Phone 1800 069 161 pathtech.com.au

January 2017

FOCUS ON FORENSICS

An update from Pathtech

It’s a wrap. Pathtech at ANZFSS

Introducing the SCENEview

ParaDNA: A rapid biological screening & intelligence tool to revolutionize your DNA testing

Document Tilt Plate from Foster + Freeman

West Technology Vacuum Metal Deposition

2 JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS

Welcome to the 2017 Issue of the Focus On Forensics newsletter.How time flies. It has been a great 2 years as the Forensic National Sales Manager at Pathtech. During this time, I have met wonderful people within this industry, whose sole purpose is to protect our people and borders. I am inspired by their passion to bring justice, truth and accountability to protect our country.

It has been another successful year for our forensic department. Our customers continue to focus on our leading Foster and Freeman product range such as the Crime-Lites and MVCs. VSC8000 made its debut and worldwide review has been very positive.

For the last 12 months, Pathtech has also been busy expanding our offering. Our police forces are impressed with the simplicity of the interface of our Vacuum Metal Deposition system. Despite the technology being around for a long time, not too many forensic officers have the hands on experience with current system. I too have invested many hours experimenting VMD on developing palm prints on many material including cloths.

We introduced the LGC ParaDNA. This is the world’s only portable DNA screening and intelligence tool. It is an impressive battery powered system to assist our officers to gain intel much faster than current processes right at the crime scene or remote region.

There is a trend towards detecting blood on dark surfaces using IR technology. This is because luminol is known to inhibit DNA sequencing reactions. We also found that due to the low signal generated by luminol, our officers often over spray the evidence. Our new Crime-Lite IR overcome this by detecting the IR absorbance properties of blood. Although IR works well generally, there are also issues with some materials that also absorb IR like blood, which makes it difficult to distinguish. The SceneView overcomes this by using an extremely sensitive camera to pick up the chemiluminescence from a single luminol spray way before our eyes can see it. This portable search tool will be a great addition to detect more crucial evidence at the crime scene. I am looking forward to the new year to offer more solutions to our customers in the lab and also at the crime scene.

KJ WongNational Sales Manager

AN UPDATE FROM PATHTECHPathtech representsPathtech are proud to be the Australian distributor for leading Forensic brands including:

Foster + Freeman www.fosterfreeman.com

SheerSpeed Shelters Ltd www.sheerspeedshelters.com

LGC Group www.lgcgroup.com

Nutwell Logistics www.nutwelllogistics.com

Attestor Forensics www.attestor-forensics.com/English

Justice Trax www.justicetrax.com

Consolite Forensics www.consolite.co.uk

BVDA www.bvda.com

West Technologies www.west-technology.co.uk

M-Vac Systems, Inc www.m-vac.com

Abacus Diagnostics www.abacusdiagnostics.com

JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS 3SEPTEMBER 2016 FOCUS ON FORENSICS 3

IT'S A WRAP

It’s a wrap. Pathtech at ANZFSS.

ANZFSS 23rd International Symposium 18-22nd September 2016 Pathtech would like to thank all the people whovisited us at the Symposium. We feel that theturnout exceeded our expectation. It was wonderfulto see everyone in one place, share new ideas andgenerally have a great time. The dinner was alsospectacular. Congratulation to the organisers.

We took the opportunity to show case our portable forensic equipment; paraDNA, Crime Lite 82S, SceneView and Miscope. These instrument are the solutions to assist our forensic officers at the crime scene. The customers’ feedbacks were very positive.

On the fun side, Pathtech showed appreciation to our forensic officers by organising a puzzle challenge. We were looking for the fastest jigsaw puzzle solver. We received an overwhelming number of participants who were keen to take up the challenge. The prize was a prestigious golden trophy.

We are proud to present the winner for the ANZFSS 2016 Faster Puzzle Solver award to Sarah Weller (VIFM), who obtained a time of 2 min and 22 sec. Now we assume that the trophy is proudly presented on Sarah’s shelf at work. A big thank you to everyone who participated.

