Planning Grant: I/UCRC for Center of Forensic Science Research at FIU

FIU法医研究和商业化中心（FRESCO）法医科学实践受益于几个重要的科学进步（即。DNA分析、聚合酶链反应、高分辨率质谱法）以及从基础研究到法医方法开发的快速过渡，提高了许多类型法医调查中证据的质量，使社会更加安全和公正。通过最终用户（执法部门和法院）、知识和技术开发者（研究实验室）以及愿意将日常使用的工具商业化和销售的工业伙伴之间的密切合作，可以促进技术从研究实验室向商业产品的转让。国际法医研究所（IFRI）自1997年成立以来被公认为法医科学研究的国家领导者，在化学和生物化学，生物科学和地球与环境部门拥有10多名活跃的法医科学研究人员。新的法医研究和商业化中心（FRESCO）的目标是将包括最终用户社区在内的工业合作伙伴与学术法医科学研究人员聚集在一起，旨在开发，实施和商业化有利于国家法医科学企业的新工具。新中心将在化学和生物科学的几个新兴领域进行研究，对刑事司法系统产生潜在影响。一个题为“法医证据快速、直接25分钟聚合酶链反应分析”的项目有可能加快DNA图谱分析，从而为调查人员提供更好的信息。为扩大用于年龄和微量法医体液鉴定的表观遗传标记而进行的全基因组筛查，目的是查明犯罪现场DNA样本的来源细胞类型。 一个名为“来源归因工具;使用激光采样策略进行元素和同位素分析”的项目将开发用于材料有机和无机表征的快速工具，并使用便携式仪器将法医科学家的范围扩大到现场分析。用于检测爆炸物残留物的纸微流控设备项目开发了基于微流控纸的分析设备（µ PAD），用于利用固定在纸上的比色反应进行现场爆炸物检测。法医证据解释数据库开发将增加常见类型法医证据（如油墨化学）的数据库数量和类型。犬类货物集装箱检查结合了使用经过适当训练的犬类和仪器方法，提供了一个快速的检查系统。面对非法药物种类的迅速变化，需要与法医实验室社区和其他行业合作伙伴合作开展“设计药物质谱表征”项目。该规划赠款由NSF和国家司法研究所共同支持。

Center for Forensic RESearch and COmmercialization (FRESCO) at FIUForensic science practice has benefitted from several important scientific advances (ie. DNA profiling, PCR, high resolution mass spectrometry) and rapid transition from basic research to forensic method development has improved the quality of evidence in many types of forensic investigations, resulting in a safer and more just society. The transfer of technology from the research laboratory to commercial products can be facilitated with close collaborations between the end users (law enforcement and the courts), knowledge and technology developers (research laboratories) and industrial partners willing to commercialize and market tools for routine use. The International Forensic Research Institute (IFRI) is recognized as a national leader in forensic science research since it's founding in 1997 with more than 10 active researchers in the forensic sciences in the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biological Sciences and Earth and the Environment. The goals of the new Center for Forensic Research and Commercialization (FRESCO) are to bring together industrial partners, including the end-user community, with academic forensic science researchers with an aim to develop, implement and commercialize new tools that benefit the national forensic science enterprise. The new center will conduct research in several emerging areas within chemical and biological sciences with potential impact on the criminal justice system. A project entitled Rapid, Direct 25 minute PCR Analysis of Forensic Evidence has the potential to speed up DNA profiling thereby providing better information to investigators. Genome wide screening for the expansion of epigenetic markers for age and trace forensic body fluid identification will aim to identify the type of cells that give origin to the DNA sample present at the crime scene. A project entitled Source Attribution Tools; Elemental and Isotopic Analyses Using Laser Sampling Strategies will develop rapid tools for the organic and inorganic characterization of materials and extending the reach of forensic scientists to field analysis with the use of portable instrumentation. The Paper Microfluidic Devices for the Detection of Explosives Residues project develops microfluidic paper based analytical devices (µPADs) for on-site explosives detection utilizing colorimetric reactions immobilized on paper. Database Development for Forensic Evidence Interpretation will increase the number and types of databases for common types of forensic evidence such as ink chemistry. The Canine Cargo Container Screening combines the use of properly trained canines and instrumental methods to offer a rapid screening system. The rapidly changing types of encountered illicit drugs require the need for the Mass Spectroscopic Characterization of Designer Drugs project in collaboration with the forensic laboratory community and other industry partners.This planning grant is jointly supported by NSF and the National Institute of Justice.