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WO2019175527A1 - Forensic analysis of an object for chemical and biological materials - Google Patents

Forensic analysis of an object for chemical and biological materials Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019175527A1
WO2019175527A1 PCT/GB2019/000043 GB2019000043W WO2019175527A1 WO 2019175527 A1 WO2019175527 A1 WO 2019175527A1 GB 2019000043 W GB2019000043 W GB 2019000043W WO 2019175527 A1 WO2019175527 A1 WO 2019175527A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
location
forensic
chemical
dna
forensic evidence
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2019/000043
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2019175527A8 (en
Inventor
Nicholas MAYERS CARL
Kirk MURRAY-JONES
James FELL OLIVER
Matthew Geoffrey SWAN
Peter John White
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
UK Secretary of State for Defence
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UK Secretary of State for Defence
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by UK Secretary of State for Defence filed Critical UK Secretary of State for Defence
Publication of WO2019175527A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019175527A1/en
Publication of WO2019175527A8 publication Critical patent/WO2019175527A8/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/62Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
    • G01N21/63Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
    • G01N21/64Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
    • G01N21/6486Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01CMEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C11/00Photogrammetry or videogrammetry, e.g. stereogrammetry; Photographic surveying
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/62Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
    • G01N21/63Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light optically excited
    • G01N21/64Fluorescence; Phosphorescence
    • G01N21/645Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
    • G01N21/6456Spatial resolved fluorescence measurements; Imaging
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/75Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated
    • G01N21/76Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/75Systems in which material is subjected to a chemical reaction, the progress or the result of the reaction being investigated
    • G01N21/76Chemiluminescence; Bioluminescence
    • G01N21/763Bioluminescence
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01NINVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2201/00Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
    • G01N2201/10Scanning
    • G01N2201/103Scanning by mechanical motion of stage

