Abstract
This chapter examines the use of electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and other analytical techniques in forensic investigation and research. These tools can be used to enhance examination of human remains and trace evidence to improve understanding of cause of death, victim identification or post mortem interval.
A police-designed scenario is used to highlight trace evidence such as glass, gun shot residue and paint. The validity of forensic techniques is discussed, with reference to international standards, repeatability, and false convictions. Ballistic evidence is used to highlight the complexities in evidence interpretation, including manufacturing variability, environmental effects and likelihood ratios.
The use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and other techniques in the development of forensic research is showcased, with particular examples from the field of fingerprints. Examples include improvements in the development of fingermarks from difficult surfaces, interaction of evidence types, and added intelligence from the crime scene, such as forensic timeline or gender of perpetrator.
A police-designed scenario is used to highlight trace evidence such as glass, gun shot residue and paint. The validity of forensic techniques is discussed, with reference to international standards, repeatability, and false convictions. Ballistic evidence is used to highlight the complexities in evidence interpretation, including manufacturing variability, environmental effects and likelihood ratios.
The use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and other techniques in the development of forensic research is showcased, with particular examples from the field of fingerprints. Examples include improvements in the development of fingermarks from difficult surfaces, interaction of evidence types, and added intelligence from the crime scene, such as forensic timeline or gender of perpetrator.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Springer handbook of microscopy |
| Editors | Peter W. Hawkes, John C.H. Spence |
| Place of Publication | Cham |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Chapter | 32 |
| Pages | 1507-1523 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9783030000691 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783030000684 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 17 Sept 2019 |
Publication series
| Name | Springer Handbooks |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Springer |
| ISSN (Print) | 2522-8692 |
| ISSN (Electronic) | 2522-8706 |
UN SDGs
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
-
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Keywords
- Forensic science
- Scanning electron microscope
- Trace evidence
- Fingerprints
- Scenes of crime
- Gun shot residue
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- Microscopy
- Scanning probe microscopy
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Microscopy in forensic science'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.-
Migration of latent fingermarks on non-porous surfaces: observation technique and nanoscale variations
Popov, K. T., Sears, V. G. & Jones, B. J., Jun 2017, In: Forensic Science International. 275, p. 44–56 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile34 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)876 Downloads (Pure) -
Determining the chronology of deposition of natural fingermarks and inks on paper using secondary ion mass spectrometry
Attard-Montalto, N., Ojeda, J. J., Reynolds, A., Ismail, M., Bailey, M., Doodkorte, L., De Puit, M. & Jones, B. J., 11 Aug 2014, In: Analyst. 139, 18, p. 4641-4653 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile31 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)116 Downloads (Pure) -
The effects of polymer pigmentation on fingermark development techniques
Bacon, S. R., Ojeda, J. J., Downham, R., Sears, V. G. & Jones, B. J., Nov 2013, In: Journal of Forensic Sciences. 58, 6, p. 1486-1494 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
18 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver