Reference Methods and Standards for Forensics

Forensic chemical analyses have become important tools for solving crimes and assuring justice. Today, most forensic analysis techniques are qualitative and are used to identify or confirm the presence or absence of certain materials. However, in many cases applying quantitative analytical techniques can provide important additional information about material sources or the significance of material identifications. Project activities address measurement method and standards issues related to alcohol and drugs of abuse testing, crime scene investigations, chemical and biological weapons detection, and development of microanalytical devices enabling faster human identity testing. Since chemical sleuthing is not confined solely to the realm of criminal justice, this project also encompasses NIST's chemical analysis roles in chemical weapons treaty verification activities and other national security applications including measurement service needs of various homeland security activities.

Alcohol and drugs of abuse testing

• New additions to SRMs for this area include ethanol-water SRMs to support blood- and breath-alcohol testing. Renewal SRM 1828b was redesigned to address current regulatory needs.
  - SRM 1828b Ethanol-Water Solutions (Blood-Alcohol Testing: Six Levels) tailored to support blood alcohol measurements for “zero tolerance” monitoring, occupational alcohol testing, and state drunk driving laws.)
  - SRM 1847 Ethanol-Water Solutions (Breath-Alcohol Testing: Three Levels ) (for use as reference solutions for breath-alcohol instruments)
• Participated in relevant BIPM Consultative Committee on the Quantity of Matter (CCQM) comparison exercise to establish measurement comparability internationally.
  - CCQM-K27a Ethanol in Aqueous Matrix: Forensics Level

Crime Scene Investigations

• First responders, transportation security agents, and forensic investigators require highly reliable measurements to detect and evaluate explosive devices. New and upcoming additions to NIST SRMs in this area include:
  - SRM 2285 Arson Test Mixture (15-component mixture for use in the calibration of chromatographic instrumentation used for the classification of an ignitable liquid residue.)
  - RM 8107 Additives in Smokeless Powder (a gunpowder of the type typically used in pipe bombs for use in the development and validation of measurement methods for determination of nitroglycerin and organic stabilizers typically measured in forensic investigations for improvised explosive devices. The US military laboratories can use the additive reference values to assure accurate measurements to assure the stability of selected munitions. )
  - RM 8105 Trace Particulate Explosives (under development ) (RM designed to simulate trace residues from TNT and RDX (military and plastic explosives) to aid in the evaluation of detection systems used to avert terrorist explosives threats.)
  RM 8106 Explosives Contaminated Soil (under development) (for explosives and their degradation products in a soil matrix; to support forensic post-blast detection, military land-mine sensing, trace explosives residue detection, measurements required for the demilitarization of former munitions proving grounds, etc.)

Human Identity Testing

• A new microfluidic DNA electrophoresis device with auxiliary optics, pneumatics, and software to enable rapid analysis of DNA “fingerprints” for forensic analysis and human identification was developed at NIST. The time required for analysis is reduced by nearly 90% when this device rather than the current method-of-choice for separations of this type – capillary electrophoresis – is used. The increased speed of analysis achieved when this microfluidic device is used as well as decreased cost will allow forensic case workers to address more rapidly the US backlog of more than 0.5 million case samples.

Chemical Measurement Services

• NIST is conducting a number of physical tests and chemical analyses on commercial pepper spray products. Pepper sprays are used by law enforcement, correctional facilities, and for self defense purposes. The active ingredient in most of these products is oleoresin capsicum (OC), an extract of chili peppers. Currently, there are no uniform standards for evaluating the potency or effectiveness of a particular product. Specific facilities have been constructed to perform the physical tests, and analytical methodology has been developed for the necessary chemical analyses.

• Development of a new SRM, Drugs of Abuse in Blood, to complement the current NIST Drugs of Abuse in Urine (SRMs 1507b Marijuana Metabolite , 1508a Cocaine Metabolite , 2381 Morphine and Codeine in Urine 2382 Morphine Glucuronide , SRM 1511 Multidrugs, RM 8444 Cotinine in Freeze-Dried Human Urine) and Drugs of Abuse in Human Hair (SRMs 2379 , 2380 ) materials.
• Continuing interact with forensic stakeholders to identify and prioritize measurement service needs