. FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL: REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsir.2022.100290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
|
7
|
C. Zapico S, Dytso A, Rubio L, Roca G. The Perfect Match: Assessment of Sample Collection Efficiency for Immunological and Molecular Findings in Different Types of Fabrics. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810686. [PMID: 36142599 PMCID: PMC9502974 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Body fluid identification at crime scenes can be crucial in retrieving the appropriate evidence that leads to the perpetrator and, in some cases, the victim. For this purpose, immunochromatographic tests are simple, fast and suitable for crime scenes. The potential sample is retrieved with a swab, normally a cotton swab, moistened in a specific buffer. Nonetheless, there are other swab types available, which have been proven to be efficient for DNA isolation and analysis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of different swab types for body fluid identification as well as DNA isolation and characterization. Fifty microliters of human saliva were deposited in three different types of fabric (denim, cotton, and polyester). After 24 h at room temperature, samples were recovered by applying three different swab types, and the tests were performed. Subsequently, total DNA was recovered from the sample buffer. Cotton swabs performed worse in denim and cotton fabrics in both immunochromatography tests and DNA yield. No differences were observed for polyester. In contrast, and except for two replicates, it was possible to obtain a full DNA profile per fabric and swab type, and to identify the mtDNA haplogroup. In this paper, the impact of swab types on body fluid identification through the application of immunochromatographic tests is analyzed for the first time. This work corroborates previous research related to the influence of swab types in nuclear DNA isolation and characterization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara C. Zapico
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, 161 Warren Street, Tiernan Hall, 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Anthropology Department, 10th and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20560, USA
- Correspondence: or
| | - Alex Dytso
- New Jersey Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University Heights, Newark, NJ 07102, USA
| | - Leticia Rubio
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program, Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, 161 Warren Street, Tiernan Hall, 365, Newark, NJ 07102, USA or
- Department of Human Anatomy and Legal Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - Gabriela Roca
- SERATEC®, Gesellschaft für Biotechnologie mbH, Ernst-Ruhstrat-Strasse 5, 37079 Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Alkhuder K. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy: a universal analytical technique with promising applications in forensic analyses. Int J Legal Med 2022; 136:1717-1736. [PMID: 36050421 PMCID: PMC9436726 DOI: 10.1007/s00414-022-02882-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Contemporary criminal investigations are based on the statements made by the victim and the eyewitnesses. They also rely on the physical evidences found in the crime scene. These evidences, and more particularly biological ones, have a great judicial value in the courtroom. They are usually used to revoke the suspect’s allegations and confirm or refute the statements made by the victim and the witnesses. Stains of body fluids are biological evidences highly sought by forensic investigators. In many criminal cases, the success of the investigation relies on the correct identification and classification of these stains. Therefore, the adoption of reliable and accurate forensic analytical methods seems to be of vital importance to attain this objective. Attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is a modern and universal analytical technique capable of fingerprint recognition of the analyte using minimal amount of the test sample. The current systematic review aims to through light on the fundamentals of this technique and to illustrate its wide range of applications in forensic investigations. ATR-FTIR is a nondestructive technique which has demonstrated an exceptional efficiency in detecting, identifying and discriminating between stains of various types of body fluids usually encountered in crime scenes. The ATR-FTIR spectral data generated from bloodstains can be used to deduce a wealth of information related to the donor species, age, gender, and race. These data can also be exploited to discriminate between stains of different types of bloods including menstrual and peripheral bloods. In addition, ATR-FTIR has a great utility in the postmortem investigations. More particularly, in estimating the postmortem interval and diagnosing death caused by extreme weather conditions. It is also useful in diagnosing some ambiguous death causes such as fatal anaphylactic shock and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Alkhuder
- Division of Microbial Disease, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Unlocking the potential of forensic traces: Analytical approaches to generate investigative leads. Sci Justice 2022; 62:310-326. [PMID: 35598924 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2022.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Forensic investigation involves gathering the information necessary to understand the criminal events as well as linking objects or individuals to an item, location or other individual(s) for investigative purposes. For years techniques such as presumptive chemical tests, DNA profiling or fingermark analysis have been of great value to this process. However, these techniques have their limitations, whether it is a lack of confidence in the results obtained due to cross-reactivity, subjectivity and low sensitivity; or because they are dependent on holding reference samples in a pre-existing database. There is currently a need to devise new ways to gather as much information as possible from a single trace, particularly from biological traces commonly encountered in forensic casework. This review outlines the most recent advancements in the forensic analysis of biological fluids, fingermarks and hair. Special emphasis is placed on analytical methods that can expand the information obtained from the trace beyond what is achieved in the usual practices. Special attention is paid to those methods that accurately determine the nature of the sample, as well as how long it has been at the crime scene, along with individualising information regarding the donor source of the trace.
Collapse
|
10
|
Takamura A, Ozawa T. Recent advances of vibrational spectroscopy and chemometrics for forensic biological analysis. Analyst 2021; 146:7431-7449. [PMID: 34813634 DOI: 10.1039/d1an01637g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Biological materials found at a crime scene are crucially important evidence for forensic investigation because they provide contextual information about a crime and can be linked to the donor-individuals through combination with DNA analysis. Applications of vibrational spectroscopy to forensic biological analysis have been emerging because of its advantageous characteristics such as the non-destructivity, rapid measurement, and quantitative evaluation, compared to most current methods based on histological observation or biochemical techniques. This review presents an overview of recent developments in vibrational spectroscopy for forensic biological analysis. We also emphasize chemometric techniques, which can elicit reliable and advanced analytical outputs from highly complex spectral data from forensic biological materials. The analytical subjects addressed herein include body fluids, hair, soft tissue, bones, and bioagents. Promising applications for various analytical purposes in forensic biology are presented. Simultaneously, future avenues of study requiring further investigation are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayari Takamura
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. .,RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.
| | - Takeaki Ozawa
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sauzier G, van Bronswijk W, Lewis SW. Chemometrics in forensic science: approaches and applications. Analyst 2021; 146:2415-2448. [PMID: 33729240 DOI: 10.1039/d1an00082a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Forensic investigations are often reliant on physical evidence to reconstruct events surrounding a crime. However, there remains a need for more objective approaches to evidential interpretation, along with rigorously validated procedures for handling, storage and analysis. Chemometrics has been recognised as a powerful tool within forensic science for interpretation and optimisation of analytical procedures. However, careful consideration must be given to factors such as sampling, validation and underpinning study design. This tutorial review aims to provide an accessible overview of chemometric methods within the context of forensic science. The review begins with an overview of selected chemometric techniques, followed by a broad review of studies demonstrating the utility of chemometrics across various forensic disciplines. The tutorial review ends with the discussion of the challenges and emerging trends in this rapidly growing field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georgina Sauzier
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
| | - Wilhelm van Bronswijk
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
| | - Simon W Lewis
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia 6845, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|