NIST has provided DNA standards for human identification since 1992, and continues to refine and extend that effort. CSTL has had a long history of assessing standards needs and developing new measurement technologies for crime scene investigations in which handguns or explosives are used. The forensic community depends on us for both for quality assurance and to provide legally defensible analyses uses reference standards. CSTL is also active in the development of microsensor arrays and other measurement technologies for the identification of explosives, as well as chemical and biochemical weapons. CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiation, Nuclear, Explosives) related measurements, methods, and standards is a major new area of expansion for CSTL.

Projects in this Area:

       FY 2006

• Supplying Training and Educational Materials to the Forensic DNA Community
• Examination of Software for Rapid Analysis of Single Source DNA Profiles
• Human Identity Testing: Forensic Application of the Affymetrix Human Mitochondrial Resequencing Array
• Helping to Improve Human Identity Testing: Development of 26 New miniSTR Loci as DNA Markers
• Development of SRM 2372 Human DNA Concentration Standard to Help Assure Accuracy in Forensic Testing
• Validation of Forensic Identity Tests: Concordance Study with MiniFiler and other STR Kits
• Validated Raman Spectral Libraries as a Resource for Chemical Threat Identification
• An Experimental Model of Anthrax in Drinking Water for the Development of Effective Decontamination Procedures
• NIST Develops Ion Mobility Spectrometric Methods for the Trace Detection of Illicit Narcotics
• Automated Mapping of Explosives Particles in C-4 Fingerprints
• Production of Polymer Test Particle Standards by Inkjet Printing
• Smart Standards: Demonstration of Thermochromic Inks in Trace Explosive Metrology
• Evaluation of Oleoresin Capsicum (Pepper Spray) Canisters for Chemical Content and Reliability
• NIST Develops Reference Materials for Trace Explosives Detection
• Determination of Traces of Fissionable Materials using Delayed Neutron Activation Analysis

       FY 2005

• Decontamination of Bacillus Spores Associated with Drinking Water Systems
• Explosives on Surfaces: A Sticky Problem
• Algorithm to Facilitate Inter-Instrument Comparison of Raman Spectral Libraries
• Evaluation of Oleoresin Capsicum (Pepper Spray) Canisters for Chemical Content and Reliability
• Production of Uniform Test Particle Standards by Ink-Jet Printing
• High-Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy by Microcalorimetry
• Collection Efficiency of Particle Residues by Contact Swiping
• Methods to Characterize Ricin for the Development of Reference Materials for Testing Detection Devices
• Testing Candidate DNA Quantitation Standards with Real-Time Quantitative PCR methods
• Determination of Traces of Fissionable Materials using Delayed Neutron Activation Analysis
• Developing a NIST Reference Material for Trace Explosives Detection
• On-Demand Ultratrace Vapor Calibration and Testing Device Enabled by Piezoelectric Technology
• The Evaluation of Autosomal SNP Assays
• Microfluidic Devices for Rapid DNA Analysis for Human Identification
• Direct Preparation of Particles from Liquid Suspension for Rapid Identification and Screening
• The Production of Trace Level Explosive Standards Using Drop-on-Demand Ink-Jet Printing Technology
• Photoacoustic Spectroscopy for Quantitation of Trace Gases in Air
• Detection of Hazardous Chemicals Using Temperature-Programmed Sensing in Solid-State Gas Microsensor Arrays