Definitions

  • the present invention is concerned with methods and apparatus for disclosing the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object, and in particular for disclosing and recording the location of said forensic eviden ce.
  • the methods and apparatus are especially concerned with disclosing and recording the location of DNA forensic evidence, fingerprints and stains of biological origin.
  • Chemical and biological forensic evidence can be highlighted and sampled from exhibits (objects) relating to a crime or crime scene, using numerous methods, often utilising the chemical properties and/or fluorescent or luminescent qualities of the specific chemical or biological material to highlight them for sampling.
  • the chemical materials could for example be toxic (e.g. poisons) or ballistic materials.
  • the biological materials could for example be blood, saliva, semen, skin cells, sweat or latent fingerprints.
  • a particular biological material of great interest and importance in forensics is that of DNA, and especially trace DNA, which can potentially be analysed and used to identify a perpetrator.
  • Trace DNA can also be highlighted and sampled from objects relating to a crime or crime scene, however often speculative swabbing of objects is used to sample trace DNA, which runs the risk of blending DNA from multiple parties. The resultant mixture will then rarely identify a single individual with high confidence.
  • DNA can also potentially be lost by transfer to gloved hands or surfaces.
  • a method is thus needed that can non-destructively disclose the location of trace DNA on an object, which could then allow sampling/swabbing to be directed to capture separate areas of contamination.
  • a method is also needed that allows information relating to an object to be rapidly shared with appropriate technical experts (for example, forensic scientists) and facilities (for example, forensic laboratories), to inform options for interrogating the object, preferably before too many individuals have been involved in the handling and transportation of the object.
  • the present application is thus concerned with providing methods and apparatus for non- destructively disclosing the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object, particularly trace DNA, which are preferably also capable of allowing the generated information relating to location to be rapidly snared with appropriate technical experts, so that the best advice can be provided as to how best to collect the forensic evidence, and/or handle or transport the object for further interrogation.
  • the present invention provides a method for disclosing and recording the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object for forensic analysis, said method comprising the steps of:
  • the method of the first aspect enables chemical or biological forensic evidence to be located at any point on the object, and consequently recorded, whilst at a crime scene and with minimal handling.
  • the method thus advantageously allows the generated information (through its recording, which is most likely in electronic or digital form) to be rapidly shared (such as through use of the internet) with any appropriate technical expert, at any location, so that the best advice can be sought as to how best to collect the forensic evidence, and/or handle or transport the object for further interrogation, prior to it being handled by too many individuals, or the evidence being inadvertently lost or conflicted.
  • the method is capable of immediately showing a forensic scientist (either at the scene or in a laboratory) the distinct areas to sample (i.e. where DNA is likely to be present), thus allowing the scientist to avoid creating mixtures of DNA from different areas of contamination.
  • the visualisation may be achieved through use of a light source, such as ultra violet (UV) illumination, or narrow bandwidth illumination, such as to utilise the natural fluorescence of some chemical and biological materials.
  • a light source such as ultra violet (UV) illumination, or narrow bandwidth illumination, such as to utilise the natural fluorescence of some chemical and biological materials.
  • the visualisation may be achieved through use of an appropriate chemical reaction, or may utilise fluorescent or luminescent reagents to disclose the forensic evidence.
  • a suitable luminescent reagent could be luminol, which is often used to disclose trace amounts of blood.
  • the potential chemical or biological forensic evidence may be DNA, especially trace DNA, which m ay be present together with other cellular material, such as in blood, semen, or skin cells.
  • the visualisation may be through the detection of adenylate kinase (AK).
  • AK adenylate kinase
  • AK is a ubiquitous intracellular enzyme that is released into the extracellular space upon cell lysis and serves as a useful reporter of the presence of cellular material including DNA.
  • a highly sensitive assay for AK uses an enzyme linked bioluminescent reaction with firefly luciferase. The visualisation may however be achieved through any other suitable approach, such as with labelled probes, or labelled recognition elements, such as antibodies or aptamers that are specific for DNA.
  • the visualisation may comprise misting of appropriate reagents onto the surface of the object, as gentle misting is less likely to disturb any DNA associated with the surface of the object, and thus allow the DNA to remain on the object and avoiding mixing on the surface.
  • the method may comprise the object being placed in the dark, such as in a light-excluding (enclosed) cabinet or dark chamber, either prior to, during or after the visualisation step, but prior to undertaking the three dimensional photogrammetry, to improve the quality of the visualisation, for example where a fluorescent or luminescent approach is used for visualisation.
  • Three-dimensional photogrammetry is an established technique that uses disparate perspectives obtained from images (most likely digital) taken from multiple angles, to calculate relative spatial locations of a set of points. Three-dimensional photogrammetry has been extensively used in architecture, archeology, forensic criminology, as well as in geology and space engineering.
  • the present invention provides a product for disclosing and recording the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object for forensic analysis, comprising
  • (c) means to record the three dimensional image of the object generated.
  • the means to visualise the location of the forensic evidence may be one or more light sources, or means to dispense chemical reagents.
  • the product may also comprise a dark chamber to optimise the visualisation where appropriate.
  • Means to undertake three-dimensional photogrammetry are known in the art.
  • the means may comprise camera(s), and/or a turntable or similar to rotate and/or overturn the object to be able to record all aspects/sides of the object.
  • the means to undertake three-dimensional photogrammetry could be situated alongside the means to visualise the location, and could for example all be situated within a dark chamber (excluding ambient light), for example where the visualisation is light based, such as utilising fluorescence or luminescence, thus arranged to take images within the dark chamber.
  • the images generated may be assembled into a 3D image using known photogrammetry techniques, with the possibility of viewing the 3D image in virtual reality.
  • the means to record the three dimensional image could be computer implemented, and further could provide means for sending the image to other locations, such as through use of the internet.
  • the product could comprise an automated image capture chamber, with all means of the second aspect of the invention integrated within the capture chamber.
  • Example 1 The Applicant has devised a method and product for disclosing the location of chemical or biological materials, especially trace DNA, on an object, which entails recording a 3D image of the object with the areas of contamination highlighted.
  • the method for disclosing DNA may use fluorescent or luminescent reagents, a means to capture the emitted/fluorescent light by low-light photogrammetry using single or multiple cameras, and a means for recording and presenting the captured 3D image to a forensic scientist in order to direct sampling of the DNA.
  • Trace DNA is deposited on exhibits (objects) with other biological material derived from body fluids (sweat, blood, saliva etc.). These contain biological components that can fluoresce, or can be visualised using luminescent chemistries. Any light output is of very low intensity, and can only be viewed with an image intensifier or specialist cameras.
  • the Applicant has developed a technique where reagents can be misted onto the surface of an exhibit to reveal contamination.
  • a broad range of fluorescent or luminescent reagents can be used.
  • the Applicant has chosen to use an adenylate kinase/firefly luciferase system for disclosing any sample that constitutes cellular material including DNA.
  • a gentle misting of the surface of the exhibit allows any DNA to not be disturbed and remain on the exhibit. This provides a system for DNA disclosure, through detection of adenylate kinase.
  • DNA could include isothermal DNA amplification, or PCR, in combination with fluorescent TaqManTM or other nucleic acid probes that can target human DNA.
  • the exhibit is placed in a dark chamber, typically a closed box (excluding ambient light) with a turntable. Images of the luminescence/fluorescence are then taken using multiple miniature cameras arranged around the exhibit inside the chamber. Alternatively a single camera could be used, with images taken sequentially as the exhibit is rotated on a turntable, which could use a stepper motor driven by a single board computer.
  • the exhibit In order to capture sufficient light, individual exposures may take minutes. If required the exhibit could be turned over 180 degrees, and the underside of the exhibit captured in a second set of exposures. Additionally, identical images could also be captured in white light or narrow-band illumination. This is the image capture system. Once images have been captured they are assembled into a 3D image using photogrammetry techniques. The resultant 3D model could then be used interactively, which could involve switching between a 3D model viewed in white light, and a 3D model viewed by luminescence/fluorescence.
  • the resultant 3D image could also be viewed in virtual reality, and could be viewed in augmented reality as a 'virtual overlay' to provide a guide when handling the exhibit during sampling.
  • a product for disclosing the location of chemical or biological materials on an object 1 may comprise at least one light source 2, a turntable 3, and at least one camera 4 or other means to record images.
  • the turntable 3 may be rotated through use of a motor 5, with the light source 2, motor 5 and camera 4 all preferably being controlled and programmed through use of a controller 6 so that the timing of illumination, taking/recording images, and movement of the object can all be carefully controlled and preferably synchronised with each other to generate high quality images for use as forensic evidence.
  • the Applicant has demonstrated photogrammetry of captured fluorescent images, producing a 3D model of a circuit board that shows localised luminescence after adding droplets of luminescent reagent.
  • the 3D model was able to be illuminated by white light or with luminescence by switching between layers of the image.
  • the Applicant has also demonstrated that a mix of adenylate kinase/firefly luciferase reagents can be successfully misted onto a surface to visualise contaminated spots that contain human DNA.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
  • Investigating, Analyzing Materials By Fluorescence Or Luminescence (AREA)
  • Measuring Or Testing Involving Enzymes Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with methods and apparatus for disclosing the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object, and in particular for disclosing and recording the location of said forensic evidence. The methods and apparatus are especially concerned with disclosing and recording the location of DNA forensic evidence, fingerprints and stains of biological origin.

