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Chesson LA, Berg GE, Edwards AJ, Chau TH, Low L, Johnson DL, Tichinin AC. Forensic application of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) for human identification. Sci Justice 2024; 64:28-37. [PMID: 38182310 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2023.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Application of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to skeletal remains has become an important tool to investigate human behavior and history. Isotopic variations in collagen, enamel, and keratin reflect variations in an individual's diet and drinking water. Since food and water sources typically are geographically linked, isotope testing can assist in forensic identification by classifying remains to a likely geographic or population origin. If remains are commingled, differences in diet or geographic origin also can support their separation. The usefulness of IRMS in forensic science is dependent on the underlying quality and surety of the isotope test results; in other words, we need to understand their reliability in interpretations. To take ownership of isotopic data quality, we recommend asking a series of questions:Here, we use data collected during the buildout and accreditation of an isotope testing program at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to answer the above questions for the forensic application of IRMS for human identification. While our primary focus is on the preparation and analysis of bone collagen, the questions above should be considered whenever isotope testing is used in forensic casework. Whether the populations of interest are drugs or humans, olives or explosives, users need to evaluate their isotopic data and interpretations to ensure they are scientifically sound and legally defensible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley A Chesson
- Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Laboratory, 590 Moffet Street, Bldg 4077, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI 96853, USA.
| | - Gregory E Berg
- Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Laboratory, 590 Moffet Street, Bldg 4077, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI 96853, USA
| | - Amelia J Edwards
- SNA International Contractor, working under contract with the DPAA, 500 Montgomery Street, Ste 500, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Thuan H Chau
- SNA International Contractor, working under contract with the DPAA, 500 Montgomery Street, Ste 500, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Lyndi Low
- SNA International Contractor, working under contract with the DPAA, 500 Montgomery Street, Ste 500, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Daniel L Johnson
- SNA International Contractor, working under contract with the DPAA, 500 Montgomery Street, Ste 500, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Alina C Tichinin
- SNA International Contractor, working under contract with the DPAA, 500 Montgomery Street, Ste 500, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
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2
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Kuznetsova OV. Current trends and challenges in the analysis of marine environmental contaminants by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem 2024; 416:71-85. [PMID: 37979060 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-023-05029-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of organic and inorganic pollutants are being detected in the marine environment, posing a severe threat to the ecosystem and human health, even in trace concentrations. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is one of the critical methods for determining the origin and fate of environmental pollutants and characterising their transformation processes. It has been used for a relatively long time for ecological monitoring of some well-studied industrial hydrocarbons at contaminated sites. However, the method still faces many analytical challenges. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent technical advances concerning IRMS analysis of various contaminants and discusses typical pitfalls encountered in marine environment analysis. Particular attention is given to the study of sampling techniques and sample preparation for examination, often the keys to successful research given the complexity of marine matrices and the diverse and numerous nature of contaminants. Prospects for developing IRMS to monitor pollution sources and pollutant transformation in the marine environment are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V Kuznetsova
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Kosygin St. 19, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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Sharma B, Gadi R. Analytical Tools and Methods for Explosive Analysis in Forensics: A Critical Review. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2023:1-27. [PMID: 37934616 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2274927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes (i) compositions and types of improvised explosive devices; (ii) the process of collection, extraction and analysis of explosive evidence encountered in explosive and related cases; (iii) inter-comparison of analytical techniques; (iv) the challenges and prospects of explosive detection technology. The highlights of this study include extensive information regarding the National & International standards specified by USEPA, ASTM, and so on, for explosives detection. The holistic development of analytical tools for explosive analysis ranging from conventional methods to advanced analytical tools is also covered in this article. The most important aspect of this review is to make forensic scientists familiar with the challenges during explosive analysis and the steps to avoid them. The problems during analysis can be analyte-based, that is, interferences due to matrix or added molding/stabilizing agents, trace amount of parent explosives in post-blast samples and many more. Others are techniques-based challenges viz. specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity of the technique. Thus, it has become a primary concern to adopt rapid, field deployable, and highly sensitive techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhumika Sharma
- Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Delhi, India
| | - Ranu Gadi
- Department of Applied Sciences & Humanities, Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, Delhi, India
