pp97-144 Vol 60(3) FINAL Proof CX · 2018-03-01 · 99 THE MICROSCOPE • Vol. 60:3, pp 99–121 (2012) *2820 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616 Inter/Micro 2012 Gary J. Laughlin

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THE MICROSCOPE • Vol. 60:3, pp 99–121 (2012)

*2820 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616

Inter/Micro 2012Gary J. Laughlin

McCrone Research Institute*

McCrone Research In-stitute held the 64th

annual Inter/Micro mi-croscopy conference onJuly 9–13 in its lecturerooms and laboratories inChicago, drawing morethan 100 attendees fromaround the world.

Participants heard in-depth research presenta-tions by leading microsco-pists, who covered ad-vancements in instrumen-tation, techniques and ap-plications in various fieldsof microscopy and mi-croanalysis. Presentationsfocused on PLM, SEM, EDS,Raman, hot stage, and in-frared microspectroscopy;microchemistry; forensic trace evidence andcriminalistics; pharmaceutical sciences; materialsanalysis; art authentication; environmental health;and food and air quality.

During the first three days of the conference, speak-ers gave research talks on such diverse presentationstitled, “Microscopy: Art, Literature, Culture and Sci-ence,” “Teaching the Teachers: Why is the MicroscopeNot Utilized in Your Science Class?” “3-D Images withthe Scanning Electron Microscope,” “What the Cells ina Dinosaur’s Tail Tell Us About Dinosaur’s Evolution,”

“Thermite in the WorldTrade Center Dust?” “Min-eral Identification UsingElectron Backscatter Dif-fraction from UnpolishedSpecimens,” “Developing aMicrocrystal Test for a ‘Le-gal High’ Drug,” “Anti-body-Based Forensic BodyFluid Identification” and“Trace Evidence Analysisat the U.S. Postal InspectionService National ForensicLaboratory.” In his annualEvening with Brian talk,“When Living Cells MakeHumans Explode,” Prof.Brian J. Ford explained theoften-misinterpreted mys-tery of spontaneous hu-man combustion.

Inter/Micro attendees feasted on a Brazilianchurrascaria buffet dinner in the McRI garden and alsoparticipated in a silent auction held by the StateMicroscopical Society of Illinois (SMSI). A wine andcheese reception featured products from conferenceexhibitors, including pH2 LLC, Foster and Freeman,Leica Microsystems, Olympus, Cargille Laboratories,Campbell Center for Historic Preservation, the StateMicroscopical Society of Illinois and MicroscopePublications.

The American Society of Trace Evidence Examin-

Patrick Buzzini of West Virginia University describes the scientificmethodology and philosophy of Dr. Edmond Locard, a pioneer offorensic science.

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ers (ASTEE) held its social event in conjunction withInter/Micro at Reggie’s Rock Club located near McRI.More than 50 ASTEE members and Inter/Micro attend-ees savored award-winning food and enjoyed enter-tainment, featuring live music and a spectacular fire-breathing performer.

This year’s SMSI Awards Dinner was held at TheBerghoff restaurant in Chicago’s downtown Loop dis-trict. Dr. Mickey E. Gunter, professor of mineralogy andchair of the Department of Geological Sciences at theUniversity of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, received the SMSI2012 Émile Chamot Award for his work involving min-eralogy and microscopy. (The SMSI 2012 August KöhlerAward was not awarded this year.)

The winners of the Inter/Micro 2012 Photomicrog-raphy Competition were also announced at the din-ner: Martin Kocanda, Best Overall Photomicrograph;Katie White, Most Unique Photomicrograph; andMeggan King, Honorable Mention Photomicrograph(see winning images on page 118.)

A two-day workshop, “Mineralogy for Microsco-pists,” was conducted in McRI’s classrooms duringthe second half of Inter/Micro 2012. Gunter taughtthe course on mineral identification by using specificmineralogical examples based on subtle similaritiesand differences between mineral structures and com-positions as observed with different microscopicalmethods. All of the registered attendees received acopy of Gunter’s textbook and interactive DVD, Min-eralogy and Optical Mineralogy, courtesy of McCrone Re-search Institute.

Chris Vander Tuuk (right) of Olympus America shows LarryWayne (left) and Dickey Huntamer (center) the latest imagingtechnology during the Inter/Micro 2012 exhibitor reception.

Inter/Micro, the premier International/Microscopyconference, was initiated by McCrone Research Insti-tute founder Walter C. McCrone and Charles Tufts, andwas first held in Chicago in 1948. Each year, the con-ference attracts professional and amateur microsco-pists from all areas of light and electron microscopy.

McCrone Research Institute would like to thankall speakers, exhibitors, sponsors and participants formaking Inter/Micro 2012 an outstanding success. Welook forward to seeing you again in Chicago next year.

Program

MONDAY, JULY 9 — TECHNIQUES ANDINSTRUMENTATION

Morning Session — Rich Brown, ChairMicroscopy: Art, Literature, Culture and Science

—Tony Havics, pH2, LLCTeaching the Teachers: Why is the Microscope Not

Utilized in Your Science Class? — Rich Brown, MVAScientific Consultants

Rectangular Field Diaphragm — Thomas J. Hopen,Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

Mapping Elemental and Refractive Index Varia-tion in Container Glass — Stephanie Sliwa, MicrotraceLLC

An Assessment of GC-MS Ion Preparation Tech-niques as a Means of Increasing Sensitivity in theDetection of Ignitable Liquids Collected on CharcoalStrips Used in Arson Investigations — Mark E. Palenik,Microtrace LLC

Stephanie Sliwa of Microtrace LLC explains the refractive indexvariations of wine bottle glass characterized by micro-X-rayfluorescence.

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As Much Fun as Watching Paint Dry: A Micro-scopical Perspective of Airbrushed Paint Droplets —Martin Kocanda, Electrical Engineering, Northern Illi-nois University

Photoconversion of Fluorescent Dyes UnderCommonly Used Conditions Can Cause Serious Ex-perimental Error — A. Weiss, Faculty of Engineering,Bar Ilan University

Stars, Cubes, Dog Bones and Rods: MorphologyControl and Characterization of Iron Oxide and Iron-Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles — Christina H.Hartman, Rice University (currently an ORISEPostdoctoral Fellow at the FBI)

Afternoon Session — Pauline Leary, ChairCharacterization of Multilayer Foil Laminate Bar-

rier Packaging Using a Combination of Scanning Elec-tron Microscopy and Confocal Raman Microscopy —Rich Brown, MVA Scientific Consultants

Microscopy and Microspectroscopy in the MobileAnalytical Laboratory — Pauline Leary, Smiths Detec-tion and the Graduate Center, CUNY

Device and Kit for Pressing, Rubbing, and Smear-ing While Observing Microscopic Preparations — JoonChoo, Shamrock Technologies, Inc.

DuoScan: The Answer to Sample Burning —Michael Oweimrin, HORIBA Instruments Incorporated

3-D Images with the Scanning Electron Micro-scope— James R. Millette, MVA Scientific Consultants

“Four Score and Seven Years Ago” or Was It?:Authenticating President Abraham Lincoln’s Signa-ture — Jennifer Herb, Microtrace LLC

The Watercolors of Charles M. Russell: An Exami-

nation of the Artist’s Materials and Techniques on theMontana Frontier — Jodie Utter, Amon Carter Museumof American Art

Now in 3-D: Adding Another Dimension toChemical Microscopy — Kevin Brady, Tredegar FilmProducts

Particle Identification in the Environmental Labo-ratory — Dickey Huntamer, Manchester Environmen-tal Laboratory

Microscopical Dichroism of Small Particles — DaleK. Purcell, The Graduate Center and John Jay College ofCriminal Justice, CUNY

•Evening with Brian: When Living Cells Make Hu-

mans Explode — Brian J. Ford, Caius College, Cam-bridge University

TUESDAY, JULY 10 — ENVIRONMENTAL ANDINDUSTRIAL MICROSCOPY

Morning Session — James R. Millette, ChairPigmented Corrosion — Brendan Nytes,

Microtrace LLCThree Cases of Pipe Failure with Substantial Cor-

rosion — Tony Havics, pH2, LLCCharacterization of Nanoparticles in Soil and

Road Dust Using Scanning Electron Microscopy —Jani Tuoriniemi, Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Uni-versity of Gothenburg

Paper Product Recycled-Fiber Claims and theComparisons with a Fiber Analysis — Walter J.Rantanen, Integrated Paper Services, Inc.

Inter/Micro attendees enjoy dinner at the American Society ofTrace Evidence Examiners (ASTEE) social event at Reggie’sRock Club.

Mickey Gunter of the University of Idaho gives a mineralogypresentation after receiving the 2012 SMSI Èmile Chamot Award atThe Berghoff restaurant.