Sarah, Matt and I are grateful to be part of this Symposium. As you can see on the last photo, we had a great time. See you at the next ANZFSS!

Alicia Buckingham (Vic Pol, left) in full focus whilst solving the puzzle.

The Fastest Puzzle Solver, Sarah Weller (VIFM) receiving her trophy from KJ Wong

The Puzzle leaderboard KJ, Sarah and Matt having a great time at the Symposium dinner

IT'S A WRAP

Alicia Buckingham in focus whilst solving the puzzel.

ANZFSS 23rd International Symposium18-22nd September 2016Pathtech would like to thank all the people whovisited us at the Symposium. We feel that theturnout exceeded our expectation. It was wonderful to see everyone in one place, share new ideas and generally have a great time. The dinner was also spectacular. Congratulations to the organisers.

We took the opportunity to show case our portable forensic equipment; ParaDNA, Crime Lite 82S, SceneView and Miscope. These instruments are the solutions to assist our forensic officers at the crime scene. The customers’ feedback were very positive.

On the fun side, Pathtech showed appreciation to our forensic officers by organising a puzzle challenge. We were looking for the fastest jigsaw puzzle solver. We received an overwhelming number of participants who were keen to take up the challenge. The prize was a prestigious golden trophy.

We are proud to present the winner for the ANZFSS 2016 Fastest Puzzle Solver award to Sarah Weller (VIFM), who obtained a time of 2 min and 22 sec. Now we assume that the trophy is proudly presented on Sarah’s shelf at work. A big thank you to everyone who participated.

Sarah, Matt and I are grateful to be part of this Symposium. As you can see on the last photo, we had a great time. See you at the next ANZFSS!

4 JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS

THE SCENEVIEW

Protect blood evidence from luminol overspray It’s often a challenge locating bloodstains or splatters on dark surfacesThe common method used to overcome this issue is the use of reagents such as luminol, which exhibits chemiluminescence when it comes in contact with the iron of the blood haemoglobin. However, these reagents come with their own challenges. The intensity of the emitted light is very low, which causes the forensic officers to overspray, running the risk of "drowning" the evidence. Secondly, to see the low light intensity, we need a blacked out room. This introduces the risk of evidence being inadvertently damaged or contaminated as personnel navigate the room, and with that, potential OH&S issues. The searching and recording of chemiluminescence using an SLR camera is cumbersome and inefficient. While newer methods such as the use of IR light source with an IR sensitive camera is an improvement, some surfaces and materials can also absorb IR like blood, which makes it difficult to differentiate.

Recently we demonstrated the capabilities of the new Attestor SCENEview to several police forces, where it received overwhelmingly positive feedback.

The SCENEview is the world’s first portable crime scene tool that can detect chemiluminescence and IR. The system is so sensitive that it detects the first sign of chemiluminescence after a single spray, avoiding issues in overspray and damaging samples. The IR capability means it can also be used to detect bloodstains on reflective surfaces and gunshot residue.

JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS 5

PARADNA

ParaDNA: A rapid biological screening & intelligence tool to revolutionize your DNA testing

Foresight versus hindsightDNA profiling enables you to establish whether or not a suspect can be linked to a crime. Until crime scene samples have been analysed in the lab, you can’t be certain that they will contain human DNA in sufficient levels to be of evidential use, or whether the sample submitted is relevant to the investigation. identifying and targeting the right samples, the ParaDNA result complements submissions policies and could save significant time and cost in the investigative process.

This has three major drawbacks:1. Samples selected for DNA analysis may fail to

give a useful result.2. There could be a delay in the investigative process

while a second sample is selected and submitted.3. The DNA profile generated may add no value to

the investigation.

On-the-spot DNA testing to inform submissions policies and criminal investigations.

Look ahead and get aheadYou need to know very early on in your investigation whether:

› Human DNA is present in crime stains, so that you can deploy a more targeted submissions policy

› There is sufficient information to include or exclude potential suspects from the investigation.

