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Articles 1 - 14 of 14
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Development And Applications Of Touch Chemistry Biometrics Analysis Of Latent Fingermarks By Maldi-Ms, Cameron M. Longo
Development And Applications Of Touch Chemistry Biometrics Analysis Of Latent Fingermarks By Maldi-Ms, Cameron M. Longo
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Fingerprint evidence has long been a pillar of forensic science and has been used for over a century as a means of identifying an individual. This is accomplished through the comparison of friction ridge patterns, which are inherently unique to each individual, and the practice of visualizing fingerprints and comparing them has become a well-studied field. While these techniques have been optimized and improved over time, they generally rely only on the physical pattern to provide information about the donor, and not the content of the fingerprint material itself. In the modern era, steps have been made to extract from …
Uio-Type Metal-Organic Framework Derivatives As Sorbents For The Detection Of Gas-Phase Explosives, Matthew Ryan Sherrill
Uio-Type Metal-Organic Framework Derivatives As Sorbents For The Detection Of Gas-Phase Explosives, Matthew Ryan Sherrill
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
The detection of energetic compounds – better known to the public as explosives – has is an important cornerstone of counterterrorism and homeland security . While significant advances have been achieved for the detection of trace explosives in various matrices such as soil, wastewater, and clothing, the detection of explosives in the gas phase remains challenging due to their infamously low vapor pressures. In this thesis, we leverage the high sensitivity of direct analysis in real-time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) and the microporosity of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to adsorb and therefore concentrate explosives from the vapor phase and subsequently detect them …
Mass Spectral And Chemometric Analysis For The Detection And Identification Of Forensically Relevant Materials, Meghan Grace Appley
Mass Spectral And Chemometric Analysis For The Detection And Identification Of Forensically Relevant Materials, Meghan Grace Appley
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Forensic science is the application of science to the law which in and of itself covers a substantial number of disciplines. Many of these involve the detection and identification of materials using analytical techniques. Traditional analysis methods include microscopy, spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The materials encountered by forensic practitioners are ever evolving, resulting in the need to develop new methods to complement conventional techniques to enhance the evidentiary value of the samples. The research presented here shows that novel methods including direct analysis in real time–high-resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS), thermal desorption coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS), solid-phase microextraction (SPME) …
Applications Of Mass Spectrometry To Forensic Entomology : Calliphoridae Species Determination, Monitoring Of Decomposition Volatiles, And Discovery Of Chemical Cues, Justine Elizabeth Giffen-Lemieux
Applications Of Mass Spectrometry To Forensic Entomology : Calliphoridae Species Determination, Monitoring Of Decomposition Volatiles, And Discovery Of Chemical Cues, Justine Elizabeth Giffen-Lemieux
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Forensic entomology is the study of insects that colonize human/animal wounds and remains and their development for use in legal contexts. It has numerous facets and applications including: estimation of time since death; investigation of neglect/abuse of children and the elderly; and determination of the presence of toxins and drugs as a potential cause of death. In order for the discovered insects to be of forensic utility, accurate species identification is crucial. Current methodologies for species determination rely on the knowledge and expertise of an entomologist; exhaustive taxonomic keys; and access to adequate equipment and facilities; resources which are often …
Application Of Direct Analysis In Real Time-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry To Genus- And Species-Level Differentiation And Identification Of Coral, Jessica Mary Hayes
Application Of Direct Analysis In Real Time-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry To Genus- And Species-Level Differentiation And Identification Of Coral, Jessica Mary Hayes
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems, and the accurate identification of the species is essential for diversity assessment, species delimitation and conservation. Current species and genus determination approaches are time consuming, resource intensive and can be highly subjective. To explore the hypothesis that the small molecule profiles of coral are species and genus specific, and can be used as a rapid tool to catalogue, classify and identify coral genera and species, the small-molecule chemical fingerprints of coral belonging to the species Acanthastrea echinata, Catalaphyllia jardinei, Duncanopsammia axifuga, Echinopora lamellosa, Euphyllia divisa, Euphyllia paraancora, Euphyllia paradivisa, Galaxea …
Development Of Laser Ablation Direct Analysis In Real Time Imaging-Mass Spectrometry (Ladi-Ms)-Applications To Questions Of Relevance To Forensic Science And Plant Biochemistry, Kristen Leigh Fowble
Development Of Laser Ablation Direct Analysis In Real Time Imaging-Mass Spectrometry (Ladi-Ms)-Applications To Questions Of Relevance To Forensic Science And Plant Biochemistry, Kristen Leigh Fowble
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Methods for the accomplishment of small molecule imaging by mass spectrometry are challenged by the need for sample pre-treatment steps such as cryo-sectioning, dehydration, chemical fixation, or application of a matrix or solvent, that must be performed to obtain interpretable spatial distribution data. Furthermore, these steps along with requirements of the mass analyzer such as high vacuum, can severely limit the range of sample types that can be analyzed by this powerful method. Here, we report the development of a laser ablation-direct analysis in real time imaging-mass spectrometry (LADI-MS) approach which couples a 213 nm Nd:YAG solid state UV laser …
Novel Mass Spectrometric Approaches For Deciphering The Epitranscriptomic Code, William D. Mcintyre
Novel Mass Spectrometric Approaches For Deciphering The Epitranscriptomic Code, William D. Mcintyre
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
According to the results of the Human Genome Project, less than 5% of our genome consists of sequences that code for actual proteins. At the same time, however, ~90% of these non-coding sequences are transcribed into a myriad of classes of ribonucleic acids collectively known as ncRNAs, which have been recognized as essential regulatory factors. It has been recently shown that the activity of ncRNAs can be in turn modulated by post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs), covalent marks that can be established/removed by tightly regulated enzymatic pathways. Now, the race is on to understand the new set of controls of cellular functions …