Description

Forensic Analysis of an Object for Chemical and Biological Materials
The present invention is concerned with methods and apparatus for disclosing the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object, and in particular for disclosing and recording the location of said forensic eviden ce. The methods and apparatus are especially concerned with disclosing and recording the location of DNA forensic evidence, fingerprints and stains of biological origin.
Chemical and biological forensic evidence can be highlighted and sampled from exhibits (objects) relating to a crime or crime scene, using numerous methods, often utilising the chemical properties and/or fluorescent or luminescent qualities of the specific chemical or biological material to highlight them for sampling. The chemical materials could for example be toxic (e.g. poisons) or ballistic materials. The biological materials could for example be blood, saliva, semen, skin cells, sweat or latent fingerprints.
A particular biological material of great interest and importance in forensics is that of DNA, and especially trace DNA, which can potentially be analysed and used to identify a perpetrator. Trace DNA can also be highlighted and sampled from objects relating to a crime or crime scene, however often speculative swabbing of objects is used to sample trace DNA, which runs the risk of blending DNA from multiple parties. The resultant mixture will then rarely identify a single individual with high confidence.
It is the role of forensic scientists to identify, collect and analyse forensic evidence during the course of an investigation. While some forensic scientists travel to the scene of the crime to collect the evidence themselves, others are based in laboratories, only analysing an object once it has been transported to the laboratory by other individuals. Clearly the more individuals involved in the collection, transport, and analysis of objects before reaching their final destination of the forensic laboratory, the more likely the evidence is to be conflicted. For example, mixtures of DNA could
o potentially result from the handling of objects during sampling. DNA can also potentially be lost by transfer to gloved hands or surfaces.
A method is thus needed that can non-destructively disclose the location of trace DNA on an object, which could then allow sampling/swabbing to be directed to capture separate areas of contamination.
A method is also needed that allows information relating to an object to be rapidly shared with appropriate technical experts (for example, forensic scientists) and facilities (for example, forensic laboratories), to inform options for interrogating the object, preferably before too many individuals have been involved in the handling and transportation of the object. The present application is thus concerned with providing methods and apparatus for non- destructively disclosing the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object, particularly trace DNA, which are preferably also capable of allowing the generated information relating to location to be rapidly snared with appropriate technical experts, so that the best advice can be provided as to how best to collect the forensic evidence, and/or handle or transport the object for further interrogation.
Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for disclosing and recording the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object for forensic analysis, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) visualisation of the location of the potential forensic evidence using an appropriate physical or chemical technique,
(b) undertaking three dimensional photogrammetry of the object, and
(c) recording the three dimensional image generated. The method of the first aspect enables chemical or biological forensic evidence to be located at any point on the object, and consequently recorded, whilst at a crime scene and with minimal handling. The method thus advantageously allows the generated information (through its recording, which is most likely in electronic or digital form) to be rapidly shared (such as through use of the internet) with any appropriate technical expert, at any location, so that the best advice can be sought as to how best to collect the forensic evidence, and/or handle or transport the object for further interrogation, prior to it being handled by too many individuals, or the evidence being inadvertently lost or conflicted.
Where the forensic evidence is trace DNA, the method is capable of immediately showing a forensic scientist (either at the scene or in a laboratory) the distinct areas to sample (i.e. where DNA is likely to be present), thus allowing the scientist to avoid creating mixtures of DNA from different areas of contamination.
The visualisation may be achieved through use of a light source, such as ultra violet (UV) illumination, or narrow bandwidth illumination, such as to utilise the natural fluorescence of some chemical and biological materials.
The visualisation may be achieved through use of an appropriate chemical reaction, or may utilise fluorescent or luminescent reagents to disclose the forensic evidence. A suitable luminescent reagent could be luminol, which is often used to disclose trace amounts of blood.
The potential chemical or biological forensic evidence may be DNA, especially trace DNA, which m ay be present together with other cellular material, such as in blood, semen, or skin cells. For DNA, or other biological materials, the visualisation may be through the detection of adenylate kinase (AK).
AK is a ubiquitous intracellular enzyme that is released into the extracellular space upon cell lysis and serves as a useful reporter of the presence of cellular material including DNA. A highly sensitive assay for AK uses an enzyme linked bioluminescent reaction with firefly luciferase. The visualisation may however be achieved through any other suitable approach, such as with labelled probes, or labelled recognition elements, such as antibodies or aptamers that are specific for DNA.
The visualisation may comprise misting of appropriate reagents onto the surface of the object, as gentle misting is less likely to disturb any DNA associated with the surface of the object, and thus allow the DNA to remain on the object and avoiding mixing on the surface.