Wood Without Annular Growth Rings — John A.Reffner, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

An Overview of the ASTM Method for Quantifi-cation of Airborne Fungal Structures in an InertialImpaction Sample by Optical Microscopy — TonyHavics, pH2, LLC and Michael Breu, Fiberquant Ana-lytical Services

Thermite in the World Trade Center Dust? — JamesR. Millette, MVA Scientific Consultants

Afternoon Session — Mickey E. Gunter, ChairScientific Working Group on Geological Materi-

als (SWGGEO) — Chris E. Taylor, U.S. Army CriminalInvestigation Laboratory

What the Cells in a Dinosaur’s Tail Tell Us AboutDinosaur’s Evolution — Brian J. Ford, Caius College,University of Cambridge

Microscopical Analysis of Dust: InformationTaken Out of Thin Air — Marianne Berdal, MycoteamAS

Trace Mineral Solutions to a Sediment TrespassControversy — Wayne C. Isphording, Tulane Uni-versity

Calculated Average Ranges of Refractive Indicesfor the Amphiboles Found in the Rainy Creek Igne-ous Complex Near Libby, Montana, USA — MatthewS. Sanchez, RJ Lee Group and Mickey E. Gunter,Geological Sciences, University of Idaho

Limit of Detection Issues in Measurement of LowConcentrations of Tremolite in Mineral Products —Eric J. Chatfield, Chatfield Technical ConsultingLimited

Mineral Identification Using Electron Backscat-ter Diffraction from Unpolished Specimens: NothingIs Easy; Some Things are Just Less Difficult — BryanBandli, Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota

Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) Analysis ofCosmetic Talc for Asbestos Content — Lou Solebello,International Asbestos Testing Laboratories, Inc.(Presented by James R. Millette, MVA Scientific Con-sultants)

Compositional Analysis and Morphological Re-lationships of Minerals Found in Talc Tailings andProducts from Near Talcville, New York, USA —Brittani D. McNamee, Geological Sciences, Universityof Idaho

WEDNESDAY, JULY 11 — CHEMICAL ANDFORENSIC MICROSCOPY

Morning Session — Arthur Young, ChairDeveloping a Microcrystal Test for a “Legal High”

Drug — Samantha Huntsman, McCrone ResearchInstitute

The Forensic Analysis of Paint Evidence UsingMicro-Raman Spectroscopy Part I: Development ofLibraries and Application Methods — Christopher S.Palenik, Microtrace LLC

The Forensic Analysis of Paint Evidence UsingMicro-Raman Spectroscopy Part II: Case Examples —Patrick Buzzini, Forensic and Investigative ScienceProgram, West Virginia University

Benefits of Using Cross-Sectioning in ForensicAnalysis of Automotive Paints — Ethan Groves,Microtrace LLC

American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners(ASTEE) — Chris E. Taylor, ASTEE

Environmental Effects on Fired Cartridge Cases:Primer Shear and Breech Face Marks — Peter Diaczuk,John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

Role of Edmond Locard in the History of ForensicScience: “Every Contact Leaves a Trace” Dissected —Patrick Buzzini, Forensic and Investigative ScienceProgram, West Virginia University

Microspectrophotometry (MSP) of Blood — LarryPeterson, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory

Afternoon Session — Jason Beckert, ChairAntibody-Based Forensic Body Fluid Identifica-

tion — Karl Reich, Independent Forensics; Jennifer Old;and P.W. Boonlayangoor

Analysis Paralysis — Brian J. Ford, Caius College,University of Cambridge

Is it Blood?: Recovery and Microchemical Identi-

Brittani D. McNamee of the University of Idaho talks about thecompositional analysis and morphological relationships of mineralsfound in talc tailings and a commercial product near a former talcmine in Talcville, New York.

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fication of Blood in Forensic Specimens —Katie White,Microtrace LLC and Skip Palenik, Microtrace LLC

One Century Later: The Takayama Hemochro-mogen Microcrystal Test — Arthur Young, GuardianForensic Sciences

The Alchemist’s Tale — Skip Palenik, MicrotraceLLC

Trace Evidence Analysis at the U.S. Postal Inspec-tion Service National Forensic Laboratory — AndrewBowen, U.S. Postal Inspection Service

Development of a Modern Compendium of Mi-crocrystal Tests for Illicit Drugs and Diverted Phar-maceuticals — Sebastian Sparenga, McCrone ResearchInstitute

Examining the Effects of Environmental Degra-dation on the Optical Properties of Manufactured Fi-bers of Natural Origin — Kelly M. Brinsko, McCroneResearch Institute

Whose Hair is it Anyway?: Hair and Fiber Micros-copy Uncovers Fakes, Frauds, and the OccasionalGenuine Article — Jason Beckert, Microtrace LLC

Closing Remarks — Gary J. Laughlin, McCroneResearch Institute

•State Microscopical Society of Illinois 2012 Awards

Dinner — Èmile Chamot Award Recipient: Mickey E.Gunter

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, JULY 12 AND 13 —WORKSHOP

Mineralogy for MicroscopistsTaught by Mickey E. Gunter, Department of GeologicalSciences, University of Idaho

In this two-day workshop, participants will learnabout mineral identification by using specific miner-alogical examples based on subtle similarities and dif-ferences between mineral structures and compositionsas observed with different microscopical methods.Examples include 1) why framework silicates (quartz,feldspars, zeolites, etc.), as seen with polarized lightmicroscopy, exhibit low retardation, while sheet sili-cates exhibit low retardation in one plane; 2) the dif-ferences and similarities of calculated selected area elec-tron diffraction patterns for common silicate miner-als; and 3) why it can be difficult to identify particlesof similar composition with EDS spectra. The work-shop will also compare and contrast the nomencla-ture schemes for amphiboles and zeolites, the formerbeing based on precise compositional data, while thelater are based first on structural data and less so oncompositional data.

Abstracts

TECHNIQUES AND INSTRUMENTATION

Microscopy: Art, Literature, Culture and ScienceTony Havics, pH2, LLC

A number of photomicrography contests have de-veloped over the years. These have been focused oneither the technical or artistic aspects of microscopy.But beyond this simplistic yet revered attribute of mi-croscopy, one sometimes ponders the connections andcorrelations of art, literature, science and microscopy.In this vein of thought, I wish to explore 1) the inven-tions of “Art” of Robert Hooke, 2) the painting tech-nique in the 17th century and the possible use of thecamera obscura as a tool, 3) how Gulliver becomes ametaphorical microscopist in Lilliput, 4) the great de-bate over the microscope that took place in the ParisAcademy of Medicine in 1854–1855, which could bebetter termed the controversy over cancer and the mi-croscope, 5) epistemological advancement, 6) the use ofthe microscope in science and culture via education,7) the symbolism of the microscope for science, 8) there-analysis of culture via the microscope, and 9) howmicroscopy still drives analytical instrument changes.Not a “micro-topic” and yet a micron of time available.

•Teaching the Teachers: Why is the MicroscopeNot Utilized in Your Science Class?Rich Brown, MVA Scientific Consultants

The Georgia Microscopical Society (GMS) hasbeen teaching students for many years and the course

In “Microscopy: Art, Literature, Culture and Science,” Tony Havicsargued that the microscope, an important symbol of science andtechnology, has been largely overlooked by science historians.Pictured is a replica of a Leeuwenhoek microscope shown in hispresentation.

Photo courtesy of Tony Havics, pH2, LLC


is always overbooked, thanks to the dedicated GMSmember volunteers that freely give their time (nineSaturday mornings and several evenings of prepara-tion), expertise, and energy. I have taken a slightlydifferent tact in holding one-day workshops that in-troduce the light microscope to high school scienceteachers. The teachers are actually paid a small sti-pend to attend, and the workshops are held atGwinnett Tech’s new Bio Science building. The day isspent discussing what types of problems are solvedby microscopy, setting up microscope alignment forproper illumination, and examining slides preparedby GMS. Each attendee keeps their slide kit and, hope-fully, remains enthusiastic about microscopy all theway into their classroom!

•Rectangular Field DiaphragmThomas J. Hopen, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, andExplosives

As I have stated in the past, the greatest aspect ofInter/Micro to me, as compared to other professionalmeetings I attend, is the wealth of information that thetechnical presentations provide and the conversationsone has with other attendees. One of the many tidbitsof information that I picked up a few years back was acomment by Jan Hinsch during his presentation. Jansaid that a rectangular field diaphragm is useful whenlooking at non-equant samples that appear to beopaque, such as heavily pigmented fibers. So when I

got back from the meeting, I searched around and foundan old rectangular aperture that belonged to a retiredNic-Plan IR microscope. I examined a dark Mongoloidhead hair using the variable rectangular aperture byplacing it on top of the microscope base and bringingthe edges into focus with the condenser. It workedgreat! The pigmented area of the hair cortex was nowvisible and I could discern ovoid bodies, pigment size,pigment clumping, and the medulla. I was so im-pressed that I wrote a quick “Tricks of the Trade” ar-ticle for The Microscope journal, in an effort to spreadthe word. This presentation will expand on that short“Tricks of the Trade” article and demonstrate the valueof looking at pigmented fibers and hairs as well as otherunusual samples such as cross-sections of pigmentedpaints and tapes.

•Mapping Elemental and Refractive Index Variationin Container GlassStephanie Sliwa, Microtrace LLC; Ethan Groves, MicrotraceLLC; Mark E. Palenik, Microtrace LLC; Christopher S.Palenik, Microtrace LLC

While it is known that refractive index within aglass container can show more variation than a simi-lar quantity of sheet glass, this variation has neverbeen studied in relationship to a trace element varia-tion. Here we study half of a wine bottle that has beencut into 96 pieces. Each piece has been characterized inthree areas by micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) andby refractive index, which was measured to ±1 x 10-5.The resulting analytical data were plotted over thesurface of the wine bottle to create high-resolutionmaps of trace element and refractive index variation.The refractive index has been shown to vary by asmuch as 2 x 10-4 over the wine bottle half studied. Thetrace element data shows similarly large variationsrelative to the variations typical of sheet glass. Theresults have implications for conducting comparisonsbetween questioned and known glasses, particularlyfor sampling and characterization of known containerglass samples.

