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Articles 1 - 24 of 24
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Analysis And Characterization Of Smokeless Powders And Smokeless Powder Residues, Emily Lennert
Analysis And Characterization Of Smokeless Powders And Smokeless Powder Residues, Emily Lennert
Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-
The ability to associate a smokeless powder, smokeless powder residue, or organic gunshot residue (OGSR) to one another may be helpful in determining the origin of a suspected sample and aid in linking a suspect to a crime scene. In this study, smokeless powders were extracted and analyzed via gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and direct analysis in real time – high resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS). Subsequently, group definition was performed using hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis followed by internally validated classification models. Then, smokeless powder residues were generated in-lab and extracted. Resulting residue data from each …
Reticular Design And Synthesis Of Metal-Organic Frameworks With Targeted Emergent Properties, David Fairchild
Reticular Design And Synthesis Of Metal-Organic Frameworks With Targeted Emergent Properties, David Fairchild
Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-
The research presented in this dissertation describes the design and synthesis of substitutional-solid-solution-based multivariate metal-organic frameworks (SSS-based MTV MOFs) with functionalized organic linkers to study their emergent properties in the crystalline solid state. The synthetic versatility and tunability of organic chemistry coupled with the predictable organization of inorganic structures enables MTV MOF systems to further the fundamental understanding of structure-composition-property relationships for the targeted design of applied materials due to their ability to control the structure, composition, and property independently. To begin, a set of terphenyl linkers with varied steric and electronic properties were crystallized as a family of UiO-type …
Analysis Of Lubricants At Trace Levels Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Tanmai Bandarupalli
Analysis Of Lubricants At Trace Levels Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Tanmai Bandarupalli
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Analysis of trace evidence involved in sexual assault investigations holds considerable potential as a newer avenue of identification when bulk, larger evidence is not found or unreliable. Trace analysis of forensic materials involves common findings such as strands of hair, residues left on clothing, shards of paint or glass, etc. In recent research focused on the analysis of trace materials found as evidence in a sexual assault, there has been promise in condom and bottled lubricant classification based on their chemical profiles that can provide an associative link in an investigation. Few studies have considered the examination of lubricant evidence …
Methodological Improvements In The Mrna Profiling Assays For Incorporation Into Dna Casework Workflows, Paris Volk
Methodological Improvements In The Mrna Profiling Assays For Incorporation Into Dna Casework Workflows, Paris Volk
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Currently, DNA profiling is the gold standard to identify an individual. However, determining body fluid origin is important in criminal investigations, offering additional information surrounding the circumstances of a crime. However, crime labs can only definitively identify blood and semen and presumptively saliva using techniques that consume time and sample and do not simultaneously identify all forensically relevant body fluids. This causes many crime labs to want to bypass body fluid identification altogether. Therefore, advances into more definitive molecular-based body fluid methods are necessary. One such technique is mRNA profiling because it provides a highly sensitive and specific approach to …
An Investigation Of Textile Fibers By Means Of Rgb Analysis Of Birefringence, Olivia F. Feild
An Investigation Of Textile Fibers By Means Of Rgb Analysis Of Birefringence, Olivia F. Feild
Honors Undergraduate Theses
Fiber analysis using birefringence has been around for years but has only recently been looked at more closely under a microscope. Recent scientists have proposed methods to correct issues found with fiber analysis using birefringence, yet there has not be a defined perfect method. This research will focus on correcting previously found issues with works by Michel-Lévy and Sorensen's, as well as other scientists involved and perfecting the analysis of fiber through birefringence. The goal will be to take this research one step further into the analysis of textile fibers by RGB value analysis and birefringence. The RGB values will …
Qualitative And Quantitative Elemental Composition Analysis Of The Surrounding Pollen Coating Via Icp-Ms, Brandy Voyer
Qualitative And Quantitative Elemental Composition Analysis Of The Surrounding Pollen Coating Via Icp-Ms, Brandy Voyer
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Pollen evidence has proven to be a powerful forensic tool to trace a suspect or item to a victim or a crime scene. This is possible because it is microscopic, abundant in nature, resistant to degradation and decay; it presents dispersal patterns that can be used to generate a 'fingerprint' within specific areas, and has illustrated a unique morphology that can be used to classify species. While the pollen grain morphology has been extensively used to characterize the specific species, not much has been investigated as pertains to the coating that surrounds the pollen grain aside from it being categorized …
