Forensic Chemistry

Summary

The NIST Forensic Chemistry Measurement Program aims to both develop and facilitate the implementation of scientifically valid, robust measurement tools for the chemical characterization of drug evidence.

The Program’s foundation is based on developing scientifically rigorous and fit-for-purpose measurement tools enabled through collaborative research with practitioners. Furthermore, the program prioritizes technology transfer efforts to accelerate adoption into practice through education and training.

Additional research areas include fire debris and explosives, glass, and resources for implementation of DART-MS or other AI-MS techniques.  

Description

 

ProGRAM Overview

The Forensic Chemistry Measurement Research Program is focused on addressing the following measurement and operational challenges:

• Need for approaches to improve workflow efficiency to reduce backlogs.
• Need for algorithms, data, and methodologies to increase the confidence of compound identifications.
• Difficulties accessing and exchanging data.
• Ensuring practitioner safety when handling potentially toxic evidence.
• Need for increased, discipline-specific resources and training.

Collaborators on projects within the Forensic Chemistry Measurement Research Program include local, state, federal, and international forensic laboratories, academic laboratories, non-profit organizations, and other entities within NIST.

 

Program Areas

Drug Analysis - Opioids and Emerging Threats

Credit: Ed Sisco

 

The goal of this focus area is to enhance drug detection capabilities through the development of standard methods for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of drug samples. Many of these efforts focus on synthetic opioids and other novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) because of the unique analytical challenges they present. The projects cover a broad range of needs of end-users in both the field (first responders, law enforcement officers, public health officials, crime scene technicians, etc.) and in the laboratory. Projects in these areas focus on package interdiction, in-field detection and screening, and laboratory analysis.

 

Development of Methods, Software Tools, and Resources for Forensics Laboratories with DART-MS or other AI-MS Techniques

The goal of this work is to assist forensic laboratories in the adoption and implementation of ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AI-MS) techniques, such as DART-MS, by providing the community with a suite of methods, software tools, and resources.  These include databases, mass spectral search tools, analytical methods, and example validation documents.

Fire Debris and Explosives

The goal of this work is to enhance measurement science capabilities and address measurement science challenges present in the analysis of fire debris and explosives.  This includes developing objective approaches to optimize and validate analytical processes.  A major challenge addressed in this area is detection of trace homemade explosive residues. This includes developing a better understanding of how these compounds persist in the environment and methods for collection and preservation. 

Glass Evidence Analysis

The goal of this work is to improve the field of glass evidence analysis by developing new matrix-matched glass standards and by evaluating more objective approaches to evidence interpretation, such as the likelihood ratio. The latter will be accomplished through the development of glass databases that may be used to assign a significance to an association or exclusion in forensic casework. This work utilizes the two elemental analysis techniques (µ-XRF and LA-ICP-MS) that are commonly used by forensic glass analysts.

Fingerprint Chemistry

The goal of this work is to leverage the wealth of chemical information present in fingerprint deposits for novel forensic applications.  This includes understanding the role and presence of both endogenous and exogenous components, the chemical and physical processes that fingerprints undergo, and development of standards to address the needs of traditional fingerprint development.

Postdoctoral Opportunities

Several postdoctoral opportunities are available for forensics related projects through the NIST NRC Postdoctoral Research Associateships Program. These are listed below.

• Mass spectrometry and chemometrics for forensic science
• Mass spectrometry metrology for trace detection and chemical imaging
• Advancing forensic seized drug analysis
• Strengthening forensic fire debris analysis