•An Assessment of GC-MS Ion PreparationTechniques as a Means of Increasing Sensitivityin the Detection of Ignitable Liquids Collectedon Charcoal Strips Used in Arson InvestigationsMark E. Palenik, Microtrace LLC

Solid phase microextraction (SPME) and activatedcharcoal strips (ACS) are the most sensitive passivemeans of sampling for and detecting ignitable liquidswhen used in conjunction with analysis by gas chro-matography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in ar-

Rich Brown of MVA Scientific Consultants discussed the importanceof introducing microscopy to high school science teachers andfamiliarizing them with the parts of the light microscope: 1) oculars,2) coarse focus, 3) fine focus, 4) stage, 5) field diaphragm, 6) blue(daylight) filter, and 7) illumination selector.

Photo courtesy of Rich Brown, MVA Scientific Consultants

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son investigations. SPME does, however, have an ad-vantage over ACS in terms of sensitivity. While thetotal adsorptive area of a SPME fiber is significantlyless than that of an ACS, limiting the total amount ofsample collected on the fiber, desorption of the analytestakes place in the injector of the GC, eliminating theneed for a solvent. Sensitivity reducing solvent effectsare eliminated and the low mass of the fiber allows theanalytes to desorb quickly, eliminating tailing of earlypeaks. As a SPME fiber becomes saturated, it can re-place lower molecular weight analytes with highermolecular weight compounds in the sample. ACS can-not be desorbed directly into the GC, and a solvent,usually carbon disulfide, is needed. Dilution of theanalytes with a solvent reduces sensitivity, and sol-vent background can obscure low levels of early elut-ing analytes such as benzene and isooctane as well asothers. ACS do, however, have a large adsorption area,and lighter compounds will not be replaced by thoseof high molecular weight. Ion preparation techniqueslike tandem mass spectrometry (ms/ms) and selectedion storage (SIS) can eliminate interfering ions that addto background and reduced sensitivity. These tech-niques are evaluated for the purpose of increasing thesensitivity for ignitable liquids collected on ACS.

•As Much Fun as Watching Paint Dry:A Microscopical Perspective of Airbrushed PaintDropletsMartin Kocanda, Electrical Engineering, Northern IllinoisUniversity

Airbrushing has long been employed as a tech-nique to apply a thin film of liquid media or colorantsto a plethora of solid surfaces. Airbrush techniqueshave also been employed to enhance or adulterate pho-tographic images. Facial blemishes and disfigurementsof model subjects have been easily masked by care-fully selecting the desired shade and consistency ofpaints prior to submitting artwork for publication.Brushed oil paint on canvas have been known to beadulterated in several instances, thus suggesting thatairbrush techniques could easily render undetectablemodifications to many paintings of historical value.

The motivation of this work was to examine drop-let size and the physical properties of paint thin-filmsapplied using typical airbrush techniques. Physicalproperties, such as viscosity, surface tension, pigmentparticle size, and pigment charge, present unique con-straints. These parameters affect the paint dropletsduring time of flight, during adsorption on the sub-strate surface, and during the drying process. In thiswork, the effects of several parameters are examined

using light microscopy and SEM imaging where paintdroplets are adsorbed on glass slides.

•Photoconversion of Fluorescent Dyes UnderCommonly Used Conditions Can Cause SeriousExperimental ErrorA. Weiss, Faculty of Engineering, Bar Ilan University;Marina Piterburg, Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty ofLife Sciences, Bar Ilan University; Hana Panet, Faculty ofEngineering, Bar Ilan University; Alik Belitzky, The Instituteof Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem; UriRaviv, The Institute of Chemistry, The Hebrew University ofJerusalem

One of the important features of fluorescence mi-croscopy is its ability to separate multiple labels basedon their spectral characteristics. It is usually assumedthat the spectral characteristics of the dyes remainconstant during observation. Here, we present twoexamples involving commonly used dyes where thisassumption does not hold. We also discuss the imag-ing and analysis methods that enable quantitation ofthis phenomenon.

DAPI (4’-6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole) is a fluores-cent dye commonly used to visualize DNA or cell nu-clei in fixed cell preparations. DAPI is often used to-gether with fluorescein or GFP, which can be excited

Thom Hopen showed how a rectangular field diaphragm is usefulwhen looking at non-equant samples that appear to be opaque,including Mongoloid head hair (above) and other heavilypigmented fibers.

Photos courtesy of Thom Hopen, Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco , Firearms, and Explosives


without exciting DAPI. We found that following ob-servation of DAPI using UV or violet excitation, it be-came sensitive to the blue/cyan excitation used in fluo-rescein/GFP filter cubes. This has serious implicationsfor the use of DAPI together with widely used greenfluorophores.

Tetramethylrhodamine (TMR) is commonly usedas a FRET acceptor together with fluorescein as donor.Increased fluorescein emission upon photobleachingof TMR can be used to detect FRET. We found that theexcitation/emission spectra of TMR shift to higher en-ergy upon photobleaching. This will produce a falsepositive for FRET when using the acceptorphotobleaching method for detection of FRET in fluo-rescein/TMR FRET pairs.

•Stars, Cubes, Dog Bones and Rods: MorphologyControl and Characterization of Iron Oxide andIron-Manganese Oxide NanoparticlesChristina H. Hartman, Rice University (currently an ORISEPostdoctoral Fellow at the FBI); Kenton H. Whitmire, RiceUniversity

New nanoparticle shapes of FexO (where 0.8 < x < 1;Wüstite) and Fe1-yMnyO (where 0 < y < 1) were synthe-sized by decomposition of the corresponding metal for-mates in tri-n-octylamine/oleic acid mixtures, at el-evated temperatures (ca. 370 °C), under an inert atmo-

sphere. The morphology of the nanoparticles was modi-fied as a function of the reaction parameters. Solid solu-tions of iron-manganese oxide nanoparticles were ob-tained by mixing the metal formate precursors, andnanoparticle shape was tuned by adjusting the iron tomanganese ratio. Iron-manganese oxide nanoparticleswith ca. 1:1 metal ratios in the crystal lattice displayeda morphology that can be considered a shape in be-tween that of iron oxide nanoparticles and the shapespreviously reported for manganese oxide (Manganosite).Crystalline phases were determined by using singlearea electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). Nanoparticle shape and crystalline growth weredetermined using transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomicforce microscopy (AFM). Details on the characteriza-tion of the nanoparticles will be discussed in detail.

•Characterization of Multilayer Foil LaminateBarrier Packaging Using a Combination ofScanning Electron Microscopy and ConfocalRaman MicroscopyRich Brown, MVA Scientific Consultants

Multilayer foil laminate packaging was examinedusing a combination of FTIR, SEM-EDS and confocalRaman microscopy. The larger layers of polymer wereeasily characterized by FTIR microscopy after cross-sectioning the laminate by hand with a razor. The thin-ner bonding layers could not be observed until asample of the laminate was cross-sectioned using anion beam cross-section polisher. Imaging of the entirelayer structure was then possible by reflected darkfieldlight microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.The analysis of the thin bonding layers was performedusing confocal Raman microscopy. Chemical maps ofthe layer structure and sequence were also possibleby automated confocal Raman microscopy.

•Microscopy and Microspectroscopy in the MobileAnalytical LaboratoryPauline Leary, Smiths Detection and the Graduate Center,CUNY; Keith Casserly, New York CST; John A. Reffner,John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

Analysis of samples in the field is a significant chal-lenge for many military operations. Testing performedin these settings typically use field-portable instru-ments designed for use by non-scientists. Althoughthese instruments may provide quick, reliable results,their sensitivity is usually compromised when com-pared with instruments based on the same technolo-gies but designed for use within the laboratory. Themission of many military operations is evolving,

Photo courtesy of Christina H. Hartman, Rice UniversityChristina Hartman of Rice University showed how the nanoparticleshape and crystalline growth of iron oxide were determined usingtransmission electron microscopy (TEM).

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though, and requires that some specialized teams takethe laboratory to the field. These teams are extendingcapabilities for field analysis not only by using a largervariety of technologies and capabilities, but also byusing lab-grade equipment with improved analyticalcapabilities when compared with typical field-por-table instruments. The U.S. National Guard Bureau’sCivil Support Team-Weapons of Mass Destruction(CST-WMD) units are one such group. Each of theseteams supports a fully functioning mobile laboratory.These mobile laboratories are complex, but have beena successful part of the mission of the CST-WMD teamsfor more than a decade. While the on-board technolo-gies continue to evolve, including more and more com-plex systems such as PCR and GC-MS, the use of mi-croscopy and microspectroscopy techniques continueto remain as an integral part of the work flow of thesemobile laboratories. The challenges to using these tech-niques in the field, as well as the successful integrationof microspectroscopy in the CST-WMD mission, willbe discussed.

•Device and Kit for Pressing, Rubbing, andSmearing While Observing MicroscopicPreparationsBill Neuberg, Shamrock Technologies, Inc.

The best device for handling particles under themicroscope may still be the hand-held needle. Someapplications require a micromanipulator. Walter C.McCrone presented a sleeve, clamped onto an objec-tive. The diamond anvil cell has been useful for geolo-gists and others working with very high pressures. Ihave developed a simple device that is smaller than ahot stage. A threaded cylinder fits around an objectiveand holds the tip of a ball-point pen, with ball re-moved. I look through this while pressing. Modifica-tions using optical windows with appropriate hold-ers will be discussed. I will show how these tools weredeveloped and how they can be used without longworking distance objectives.