Strategies For Enhanced Genetic Analysis Of Trace Dna From Touch Dna Evidence And Household Dust, Katherine Farash
Strategies For Enhanced Genetic Analysis Of Trace Dna From Touch Dna Evidence And Household Dust, Katherine Farash
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In forensic casework it is often necessary to obtain genetic profiles from crime scene samples that contain increasingly smaller amounts of genetic material, called Low Template DNA (LTDNA). Two examples of LTDNA sources are touch DNA evidence and dust bunnies. Touch DNA refers to DNA that is left behind through casual contact of a donor with an object or another person. Touch DNA can be used to prove a suspect was present at a crime scene. Dust bunnies, or dust conglomerates, typically contain trapped shed skin cells of anyone in the vicinity along with fibers, dirt, hair, and other trace …
Quantitative Assessment Of The Effects Of Microbial Degradation Of A Simple Hydrocarbon Mixture, Jessica Kindell
Quantitative Assessment Of The Effects Of Microbial Degradation Of A Simple Hydrocarbon Mixture, Jessica Kindell
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Ignitable liquids consist of either a single organic compound or a complex organic mixture. In regards to fire debris analysis, the analyst is responsible for determining if an ignitable liquid residue is present. However, when extracted from soil-containing fire debris evidence, chemical degradation from microorganisms is observed to result in the loss of compounds based on chemical structure. It can also happen when the evidence container is stored at room temperature before analysis. This can present a challenge to the fire debris analyst when identifying and classifying the ignitable liquid residue based on the criteria established by standard test methods. …
Providing Context To The Clues: Recovery And Reliability Of Location Data From Android Devices, Connie Bell
Providing Context To The Clues: Recovery And Reliability Of Location Data From Android Devices, Connie Bell
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Mobile device data continues to increase in significance in both civil and criminal investigations. Location data is often of particular interest. To date, research has established that the devices are location aware, incorporate a variety of resources to obtain location information, and cache the information in various ways. However, a review of the existing research suggests varying degrees of reliability of any such recovered location data. In an effort to clarify the issue, this project offers case studies of multiple Android mobile devices utilized in controlled conditions with known settings and applications in documented locations. The study uses data recovered …
Development Of Micro Volume Dna And Rna Profiling Assays To Identify The Donor And Tissue Source Of Origin Of Trace Forensic Biological Evidence, Brittany Morgan
Development Of Micro Volume Dna And Rna Profiling Assays To Identify The Donor And Tissue Source Of Origin Of Trace Forensic Biological Evidence, Brittany Morgan
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
In forensic casework analysis it is necessary to obtain genetic profiles from increasingly smaller amounts of biological material left behind by perpetrators of crime. The ability to obtain profiles from trace biological evidence is demonstrated with so-called ‘touch DNA evidence’ which is perceived to be the result of DNA obtained from shed skin cells transferred from donor to an object or person during physical contact. However, the current method of recovery of trace DNA involves cotton swabs or adhesive tape to sample an area of interest. This "blindswabbing" approach may result in the recovery of biological material from different individuals …
Hfs Plus File System Exposition And Forensics, Scott Ware
Hfs Plus File System Exposition And Forensics, Scott Ware
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The Macintosh Hierarchical File System Plus, HFS +, or as it is commonly referred to as the Mac Operating System, OS, Extended, was introduced in 1998 with Mac OS X 8.1. HFS+ is an update to HFS, Mac OS Standard format that offers more efficient use of disk space, implements international friendly file names, future support for named forks, and facilitates booting on non-Mac OS operating systems through different partition schemes. The HFS+ file system is efficient, yet, complex. It makes use of B-trees to implement key data structures for maintaining meta-data about folders, files, and data. The implementation of …
The Implications Of Virtual Environments In Digital Forensic Investigations, Farrah M. Patterson
The Implications Of Virtual Environments In Digital Forensic Investigations, Farrah M. Patterson
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
This research paper discusses the role of virtual environments in digital forensic investigations. With virtual environments becoming more prevalent as an analysis tool in digital forensic investigations, it’s becoming more important for digital forensic investigators to understand the limitation and strengths of virtual machines. The study aims to expose limitations within commercial closed source virtual machines and open source virtual machines. The study provides a brief overview of history digital forensic investigations and virtual environments, and concludes with an experiment with four common open and closed source virtual machines; the effects of the virtual machines on the host machine as …
The Application Of Chemometrics To The Detection And Classification Of Ignitable Liquids In Fire Debris Using The Total Ion Spectrum, Jennifer N. Lewis