This would allow you to fast forward the samples most likely to be informative and prioritise them for evidential lab analysis. You will not waste time and money submitting samples that do not deliver investigative leads.

Traditional sampling and analysis of DNA evidence can take days to weeks to produce a result – and even then the result may not always be useful. ParaDNA® takes just 75 minutes to analyse crime scene samples and provide advance knowledge to the forensic submissions team and investigating officers.

ParaDNA is a unique and precise tool that enables you to carry out on-the-spot DNA screening prior to selecting samples for further analysis. In quickly identifying and targeting the right samples, the ParaDNA result complements submissions policies and could save significant time and cost in the investigative process.

A more sophisticated, DNA profiling application is also available that can provide case intelligence to include or exclude suspects from the inquiry, thereby moving the investigation forward, faster.

6 JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS

The ParaDNA® Screening System applies a triage approach for screening crime scene samples. Out of numerous samples collected at a crime scene, many will provide insufficient information to support the investigative process. But with the ParaDNA Screening System you’ll know straightaway that you have sufficient human DNA in the samples to warrant submitting them for further analysis.

How does ParaDNA work?Samples from a range of evidence types, including blood, saliva, and cellular material, are collected using the patented sample collector. This doesn’t require a particular skill and anyone on the investigative team will be able to process samples properly after minimal training. The samples are loaded directly into reaction plates and then closed for immediate analysis.

Up to four samples can be analysed independently without the need for further manual input.to include or exclude suspects from the inquiry, thereby moving the investigation forward, faster.

DNA screeningThe ParaDNA Screening System will tell you whether:

› A crime stain contains human DNA › The sample will yield a positive result from

further lab profiling › The DNA originates from male or female.

Evidence screening – Prioritise the best samples for full DNA analysis

The ParaDNA Screening System enables law enforcement agencies to carry out evidence processing with speed, precision and efficiency.

Completed screening test with results displayed

PARADNA

JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS 7

Case intelligence – Decide on the best investigative leads to follow

The ScienceCompleted screening test with results displayed

ParaDNA® Intelligence System goes a step further than evidence screening to generate advance intelligence information for investigations and could fast forward the whole investigative process. With the ParaDNA Intelligence System you can quickly eliminate samples that relate only to the victim and identify which crime scene samples may relate to a suspect allowing you to focus on samples that will progress your investigation.Sample collection Samples are collected using the patented sample collector, and loaded into a closed system for rapid DNA screening and analysis.

DNA intelligenceA 5 STR DNA profile is generated consisting of regions detected in all commonly used multiplex kits. It can therefore be used for comparison against traditional STR profiles and for database searching. It also includes the Amelogenin gender determining test.

The ParaDNA Intelligence System will tell you:

› If any crime scene samples relating to the case match any suspect reference or victim elimination samples

› Whether the DNA originates from a male or female.

We have adapted our proprietary HyBeacons® fluorescent probe technology to create a system that can radically improve the speed and accuracy of early DNA screening and intelligence. Here’s how it works.DNA is recovered using LGC’s patented sample collector. The sample collector nibs are placed into a pre-loaded reaction plate to create a closed system that performs DNA amplification, detection and analysis. This closed system is designed to reduce the chance of cross contamination.is.

The reaction plate is loaded onto the ParaDNA instrument and up to four samples can be processed independently at any one time. Like the sample collector, the instrument is simple to use after minimal training.

› HyBeacons technology is sufficiently sensitive to provide results from trace amounts of DNA 75 minutes after the sample is taken.

› For the ParaDNA Screening System, the results indicate whether the sample will give a usable DNA profile with further STR multiplex analysis.

› For the ParaDNA Intelligence System, the result is a 5 STR intelligence profile.

ParaDNA Intelligence System allows law enforcement agencies to quickly include or exclude potential suspects, thereby speeding up the investigative process.

