Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry for analysis of sexual assault evidence
Direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry for analysis of sexual assault evidence
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DOI：
10.1002/rcm.6198
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发表时间：
2012-05-15
影响因子：
2
通讯作者：
Shepard, Jason R. E.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Musah, Rabi A.;Cody, Robert B.;Shepard, Jason R. E.
理由：性侵犯犯罪的报道严重不足，而且起诉率和定罪率低得惊人。帮助起诉此类案件的关键科学方法是法医 DNA 分析，其中使用强奸检测试剂盒收集的精液等生物证据来确定嫌疑人的 DNA 图谱。然而，犯罪分子越来越认识到 DNA 在性侵犯起诉中的重要性，导致攻击者越来越多地使用安全套作为避免留下 DNA 的手段。因此，其他类型的痕迹证据对于帮助证实受害者的陈述、为无辜者开脱、将嫌疑人与犯罪联系起来或确认渗透非常重要。方法：采用实时质谱直接分析 (DART-MS) 来全面表征与性侵犯相关的非 DNA 痕迹证据。与 DART-MS 相关的环境电离方法速度极快，样品可即时处理，无需提取、样品制备或其他可能损害未来分析法医证据的方法。 结果：在一次测定中，我们证明了识别与性侵犯相关的润滑剂配方的能力，例如杀精剂 nonoxynol-9、用于避孕套制造的化合物以及作为证明证据的许多其他痕量成分。此外，该方法还可以用于识别微量生物残留物中的化合物，例如潜指纹中常见的脂肪酸。结论：将润滑剂残留物表征为证明性证据有助于在受害者和犯罪者之间建立联系，这些细节的可用性可能会导致更高的起诉率和定罪率以及更严厉的处罚。这里描述的方法为在犯罪实验室中采用全面、快速和敏感的分析开辟了道路，同时提供可以为刑事司法政策和实践提供信息和指导的知识。版权所有 (C) 2012 约翰·威利父子有限公司
RATIONALE: Sexual assault crimes are vastly underreported and suffer from alarmingly low prosecution and conviction rates. The key scientific method to aid in prosecution of such cases is forensic DNA analysis, where biological evidence such as semen collected using a rape test kit is used to determine a suspect's DNA profile. However, the growing awareness by criminals of the importance of DNA in the prosecution of sexual assaults has resulted in increased condom use by assailants as a means to avoid leaving behind their DNA. Thus, other types of trace evidence are important to help corroborate victims' accounts, exonerate the innocent, link suspects to the crime, or confirm penetration.METHODS: Direct Analysis in Real Time Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS) was employed for the comprehensive characterization of non-DNA trace evidence associated with sexual assault. The ambient ionization method associated with DART-MS is extremely rapid and samples are processed instantaneously, without the need for extraction, sample preparation, or other means that might compromise forensic evidence for future analyses.RESULTS: In a single assay, we demonstrated the ability to identify lubricant formulations associated with sexual assault, such as the spermicide nonoxynol-9, compounds used in condom manufacture, and numerous other trace components as probative evidence. In addition, the method can also serve to identify compounds within trace biological residues, such as fatty acids commonly identified in latent fingerprints.CONCLUSIONS: Characterization of lubricant residues as probative evidence serves to establish a connection between the victim and the perpetrator, and the availability of these details may lead to higher rates of prosecution and conviction, as well as more severe penalties. The methodology described here opens the way for the adoption of a comprehensive, rapid, and sensitive analysis for use in crime labs, while providing knowledge that can inform and guide criminal justice policy and practice. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.