Tracing the Source of Microplastics Evidence with Nondestructive Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Description:
As the accessibility of 3D printers increases, so too does the need for methods to nondestructively analyze trace evidence left by 3D-printed objects. Due to their high strength and durability, polyamides, or nylons, are suitable candidates for printing tools for criminal activities, including lock picks, blunt weapons, and even firearms. While polyamides are not expected to be fluorescent, their synthesis and processing can introduce fluorescent impurities that add qualitative value for forensic evidence purposes [1]. Room temperature fluorescence (RTF) data formats were directly recorded from single microplastics with a fiber-optic probe coupled to a commercial spectrofluorometer. The visual comparison of spectral features demonstrated the capability to differentiate microparticles originating from Nylon 11, Nylon 12, Nylon 6/6, and Nylon 6/12. Herein, we present experimental and instrumental improvements for the collection of RTF data formats from nylon trace evidence. The minimum size of a sample able to be analyzed was reduced with the aid of an epifluorescence microscope connected to a commercial spectrofluorometer. By selecting appropriate long pass filters as sample substrates, we were able to improve the quality of data by further reducing background noise and scattered light. The application of this approach was then extended beyond polyamide microplastics.
[1] Froelich, N. M.; Showerman, R. E.; Campiglia, A. D. Nondestructive Forensic Comparison of Nylon Trace Evidence Using Room-Temperature Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Anal. Chem. 2022, 94 (35), 12078‒12085. DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01957
Speaker: Noah Froelich - University of Central Florida
Co-Authors
Tracing the Source of Microplastics Evidence with Nondestructive Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Category
2023 Call for Oral Abstracts
Description
Session Number: C44-08
Session Type:
Session Date: Tuesday 3/21/2023
Session Time: 1:30 PM - 4:25 PM
Room Number: 115C
Track: Forensics & Toxicology
Category: Forensics, Microscopy/EM/Optical, Polymers/Plastics
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