•DuoScan: The Answer to Sample BurningMichael Oweimrin, HORIBA Instruments Incorporated

HORIBA Scientific introduced the DuoScan in 2006as a simple answer for both micro and macro map-ping as well as the simple answer to sample burning.Using a patented method of rastering mirrors over thefield of view of the objective, the DuoScan illuminatesan area as large as the field of view of the objective,while at the same time distributing the laser powersafely and effectively across the entire area withoutburning. This has proven quite effective with biologi-

cal, explosive, toxic, thin films, and many other typesof samples. You will learn about this new technologyand how it has transformed the way Raman imagingis being done today.

•3-D Images with the Scanning Electron MicroscopeJames R. Millette , MVA Scientific Consultants; Laren Cyr,MVA Scientific Consultants; Vern Robertson, JEOL USA, Inc.

Because Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) im-ages have considerable depth of field, they may ap-pear three-dimensional (3-D), however, they are stilljust two-dimensional representations of an object.“Anaglyph 3-D” is the term used for the stereoscopic3-D effect achieved by means of displaying each eye’simage using filters of different (usually chromaticallyopposite) colors. To create a stereo pair, an image istaken twice, at slightly different orientations, and thenviewed simultaneously through special glasses thatallow each eye to see the differences in the overlaidimages. In this presentation, we will use images andglasses that are red/cyan (cyan being the absence ofred) to illustrate several aspects of 3-D. We tilted thesamples from angles ranging from 2° to 12° (more tiltfor features with less relief, less tilt for features withmore relief). For those who wish to make their own 3-D images, it is important that you can see all of thefeatures of interest from both vantage points. For quali-tative images, it is correct to refocus with the objec-tive lens control. If you want to make quantitativemeasurements, you will need to refocus with the me-chanical Z adjustment only.

Bill Neuberg of Shamrock Technologies, Inc. showed a worthyalternative for particle handling: a threaded cylinder that holds thetip of a ball-point pen and fits around a microscope objective.

Photos courtesy of Bill Neuberg, Shamrock Technologies, Inc.


“Four Score and Seven Years Ago” or Was It?:Authenticating President Abraham Lincoln’sSignatureJennifer Herb, Microtrace LLC; Christopher S. Palenik,Microtrace LLC; Skip Palenik, Microtrace LLC

Given the value of historical documents andmemorabilia, forgeries are a common occurrence. Asmore fraudulent documents of extremely high qualityare produced, the physical and chemical characteriza-tion of materials (i.e. paper and writing ink) is becom-ing increasingly relevant for authentication purposes.

This talk explores the authentication of a letterpurportedly signed by President Abraham Lincoln.The examination focused on the comparison of ink inthe signature to ink in the body of the letter (whereinlies the value of the document). An initial examinationof the “Lincoln Letter,” viewed under different wave-lengths of light using a Visual Spectral Comparator(VSC), revealed no significant differences between thesignature and body. Additional analyses by energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), micro-X-ray fluo-rescence (μ-XRF), Fourier transform infraredmicrospectroscopy (micro-FTIR), and Ramanmicrospectroscopy (micro-Raman) were completed tocharacterize the inks. The analyses determined thatthe inks on the letter are composed of iron gall. Theletter inks were then compared to various iron gall inkformulations found in literature references that weresynthesized in our lab. This study of multiple iron gallinks shows the variation between different inks for-mulations and the possibility of using their formula-tion as a method for authentication.

The Watercolors of Charles M. Russell: AnExamination of the Artist’s Materials andTechniques on the Montana FrontierJodie Utter, Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Analysis of Charles M. Russell’s (active ca. 1880–1926) watercolor materials and techniques were un-dertaken using magnification, polarized light micros-copy (PLM), X-ray fluorescence (Tracer III XRF), infra-red photography (IR), and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.Russell’s pigments, used over the course of his career,were identified as were shifts in his technique. Pig-ment samples were collected from Russell’s studiomaterials housed at the C.M. Russell Museum, theBritzman collection at the Gilcrease Museum, and theNational Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.Russell’s technique was studied after looking at 26 ofhis watercolor paintings. The paintings were chosento represent all phases of the artist’s career and ability.Traditional and unconventional techniques were noted,as well as shifts in the utilization of underdrawing. Inaddition, focus was given to the wide variety of high-quality artists’ materials available on the Montanafrontier in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

•Now in 3-D: Adding Another Dimension to ChemicalMicroscopyKevin Brady, Tredegar Film Products

Recent advances in surface roughness character-ization provide new opportunities and challenges toobservation of crystal formations. Using interferom-etry, a microscopist can gain new insight into micro-scopic structures. In this presentation, interesting 3-D

Images courtesy of Jody Utter, Amon Carter Museum of American ArtIn her presentation on the watercolor paintings of Charles M. Russell, Jody Utter of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art showed howUV illumination can detect faded pigments. In this detail of the “Story Teller” (ca. 1893), the Chinese white pigment used for the campfiresmoke has faded and is difficult to see in regular light (left image) but is visible under UV illumination (right image).

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images of various microstructures will be explored,including some crystals produced using the Chamotand Mason, Handbook of Chemical Microscopy.

•Particle Identification in the EnvironmentalLaboratoryDickey D. Huntamer, Manchester Environmental Laboratory

Normally, the environmental laboratory analyzestoxic chemicals in water and sediment samples usinga variety of modern analytical techniques. This worksfine in most situations, but occasionally a sample ar-rives that is not amendable to the conventional EPAmethods, and other means of analysis are required tocharacterize the sample. The techniques employedcome from forensic trace analysis and include polar-ized light microscopy (PLM) and microchemical test-ing. Usually, the questions being asked are what is itand where did come from?

Several cases will be discussed that involve fugi-tive dust sourcing, well contamination in drinking wa-ter, unusually high particulate loads on PM10 air fil-ters, and unusual events in water treatment plants.

•Microscopical Dichroism of Small ParticlesDale K. Purcell, The Graduate Center and John Jay Collegeof Criminal Justice, CUNY; John A. Reffner, John Jay Collegeof Criminal Justice, CUNY; Thomas A. Kubic, John JayCollege of Criminal Justice, CUNY

Microscope photometry is recognized internation-ally by various technical and scientific working groupsas a valuable instrumental analysis technique to spec-troscopically compare color through a quantitative andobjective method. Dichroism is the selective absorp-tion of plane-polarized light between two orthogonaldirections by an anisotropic material. Ordinarily theabsorption of light in a dyed fiber, for example, is de-pendent upon a sample’s thickness and concentration,in contrast, the ratio of absorbencies along the twoprinciple directions is a function of orientation onlyand is independent of sample thickness and concen-tration. The current research demonstrates the signifi-cance of how dichroism analysis may increase the clas-sification and discrimination power of color analysisusing microphotometry.

•Evening with Brian: When Living Cells MakeHumans ExplodeBrian J. Ford, Caius College, Cambridge University

Spontaneous human combustion has been re-corded for centuries. There was a new case reportedrecently from Ireland. A person simply bursts intoflame, and all that remains is a pile of ash with largely

undamaged arms and legs protruding from the re-mains. Accounts of witnesses are astonishing — theyspeak of a door handle being too hot to touch, of a smol-dering pile being found in the middle of an otherwiseundamaged room. Is this real? Are the cases imagi-nary? Have people been exaggerating?

There have been many theories put forward toexplain this dramatic phenomenon. The only one to bewidely accepted is the “wick effect,” in which fat meltsinto clothing and burns like wax in a candle. The con-tinuous burning liquefies more body fat, setting up acontinuous combustion. This theory fits few of the facts,and it would take at least twelve hours to work —spontaneous combustion consumes a person in a mat-ter of minutes.

This evening, we will discovery a revolutionarynew theory based on the metabolism of cells withinthe body. Spontaneous human combustion can be seenas a fleetingly rare, extremely dangerous, but poten-tially avoidable, condition.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND INDUSTRIALMICROSCOPY

Pigmented CorrosionBrendan Nytes, Microtrace LLC; Skip Palenik, Microtrace LLC;Mark E. Palenik, Microtrace LLC

While contamination problems plague all manu-facturing companies, the food and pharmaceutical in-dustries face high levels of scrutiny as humans ingesttheir products. Contaminants may be present in raw

Dryer lint, viewed with a polarized light microscope under crossedpolars at 200x, was among the examples that Dickey Huntamerused in his presentation on environmental particle identification thatemploys forensic trace analysis.

Photo courtesy of Dickey Huntamer, Manchester Environmental Laboratory


materials but also, often, arise from degradation of themachinery used in the manufacturing process. Al-though identifying the contaminant is the first step,determining the original source is generally the ulti-mate goal of the investigation. In this case study, wepresent the analysis of an unusual blue, black, andbrown contaminant found at trace levels in a food prod-uct. The contaminant was characterized by polarizedlight microscopy, transmission electron microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fouriertransform infrared micro-spectroscopy (FTIR). Appro-priate literature and reference samples were then con-sulted to confirm the identity of the foreign materialand the mechanisms for its formation. With subse-quent input from the manufacturer, we were able todetermine the source of the contaminant particles.

•Three Cases of Pipe Failure with SubstantialCorrosionTony Havics, pH2, LLC

Pipes fail for a number of reasons, but often it iscorrosion. It corrodes for a variety of reasons includ-ing: dissimilar metals, microbially induced corrosion(MIC), product incompatibility, erosion corrosion,chemical treatment (or lack thereof), and temperatureinduced diffusion or recrystallization, to name a few.This presentation examines two water-based systemsand one glycol system (metallurgically and biologi-cally) to ascertain the most likely causes of the corro-sion and their relationship to failure. Examinationstypically start with macro-observations using stereo

or dissecting microscopes, followed by sub-samplematerial preparation, then light microscopy includ-ing reflected light with polarized light, metallographicetching, hardness testing, and scanning electron mi-croscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spec-troscopy (SEM-EDS). In two of these cases, filtered wa-ter from the affected and non-affected areas were alsoexamined for biological and non-biological compo-nents using microscopical techniques, such as epi-fluo-rescence, microchemistry and SEM-EDS, that can helppoint to a cause, or lack of one.

