Using computer systems for probabilistic genotyping on DNA evidence in forensic casework is beneficial as it allows a complete analysis of the data available for a wide range of profiles, a range that is limited when analyzed manually. One such software, Bulletproof, uses the exact method as the statistical foundation of its web-based interface to estimate the likelihood ratio of two hypotheses that explain the given evidence. In this investigation, the capability of Bulletproof was examined by analyzing the effects of evidence and reference sample template amount, injection time, and stutter filter utilization on likelihood ratio. In terms of likelihood ratio, deconvolution by the software is more efficient in cases in which evidence samples of high contrast ratios (such as 1:9 vs. 1:1) and low contributor count have high template, and when sample injection times are low. Reference sample template amount and injection time are less impactful than that of evidentiary samples. As with unknown samples, reference samples should be analyzed beforehand and artifacts removed for better deconvolution.

Since 1943, six studies have been made of speech education in Oregon public schools. Several make reference to forensics, but none discuss this aspect of speech education in depth. As a result, the role of forensics in the schools has been assumed or denied. With the educational situation as it is, however, it is necessary that we have a greater under.standing of the relationship between forensics and general speech education and language arts education.

Adhesive tapes are a common type of evidence involved in violent crimes and national security threats. This research evaluated the utility of LA-ICP-MS and LIBS for the characterization of the trace elemental signature in adhesive tapes for forensic comparisons. LA-ICP-MS and LIBS methods were developed, for the first time, for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of adhesive tapes. The backings of 90 black electrical tapes, previously characterized by conventional techniques (physical examination, IR, Py-GC-MS, and SEM-EDS), were analyzed by LA-ICP-MS to evaluate the ability of the technique to discriminate samples originating from different sources and to associate pieces of tapes originating from the same roll. The discrimination for the LA-ICP-MS analysis of the 90 samples was found to be 93.9%, greater than the discrimination found using SEM-EDS (87.3%). Moreover, 100% correct association resulted for the control samples evaluated in this study. The analysis of tapes by LIBS allowed to separate pairs of tapes that were not previously distinguished by LA-ICP-MS by detecting differences in lithium, calcium, and potassium. The potential of normalization strategies was evaluated for LIBS spectral and statistical comparisons. Two quantitative analysis methods were developed for the analysis of tapes and other polymers. These quantitative methods can help in creating and populating databases that can lead to the use of likelihood ratios and the development of standard methods of analysis and interpretation for tape evidence. Two interlaboratory trials including 7 operational and research laboratories were completed as part of this study. SEM-EDS resulted in 16.7% and 12.5% false positive rates for interlaboratory tests #1 and #2, respectively. Up to 7 and 8 elements were detected by SEM-EDS for interlaboratory test #1 and #2, respectively. LIBS and LA-ICP-MS resulted in no false positives or false negatives. In addition, increased characterization of the samples was obtained by detecting up to 17 elements by LIBS and 32 elements by LA-ICP-MS. The increased sensitivity and selectivity of LIBS and LA-ICP-MS methods has been shown to distinguish tapes originating from different sources, and to correctly associate tapes belonging to the same rolls in different laboratories and by different analysts.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Paper spray is an ambient ionization technique for mass spectrometry that is well-known for its ability to accomplish rapid and sensitive analyses without any need for sample preparation. This work further develops the technique in two major areas: negative ionization and drug screening. Negative ionization has always been an obstacle to electrospray-based ion sources because of its vulnerability to corona discharge, but methods are presented here to both quantify and suppress this electrical phenomenon, thus preventing it from interfering with qualitative/quantitative analyses. The validity of the discharge-suppressing method is demonstrated for both a simple screen of barbiturates and other acidic drugs (Chapter 2) and the detection and quantitation of chemical warfare agent hydrolysis products (Chapter 3). Additionally, a positive ion drug screen is applied to the analysis of postmortem blood samples (Chapter 4), achieving rapid and effective screening of 137 different drugs ranging from pharmaceuticals to drugs of abuse. The performance of this screen is also evaluated by comparing the results of the postmortem samples to those obtained using a more established series of assays. The research contained herein presents strides toward forensic application of paper spray mass spectrometry, especially in disciplines related to forensic toxicology.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(医学) / 乙第13162号 / 論医博第2149号 / 新制||医||1029(附属図書館) / (主査)教授 武田 俊一, 教授 松田 文彦, 教授 清水 章 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

When there is a possibility of a low-template sample being processed in a forensic laboratory, it becomes important to retrieve all cells possible from the substrate they are collected on. The most common form of evidence received by forensic laboratories is epithelial cells collected on cotton material, swab or fabric, which may contain inhibitors. Data shows a likely mechanism for cellular adherence is the denaturation of surface proteins to expose residues hidden within. Proteins on cotton’s cell surface hydrogen bond to these residues, forming a strong attachment. An epithelial cell preparation was pipetted onto ISO adjacent cotton swatches. These swatches were incubated in 10mM Tris, 0.1 mM EDTA (TE) buffer with a constant temperature and agitation from a Thermal Mixer. The swatch was removed from the liquid and placed in a separate tube and digest separately. Each was quantified and used to calculate the percentage of cellular release. Variations of this baseline procedure were used to help determine the most efficient cellular release process. These variables included different temperatures and agitation speeds, sonication, resuspension and the addition of disaccharides. Results showed that the addition of a disaccharide is the most efficient method to achieve cellular release from cotton fabric. Specifically, drying 0.75 M D-(+)- Trehalose Dihydrate onto a cotton fabric swatch before the addition of the epithelial cell preparation. This procedure produced an average of 65.5% cellular release compared to a 26.0% release from our baseline procedure.

We present an unusual example of multiple mesosternal foramina (MMF). The alignment of the paired defects is unlike any previously described. Although single sternal defects are often encountered, paired defects are quite uncommon. This is the first documented example of bilateral paired defects in the sternum.

No description available.

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 data in binary form allowed inks to be distinguished from each other. The photobleaching of the dye Basic Violet 3 (BV3) in ink-onpaper samples was examined to determine the use of degradation products as a marker of the age of the writing sample. The extent of photobleaching of BV3 was determined using several illumination sources. Pair-wise comparison of observed ion data was able to distinguish 29 of 30 ink samples using the combined three instrumental methods. Out of 435 pair-wise comparisons 429 pairs could be discriminated from each other using the combined three methods. This is a 98.6% discrimination with the combined analysis scheme