Differentiation Of Potential False Positives From Human Saliva Using Raman Spectroscopy For Forensic Purposes, Selina Casadei
Differentiation Of Potential False Positives From Human Saliva Using Raman Spectroscopy For Forensic Purposes, Selina Casadei
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Traces of body fluids can be found at a crime scene. Being able to identify and differentiate the body fluids while preserving DNA is fundamentally important for forensic applications. Saliva is an important body fluid that can be found on bite marks, cigarette butts, and more, being an excellent source for DNA extraction. Current tests for saliva and other body fluids are destructive and body fluid specific, and are prone to false positives. Our laboratory has developed a universal method for identification of all main body fluids; saliva, semen, sweat, peripheral blood, and vaginal fluid, using Raman spectroscopy combined with …
Further Development Of Raman Spectroscopy For Body Fluid Investigation : Forensic Identification, Limit Of Detection, And Donor Characterization, Claire K. Muro
Further Development Of Raman Spectroscopy For Body Fluid Investigation : Forensic Identification, Limit Of Detection, And Donor Characterization, Claire K. Muro
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
The challenges to forensic body fluid analysis have placed limitations on the type of information that investigators can acquire and how that information can be collected. In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has proven itself useful for characterizing body fluids. In 2008, a large-scale investigation was undertaken to explore the use of Raman spectroscopy as a means of identifying body fluids. This work resulted in multidimensional Raman spectroscopic signatures for the five main body fluids: semen, peripheral blood, saliva, vaginal fluid, and sweat. These studies were incredibly successful and created the foundation for years of continued research. Accordingly, the studies included …
Development Of Direct Analysis In Real Time-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (Dart-Hrms) And Statistical Analysis Tools For The Identification And Classification Of Psychoactive Plant Drugs, Ashton Danielle Lesiak
Development Of Direct Analysis In Real Time-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (Dart-Hrms) And Statistical Analysis Tools For The Identification And Classification Of Psychoactive Plant Drugs, Ashton Danielle Lesiak
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
In current forensic testing, a new pattern is emerging where the drugs that are submitted to crime labs for analysis are no longer restricted to well-characterized substances such as cocaine, heroin and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The appearance of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in forensic laboratories, including synthetic alternatives to scheduled substances and plant-based psychotropics, has highlighted issues that traditional analytical methods such as gas chromatography- and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry impose in the characterization of these samples. These can include lengthy extractions, derivatization steps, pH adjustments and/or a host of other procedures. Since the creation of legislation to address the use of …
Mass Spectrometry-Based Rnomics : Global Surveys Of Ribonucleotide Modifications As Possible Indicators Of Cell Identity, Epigenetic, Metabolic And Pathological State, Rebecca Erin Rose
Mass Spectrometry-Based Rnomics : Global Surveys Of Ribonucleotide Modifications As Possible Indicators Of Cell Identity, Epigenetic, Metabolic And Pathological State, Rebecca Erin Rose
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Discovery of the regulatory roles of non-protein coding RNAs (ncRNAs), once considered “junk” or “transcriptional noise”, has prompted a reassessment of the significance of the multifaceted activities of RNA in cellular response, which can result in cell transformation and diseased states. This reassessment, however, can only be accomplished if techniques are developed to capture, characterize and quantify the more than 100 covalent post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs) that adorn natural RNAs. Undoubtedly, the creation of high-throughput platforms such as next-generation sequencing and RNA-seq have provided unparalleled accuracy and sensitivity, however, they rely on strand amplification procedures that are blind to the known …
Monitoring Ligand-Induced Nucleic Acid Conformational Changes Using Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry, Bill Kenneth Redick
Monitoring Ligand-Induced Nucleic Acid Conformational Changes Using Ion Mobility Spectrometry-Mass Spectrometry, Bill Kenneth Redick
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
Three-dimensional structures of biopolymers frequently dictate the biological role those molecules play. As such, investigation into structure of nucleic acids can provide important information pertaining to how those nucleic acids work. Many nucleic acid species, especially single-stranded RNA, fold into unique structures that allow them to function properly. Metals, and other cationic species, are often bound to the nucleic acid to make folding into the proper structure more favorable by neutralizing the negative charge on the nucleic acid imparted by the phosphate group. This investigation explores tertiary structure of nucleic acids that have been folded in the presence of ligands …
From Whole-Cell To Compartment- And Class-Specific Analysis Of Rna Post-Transcriptional Modifications, Ryan Quinn
From Whole-Cell To Compartment- And Class-Specific Analysis Of Rna Post-Transcriptional Modifications, Ryan Quinn
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
The genomic structure of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has proven difficult to examine by traditional high-resolution techniques. Structural probing and in silico modeling have been turned to the task instead. Computer models are only as robust as the data used to create them. A number of techniques were explored in this investigation to expand the utility of in silico modeling as it relates to HIV-1: the study of nucleoside modifications, and the probing of in vivo conformations of the 5'-untranslated region (5'-UTR) by cross-linking and affinity capture.
Raman Spectroscopy Of Body Fluids : A Nondestructive Identification Technique For Forensic Applications, Kelly Virkler
Raman Spectroscopy Of Body Fluids : A Nondestructive Identification Technique For Forensic Applications, Kelly Virkler
Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)
The analysis of body fluid evidence during forensic investigations is a complicated process, yet it is a critical step in determining the key facts of a crime. There is no doubt that DNA analysis is an extremely useful tool that can identify a suspect or victim, but crime scene investigators must first locate and identify potential body fluid stains that can be collected for DNA analysis. Current screening tests are destructive to the sample and can give false positive results, so a nondestructive technique such as Raman spectroscopy, that can possibly confirm the presence of a particular fluid, could lend …