The Application Of Chemometrics To The Detection And Classification Of Ignitable Liquids In Fire Debris Using The Total Ion Spectrum, Jennifer N. Lewis
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Current methods in ignitable liquid identification and classification from fire debris rely on pattern recognition of ignitable liquids in total ion chromatograms, extracted ion profiles, and target compound comparisons, as described in American Standards for Testing and Materials E1618-10. The total ion spectra method takes advantage of the reproducibility among sample spectra from the same American Society for Testing and Materials class. It is a method that is independent of the chromatographic conditions that affect retention times of target compounds, thus aiding in the use of computer-based library searching techniques. The total ion spectrum was obtained by summing the ion …
The Relative Recoverability Of Dna And Rna Profiles From Forensically Relevant Body Fluid Stains, Charly Parker
The Relative Recoverability Of Dna And Rna Profiles From Forensically Relevant Body Fluid Stains, Charly Parker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Biological material (fluids or tissues) whether from the victim or suspect is often collected as forensic evidence, and methods to obtain and analyze the DNA found in that material have been well established. The type of body fluid (i.e. blood, saliva, semen, vaginal secretions, and menstrual blood) from which the DNA originated is also of interest, and messenger RNA typing provides a specific and sensitive means of body fluid identification. In order for mRNA profiling to be utilized in routine forensic casework, RNA of sufficient quantity and quality must be obtained from biological fluid stains and the methods used for …
Black Writing Ink Analysis By Direct Infusion Electrospray Mass Spectroscopy, Christopher M. Moody
Black Writing Ink Analysis By Direct Infusion Electrospray Mass Spectroscopy, Christopher M. Moody
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
An optimized method of extraction, an instrumental analysis method and data analysis was proposed for black writing inks based on direct infusion electrospray-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The sampling and analysis method is both minimally destructive and able to assess differences in inks from a reference collection of thirty ballpoint, gel, and rollerball inks. The methanol extracts of ink on paper samples were analyzed with three direct infusion (ESI-MS) methods. Each method varied scan voltage negative and positive, ESI fragmentor applied voltage (+120V, +0V, and -120V), and mobile phase additive. Direct infusion ESI-MS analysis, followed by pair-wise comparisons of the observed ion …
Determining The Presence Of An Ignitable Liquid Residue In Fire Debris Samples Utilizing Target Factor Analysis, Kelly Mchugh
Determining The Presence Of An Ignitable Liquid Residue In Fire Debris Samples Utilizing Target Factor Analysis, Kelly Mchugh
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Current fire debris analysis procedure involves using the chromatographic patterns of total ion chromatograms, extracted ion chromatograms, and target compound analysis to identify an ignitable liquid according to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 1618 standard method. Classifying the ignitable liquid is accomplished by a visual comparison of chromatographic data obtained from any extracted ignitable liquid residue in the debris to the chromatograms of ignitable liquids in a database, i.e. by visual pattern recognition. Pattern recognition proves time consuming and introduces potential for human error. One particularly difficult aspect of fire debris analysis is recognizing an ignitable …
The Forensic Analysis Of Triacetone Triperoxide (Tatp) Precursors And Synthetic By-Products, Kimberly Painter
The Forensic Analysis Of Triacetone Triperoxide (Tatp) Precursors And Synthetic By-Products, Kimberly Painter
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) is a primary high explosive that can be synthesized using commercially available starting materials and has grown in use among terrorists over the past several years. Additives present in the precursors were investigated to see if they carry through the TATP synthesis and can be detected in the final product potentially aiding in the identification of the source. Additives identified in the acetones were also identified in pre-blast and in some post-blast samples. However, these additives are present in trace quantities relative to the TATP, which coupled with the volatility and short lifetimes of some of the …
Forensic Analysis Of Automobile Paints By Atomic And Molecular Spectroscopic Methods And Statistical Data Analyses, Erin Mcintee
Forensic Analysis Of Automobile Paints By Atomic And Molecular Spectroscopic Methods And Statistical Data Analyses, Erin Mcintee
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The analysis of 110 automotive paint samples was conducted for the research presented here. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was the central instrument utilized for analysis although scanning electron microscopy / energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy - attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) analyses were also performed. Two separate methods of LIBS analysis of samples were used: a cross sectional analysis and a drill down analysis. SEM/EDS analysis focused on the cross section while FTIR-ATR analysis concentrated on the clearcoat layer. Several different data/statistical analyses were evaluated including principal components analysis (PCA), two tailed t-tests based on several …
The Identification Of Ignitable Liquids In The Presence Of Pyrolysis Products: Generation Of A Pyrolysis Product Database, Joseph Castelbuono
