Research

Forensics

 

Forensic science covers a range of disciplines, including medical, legal and engineering, all aiming to gather information and throw light on a series of events.  ETCbrunel has been long established in forensic metallurgy and microscopy, with director Dr Bulpett appearing as an expert witness.  Over the past few years, the Centre has been rapidly expanding into materials science aspects of forensics, with research projects and publications in the fields of fingerprint development and digital data recovery.

 

Projects are detailed below and links to publications can be found at the foot of the page.

 

 

Fingerprint Development

Materials scientist Dr Benjamin Jones is expanding research work in fingerprint development techniques.  These studies investigate mechanisms of interaction between development agents, latent fingerprints and surfaces.

The use of fine, dry powders to develop latent fingerprints left after criminal activity has been well established for many years.  However, various types of surfaces, such as rough materials, fabrics, wetted materials and adhesives have limited suitability with this type of technique.  This research aims to increase detectability of fingerprints and improve the range of surfaces that can be effectively treated, expanding the data available to forensic investigators.

The biochemistry of fingerprints is extremely complex, varying significantly form person to person and will alter even for individuals, with changes in diet, mood, stress levels etc.  This work consequently takes advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of ETCbrunel with the involvement of biological expert Dr Alan Reynolds.  This research involves micro and nanoscale investigations of surfaces, development agents, and developed fingerprints.  The project therefore significantly benefits from the availability of ETCbrunel’s instrument suite and makes use of SEM, TEM, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, AFM and Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR).

This work has been funded in part by the UK Home Office (HOSDB); publications for this research are detailed at the bottom of the page.

Top: Section of developed fingerprint on uPVC, Above: SEM image of same print showing eccrine development and surface effects.  Below:

TEM image of nano-structured fingerprint powders

ETCbrunel forensic science publications include the following articles, click on a link for the publishers’ website (where available, via DOI) some articles are also available on the University’s open access system, BURA:

 

“Nano-scale composition of commercial white powders for development of latent fingerprints on adhesives”
B.J. Jones, A.J. Reynolds, M. Richardson V.G Sears
Science and Justice [In Press] DOI:10.1016/j.scijus.2009.08.001

 

“Commentary on… Evaluation of shooting distance by AFM and FTIR/ATR…”

B.J. Jones

Journal of Forensic Sciences 54 (2009) 502

 

“Retention of data in heat-damaged SIM cards and potential recovery methods”
B.J. Jones and A.J. Kenyon
Forensic Science International 177 (2008) 42

 

“Nanoscale analysis of titanium dioxide fingerprint-development powders”
A.J. Reynolds, B.J. Jones, V.G. Sears and V. Bowman
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 126 (2008) 012069

 

“Burnt to memory: data extraction from heat damaged mobile phones”
B.J. Jones
Public Service Review: Home Office 15 (2007) 68

 

 

Mobile phones have been used recently in a number of bomb attacks, both for detonators and for communication. Data may be retained in even highly damaged phones and Dr. Jones is working with researchers at UCL and The Forensic Science Service to develop methods to read data from exploded or heat damaged mobile phones, helping to identify the owner, place of purchase, last active location, or calls made and received, which could provide vital assistance to investigators of arson and terrorism incidents.

 

 

 

Crime and Terrorism: Data in Mobile Phones