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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Optical Tweezers As An Effective Tool For Spermatozoa Isolation From Mixed Forensic Samples, Nicole Auka, Michael Valle, Bobby D. Cox, Peter D. Wilkerson, Tracey Dawson Cruz, Joseph E. Reiner, Sarah J. Seashols-Williams Jan 2019

Optical Tweezers As An Effective Tool For Spermatozoa Isolation From Mixed Forensic Samples, Nicole Auka, Michael Valle, Bobby D. Cox, Peter D. Wilkerson, Tracey Dawson Cruz, Joseph E. Reiner, Sarah J. Seashols-Williams

Forensic Science Publications

A single focus optical tweezer is formed when a laser beam is launched through a high numerical aperture immersion objective. This objective focuses the beam down to a diffraction-limited spot, which creates an optical trap where cells suspended in aqueous solutions can be held fixed. Spermatozoa, an often probative cell type in forensic investigations, can be captured inside this optical trap and dragged one by one across millimeter-length distances in order to create a cluster of cells which can be subsequently drawn up into a capillary for collection. Sperm cells are then ejected onto a sterile cover slip, counted, and …


E-Cigarettes May Be A Clue At Crime Scenes, Jessica Mayfield Jan 2016

E-Cigarettes May Be A Clue At Crime Scenes, Jessica Mayfield

The Scope

You’ve probably seen the show “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and spinoffs like “CSI: Miami.” VCU researchers could provide the inspiration for a new drama: “CSI: Vaping” – about how e-cigarettes could be critical clues in solving crimes.