The Identification Of Ignitable Liquids In The Presence Of Pyrolysis Products: Generation Of A Pyrolysis Product Database, Joseph Castelbuono
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The fire debris analyst is often faced with the complex problem of identifying ignitable liquid residues in the presence of products produced from pyrolysis and incomplete combustion of common building and furnishing materials. The purpose of this research is to investigate a modified destructive distillation methodology provided by the Florida Bureau of Forensic Fire and Explosive Analysis to produce interfering product chromatographic patterns similar to those observed in fire debris case work. The volatile products generated during heating of substrate materials are extracted from the fire debris by passive headspace adsorption and subsequently analyzed by GC-MS. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) …
Chromatographic And Mass Spectral Analyses Of Oligosaccharides And Indigo Dye Extracted From Cotton Textiles With Manova And Ano, Jessica Frisch
Chromatographic And Mass Spectral Analyses Of Oligosaccharides And Indigo Dye Extracted From Cotton Textiles With Manova And Ano, Jessica Frisch
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Research was conducted on thirteen 100% cotton denim samples using an acid wash, established by Murray, to extract oligosaccharides from the cellulosic material. The oligosaccharide ion groups (+, +, and +) for molecules with degrees of polymerization between two and seven (DP2-DP7) were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization interface (LC-ESI-MS). The results were compared using the least-squares means in a Multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) test followed by Univariate ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests and demonstrated that the method could correctly determine that two samples were statistically different 85.9% of the time when analyzing the …
Development And Forensic Application Of Dye Probe Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer For Improved Detection Of Changes In Dn, Micah Halpern
Development And Forensic Application Of Dye Probe Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer For Improved Detection Of Changes In Dn, Micah Halpern
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Discovering, screening, and associating changes in DNA sequence are important to a broad range of disciplines and play a central role in Forensic Science. The typical types of changes include sequence variations [single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)] and length variations [short tandem repeats (STR)]. The steps for forensic DNA sample processing are similar for both types of changes but diverge at the point of detection. A number of approaches are being explored for SNP genotyping while STR analysis primarily consists of size-based analysis by capillary electrophoresis. Limitations exist for all current detection methods that pose significant impacts to forensic analysis. Bi-allelic …
Advances In Fire Debris Analysis, Mary Williams
Advances In Fire Debris Analysis, Mary Williams
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Fire incidents are a major contributor to the number of deaths and property losses within the United States each year. Fire investigations determine the cause of the fire resulting in an assignment of responsibility. Current methods of fire debris analysis are reviewed including the preservation, extraction, detection and characterization of ignitable liquids from fire debris. Leak rates were calculated for the three most common types of fire debris evidence containers. The consequences of leaking containers on the recovery and characterization of ignitable liquids were demonstrated. The interactions of hydrocarbons with activated carbon during the extraction of ignitable liquids from the …
Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna Coding Region Snps By Pyrosequencing, Kyle Robert Carl Parker
Analysis Of Mitochondrial Dna Coding Region Snps By Pyrosequencing, Kyle Robert Carl Parker
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
To date, the use of mitochondrial DNA in forensic analysis has relied on the presence of variations in the control region to differentiate between samples. One problem that this analysis has shown is the occurrence of common Haplogroup H haplotypes or identical sequences. Thus, there is a need to enhance the distinguishing power of this type of analysis. One option has been to investigate the mitochondrial coding region for polymorphisms that could differentiate between samples with identical control region haplotypes. The goal of this study has been to identify polymorphic coding region sites for development in a Pyrosequencing assay that …
Forensic Analysis Of C-4 And Commercial Blasting Agents For Possible Discrimination, Katie Steele
Forensic Analysis Of C-4 And Commercial Blasting Agents For Possible Discrimination, Katie Steele
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
The criminal use of explosives has increased in recent years. Political instability and the wide spread access to the internet, filled with "homemade recipes," are two conjectures for the increase. C-4 is a plastic bonded explosive (PBX) comprised of 91% of the high explosive RDX, 1.6% processing oils, 5.3% plasticizer, and 2.1% polyisobutylene (PIB). C-4 is most commonly used for military purposes, but also has found use in commercial industry as well. Current methods for the forensic analysis of C-4 are limited to identification of the explosive; however, recent publications have suggested the plausibility of discrimination between C-4 samples based …