PARADNA

8 JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS8 SEPTEMBER 2016 FOCUS ON FORENSICS

PRODUCT PROFILE

MVC (Moire Variable Colour) and the new VSC Tilt-Table Accessory This security feature is currently exclusively used by Goznak, the Russian security printers responsible for, among other things, printing the Russian passport and the rouble. The feature uses a combination of offset printing, intaglio printing and blind embossing (or dry intaglio) to produce a very unique and interesting optical illusion for this level one security feature.

When viewed from head-on, one colour set is seen, but as the angle of viewing changes, a different colour sets replaces it. It is even possible for different colours to be present depending on which direction the document is tilted.

One could argue that this effect is better seen using an alternative light source; an oblique light source, for example (below, light from left and right respectively).

The Swivel plate from Foster + Freeman

Tilted up/ back

Tilted up/ back

Tilted

Tilted up/ BackFlat under

But this only reveals one colour combination, thus not showing the full potential of the security feature. So, tilting becomes necessary to see the alternative colour sets. In the images shown above, notice how the colour sets have clearly

swapped when the document has been tilted, as opposed to the effect of the oblique lighting.

The same inks often have a UV-fluorescent property, which gives a similar shift, best seen by tilting the document under UV excitation.

The Document Tilt Platefrom Foster + Freeman

DOCUMENT TILT PLATE

Tilted up/ back Tilted

Tilted

One could argue that this effect is better seen using an alternative light source; an oblique light source, for example (light from left and right respectively).

JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS 9

VACUUM METAL DEPOSITION

Vacuum Metal Deposition (VMD) is the most powerful technique for developing latent fingermarks on non-porous or semi-porous exhibits. VMD is faster than cyanoacrylate fuming and develops more fingermarks than cyanoacrylate fuming and with a high definition.

› Bench top, compact or free standing models available

› Fast process cycle – typically less than 15 minutes

› High definition fingerprints developed with fine detail often down to 3rd level detail

› Develops ~15% more fingerprints than cyanoacrylate and dye techniques

› Intuitive, easy to use touch screen operation

The standard VMD technique employs the sequential vacuum deposition of a very thin layer of gold followed by a thin layer of zinc. However, in response to the innovations surrounding plastic materials, with the introduction of more recycled and biodegradable plastics, exciting new forensic research has led to the expansion of the technique to include single metal deposition processes e.g. silver, sterling silver, copper and aluminium and new multi-metal deposition processes e.g. gold/zinc or silver/zinc.

VMD is the optimal technique for a wide range of non-porous and semi-porous exhibits, including flexible plastic packaging, plastic bottles, glass, fabrics, firearms, glossy paper, waxed paper, paper bank notes, polymer bank notes, wood etc.

10 JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS

VACUUM METAL DEPOSITION

Vacuum Metal Deposition (VMD) is known to be a sensitive technology to develop fingerprints on an array of non-porous and semi-porous material such as:

› Flexible plastic packaging› Plastic bottles› Glass› Firearms› Glossy paper› Waxed paper› Polymer and paper bank notes

This technique can generate an improvement of latent fingerprint development of up to 15% when compared to cyanoacrylate fuming. It does not gum up the firing mechanism of firearms and does not affect subsequent STR typing2. Furthermore, it has been shown to also develop fingerprints and palmar flexion creases on wetted objects and fabric for targeted swabbing.

VMD works by sequentially evaporating a single or multiple layers of metals such gold or silver and then subsequent zinc. Other metals such as sterling silver, aluminium and copper have shown to work as well. In the case of the gold/zinc combination, the gold layer is deposited on the surface of the specimen in a non-discriminating manner (Fig 1). Then, the zinc is only deposited on the exposed gold agglomerates whilst avoiding the ridges of the fingerprints. This results in a negative print of the fingerprint, where the zinc region appears grey and the gold region remains the same colour as the surface. This property is particularly useful for a wetted sample as the ridges of the fingerprint contains lipids that are hydrophobic and have some degree of tolerance to the exposure of a wet environment.

