8 New Forensic Science Techniques and Technology

Modern techniques and technology are used to process samples and evidence to solve cases. Analysis of physical evidences, fingerprinting , DNA identification or drugs analysis, everything relies on technology.

Importantly, it’s the fusion of science and technology that allows forensic scientists to do their work with minimal amount of evidences and in less time. 

These sophisticated state of art equipment allows forensic scientist to perform their duty effortlessly. Let us have a look of 8 New Forensic Science Tools and Technology that is being used by forensic scientists all over the world.

1. Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS)

Massively Parallel Sequencing is an advanced tool in the field of Forensic Biology.  A high-throughput method used to determine a portion of the nucleotide or all of the sequence of an individual’s genome. This technique utilizes DNA sequencing technologies that are capable of processing multiple DNA sequences in parallel

Massively parallel sequencing allows simultaneous screening for mutations in hundreds of loci in genetically heterogeneous disorders, whole-genome screening for novel mutations, and sequence-based detection of novel pathogens that cause human disease.

Massively parallel sequencing technologies is a boon to as it carries out fast and cost-efficient mutation scans of complete human genomes, an important aspect of forensic study/

MPS gives more information about DNA evidence which will be critical in helping to solve missing persons cases, or situations like mass disaster. It is cost effective plus less time taking procedure as compared to Sanger Sequencing.

The Illumina Genome Analyzer, The Applied Biosystems SOLiD Sequencer, GS-FLX 454 Sequencer Workflow , they all use MPS and are commercially available now a days.

Popular Research Articles on Massively parallel sequencing

1. Classification of STR allelic variation using massively parallel sequencing and assessment of flanking region power, Forensic Science International: Genetics, July 2020.
2. Analysis of complex DNA mixtures using massively parallel sequencing of SNPs with low minor allele frequencies, Forensic Science International: Genetics, May 2020.
3. The using of massively parallel sequencing of mitochondrial DNA to assist the missing person identification: Human remains in the wild, Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, Elsevier, December 2019.
4. Massively parallel sequencing techniques for forensics: A review,  Electrophoresis Published by Wiley, August, 2018.

2.  Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) :

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is considered as one of the most versatile methods for the compositional analysis of solid materials due to its sensitivity and simplicity. 

The main forensic applications of LA-ICP-MS have been developed for glass and paint samples.  It is used these days to find out origin of glass i.e.discrimination of glass from different sources and for the association of glass originating from the same source.

However, applications to other samples have also been reported , e.g., documents (ink and paper), fibers, cannabis, gems.

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) makes use
of a high power laser to create an aerosol of super-fine glass fragments by irradiating the surface
of a glass fragment; the resulting aerosol can then be analyzed using ICP-MS. The advantage of
LA-ICP-MS is primarily the elimination of dangerous, costly and time-consuming acid digestion
of samples. Additionally, it requires less sample preparation and consumption, provides less risk of contamination and are sensitive with high precision.

Popular Research Articles on LA-ICP-MS

1. The use of LA-ICP-MS databases to calculate likelihood ratios for the forensic analysis of glass evidence, Talanta, Elsevier, August 2018.
2. Forensic comparison of PVC tape backings using time resolved LA–ICP–MS analysis, Forensic Chemistry, Elsevier, March 2019.

3. FORENSIC PROTEOMICS

The term proteome means the complete set of proteins that are produced or modified by an organism, system or cell. Studying the sequences of proteins in a sample can give us important clues about the DNA of the organism that produced them. Just as every individual has a unique genome that varies in small but important ways from others in their species, the proteome of each individual is unique.

Forensic proteomics along with mass spectrophotometer can provide meaningful evidence on a protein-based toxin, drug, or sports doping hormone. It can help in evaluation of the post-mortem decay in bones and in analysis of human hair.

Popular Research Articles on Forensic proteomics

1. Applications and challenges of forensic proteomics, Forensic Science International, Elsevier, April 2019
2. Forensic proteomics for the evaluation of the post-mortem decay in bones, Journal of Proteomics, Elsevier, April 2018,
3. Mass spectrometry-based proteomics for the forensic identification of vomit traces, Journal of Proteomics, Elsevier, October 2019

5. MICRO-BIOME STUDY

Different areas of our bodies harbor distinct communities of microbe, or microbiota, but it is the significant differences between individual people’s microbiota which may offer unique bacterial profiles for forensics.

In a study of hair microbiota, researchers found that an individual’s pubic hair microbiota appeared to be transferred during intercourse, suggesting its potential for forensic analysis on sexual assault cases. This makes it easier to prove that an offender committed an act if there is a match in their microbe population to the victim.

Popular Research Articles on Hair Bacteria Assessment

1. Spatial and Environmental Variation of the Human Hair Microbiota, Scientific Reports , Nature, June 2018.
2. DNA profiling of bacteria from human hair: Potential and pitfalls, Book – Forensic Microbiology, pp.358-375, April 2017
3. Metagenomic analyses of bacteria on human hairs: A qualitative assessment for applications in forensic science,Investigative Genetics , December 2014

6. RAPID DNA

This new forensic technology, used to describe the fully automated (hands free) process of developing a DNA profile from a reference sample buccal (cheek) swab without human intervention.

Popular Research Articles on RAPID DNA

1. Evaluation of Rapid DNA system for buccal swab and disaster victim identification samples, Legal Medicine, Elsevier, September 2020 (to be published)
2. Developmental validation of the ANDE™ rapid DNA system with FlexPlex™ assay for arrestee and reference buccal swab processing and database searching, Forensic Science International: Genetics, May 2019.
3. Decision support for using mobile Rapid DNA analysis at the crime scene, Science & Justice, Elsevier, January 2019

7. Micro-X-Ray Florescence

Micro x-ray fluorescence is among the newest technologies used to detect fingerprints. It is a new visualization technique which rapidly reveals the elemental composition of a sample by irradiating it with a thin beam of X-rays without disturbing the sample.

Another µXRF application in forensics is GSR (gunshot residue) determination. Some specific elements, as antimony, barium and lead, can be identified through MXRF.

8. VIRTOPSY – TOUCH FREE AUTOPSY

Virtopsy is a virtual alternative to the traditional autopsy, conducted with scanning and imaging technology. The name is a portmanteau of ‘virtual’ and ‘autopsy’ and is a trademark registered to Prof. Richard Dirnhofer.

Virtopsy includes the following tools:

• 3D surface scan using 3D photogrammetry-based optical surface scanner
• Postmortem CT (PMCT) with adjuvants such as PMCT-guided biopsy (pm-biopsy and PMCT-guided angiography
• Postmortem MRI (pm-MRI).

Virtopsy is used by forensic experts to find out the time of death, for identifying individuals, for toxicological examination, death due to drowning, gun shot wounds and burn wounds.

Popular Research Articles on Virtopsy

1. Virtopsy and Living Individuals Evaluation Using Computed Tomography in Forensic Diagnostic Imaging, Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI, February 2019.
2. Virtopsy: Touch-free autopsy, J Forensic Dent Sci. , April 2017.
3. Fatal gunshot to a fox: The Virtopsy approach in a forensic veterinary case, Journal of Forensic Radiology and Imaging, March 2015.