The presentation describes the emerging scope of Nanotechnology in the field of forensic science and criminal investigation which further strengthens the investigative measures and enriches the area of research and development in the field of forensic science

1. NANOFORENSICS: AN EMERGING
FIELD IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
AND FORENSIC SCIENCE
SUBMITTED BY :
SURAJ KATARIA
B.SC (H) FORENSIC SCIENCE (2014-17)
AIFS

2. AGENDA
 INTRODUCTION
 WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY ?
 WHAT IS NANO FORENSICS?
 HOW NANOMATERIALS ARE ANALYZED?
 ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (EM)
 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM)
 TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (TEM)
 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY (AFM)
 DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING (DLS)
 RAMAN MICRO SPECTROSCOPY (RMS)
 FORENSIC APPLICATIONS OF NANOTECHNOLOGY
 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FORENSIC DNAANALYSIS
 NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FORENSIC FINGERPRINT VISUALIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION
 FORENSIC TOXICOLOGICALANALYSIS
 FORENSIC EXPLOSIVE DETECTION
 POST BLAST EXPLOSIVE RESIDUES ANALYSIS
 GUNSHOT RESIDUE ANALYSIS
 PHYSICAL CLUE MATERIALS ANALYSIS
 FUTURE PROSPECTS
 CONCLUSION

3. WHAT IS NANOTECHNOLOGY ?
 Nanotechnology deals with the production and modification of matter at a minute scale.
 It ranges from atomic and molecular to micro sized object of at least one dimension (size varies
from 1-100 nm).
 It deals with the production of novel materials, devices and technologies to produce extraordinary
matter.
 Nanotechnology has multidimensional applications in –
 Medicine & healthcare
 Semiconductor & electronics
 Cosmetics
 Pharmaceuticals
 Drug delivery
 Biotechnology
 Environmental control & monitoring
 Food safety & management

4. WHAT IS NANO FORENSICS ?
 Forensic science is a multidisciplinary area which provides unbiased scientific evidence in criminal investigation and trials.
 Nanotechnology is finding numerous applications in forensic science.
 Nano forensics is the applications of nanotechnology in the field of forensic science which has the capability to bring down huge
laboratory systems on a small scale.
 Nano-forensics, is a new area of forensic science which is highly advanced associated with the development of nano-sensors for
crime investigations and inspection of terrorist activity by determining the presence of explosive gases, biological agents and
residues. These techniques assist forensic scientists in 2 ways:
1) by making it possible to analyze nano - scaled samples and
2) by making use of the specific effects of nanomaterial to identify and collect evidence, which would not have been possible by
previous techniques.
Nanotechnology Forensic Science
Nanoparticles Finger Mark Identification
Nano Sensors DNA Sequencing
DNA Nanotechnology Forensic Nanotechnology Forensic Toxicology
Nanolithography Drug Identification
Scanning Probe
Microscopy
Fiber and Hair Analysis
Nanorobotics Trace Evidence Analysis

5. HOW NANOMATERIALS ARE
ANALYZED?
 ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (EM)
 SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM)
 TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (TEM)
 ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY (AFM)
 DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING (DLS)
 RAMAN MICRO SPECTROSCOPY (RMS)

6. ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (EM)
 Magnifies very fine details of nanomaterials using electron beams as the
illumination source.
 Can provide resolution in the sub-nanometer regime.
A) TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (TEM)
• Uses a high voltage electron beam as illumination source emitted by a cathode
that is focused by a lens.
• Sample is first placed under vacuum.
• The high voltage electron beam partially transmit through the sample and the
transmitted electrons are subsequently focused and amplified.
• When the beam hits a phosphor screen, photographic plate, or other light
sensitive sensor, an image is formed.
• TEM only provides 2d images of the sample, but it contains information
(images and diffraction patterns) regarding the inner structure of the materials.

7. SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM)
 TEM detects primary electrons, SEM generates images
by detecting secondary or back-scattered electrons.
 Electrons emitted from the surface of a material due to
excitation by the primary electron beam.
 In SEM, the electron beam is scanning across the
sample, with detectors building up an image by mapping
the detected signals.
 Resolution limit of sem is about 5 nm.
 SEM images show surface morphology rather than inner
structure, it can produce 3d images of the nanomaterials.

8. ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY (AFM)
 AFM is a type of high-resolution scanning probe microscopy (SPM).
 It is a very powerful tool to analyze nano-materials.
 Consist of sharp probe micro cantilever at the end to scan sample surface.
 Cantilever made by silicon or silicon nitride.
 Cantilever can be coated with gold or other materials.
 The radius of tip of the cantilever is about several nanometers.
 Image generation by → deflection of forces → between cantilever tip and
sample surface → when in contact.
 Forces include mechanical contact force, wander waals force, capillary
force, chemical bonding, electrostatic force, magnetic forces and so on.
 Deflection of cantilever follows hooke’s law → f = -k × s (where f= force,
-k = cantilever spring constant, and s = cantilever deflection.
 A laser beam located on the top of the cantilever deflects when it moves
and subsequently to the photodiode array.
 The deflected laser signal scanning the object is converted into a 3d image.
 Sample is mounted on a piezoelectric tube (substance produce electric
charge on squeezing and stretching) – facilitates the movement of the
sample on nanoscale level.
 Sample can be moved in x and y direction – defines the topography of the
sample.