The method may comprise the object being placed in the dark, such as in a light-excluding (enclosed) cabinet or dark chamber, either prior to, during or after the visualisation step, but prior to undertaking the three dimensional photogrammetry, to improve the quality of the visualisation, for example where a fluorescent or luminescent approach is used for visualisation. Three-dimensional photogrammetry is an established technique that uses disparate perspectives obtained from images (most likely digital) taken from multiple angles, to calculate relative spatial locations of a set of points. Three-dimensional photogrammetry has been extensively used in architecture, archeology, forensic criminology, as well as in geology and space engineering.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a product for disclosing and recording the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object for forensic analysis, comprising
(a) means to visualise the location of the forensic evidence on the object,
(b) means to undertake three dimensional photogrammetry of the object, and
(c) means to record the three dimensional image of the object generated. The means to visualise the location of the forensic evidence may be one or more light sources, or means to dispense chemical reagents. The product may also comprise a dark chamber to optimise the visualisation where appropriate. Means to undertake three-dimensional photogrammetry are known in the art. The means may comprise camera(s), and/or a turntable or similar to rotate and/or overturn the object to be able to record all aspects/sides of the object. The means to undertake three-dimensional photogrammetry could be situated alongside the means to visualise the location, and could for example all be situated within a dark chamber (excluding ambient light), for example where the visualisation is light based, such as utilising fluorescence or luminescence, thus arranged to take images within the dark chamber. The images generated may be assembled into a 3D image using known photogrammetry techniques, with the possibility of viewing the 3D image in virtual reality.
The means to record the three dimensional image could be computer implemented, and further could provide means for sending the image to other locations, such as through use of the internet.
The product could comprise an automated image capture chamber, with all means of the second aspect of the invention integrated within the capture chamber.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. Example The Applicant has devised a method and product for disclosing the location of chemical or biological materials, especially trace DNA, on an object, which entails recording a 3D image of the object with the areas of contamination highlighted.
The method for disclosing DNA may use fluorescent or luminescent reagents, a means to capture the emitted/fluorescent light by low-light photogrammetry using single or multiple cameras, and a means for recording and presenting the captured 3D image to a forensic scientist in order to direct sampling of the DNA.
Trace DNA is deposited on exhibits (objects) with other biological material derived from body fluids (sweat, blood, saliva etc.). These contain biological components that can fluoresce, or can be visualised using luminescent chemistries. Any light output is of very low intensity, and can only be viewed with an image intensifier or specialist cameras.
The Applicant has developed a technique where reagents can be misted onto the surface of an exhibit to reveal contamination. A broad range of fluorescent or luminescent reagents can be used. The Applicant has chosen to use an adenylate kinase/firefly luciferase system for disclosing any sample that constitutes cellular material including DNA. A gentle misting of the surface of the exhibit allows any DNA to not be disturbed and remain on the exhibit. This provides a system for DNA disclosure, through detection of adenylate kinase.
Other potential disclosure systems for DNA could include isothermal DNA amplification, or PCR, in combination with fluorescent TaqMan™ or other nucleic acid probes that can target human DNA.
Once misted the exhibit is placed in a dark chamber, typically a closed box (excluding ambient light) with a turntable. Images of the luminescence/fluorescence are then taken using multiple miniature cameras arranged around the exhibit inside the chamber. Alternatively a single camera could be used, with images taken sequentially as the exhibit is rotated on a turntable, which could use a stepper motor driven by a single board computer.
In order to capture sufficient light, individual exposures may take minutes. If required the exhibit could be turned over 180 degrees, and the underside of the exhibit captured in a second set of exposures. Additionally, identical images could also be captured in white light or narrow-band illumination. This is the image capture system. Once images have been captured they are assembled into a 3D image using photogrammetry techniques. The resultant 3D model could then be used interactively, which could involve switching between a 3D model viewed in white light, and a 3D model viewed by luminescence/fluorescence.
This could immediately indicate to a forensic scientist or examiner the distinct areas of the object that should be sampled for DNA, without creating mixtures of DNA from different areas of contamination. The resultant 3D image could also be viewed in virtual reality, and could be viewed in augmented reality as a 'virtual overlay' to provide a guide when handling the exhibit during sampling.
Having regard to Figures 1 and 2, a product for disclosing the location of chemical or biological materials on an object 1 may comprise at least one light source 2, a turntable 3, and at least one camera 4 or other means to record images. The turntable 3 may be rotated through use of a motor 5, with the light source 2, motor 5 and camera 4 all preferably being controlled and programmed through use of a controller 6 so that the timing of illumination, taking/recording images, and movement of the object can all be carefully controlled and preferably synchronised with each other to generate high quality images for use as forensic evidence.
The Applicant has demonstrated photogrammetry of captured fluorescent images, producing a 3D model of a circuit board that shows localised luminescence after adding droplets of luminescent reagent. The 3D model was able to be illuminated by white light or with luminescence by switching between layers of the image. The Applicant has also demonstrated that a mix of adenylate kinase/firefly luciferase reagents can be successfully misted onto a surface to visualise contaminated spots that contain human DNA.

