Forensic Nanotechnology

Forensic science mainly deals with identification, evaluation, investigation of the crime, finding connections between pieces of evidence and perpetrators. 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.

Nano-analysis is commonly used in the nanotechnology detection of crimes. Some of these analyses techniques are Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Raman Microscopy. 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. DNA extraction from palm-prints, fingerprints, gun residues, explosives and heavy metals are some of the novel approaches that ease the way for forensic scientists to provide conclusive evidence.

Applications include

• Forensic toxicological analysis
• Forensic DNA analysis
• Forensic DNA typing
• Forensic fingerprint visualization
• Forensic explosive detection
• Post blast explosive residues analysis
• Gunshot residue analysis