Simulating transfer and persistence of a chemical marker powder for Lycopodium clavatum spores

Forensic Sci Int. 2009 Nov 20;192(1-3):72-7. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.07.021. Epub 2009 Sep 2.

Abstract

In this research a chemical marker powder, based on Lycopodium clavatum spores, was studied to determine its transfer and persistence on a T-shirt. Such chemical marker powders are used to provide evidence that a person has handled a covertly marked object, such as a drug package. The powder was found to transfer readily between a marked item and the person handling it. The powder was found to persist on a T-shirt for up to 13h; however, there was only a very small amount of powder remaining at this time. The rate of loss of the L. clavatum spores was found to follow a decay curve. The largest decrease in spores from the T-shirt was seen in the first 2h after the marked item had been handled.

MeSH terms

  • Clothing
  • Crime
  • Female
  • Fluorescence
  • Forensic Medicine
  • Humans
  • Lanthanum*
  • Lycopodium*
  • Magnesium*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Powders
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
  • Spores / isolation & purification*
  • Spores / ultrastructure
  • Tungsten Compounds*
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Powders
  • Tungsten Compounds
  • lanthanide nitrate
  • Lanthanum
  • Magnesium
  • tungstate