Claims

Claims
1. A method for disclosing and recording the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object for forensic analysis, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) visualisation of the location of the potential forensic evidence using an appropriate physical or chemical technique,
(b) undertaking three dimensional photogrammetry of the object, and
(c) recording the three dimensional image generated.
2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the potential chemical or biological forensic evidence is DNA.
3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the visualisation comprises use of the reagents adenylate kinase and firefly luciferase, and generation of luminescence.
4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the reagents are misted onto the surface of the object.
5. A product for disclosing and recording the location of potential chemical or biological forensic evidence on an object for forensic analysis, comprising (a) means to visualise the location of the forensic evidence on the object,
(b) means to undertake three dimensional photogrammetry of the object, and
(c) means to record the three dimensional image of the object generated.
6. A product according to Claim 5, wherein the means to visualise the location of the forensic evidence is one or more light sources, and/or is a means to dispense chemical reagents.
7. A product according to Claim 5 or Claim 6, further comprising a dark chamber to optimise the visualisation.
8. A product according to Claims 5 to 7, further comprising an automated image capture chamber, with each of the means integrated within the capture chamber.
PCT/GB2019/000043 2018-03-15 2019-03-08 Forensic analysis of an object for chemical and biological materials Ceased WO2019175527A1 (en)

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GB1804132.7 2018-03-15

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