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Jackson GP, Barkett MA. Forensic Mass Spectrometry: Scientific and Legal Precedents. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2023. [PMID: 37276607 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.3c00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry has made profound contributions to the criminal justice system by providing an instrumental method of analysis that delivers exquisite analytical figures of merit for a wide variety of samples and analytes. Applications include the characterization of trace metal impurities in hair and glass to the identification of drugs, explosives, polymers, and ignitable liquids. This review describes major historical developments and, where possible, relates the developed capabilities to casework and legal precedents. This review also provides insight into how historical applications have evolved into, and out of, modern consensus standards. Unlike many pattern-based techniques and physical-matching methods, mass spectrometry has strong scientific foundations and a long history of successful applications that have made it one of the most reliable and respected sources of scientific evidence in criminal and civil cases. That said, in several appellate decisions in which mass spectrometric evidence was challenged but admitted, decisions sometimes still went against the mass spectrometric data anyway, which goes to show that mass spectrometric evidence is always just one piece of the larger legal puzzle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen P Jackson
- Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6121, United States
- C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, United States
| | - Mark A Barkett
- Dover Chemical Company, Dover, Ohio 44622, United States
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Mancuso CJ, Ehleringer JR, Newsome SD. Examination of amino acid hydrogen isotope measurements of scalp hair for region-of-origin studies. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2023; 37:e9442. [PMID: 36411248 PMCID: PMC10518903 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Hydrogen isotope (δ2 H) analysis of keratinaceous bulk tissues has been used in forensic science to reconstruct an individual's travel history or determine their region-of-origin. Here, we use a compound-specific approach to examine patterns of individual amino acid δ2 H values in relation to those of local tap water, bulk scalp hair tissues, and region-of-origin. METHODS We measured δ2 H values of amino acids in anonymously collected scalp hair (n = 67) and tap water from 28 locations in the United States. Samples were hydrolyzed into their constituent amino acids, derivatized alongside in-house reference materials, and analyzed in triplicate using a GC-C-IRMS system. RESULTS Non-essential amino acid (AANESS ) δ2 H values and their corresponding tap water samples varied systematically across continental regions. Hydrogen isotope values of alanine, glutamic acid, and glycine were significantly correlated with tap water and an estimated 42%-51% of the hydrogen atoms in these AANESS were derived from tap water. We used linear discriminate analysis (LDA) to explore regional patterns in scalp hair bulk tissue and amino acid δ2 H values. For the model that included AANESS data, 87% of the variance was explained by the first linear discriminant axis (LD1), and was driven by bulk hair tissue, alanine, and proline. This model had an overall 72% successful reclassification with samples from the south and northwest regions reclassifying correctly 92% and 78% of the time, respectively. For the model that included AAESS data, LD1 explained 81% of the variation and was driven bulk hair, threonine, valine, phenylalanine, and isoleucine. The overall reclassification rate for the model that included AAESS was 70%. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that δ2 H analyses of AANESS and AAESS could help improve geolocation models for human and wildlife forensics by simultaneously providing information about both dietary and tap water inputs of hydrogen to tissue synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seth D. Newsome
- University of New Mexico, Department of Biology, Albuquerque, NM 87131
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Klapec DJ, Czarnopys G, Pannuto J. Interpol review of the analysis and detection of explosives and explosives residues. Forensic Sci Int Synerg 2023; 6:100298. [PMID: 36685733 PMCID: PMC9845958 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J. Klapec
- Arson and Explosives Section I, United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Forensic Science Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Greg Czarnopys
- Forensic Services, United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Forensic Science Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Julie Pannuto
- United States Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Forensic Science Laboratory, 6000 Ammendale Road, Ammendale, MD, 20705, USA
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Using Compound-Specific Carbon Stable Isotope Analysis of Squalene to Establish Provenance and Ensure Sustainability for the Deep-Water Shark Liver Oil Industry. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14159228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Deep-water dogfish (sharks) are caught on Australia’s continental shelf as by-products to other deep-water species with revenue derived from fillets for human consumption and from the livers which are sold for their oil content. Deep-water dogfish utilise a large oil-rich liver for buoyancy, which may account for 20–25% of their body weight. An important constituent of certain dogfish liver oil is squalene, a highly unsaturated triterpenoid (C30H50) hydrocarbon which in some species can be up to 90% of the oil, though in the Australian commercial species it is typically around 50%. Squalene (and deep-water dogfish liver oil in general) has a long-standing high value in products, such as cosmetics and nutraceuticals. Manufacturers are increasingly required to demonstrate the sustainability of products, and this is integral to the importance of demonstrating product provenance. Australia’s mid-slope deep-water dogfish fishery is recognised globally as well managed and sustainable; therefore, it is important to be able to distinguish products derived from these regions from other unregulated, unsustainable and cheaper sources in order to protect Australia’s competitive advantages and ensure sustainability. In this study, we have sourced deep-water dogfish liver oil samples originating from Southeast Australia, New Zealand, India, Northeast Africa and the Arabian Sea. The squalene was isolated by commercial or laboratory processing. A compound-specific carbon stable isotope analysis of the derived squalene was then used to determine isotopic resolution and assign the likely origins of a variety of commonly available off-the-shelf nutraceuticals in Australian outlets. Squalene sourced and produced from Southeast Australian and New Zealand dogfish liver oils showed δ13C values in the range of −22.1 to −24.2‰, with all other squalene samples distinguishable at −19.9 to −20.7‰. Many of the off-the-shelf squalene products claiming to be of Australian origin showed δ13C values very distinct from the range of the genuine Southeast Australian- and New Zealand-produced squalene.