•Characterization of Nanoparticles in Soil and RoadDust Using Scanning Electron MicroscopyJani Tuoriniemi, Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Univer-sity of Gothenburg; Geert Cornelis, Chemistry and Molecu-lar Biology, University of Gothenburg; Stefan Gustafson,Applied Physics, Chalmers University of Technology;Martin Hassellöv, Applied Physics, Chalmers University ofTechnology

The investigation of the hazards of nanotechnologydemand new methods for the detection and quantifi-cation of nanoparticles in various matrices. The mea-surement of aerosols is already a mature field. Fornanoparticles in liquid dispersions, there are promis-ing new techniques such as single particle ICP-MS, andnanoparticle tracking analysis. However, there is a lackof methods capable of quantitative determination ofnanoparticles in solid samples such as food and soil.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) withbackscattered electron (BSE) imaging and energy dis-persive spectroscopy (EDS) is widely used for charac-terization of particles. It is, in principle, also possibleto obtain quantitative information such as particlesper mass, or volume of sample. However, the use ofSEM for particle concentration measurement needsmore development. Our current research is focused onthe possibility to measure number concentrations ofAg nanoparticles spiked into soil. Characterization oftungsten carbide particles emitted from winter tirestuds in road dust and storm water will also be pre-sented.

•Paper Product Recycled-Fiber Claims and theComparisons with a Fiber AnalysisWalter J. Rantanen, Integrated Paper Services, Inc.

There are many different types of paper products(including writing paper, envelopes, newsprint, tis-sue, toweling, bag paper, boxboard, and other packag-ing) that claim to include recycled fibers. Within thepaper industry, and on many paper products, thereare many different claims of recycled-fiber content

Brendan Nytes of Microtrace LLC explained in his “PigmentedCorrosion” talk that analysis with Fourier-transform infraredmicrospectroscopy revealed the mineral vivianite as the contami-nant in a meat product.

Photo courtesy of Brendan Nytes, Microtrace LLC

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addressing concerns for the environment. These claimsare targeted at the consumers of the products, includ-ing the commercial distributor, and are also there tosatisfy government requirements. Some only specify a“recycled” amount while others list a “post-consumer”fiber level. A microscopical fiber analysis can deter-mine if a paper product appears to contain typical re-cycled fiber or more closely resembles all virgin fiber.The analysis may also help render an opinion, if thepercentage claims on the paper product are consistentor not.

•Wood Without Annular Growth RingsJohn A. Reffner, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

Can a tree be a tree without growth rings? It can, ifit is a palm tree. The microstructure of this unique woodis the subject of this paper. While visiting Hawaii, Iacquired samples of several tropical hardwoods. Theywere all dark colored and most had intricate grainpatterns, which makes them popular materials forcarving bowls, statues and other ornamental art. Thesample of palm wood caught my attention because itlacked annular growth rings. When I tried to cut ra-dial cross-sections, I had another surprise; I producedsawdust. The wood was too hard. A little water willsolve the problem, I thought. Not so! Perhaps I shouldsoak the block of wood in water overnight. When Idropped the block of wood into the water, it sank. Mea-suring the density of the palm wood, I found it to be1.120 g/cc. Success in sectioning this wood came byusing a slow speed diamond saw. The microstructurewas revealed at last.

•An Overview of the ASTM Method forQuantification of Airborne Fungal Structures in anInertial Impaction Sample by Optical MicroscopyTony Havics, pH2, LLC; Michael Breu, Fiberquant AnalyticalServices

Much has been made about the lack of reproduc-ibility, from laboratory to laboratory, when analyz-ing commercially available spore trap samples forfungi. A good portion of that lack of reproducibilityhas been attributed to the absence of published meth-ods describing how to test these common sample ma-trices. The American Society of Testing Materials(ASTM) formed a subcommittee under D22-Air Qual-ity in 2005. That subcommittee, D22.08, was taskedwith developing both sampling and analytical stan-dards for mold. The pressing need for standardizationof spore trap analyses meant that a counting methodwas made one of its top priorities. The Method, D7391-09 was their first standard published in June, 2009

and is called the Standard Test Method for Categoriza-tion and Quantification of Airborne Fungal Structuresin an Inertial Impaction Sample by Optical Micros-copy. It is a 12-page document that standardizes theminimum requirements for analyzing both slit-impac-tors as circular impactors. Examples of the many re-quirements include the resolution ability of the opti-cal microscopes, the percentage of the sample that mustbe analyzed, reporting parameters for backgrounddebris loading, and specifying which fungal structuresmust always be reported when seen in a sample.

•Thermite in the World Trade Center Dust?James R. Millette, MVA Scientific Consultants

In 2009, Harrit et al. published a paper in the peer-reviewed literature which concluded that thermiticmaterial was present in the dust generated by the col-lapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) buildings onSept. 11, 2001. Harrit described finding small red/graychips that they claimed were nano-thermite. Thesechips were attracted by a magnet and showed an el-emental composition primarily of aluminum, siliconand iron as determined by scanning electron micros-copy and X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Using samples of WTC dust from four locations,red/gray particles that matched the criteria of Harritwere subjected to analytical tests in accordance withthe Recommended Guidelines for Forensic Identifica-tion of Explosives and the ASTM Standard Guide forForensic Paint Analysis and Comparison. These tests

John Reffner of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY,studied the microstructure of palm wood, shown here under lightmicroscopy, and discovered that this hard wood has an intricategrain pattern but no annular growth rings.

Photo courtesy of John Reffner, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY


included FTIR; SEM-EDS of cross-sections; low tempera-ture ashing and residue analysis by TEM-SAED-EDS;muffle furnace ashing and residue analysis by PLM andTEM-SAED-EDS; and ultra-microtome sectioning andanalysis by TEM-SAED-EDS. Our studies concluded thatthe red/gray chips were consistent with steel with anepoxy resin coating containing iron oxide and kaolinclay. There was no evidence of individual elementalaluminum particles of any size, therefore, the red layerof the red/gray chips is not nano-thermite.

•Scientific Working Group on Geological Materials(SWGGEO)Chris E. Taylor, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory

Currently, there are approximately 45 forensic sci-ence practitioners conducting soil analysis, and closeto 25% of forensic science service providers within theUnited States that analyze soil evidence in trace evi-dence casework. Although the practitioner base issmall in comparison to other areas of trace evidence,forensic science analysts practicing soil analysis arein desperate need of standards development, educa-tion/training and guidance, and uniform terminologyfor methods, reports, and conclusions. The SWGGEOwould represent a worldwide effort for soil examina-tion and standardization and, ultimately, would im-prove and promote forensic science soil testing pro-grams in laboratories and its use in criminal cases.The SWGGEO would leverage and formalize the ef-forts from previous ad hoc working group meetings to

support short-term and long-term goals and antici-pated deliverables. This presentation will outline theefforts, goals and way forward of this scientific work-ing group.

•What the Cells in a Dinosaur’s Tail Tell Us AboutDinosaur’s EvolutionBrian J. Ford, Caius College, University of Cambridge

Dinosaurs have been popular objects of mysterysince Victorian times. Yet how could such colossal crea-tures have existed? We accept recreated images frommovies like Jurassic Park (1993) and Dinosaur (2000)— in addition to innumerable television documenta-ries — without pondering the biological feasibility ofmaintaining a large body mass in a terrestrial envi-ronment.

When we consider the role of the body cells, and inparticular the constraints they exert upon evolution-ary development, a radically new interpretation be-comes possible. Contemplating the cell community canallow us to postulate that dinosaurs and their lifestylewere actually very different from what the currentorthodoxies dictate.

•Microscopical Analysis of Dust: Information TakenOut of Thin AirMarianne Berdal, Mycoteam AS; Catherine M. Whist,Mycoteam AS; Johan Mattsson, Mycoteam AS

Indoor air quality (IAQ) surveys are often focusedon single factors, in order to identify and eliminateany health complaints. This can lead to a risk of notfinding the reason for the most relevant cause forproblems.

Dust occurring in buildings represents an excep-tionally good information source for understandingthe IAQ. Whether it is air-borne dust or settled duston surfaces, a microscopical analysis can give both aquantitative and qualitative description of the actualdust particles. This can be a great advantage whenidentifying the amount and the sources of dust thathave impact on the IAQ. This knowledge improves thepossibility for focusing on important aspects at IAQsurveys.

Our result is that a microscopical analysis pro-vides both a qualitative and quantitative descriptionof the dust, whether it is air-borne or settled on sur-faces. Furthermore, it is possible to categorize the par-ticles into four main groups, based on the origin:

• Natural/outdoor air• Building materials• Use and users• Mold damages

Marianne Berdal of Mycoteam AS described the various sources ofairborne dust that occur in buildings, including fungus from molddamage (above), found through indoor air-quality evaluations.

