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Crime scene investigations using portable, non-destructive space exploration technologyThe National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASAs) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) have teamed up to explore the use of NASA developed technologies to help criminal justice agencies and professionals solve crimes. The objective of the program is to produce instruments and communication networks that have application within both NASA's space program and NIJ programs with state and local forensic laboratories. A working group of NASA scientists and law enforcement professionals has been established to develop and implement a feasibility demonstration program. Specifically, the group has focused its efforts on identifying gunpowder and primer residue, blood, and semen at crime scenes. Non-destructive elemental composition identification methods are carried out using portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) systems. These systems are similar to those being developed for planetary exploration programs. A breadboard model of a portable XRF system has been constructed for these tests using room temperature silicon and cadmium-zinc telluride (CZT) detectors. Preliminary tests have been completed with gunshot residue (GSR), blood-spatter and semen samples. Many of the element composition lines have been identified. Studies to determine the minimum detectable limits needed for the analyses of GSR, blood and semen in the crime scene environment have been initiated and preliminary results obtained. Furthermore, a database made up of the inorganic composition of GSR is being developed. Using data obtained from the open literature of the elemental composition of barium (Ba) and antimony (Sb) in handswipes of GSR, we believe that there may be a unique GSR signature based on the Sb to Ba ratio.
Document ID
20040088124
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Trombka, Jacob I.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt MD United States)
Schweitzer, Jeffrey
Selavka, Carl
Dale, Mark
Gahn, Norman
Floyd, Samuel
Marie, James
Hobson, Maritza
Zeosky, Jerry
Martin, Ken
McClannahan, Timothy
Solomon, Pamela
Gottschang, Elyse
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
September 10, 2002
Publication Information
Publication: Forensic science international
Volume: 129
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0379-0738
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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