Vacuum Metal Deposition: Developing Fingerprints on Fabric

Figure 1: Schematic representation of VMD deposition of gold/zinc onto fabric

JANUARY 2017 FOCUS ON FORENSICS 11

VACUUM METAL DEPOSITION

So why my obsession with researching VMD on fabric? There are numerous reasons. Firstly, I would like to see a more targeted swabbing solution on fabric material. Secondly, it is a proven technology but lacks the amount of research and development that it deserves. The cost of such a system has been inhibitory up to now. There are several papers on this technology with varying degrees of effectiveness on different fabrics (cotton, polycotton, polyester and nylon)1,3,4. Fingerprint development on fabric using VMD was found to be 5 times more effective than using cyanoacrylate1. Although fingerprint ridge detail can be developed on fabric, this only occurs under certain conditions; such as how tightly woven the fabric is, the donor and pressure that the mark was applied. However, one overriding consistency is that we were able to develop the palmar flexion creases in more occasions, which can then be used for some form of identification and targeted swabbing. Therefore, this technology is proven to be useful for both the fingerprint and biology departments.

In publications to date, the development so far is done in either plain white or black fabric1,3,4. The purpose for this is to improve the discrimination between the surface of the fabric and fingerprints/ grab impressions. However, a recent discovery of combining VMD with the use of ALS (Alternative Light Source) has created an opportunity to detect impressions on more varieties of colour/patterned fabric due to the fluorescence generated.

This also potentially raises the sensitivity of this technique on other studied non-porous materials as well.

More research in VMD in combination with ALS is required in this area. The potential to develop more results, which used to be difficult to do, is always welcomed in the forensic world.

Samples that did not yield any results with conventional methods should be processed with VMD as a last resort.

I would like to acknowledge Craig Hewitson (Victoria Police) for the contribution of some of these results. Please note that these results were conducted with loaded prints. However, on some occasions, we were able to develop fingerprints that were more than a year old.

References1. Fraser et al (2014) Sci Justice 54(2): 133-1402. Bhoelai et al (2011) FSI:Genetic supplement series 3:e429-e430 3. Fraser et al (2011) FSI: 208(1-3):74-784. Knighting et al (2013) Sci Justice 53(3): 309-314

Polyester/NylonGold/Zinc NO Enhancement

Polyester/NylonGold/Zinc using Crime Lite 82S Blue

Polyester/NylonGold/Zinc using Crime Lite 82S Blue

Silver/Zinc on Wetted Zipbag

Gold/Zinc on Polyester

Gold/Zinc on Wetted Paper

Silver/Zinc on Cotton

Gold/Zinc on Polyester/Nylon

Silver/Zinc on Nylon

We often don’t realise our instruments need servicing until we notice a fault or problem. Or the instrument may appear to be operating correctly, however it may need a recalibration and service for optimal function.

Pathtech has dedicated Service staff who specialise in Forensic instrument recalibration and preventative servicing. Trained by product manufacturers, the Pathtech Service Laboratory will handle all your servicing and recalibration needs.

› MVC Cyanoacrylate fuming cabinets › SUPERfume portable fuming system› Video Spectral Comparators › Crime-lite portable LED forensic light sources

(Crime-lite2, 80, 82 and XL series)› CERA-LT Fingerprint Imaging System

RECALIBRATION AND SERVICING

Contact the Pathtech teamPhone 1800 069 161 | Email forensics@pathtech.com.au

pathtech.com.au

Contact the Pathtech Service Laboratory for a quote and details. Call 1800 069 161

Does your instrument need recalibration?

MVC Recalibration / Servicing at a glance

› MVC-1000/D, 3000/D, 5000/D models› Preventative maintenance servicing› Recalibration procedure› Follows manufacturers servicing guidelines› Service Report provided› Certificate provided to show proof or service

and recalibration as per NATA Laboratory Audit requirements

VSC Preventative Maintenance at a glance

› VSC6000HS, 5000, 400, 40, 4CX and 4Plus models› Preventative maintenance servicing› Calibration checks› Follows manufacturers servicing guidelines› Service Report provided› Certificate provided to show proof or service

and recalibration as per NATA Laboratory Audit requirements

Protect your investment and extend the life of your equipment with annual servicing.