9. ADVANTAGES OF AFM OVER SEM
 Can produce lateral resolution of 0.1 nm and vertical resolution of
0.02 nm, whereas SEM can achieve resolution up to 5 nm.
 Afm analysis do not require special sample preparation.
 Can work in ambient air or liquid environment – can study
biological and macromolecules.

10. DYNAMIC LIGHT SCATTERING (DLS)
 DLS is also known as "photon correlation spectroscopy" (PCS) or "quasi-elastic light scattering"(qels).
 The basic concept behind this technique is that since small particles move randomly in a suspension, scattered
light can be used to measure the rate of diffusion of these particles, including proteins.
 Dynamic scattering is particularly good at sensing the presence of very small amounts of aggregated protein (<
0.01% by weight), as well as for the study of samples containing aggregates over a large range of sizes.
 The common detection range is between 0.8 to 6500 nm.
 Size distributions of various novel nanomaterials can easily be categorized by dls.

11. RAMAN MICRO SPECTROSCOPY(MICRO-RAMAN)
 Concerned with the scattering of radiation by the sample, rather than the absorption process.
 A sample is illuminated with a laser beam.
 Scattered light from the illuminated spot is collected with a lens and sent through a monochromator.
 Wavelengths close to the laser line (raleigh scattering) will be filtered out and those in a certain spectral range (wavenumber) away from the laser line are dispersed onto a
detector.
 Raman spectrometers usually use holographic diffraction grating, multiple dispersion prisms, a photo multiplier tube (pmt) or charged-coupled device (ccd) camera to
count photons.
 The advantages of raman spectroscopy are that special sample preparation is not needed and it is non-destructive.
 Unlike infrared spectroscopy, the interference from water to the raman spectrum is weak. As a result, raman spectroscopy is very well suited for studying cells, tissues,
pep-tides, proteins and other biological entities.
 Unlike infrared spectroscopy, the interference from water to the raman
spectrum is weak. As a result, raman spectroscopy is very well suited for
studying cells, tissues, pep-tides, proteins and other biological entities.
 The biggest disadvantage of raman spectroscopy is the strong fluorescence
interference from the sample or background.
 Interference can be reduced by applying a fourier transform to the raw data (ft-
raman).
 The technique is used is to study changes in chemical bonding, such as when a
substrate is added to an enzyme.
 The morphology and binding situation analysis of peptide nanotube have been
performed by micro-raman.

12. FORENSIC APPLICATIONS OF
NANOTECHNOLOGY
NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FORENSIC DNA ANALYSIS
 Deals with the development of microfluidic devices that provide miniaturized and
automated systems as an alternative to capillary electrophoresis. (Lock-on-a-chip
technology or LOC).
 Loc has two advantages – it facilitates on spot analysis of dna and improves chain of
custody.
 Microfluidic devices can be used in quantitation of pcr products.
 Microarray have been developed using nanotechnology that helps in detection of
selected dna sequence, mutated gene and protein associated with various human
diseases.
 Gold nanoparticles (aunps) have also been utilized in assessment of pcr which increases
the sensitivity and efficiency of the process.
 Nano techniques can be used in sequencing of snps using graphene nano devices,
involves passing of dna through graphene nanographs, nanopores, and nanoribbons.
 The fourth generation protein nano pore based sequencing enables the identification of
broad range of analytes including dna, rna, micro rna and proteins.

14. NANOTECHNOLOGY IN FORENSIC FINGERPRINT
VISUALIZATION AND IDENTIFICATION
 To decipher the fingerprint pattern nanoscale powders have been used.
 Zinc oxide powders with 20 nm size that give better prints and uv fluorescent compare to others.
 Their developed methods work on wet condition too where traditional powders cannot to do so.
 Mike has developed a novel approach which opens a new paradigm in forensic science to solve gunshot/firing cases. In this study
using a nanoscale developer and an x-ray source a technique has been developed that can be able to visualize the imprinted
fingerprints even if the casing has been rubbed or washed based on the fact that when someone leaves those finger impression on the
bullet casing.
 Gold nanoparticles adhere to the surface with sweat residues through hydrophobic interactions which can be then developed with
silver physical developer (ag-pd), producing dark impression of ridge detail that not only improve the quality of the developed print
but also the clarity of the print.
 Fingerprint enhancement can be done using cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide nanoparticles (cdse/zns nps) suspension for non-porous
surfaces. Cdse/zns nanoparticles have potential to give fluorescence under UV light.
 Fernandes et al. [21] have reported that the use of hybrid nanopowders can improved the visualization of latent fingerprints on
multi-coloured or patterned backgrounds.
 Song k et al. [22] described a general approach integrates the merits of both colorimetric imaging and photoacoustic imaging for
latent fingerprint visualization using poly (styrene-alt-maleic anhydride)-b-polystyrene (psma-b-ps) functionalized gold
nanoparticles (gnps).

