Staffordshire University logo
STORE - Staffordshire Online Repository

The detection and discrimination of human body fluids using ATR FT-IR spectroscopy

Orphanou, Charlotte-Maria, WALTON-WILLIAMS, Laura, MOUNTAIN, Harry and CASSELLA, John (2015) The detection and discrimination of human body fluids using ATR FT-IR spectroscopy. Forensic Science International, 252. e10-e16. ISSN 03790738

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract or description

Blood, saliva, semen and vaginal secretions are the main human body fluids encountered at crime scenes. Currently presumptive tests are routinely utilised to indicate the presence of body fluids, although these are often subject to false positives and limited to particular body fluids. Over the last decade more sensitive and specific body fluid identification methods have been explored, such as mRNA analysis and proteomics, although these are not yet appropriate for routine application. This research investigated the application of ATR FT-IR spectroscopy for the detection and discrimination of human blood, saliva, semen and vaginal secretions. The results demonstrated that ATR FT-IR spectroscopy can detect and distinguish between these body fluids based on the unique spectral pattern, combination of peaks and peak frequencies corresponding to the macromolecule groups common within biological material. Comparisons with known abundant proteins relevant to each body fluid were also analysed to enable specific peaks to be attributed to the relevant protein components, which further reinforced the discrimination and identification of each body fluid. Overall, this preliminary research has demonstrated the potential for ATR FT-IR spectroscopy to be utilised in the routine confirmatory screening of biological evidence due to its quick and robust application within forensic science.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: The authors regret that Laura Walton-Williams, Harry Mountain, John Cassella were unintentionally omitted from the author listing in the paper, though they had an input in the original research. The authors would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused. http://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/2763/
Faculty: School of Law, Policing and Forensics > Criminal Justice and Forensic Science
Depositing User: Library STORE team
Date Deposited: 16 Dec 2020 10:15
Last Modified: 24 Feb 2023 14:00
Related URLs:
URI: https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/6711

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

DisabledGo Staffordshire University is a recognised   Investor in People. Sustain Staffs
Legal | Freedom of Information | Site Map | Job Vacancies
Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST4 2DE t: +44 (0)1782 294000