Photo courtesy of Marianne Berdal, Mycoteam AS

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This ensures that the evaluation of IAQ is basedon sufficiently accurate facts, while measurements canbe tailor-made and cost-effective

•Trace Mineral Solutions to a Sediment TrespassControversyWayne C. Isphording, Tulane University

“Trespass” of sediment runoff, airborne effluentfrom nearby industrial sources, etc. is today an all toocommonplace phenomenon. Down slope movementof sediment is a natural process but it can be exacer-bated in cases where “best management practices”were not followed. Damage from the movement of ob-jectionable quantities of sediment may result in thein-filling of ponds, lakes, or streams or in alteration ofthe pre-impact topography. Proving in a court of lawthat trespass has taken place, however, may be a chal-lenge for the engineer or geoscientist. A case history isdescribed where developers of a large shopping cen-ter failed to prevent excessive sediment run-off froma site with the result that a stream was heavily im-pacted by sediment influx, preventing property own-ers from launching boats, or otherwise enjoying thestream.

Identifying the quantity of sediment eroded fromthe construction site in cores taken in the stream wasmade possible by detailed physical and microscopicalexamination of core samples. Differences in particle sizecharacteristics, when compared with those from pre-construction bottom sediments, was apparent but mosttelling were the heavy minerals in the eroded materialwhen they were compared with indigenous bottomsediments from the stream. Though present in quanti-ties of less than one percent (1%) in samples, the ratio ofZircon + Tourmaline ÷ Rutile easily allowed identifica-tion of the precise impact boundary, even where par-ticle sizes of the units in question were similar.

•Calculated Average Ranges of Refractive Indicesfor the Amphiboles Found in the Rainy CreekIgneous Complex Near Libby, Montana, USAMatthew S. Sanchez, RJ Lee Group; Mickey E. Gunter,Geological Sciences, University of Idaho

The amphiboles occurring in the Rainy Creek Ig-neous Complex (RCC) range in composition with thefollowing amphibole species being identified: tremo-lite, winchite, richterite, magnesioriebeckite, andmagnesioarfvedsonite. Combined compositional,structural, and optical data for only winchite andrichterite have been determined on the same crystalsfrom RCC. In an attempt to characterize themean refractive index specifically for tremolite,

magnesioriebeckite, and magnesioarfvedsonite speciesderivations of Gladstone-Dale constants specific for theRCC were attempted based on the multiple linear re-gression work by Bloss et al. (1983) using the composi-tional, structural, and optical data obtained by Bandliet al. (2003) on six single crystals from the RCC. Basedon these data, it was not possible to obtain specificGladstone-Dale constants for the RCC amphiboles.Therefore the Gladstone-Dale constants derived byJaffe (1987) for the alkali amphiboles were applied tothe published EPMA data from Meeker et al. (2003) spe-cific to the tremolite, magnesioriebeckite, andmagnesioriebeckite, as well as the data from Sanchezet al. (2008) for magnesioarfvedsonite. The range ofaverage refractive indices for the tremolite,magnesioriebeckite, and magnesioarfvedsonite are cal-culated as n=1.610 to 1.629, n=1.646 to 1.665, andn=1.641 to 1.652, respectively. This range of refractiveindices for the amphiboles occurring within the RCCis much smaller than the published ranges formagnesioarfvedsonite and magnesioriebeckite becausethe samples from RCC do not cover the entire solidsolution range for these species.

•Limit of Detection Issues in Measurement of LowConcentrations of Tremolite in Mineral ProductsEric J. Chatfield, Chatfield Technical Consulting Limited

Low concentrations of tremolite have been ob-served in a number of sources of industrial mineralproducts such as chrysotile, talc, vermiculite, sepiolite,dolomite and wollastonite. Detection of asbestos-form-

Photo courtesy of Wayne Isphording, Tulane University

Wayne Isphording of Tulane University discussed the physical andmicroscopical examination of run-off sediment from construction sitesthat causes damage to nearby ponds, lakes or streams.


ing amphibole in a mineral product can come as a sur-prise to both the producer and the user, and this takeson particular significance if any of the amphibole canbe defined as asbestos.

The U.S. legal community has taken a keen inter-est in the presence or absence of tremolite contamina-tion, specifically in chrysotile. Some studies have indi-cated that exposure to chrysotile alone does not causemesothelioma in humans, whereas exposure to am-phibole asbestos such as tremolite is known to causethis disease. Accordingly, plaintiff’s attorneys will ar-gue that even if exposure to chrysotile was not thecause of their client’s mesothelioma, tremolite contami-nation present in the chrysotile was responsible. Thedefense will generally argue that chrysotile does notcause mesothelioma, and that tremolite, if present inthe chrysotile, was only at trace levels, and thereforethe plaintiff must have received a more significant ex-posure to amphibole asbestos and that this exposurewas not the responsibility of their client. Sometimes,electron microscope examination of lung tissue ob-tained at autopsy can resolve the question.

When no other amphibole exposure can be identi-fied, the legal arguments in such cases are dependenton whether the product in question contains tremo-lite, and if so, what its concentration is and whetherany of it is asbestiform.

Several examples will be discussed in which ques-tionable measurements of tremolite in mineral prod-ucts have resulted in either significant financial ex-

penditures or subsequent publication of misleadingpapers in the peer-reviewed literature.

•Mineral Identification Using Electron BackscatterDiffraction from Unpolished Specimens: NothingIs Easy; Some Things are Just Less DifficultBryan Bandli, Geological Sciences, University of Minnesota

In order to identify a mineral, both the chemicalcomposition and crystal structure need to be deter-mined. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) is a crys-tallographic technique that, when used in conjunctionwith scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), can allow for therapid identification of a crystalline phase using bothchemical composition and crystal structure. SEM/EDSalone is limited as a tool for phase identification by theinability to collect useful crystallographic informationfrom an unknown specimen. Most EBSD work is per-formed on carefully prepared polished bulk specimens.By selecting individual crystals or crushing and grind-ing a sample to achieve a particle size in the range of5 μm–100 μm it is possible in a matter of minutes toproduce a sample capable of providing high qualityelectron diffraction patterns and compositional datasuitable for phase identification. When compared tothe effort required to polish a bulk specimen, the meth-odology presented provides several advantages. Themain advantage of the technique is speed, but also theability to precisely select phases of interest from a handsample or thin section.

•Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) Analysisof Cosmetic Talc for Asbestos ContentLou Solebello, International Asbestos Testing Laboratories, Inc.

The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery Association(CTPA) defines cosmetic talc as a fine, white, odorlesspowder used for cosmetic purposes. CTPA specifies aminimum of 90% “hydrated” (hydroxylated) magne-sium silicate (talc) with the remainder being composedof “naturally occurring associative minerals” (acces-sory minerals kaolin, chlorite, calcite, dolomite, mag-nesite) and “no detectable fibrous asbestos minerals”.Methods used for CTPA and FDA asbestos analysis ofcosmetic talc are outdated, do not specify detection lim-its for asbestos, and do not provide definitions for fi-brous amphibole asbestos. The purpose of WK00324 isto: develop a PLM method for asbestos analysis of cos-metic talc that is consistent with CTPA, FDA and otherregulatory requirements; incorporate established tech-niques; and establish reportable detection limits andprovision of fibrous amphibole asbestos definitions. Thecurrent method draft and changes will be discussed.

Photo courtesy of Brittani D. McNamee, University of IdahoBrittani D. McNamee of the University of Idaho explained themorphology and alteration of minerals in a thin section of anamphibole talc schist collected in the tailings from a former talc mine,shown here in crossed polarized light.

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Compositional Analysis and MorphologicalRelationships of Minerals Found in Talc Tailingsand Products from Near Talcville, New York, USABrittani D. McNamee, Geological Sciences, University ofIdaho; Mickey E. Gunter, Geological Sciences, University ofIdaho; André E. Lalonde, Earth Sciences, University ofOttawa; Michael C. Rowe, School of the Environment,Washington State University

Compositional analyses were performed by WDS,via electron microprobe, on a thin section of an am-phibole talc schist collected in the tailings and a com-mercial product from a former talc mine near Talcville,New York. The backscatter electron detector (BSE) wasused to aid in mineral identification and to better im-age the morphology. Within the rocks, tremolite existsas unaltered crystals. Anthophyllite occurs in an ac-icular habit with a series of fractures perpendicular toits elongation. Talc occurs as fine-grained masses fill-ing in the anthophyllite fractures, between acicularanthophyllite partings, as pseudomorphs afteranthophyllite, and as platy talc.

A polished grain mount of commercial productproduced from the mine (i.e. mouldene) yielded simi-lar results. Tremolite occurs as unaltered grains. Talcoccurs in a platy habit, as long fibrous particles, andas an alteration product along the rims of some miner-als. Anthophyllite grains are acicular and separatedinto smaller pieces along the ladder fractures withedges altering to talc. One grain of non-asbestiformmanganoan-cummingtonite was found with rims al-tering to asbestiform talc. Also, a few grains of diop-side were found altering to asbestiform talc. Thus, inthe ore and product we found asbestiform talc as analteration product of nonasbestiform minerals.

CHEMICAL AND FORENSIC MICROSCOPY

Developing a Microcrystal Test for a “Legal High”DrugSamantha Huntsman, McCrone Research Institute

This research focuses on the development of a mi-crocrystal test to detect the presence of 1-[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperazine (TFMPP). TFMPP,a synthetic piperazine, has no approved medical useand is commonly marketed as a legal alternative to3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methamphetamine (MDMA).Originally developed as an industrial chemical, TFMPPis currently unscheduled in the United States, but wastemporarily designated as a schedule I hallucinogen in2002 until, after investigations, the schedule was re-moved. Unfortunately, so-called “legal highs,” such asTFMPP, don’t often have sophisticated testing schemes

developed due to their short lives as abused substances.Using platinic bromide reagent, dendritic crystals wereobtained which converted to blade-like crystals withprogression of the reaction. Studies were also done toverify the uniqueness of the crystals and to determinethe limits of detection of the test.

