Direct Analysis in Real Time

[HSMndLKfan92]

New Ink Sampling Technique Taking A Bite Of Out Time
Science Daily — Primetime crime drama meets reality in forensic research taking place at the Midwest Forensics Resource Center at Iowa State University. US Department of Ames Laboratory scientists are using the new Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry interface, which has made a guest appearance on the popular crime show "CSI: New York," to build a library of ink mass spectra using samples from the US Secret Service. The mass spectra library will help identify inks on fraudulent documents and other crime evidence.


Researchers at the Midwest Forensics Resource Center at Iowa State University are building a library of ink profiles to help forensic scientists identify inks on fraudulent documents and other evidence. MFRC scientists will pair mass spectrometry with a new sampling technique called Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) to reveal the chemical makeup of ink faster and in greater detail than ever before.

DART mass spectrometry analyzes ink by creating a stream of warm gas containing excited-state helium atoms or nitrogen molecules in the DART source. The gas stream is pointed at an ink sample, and the gas and excited-state species evaporate and ionize molecules from the sample. A mass spectrometer measures the production of ions to create mass spectrum data for each ink sample tested.

In contrast to other types of ink analysis, like liquid chromatography, which require cutting a small sample from a questioned document, DART mass spectrometry is able to test documents without physically or visually altering them. The questioned document is open to the environment, and all sizes of materials may be tested in their original form.

According to Roger Jones, U.S Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory associate chemist, "The great thing about the DART system is that it can sample the ink straight off the paper. You don't have to extract a sample first. Before DART, we had to cut a little bit of sample out and dissolve it in solvent for analysis. So, now we can look at the document without visibly altering it, which is good for forensic science. We don't destroy the evidence."

Eliminating the sampling extraction process saves busy forensic scientists time. Jones said that benefit alone would have been enough to consider the DART method a success.

"We would have been satisfied with the mass spectra looking basically like the spectra obtained by the old extraction mass spectrometry methods, because the DART system still gets around damaging the sample and reduces the work involved in analysis," said Jones, "Time constraints are the major complaint of every forensic scientist. Their caseloads are so large that they just don't have the time to do traditional ink analysis."

But, on top of saving time and preserving evidence, the DART method also yields richer data about ink samples than previous sampling methods. Initial tests of the DART system indicate that the mass spectra reveal more components of the ink than conventional mass spectra. Using DART, forensic scientists may be able to differentiate between inks like never before.

Jones and John McClelland, Ames Laboratory senior physicist and DART project leader, plan a three-phase project. Currently in the first phase, they are experimenting to determine the best way to analyze inks and build the library.

The library of ink mass spectra will be produced in the second phase of the project. Researchers will use samples from the U.S. Secret Service International Ink Library to create a comprehensive, vetted, and computer searchable library of mass spectra of the more than 8,000 inks the Secret Service has compiled.

The third phase of the project will focus on creating computer software used to store and access the mass spectra library.

"Commercial mass spectrometry software available today is all based on the old style of mass spectrometry. We get a different type of data from DART. So, the assumptions used in existing software for searching and matching mass spectra do not work the best for DART," said Jones.

The U.S. Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice is funding the project.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070718001516.htm

Opinions?

 

[BabyPiglet]

I don't really know how to word my opinion on this. I think it could sink or swim.

It could either really help, or be a complete waste of money.

 

[Babyjustrun]

Okay, I know this is probably really... stupid of me, but I cannot read that.
I mean, my attention span is.. not gonna stay.
Could you summarise the brief meaning for me? ^^"

 

[disney100666]

to many words, couldn't read all had to skim but that didn't help. someone summarize

 

[::Snow_White::]

It's sounds really interesting.
But I agree with Jenny.
I'm not sure how it's gonna go.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I don't really know how to word my opinion on this. I think it could sink or swim.

It could either really help, or be a complete waste of money.

The way the article sounds, it seems like it will be a great benefit.

Okay, I know this is probably really... stupid of me, but I cannot read that.
I mean, my attention span is.. not gonna stay.
Could you summarise the brief meaning for me? ^^"

Basically, a new form of ink testing has been created (Direct Analysis in Real Time). And DRAT is going to be used to create an ink profile library for forensic scientists to use.

 

[AngelInDisguise]

I have to agree with BabyPiglet. It could sink or swim

 

[Ampris]

Oh sure, take away one of Sherlock Holmes' great pleasures in life. >(

I kid. Sounds like a good idea to me, and if it helps save the forensic scientists a little time, all the better.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I have to agree with BabyPiglet. It could sink or swim

My name is Jenny. =]

 

[BabyPiglet]

The way the article sounds, it seems like it will be a great benefit.



Basically, a new form of ink testing has been created (Direct Analysis in Real Time). And DRAT is going to be used to create an ink profile library for forensic scientists to use.

I agree, it's a plus that's scientists won't have to destroy evidence. BUT, you never know how these things are going to go.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I agree, it's a plus that's scientists won't have to destroy evidence. BUT, you never know how these things are going to go.

I'm wondering, why do you think it would 'sink?'
I'm not directing this just towards you,
I only quoted you because everyone seems to agree with you.
I'd like to know others' opinions as well.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I'm wondering, why do you think it would 'sink?'
I'm not directing this just towards you,
I only quoted you because everyone seems to agree with you.
I'd like to know others' opinions as well.

Uhm, I can't really explain it in words. You'd have to be able to read my mind to know what I'm talking about.

xD

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I can't read minds, sorry.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I can't read minds, sorry.

I know. =/

Okay, I shall try.

I think it might sink because forensic scientists themselves might not want to veer [sp] away from the past machine.

Oh that didn't even sound right. I dunno.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

You mean that they don't want to try something knew?

 

[BabyPiglet]

Yes, well kind of. They might not be keen on trying to rely on a new machine.

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

Yes, well kind of. They might not be keen on trying to rely on a new machine.

Science is forever changing.
Most scientists have learned to adapt to that.
But it is still up to them.

If I was a forensic scientist, (I plan on going into the forensics field) I'd embrace the fact that there's something smoother, quicker, and more reliable out there for me.

In the end, DRAT's going to benefit these scientists.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I know that, I'm not disagreeing with you. All I am saying is that it might take a little while for scientists to completely rely on this new machine.

 

[Pirate Me]

:\ I don't feel like reading that, hehe..

 

[HSMndLKfan92]

I know that, I'm not disagreeing with you. All I am saying is that it might take a little while for scientists to completely rely on this new machine.

By the time scientists take a little while to get used to DART, something even newer will be out for them.