15. FORENSIC TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
 Nanotechnology in the field of forensic toxicology for detection and quantification of different toxic substances
from various forensically important evidences like, blood, saliva, hair, vitreous humor and even from skeletal
remains and fingerprint samples.
 Spectroscopic properties of the nanoparticles can be used to identify the illicit drug like cocaine in fingerprint
samples.
 For identification purpose gold nanoparticle (10 nm & 30 nm), silver nanoparticles (20 nm), and titanium oxide
nanoparticles (15 nm) have been used.
 It was claimed that these nanoparticles enhance the detection limit of the illicit drugs in fingerprint samples.
 Development a sensor to identify the drug clonazepam (date rape drug) using melamine modified gold
nanoparticles from blood and skeletal remains samples has also took place.
 In addition codeine sulphate, a narcotic substance were investigated with smart phone application as new
approach in on spot crime scene forensic examination of illicit drugs from skeletal remains which claims the
portability in future investigation with the help of gold nanoparticles.
 Similarly lidocaine hydrochloride were investigated from vitreous humor as alternative body fluid for on spot,
portable, lab on phone approach of postmortem drug screening based on forensic nanotechnology.
 The sensors is used for a preliminary spot test and a good substitute means for on-field test, low-cost, rapid,
reliable and real time screening methods for forensic toxicological drug screening.

16. FORENSIC EXPLOSIVE DETECTION
 Nanostructures can function as sensors of various chemical and
biological compounds including explosives.
 Ultra‐small devices with high sensing capabilities are among the key
promises of the nano sensor domain.
 Electronic noses
 Nano curcumin based probe
 Lasing plasmon nano cavity
 Nanowire/ nanotube and nano mechanical devices are nano sensor.
 Recently, an antibody was developed against the explosive
pentaerythritol tetranitrate (petn).
At present, dogs have been trained and used successfully for sniffing out
hidden explosives; however, dogs are costly to train and are easily tired.
The electronic nose technique can mimic the bomb‐sniffing dogs without
their drawbacks. Overall, nanotechnology based sensors have strong
potential for meeting all the requirements for an effective solution for the
trace detection of explosives.

17. POST BLAST EXPLOSIVE RESIDUES ANALYSIS
Nanotechnology is also useful in post blast explosive residue analysis.
The fragmentation of explosives occurs in bomb blast incidents and very traces of
explosive residues remain at the spot of the blast nano techniques can be executed
for detection of unfragmented explosives.
GUNSHOT RESIDUE ANALYSIS
Nanotechnology can be applied for detecting the analysis of gunshot residue.
Some of the microscopic particles of gunshot residues are often present on the hands of a shooter,
following discharge of a firearm.
It may be present on his clothes, or on any of the things with the shooter.
High-resolution SEM imaging is used in the GSR analysis to locate residue particles, and x-ray
spectrometry to determine their composition of the elements.
PHYSICAL CLUE MATERIALS ANALYSIS
Paint and other protective coatings such as lacquer, enamel varnish frequently recovered in hit and
run, burglary and forced entry cases, label capmarison in cheating cases can be analyzed by applying
nano techniques.

18. FUTURE PROSPECTS
 How to process various type of evidence correctly using nano techniques?
 Will these nano evidences be toxic to me?
 How to protect the colleagues and examiner himself?
 Forensic scientists will need to know more information in nanotechnology related
fields.
 Taiwan has great potential and capability to become one of the leading countries in
applying nanotechnology to forensic sciences.
 Putting an emphasis on developing educational researches to help provide the
skilled workforce and supporting infrastructure/tools needed to advance
nanotechnology.
 Finally, to further develop novel forensics and related studies, long-term exchange
opportunities with international forensic scientists must be sought to ensure the
awareness of the latest development in forensic science and nanotechnology.

19. CONCLUSION
 To providing stability, sampling and reliable calibration for viable explosive or toxic
substances.
 Use of nano sensors with advances along with conventional detection platforms (e.G.
Electronic nose concept).
 Formulation of overarching operational and policy considerations impacting the deployment
of these technologies for protecting public from terrorism threats.
 The potentiality use of nanotechnology like nano sensors for explosive detection, dna
fingerprinting, fingerprint enhancement.
 Things needs to be addressed for the future perspectives like efficiency, cost cutting, accuracy
of amalgamation of technology and safety aspects of health and environmental.
 Nevertheless, the routine use of nanotechnology in the forensic practice is still limited.
 Therefore, major research efforts should be made in the near future to ensure use of
nanotechnology better equipped for samples.
 This technology is going to transform the various fields of forensic science including molecular
biology, virtopsy, crime scene investigation, fingerprint enhancement, ballistics and forensic
toxicology.

20. THANK YOU