•The Forensic Analysis of Paint Evidence UsingMicro-Raman Spectroscopy Part I: Developmentof Libraries and Application MethodsChristopher S. Palenik, Microtrace LLC; Patrick Buzzini,Forensic and Investigative Science Program, West VirginiaUniversity; Jennifer Herb, Microtrace LLC; Ethan Groves,Microtrace LLC

Although the benefits and advantages of Ramanspectroscopy have long been recognized and utilizedin the academic and industrial fields, this method hasyet to make a significant impact in the forensic labora-tory. Raman spectroscopy is new to forensic laborato-ries but it has sparked a recent interest in the last fewyears. The Raman technique has demonstrated impor-tant advantages such as its non-destructive nature,its fast analysis time, and especially the opportunityof performing microscopical in situ analyses. Theseadvantages make this method suitable for the forensicexamination of paint evidence. During this two-partpresentation, we will discuss the ability of micro-Raman spectroscopy to selectively detect and identifyorganic and inorganic pigments. Part I will focus onthe development of a Raman microspectroscopy pig-ment reference collection and its application to a col-

Photo courtesy of Samantha Huntsman, McCrone Research Institute

Samantha Huntsman of McCrone Research Institute presentedresearch on a microcrystal test to detect the presence of the “legalhigh” drug trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP).


lection 300 recently collected vintage automotive paintsamples.

•The Forensic Analysis of Paint Evidence UsingMicro-Raman Spectroscopy Part II: Case ExamplesPatrick Buzzini, Forensic and Investigative Science Program,West Virginia University; Christopher S. Palenik, MicrotraceLLC; Genevieve Massonnet, Universite de Lausanne

Part II will focus on the application of Raman spec-troscopy to casework for both identification and indi-vidualization purposes. See the preceding Part I ab-stract for more details.

•Benefits of Using Cross-Sectioning in ForensicAnalysis of Automotive PaintsEthan Groves, Microtrace LLC; Jennifer Herb, Microtrace LLC;Christopher S. Palenik, Microtrace LLC

A common type of trace evidence is paint. Paintcan be viewed many different ways. A survey of 300automotive paints has shown that layer structure canbe very distinguishing and complex. As the propertiesof “high-performance” pigments, binders, and poly-mers evolve the thickness of layers can be decreasedfor cost and environmental benefits. Decrease in layerthickness makes cross-sectioning the best, if not only,technique to view a complete layer structure. Unlikeother traditional methods for analyzing automotivepaints, such as bevel cutting, grinding/smearing orcollecting thin peels, thin-sectioning allows for infor-mation from each layer to be retained and collectedindividually. While bevel cutting allows for visualiza-tion of the layer structure, layer thickness cannot bemeasured or quantitatively compared in this way. Inthe examination of 300 paint samples studied, a vari-

ety of interesting layer structures, layer applicationmethods, and considerations for forensic sampling willbe discussed as well as their implications for accurateforensic comparison and interpretation.

•American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners(ASTEE)Chris E. Taylor, ASTEE

The American Society of Trace Evidence Examin-ers is proud to partner with Inter/Micro by offering aTuesday night social event. This interaction can pro-mote idea sharing and create new professional andpersonal friendships. This presentation will tell youhow ASTEE has successfully made it through its earlyyears and its future plans. The membership has sur-passed over 300 in just two short years and corporatesupport and sponsors have helped to establish a goodfinancial foundation. ASTEE has its own peer-reviewedjournal and with the support of its members and part-ners, new articles and valuable literature continues tobe published. ASTEE pledges to mature by continuingto provide and increase resources to its members. Ad-ditions to the website www.asteetrace.org will affordeach trace evidence practitioner and those interestedin trace evidence a resource for all that is trace. ASTEE’slong-term goals to improve member benefits will bepresented and discussed. With the accomplishmentsof ASTEE (and most importantly its membership) thesignificance of trace evidence will continue to be val-ued and will grow in importance. “Be active, be pas-sionate, and remember every contact you make leavesa trace on you and the forensic science community.”

•Environmental Effects on Fired Cartridge Cases:Primer Shear and Breech Face MarksPeter Diaczuk, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY;Stephanie Pollut, John Jay College of Criminal Justice,CUNY

There is, unfortunately, not much informationabout the comparison of discharged cartridge casesafter being left in the environment. This situation cancause an undesirable change to the case, which couldadversely affect the impressions left by the firearm.The purpose of this project was to determine the qual-ity of a comparison after cartridge cases were placed inthe environment. Ammunition consisting of four dif-ferent case metals (brass, steel, aluminum, and nickel)was fired and the discharged cases were collected. Af-ter initial examination with a comparison microscopeto confirm that the firearm used was imparting repro-ducible marks onto the primers, the cases were pur-posely placed onto open soil. At predetermined time

Peter Diaczuk of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY,described microscopical testing of the environmental effects ondischarged bullet cases that can adversely affect a forensicexamination of impressions left by a firearm.

Photo courtesy of Peter Diaczuk, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY

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periods, the cases were removed from the environmentfor examination. A representative of each group wasset aside without exposure to act as a control. Aftercollection, initial cleaning of the samples was done witha soft paintbrush and only minimal pressure to allowmicroscopical observation, however, the need for moreaggressive cleaning for some samples was soon appar-ent. Once loosely adhering soil and corrosion was re-moved, the samples were examined with a compari-son microscope to determine whether environmentaldegradation would compromise the examination.

•Role of Edmond Locard in the History of ForensicScience: “Every Contact Leaves a Trace” DissectedPatrick Buzzini, Forensic and Investigative Science Program,West Virginia University

“Every contact leaves a trace.” This quote, univer-sally known as Locard’s exchange principle, is only thetip of the iceberg of all contributions and developmentthat Dr. Locard made in the field of criminalistics. Thepath followed by Locard to become one of the mostimportant pioneers in forensic science will be explored,including his educational and cultural background, hismentors, and all the figures that played an importantrole in his career. In this historical journey, the scien-tific methodology of physical evidence and the philoso-phy that Locard formalized during his activities (asdirector of one of the first forensic laboratories in theworld) will be described. The author will also exposethe different types of evidence that Locard processed,starting from his research on poroscopy to the morethan 11,000 cases that he examined in the field of ques-tioned documents. This will be undertaken to showthe “extreme variety of signs” as well as the “flexibil-ity and polymorphism of the method,” as he empha-sized in his book of 1920, L’enquête Criminelle et lesMéthodes Scientifiques. The origin of Locard’s exchangeprinciple, his original statement, and its role for recog-nizing evidence at the crime scene will be described.

•Microspectrophotometry (MSP) of BloodLarry Peterson, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory

The identification of blood during forensic inves-tigations is a routine matter handled by DNA or serol-ogy units within the crime laboratory. However, traceevidence examinations can disclose microscopic-sizedparticles of suspected blood on hair, fibers, or otherrecovered trace evidence. These bloodstains may beprobative to an investigation. The ability to identify asubstance as blood by spectroscopy is a long-stand-ing method and can now be performed in the modernlaboratory using a microspectrophotometer. This non-

destructive method allows a particle to be character-ized as blood, by combining the particle’s microscopi-cal appearance and its UV-VIS spectrum.

•Antibody-Based Forensic Body Fluid IdentificationKarl Reich, Independent Forensics; Jennifer Old; P.W.Boonlayangoor

The forensic identification of body fluids is wellestablished as an essential laboratory tool for crimi-nalistic investigations and is based on bio-marker rec-ognition. Identify the marker associated with the bodyfluid and conclude that the body fluid is indeed present.The choice of bio-marker and the method of its detec-tion are therefore crucial to the accuracy and reliabil-ity of this method. With the large-scale implementa-tion of DNA-based forensic testing, source attributionof observed stain(s) from crime scenes or from recov-ered evidence has become particularly important.

Current forensic practice recognizes four body flu-ids and two cell types; blood, semen, saliva and urine,and epithelial and sperm cells. Historically, chemicaland enzymatic methods, sometimes coupled with mi-croscopy, were used to identify blood, saliva, semen,and sperm. More recently, antibody based methodshave been developed that identify new bio-markersfrom blood, semen, urine and sperm, and provide morespecific identification of saliva.

The development of the antibody-based RSID™(Rapid Stain IDentification) series of lateral flowimmunochromatographic strip tests and of the immu-nofluorescent SPERM HY-LITER™ stain for sperm willbe described and the advantages and limitations of

Patrick Buzzini of the West Virgina University presented the differenttypes of criminal evidence that forensic science pioneer EdmondLocard processed, including fingerprints and other “mute wit-nesses” who are never mistaken and do not lie.

Image courtesy of Patrick Buzzini, West Virginia University


these tests in forensic practice (and in comparison witholder methods) will be outlined.

•Analysis ParalysisBrian J. Ford, Caius College, University of Cambridge

Studies of live blood using darkfield microscopy

in the 1960s gave rise to a useful laboratory techniquefor the dynamic observation of hemostatic mecha-nisms. The idea was taken up by a system of “LiveBlood Analysis” which claims to reveal a range of hid-den secrets about the body — your state of health, un-diagnosed allergies, the presence of cancer — which

Inter/Micro 2012 Photomicrography Competition Winners

T hree winners were selected in the Inter/Micro 2012 Photomicrography Competition. Martin

Kocanda, Best Overall Photomicrograph; Katie M.White, Most Unique Photomicrograph; and MegganKing, Honorable Mention Photomicrograph. Thewinners were announced at the SMSI 2012 AwardsDinner, held at The Berghoff restaurant in Chicago.