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Barry A, Thomson S, Dimayuga I, Chaudhuri A, Do T. Isotope ratio method: state-of-the-art of forensic applications to CBRNE materials. CANADIAN SOCIETY OF FORENSIC SCIENCE JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/00085030.2022.2054109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Barry
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, ON, Canada
| | | | - Ike Dimayuga
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, ON, Canada
| | | | - Than Do
- Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Chalk River, ON, Canada
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9
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Food forensics: techniques for authenticity determination of food products. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 333:111243. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Gubal A, Chuchina V, Sorokina A, Solovyev N, Ganeev A. MASS SPECTROMETRY-BASED TECHNIQUES FOR DIRECT QUANTIFICATION OF HIGH IONIZATION ENERGY ELEMENTS IN SOLID MATERIALS-CHALLENGES AND PERSPECTIVES. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2021; 40:359-380. [PMID: 32619078 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The determination of nonmetals, first of all, the most electronegative ones-nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, and bromine, poses the highest challenge for element analysis. These elements are characterized by high reactivity, volatility, high ionization energy, and the absence of intensive spectral lines in the optical spectral range. Conventional techniques of their quantification include considerable "wet chemistry" stages so the application of these techniques for the solid sample is highly laborious and prone to uncontrollable uncertainties. Additionally, current development in material science and other areas requires the quantification of the elements at lower levels with good sensitivity. Owing to their robustness and flexibility, mass spectrometry techniques provide vast possibilities for the quantification, spatial and isotopic analysis, including the solutions for direct analysis of solids. The current review focuses on the application of major mass spectrometric techniques for the quantification of N, O, F, Cl, and Br in solid samples. The following techniques are mainly considered: thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), isotope-ratio MS (IRMS), secondary ion MS (SIMS), inductively coupled plasma MS (ICP-MS), and glow discharge MS (GDMS); as the most accessible and widely applied for the purpose. General ionization issues, advantages, limitations, and novel methodological solutions are discussed. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gubal
- Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Victoria Chuchina
- Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Angelina Sorokina
- Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
| | - Nikolay Solovyev
- Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Institute of Technology Sligo, Ash Lane, Sligo, F91 YW50, Ireland
| | - Alexander Ganeev
- Institute of Chemistry, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab. 7/9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia
- Institute of Toxicology of Federal Medico-Biological Agency, ul. Bekhtereva 1, St. Petersburg, 192019, Russia
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Andersson AA, Gibson L, Baker DM, Cybulski JD, Wang S, Leung B, Chu LM, Dingle C. Stable isotope analysis as a tool to detect illegal trade in critically endangered cockatoos. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. A. Andersson
- Division of Ecology & Biodiversity School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong SAR China
| | - L. Gibson
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen China
| | - D. M. Baker
- Division of Ecology & Biodiversity School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong SAR China
| | - J. D. Cybulski
- Division of Ecology & Biodiversity School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong SAR China
| | - S. Wang
- School of Life Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - B. Leung
- School of Life Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - L. M. Chu
- School of Life Sciences The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin NT, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - C. Dingle
- Division of Ecology & Biodiversity School of Biological Sciences The University of Hong Kong Pokfulam Hong Kong SAR China
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Meikle J, Jones K, Cresswell SL, Boyd SE, Carter JF. A homogeneity study of cling films using stable isotope ratios. Forensic Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forc.2021.100320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Development of gas chromatographic pattern recognition and classification tools for compliance and forensic analyses of fuels: A review. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1132:157-186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Chartrand MMG, Kingston CT, Simard B, Mester Z. Carbon Isotopic Measurements of Nanotubes to Differentiate Carbon Sources. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:22108-22113. [PMID: 31891091 PMCID: PMC6933759 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Stable carbon isotope (δ(13C)) analysis can provide information concerning the starting materials and the production process of a material. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are produced using a variety of starting materials, catalysts, and production methods. The use of δ(13C) as a tool to infer the nature of starting materials to gain insight into the mechanics of CNT growth was evaluated. The production process of NRC's SWCNT-1 was traced via the δ(13C) measurement of the available starting materials, intermediate products, and the final product. As isotopic fractionation is likely negligible at high temperatures, the δ(13C) value of the starting materials was reflected in the δ(13C) value of the final CNT product. For commercially available CNTs, the estimated δ(13C) values of identified starting materials were related to the δ(13C) signatures of CNTs. Using this information and the δ(13C) values of CNTs, the nature of unknown carbon sources was inferred for some samples. The use of δ(13C) analysis may be used as a tracer to differentiate between those processes that use relatively 13C-depleted carbon source(s) such as carbon monoxide, methane, or natural gas, and those that do not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle M. G. Chartrand
- Metrology
Research Center and Security and Disruptive Technologies Research
Center, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6
| | - Christopher T. Kingston
- Metrology
Research Center and Security and Disruptive Technologies Research
Center, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6
| | - Benoit Simard
- Security
and Disruptive Technologies Research Center, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6
| | - Zoltan Mester
- Metrology
Research Center and Security and Disruptive Technologies Research
Center, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0R6
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