James Gooch

Enabling fluorescent biosensors for the forensic identification of body fluids

The search for body fluids often forms a crucial element of many forensic investigations. Confirming fluid presence at a scene can not only support or refute the circumstantial claims of a victim, suspect or witness, but may additionally provide a valuable source of DNA for further identification purposes. However, current biological fluid testing techniques are impaired by a number of well-characterised limitations; they often give false positives, cannot be used simultaneously, are sample destructive and lack the ability to visually locate fluid depositions. These disadvantages can negatively affect the outcome of a case through missed or misinterpreted evidence. Biosensors are devices able to transduce a biological recognition event into a measurable signal, resulting in real-time analyte detection. The use of innovative optical sensing technology may enable the highly specific and non-destructive detection of biological fluid depositions through interaction with several fluid-endogenous biomarkers. Despite considerable impact in a variety of analytical disciplines, biosensor application within forensic analyses may be considered extremely limited. This article aims to explore a number of prospective biosensing mechanisms and to outline the challenges associated with their adaptation towards detection of fluid-specific analytes.

Photo- and pH-sensitive azo-containing cationic waterborne polyurethane

In this study, a novel photo- and pH-sensitive cationic waterborne polyurethane containing side chain aromatic azo groups (Azo-CWPU) was synthesized by step-growth addition polymerization from polyether polylol, isophorone diisocyanate, N-methyl diethanolamine and a new aromatic azo-containing monomer, 2,2′-(4-((4-ethylphenyl)diazenyl)phenylazanediyl)diethanol (EDPD). Azo-CWPU showed a significant hypsochromic contrast to the azo monomer and rapid changes in UV–Vis absorption spectra at different irradiation times. Azo-CWPU dispersion displays bright yellow, orange and red color with the change of pH values. Regarding the orange dispersion, we assume that there is a mixture of the azoic form and the hydrazone form. Compared to cationic waterborne polyurethane dispersion without aromatic azo groups (CWPU), Azo-CWPU dispersion with smaller hydrodynamics radius and more narrow distribution shows good thermodynamic properties of polyurethane.

Fluorogenic displacement biosensors for PSA detection using antibody-functionalised quantum dot nanoparticles

Novel quantum dot conjugated immunosensors are presented for the accurate identification of seminal fluid in forensic casework. The production of a fluorescence signal upon the displacement of moderately bound quencher-labelled peptide analogues by Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) overcomes many of the practical disadvantages associated with traditional lateral flow cartridge testing.

Application of fluorescent substrates to the in situ detection of prostate specific antigen.

The forensic identification of body fluids frequently presents an important source of genetic material and investigative interpretation. However, presumptive testing techniques presently employed in the discrimination of biological fluids are subject to criticism for poor specificity, lack of fluid localisation ability and detrimental effects on DNA recovery rates. The recognition of fluid-specific biomarkers by fluorogenic substrates may provide a novel resolution to these issues but research has yet to establish any pertinent in situ fluid detection applicability. This study therefore utilises a fluorogenic substrate (Mu-HSSKLQ-AFC) specific to the seminal protein prostate specific antigen in an effort to detect human semen deposited on a number of surfaces typical to criminal investigation. The ability of fluorescent fluorogenic substrates to simultaneously identify and visualise biological fluids in situ is demonstrated for the first time, whilst the production of complete STR profiles from fluid sources is also confirmed to be completely unaffected by substrate application.

Feasibility of a handheld near infrared device for the qualitative analysis of bloodstains

One of the most common tasks in criminal investigation is to determine from which tissue source a biological fluid stain originates. As a result, there are many tests that are frequently used to determine if a stain is blood, semen or saliva by exploiting the properties of certain molecules present within the fluids themselves. These include chemical reagents such as the Kastle-Meyer or Acid Phosphatase tests, as well as other techniques like the use of alternative light sources. However, most of the tests currently available have some major drawbacks. In this study, a handheld near-infrared spectrometer is investigated for the specific identification of deposited bloodstains. First, a calibration was carried out by scanning over 500 positive (blood present) and negative (blood absent) samples to train several predictive models based on machine learning principles. These models were then tested on over 100 new positive and negative samples to evaluate their performance. All models tested were able to correctly classify deposited stains as blood in at least 81% of tested samples, with some models allowing for even higher classification accuracy at over 94%. This suggests that handheld near infrared devices could offer great opportunity for the rapid, low cost and non-destructive screening of body fluids at scenes of crime.