What makes up a winning photomicrograph?Entrees were judged by a number of factors, in-cluding:

• Even, well-distributed illumination in the fieldof the image.

• Placement of specimen within the image (cen-tered or artistically offset).

• Uniqueness or originality of the specimen.• Information revealed.• Beauty or impact of the image.• Subject matter and composition. • Beauty or impact of the image.

Martin Kocanda: Best Overall PhotomicrographThe image shows water-based paint droplets on glass, viewedwith light microscopy under crossed polars at 300x.

Photo courtesy of Martin Kocanda, Northern Illinois University

Katie M. White: Most Unique Photomicrograph“Blood Vessel Cross Section” shows the outer layer of smoothmuscle tissue surrounding a granular core of dried blood,photographed at 20x with light microscopy.

Photo courtesy of Katie M. White, Microtrace LLC

Meggan King: Honorable Mention PhotomicrographThe image shows a fusion preparation of aspirin viewed undercrossed polars with a first order red compensator.

Photo courtesy of Meggan King, McCrone Research Institute

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are promoted without scientific knowledge to supportthe procedure.

More recently the idea has been seriously promotedon television and today we will see how organizationsare seeking to promote the idea among people who donot understand the science.

•Is it Blood?: Recovery and MicrochemicalIdentification of Blood in Forensic SpecimensKatie White, Microtrace LLC; Skip Palenik, Microtrace LLC

Potential bloodstains are commonly submittedas evidence in criminal investigations and can also beencountered in food complaints and civil cases. Be-yond the advantage of possible DNA associations, con-firmation of the presence of blood may also provideinvestigators with contextual clues, such as evidenceof an injury or corroboration of a statement. Today,several presumptive and confirmatory tests for bloodare available, including the modern immunoassaytests popular in many laboratories. This session pre-sents three microscopical methods for the identifica-tion of blood: the Takayama and Teichman tests, bothof which are confirmatory microcrystalline testsbased on the formation of hemoglobin derivative crys-tals, and the porphyrin test, which examines poten-tial blood for characteristic red fluorescence underultraviolet excitation. In addition to a brief overviewof blood and its chemical structure, the chemistrybehind each test will be discussed. Procedures for eachmethod will then be presented with applicationsdemonstrated for known samples of blood. Addition-ally, these methods will be compared and contrastedwith other techniques. Though testing for blood is of-ten routine, this presentation will also explore someunique examples from forensic casework, specificallywith regard to sampling potential blood from unusualsample matrices.

•One Century Later: The TakayamaHemochromogen Microcrystal TestArthur Young, Guardian Forensic Sciences

In 1912, Dr. Masao Takayama published “A Methodfor Identifying Blood by Hemochromogen Crystalliza-tion.” In the century that has passed, man has beenthrough two world wars, harnessed the power of theatom, conquered space and explored the solar system,invented and evolved the computer, and unraveled thesecrets of DNA. The Takayama method for identifyingblood has all but vanished into the mists of history,having been perceived as insensitive, slow, and cum-bersome. A closer examination of his method, includ-ing subsequent improvements and a modern under-

standing of crystallography, can propel this methodto a sensitivity beyond that of even modern forensicDNA analysis. As with any microscopy technique,success is determined more by the skill and the tech-nique of the analyst and less by the quality of the equip-ment that is used. As man’s technology continues toimprove, the need to conserve more and more of a lim-ited sample for additional analyses grows. Therefore,the confirmation of blood — the fundamental stepupon which the significance of all other analyses rests— shall always remain relevant, into the this centuryand beyond.

•The Alchemist’s TaleSkip Palenik, Microtrace LLC

In 2011, the opportunity arose to purchase a paint-ing of an alchemist, attributed to the “circle ofTeniers.” Teniers was a prolific 17th century artistwho is believed to have produced several hundredalchemical paintings in his lifetime. This painting in-trigued the senior author who became interested inadding it to the fledgling Microtrace collection of al-chemical art. The price, while not inexpensive, wasless than one would expect to pay for an authenticTeniers and was reputed to have last been purchasedfrom a highly reputable auction house. The paintingwas purchased and subjected to a scientific examina-tion in our laboratory.

This presentation will describe and illustrate themicroanalytical approach we took to learn the secretsof this small painting on wood. It will also describesome of the physical attributes that likely led the art

Photos courtesy of Arthur Young, Guardian Forensic Sciences

Arthur Young of Guardian Forensic Sciences showed bloodcrystals in light (left) and polarized light from the hemochromogenmicrocrystal test developed in 1912 by Dr. Masao Takayama andexplained why this method of blood identification is relevant today.


community to make the attribution they did. •

Trace Evidence Analysis at the U.S. PostalInspection Service National Forensic LaboratoryAndrew Bowen, U.S. Postal Inspection Service

This talk will introduce the audience to the Na-tional Forensic Laboratory of the United States PostalInspection Service. The mission and jurisdiction of theInspection Service, its laboratory facilities, and typi-cal casework will be discussed. The trace evidence sub-missions consist largely of identifying unknown sub-stances (often white powders) sent through the mail,recovering trace evidence from threatening letters, sup-porting investigations into burglary of postal facili-ties, and analysis of improvised explosive devices. Sev-eral case examples illustrating the nature of the casessubmitted to the National Forensic Laboratory willbe presented.

•Development of a Modern Compendium of Microcrystal Tests for Illicit Drugs and DivertedPharmaceuticalsSebastian Sparenga, McCrone Research Institute

This talk will discuss the cooperative agreementthat McCrone Research Institute was recentlyawarded through the National Institute of Justice(NIJ-2011-2805 SL# 000944). The purpose of thisproject is to compile a comprehensive compendiumof microcrystal tests, which have previously beendeveloped for illicit drugs and diverted pharmaceu-ticals, by determining, locating, and compiling ana-lytical data and literature material from the numer-ous sources (many of which are out of print or diffi-cult to locate) spanning past decades. Techniques willalso be developed, where necessary, for drugs withinnon-traditional delivery mechanisms. All procedureswill be vetted and appraised by McCrone Research

Institute research microscopists, together with prac-ticing forensic scientists in other collaborative labo-ratories. The resulting electronic compendium willinclude recommended protocols and morphologies ofcrystals (including photomicrographs), infrared spec-tra of microcrystals, and potential interferences. Butmost importantly, the compendium will also includeoptical and crystallographic properties of the result-ant microcrystals. This optical data is absent in manyreferences, which is unfortunate because microcrys-tals of a given substance are unique if optical proper-ties, and not only morphology, are considered. In-cluded with this optical data will be a refinement ofthe application of many microcrystal tests in orderto strengthen their use within the criminal justicesystem. Furthermore, this Microcrystal Compendiumwill be available to all forensic scientists for free ac-cess from selected websites.

•Examining the Effects of EnvironmentalDegradation on the Optical Properties ofManufactured Fibers of Natural OriginKelly M. Brinsko, McCrone Research Institute

With the production of manufactured fibers ofnatural origin increasing in recent years, productssuch as azlon and polylactic acid fibers are likely tobecome more common in regular case work in theforensic science laboratory. However, little is knownabout the changes occurring in their optical andphysical properties as an effect of moisture, sunlightexposure, and exposure to various temperatures. Afederally funded research study is underway to in-vestigate the effects of such degradation on the opti-cal properties of selected fibers (polylactic acid, azlon,and rayon). These fibers, which are often proclaimedby manufacturers as being biodegradable (becausethey are made from naturally occurring proteins,

Photos courtesy of Andrew Bowen, U.S. Postal Inspection ServiceAndrew Bowen introduced the trace evidence casework of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which largely consists of identifying unknownsubstances sent through the mail. The sample above is a crystal of copper sulfate pentahydrate shown (from left) in plane-polarized light,crossed polars and in crossed polars with a red compensator.

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sugars, or cellulose) are expected to show the mostchange compared to synthetic fibers such as polyes-ter or nylon. Environmental conditions such as expo-sure to water (saltwater and freshwater), UV light,and hot and cold temperatures will be explored whiledocumenting any change in optical properties. Po-larized light microscopy observations, including mor-phology, pleochroism, refractive index, birefringence,extinction characteristics, sign of elongation, solubil-ity, and thermal behavior will be monitored through-out two years of exposure to these conditions. Infra-red spectra will also be collected at various time in-tervals to complement light microscopy data. Notice-able changes in optical properties of these types offibers could prove to be important in a forensic set-ting, notably in fiber comparison and identification.An outline and strategy for this research project willbe presented, along with preliminary data and anassessment of the occurrence of such fabrics in con-sumer textiles.

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Whose Hair is it Anyway?: Hair and FiberMicroscopy Uncovers Fakes, Frauds, and theOccasional Genuine ArticleJason Beckert, Microtrace LLC

Microscopy is a powerful analytical technique inthe examination of hairs and fibers. Often overlookedor underappreciated, it is usually the first means ofcritically examining these materials, and in some cases,it is the only technique employed. Microscopy can ex-ploit variations in morphology, color, and optical prop-erties when performing identifications or comparisonsbetween samples. This presentation will demonstratethe utility of microscopy as it relates to answeringquestions concerning authenticity and truth in adver-tising. While this presentation will focus on animalhairs, other materials including vegetable fibers, syn-thetic fibers, and human hair will be discussed. Di-verse case examples will span the range from moderngarments and wigs to purported ancient artifacts andmythological creatures.

Documents

pp97-144 Vol 60(3) FINAL Proof CX · 2018-03-01 · 99 THE MICROSCOPE • Vol. 60:3, pp 99–121 (2012) *2820 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616 Inter/Micro 2012 Gary J. Laughlin