Towards Onsite Age Estimation of Semen Stains Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Article

The age estimation of biological traces is one of the holy grails in forensic investigations. We developed a method for the age estimation of semen stains using fluorescence spectroscopy in conjunction with a stoichiometric ageing model.

The model describes the degradation and generation rate of proteins and fluorescent oxidation products (FOX) over time. The previously used fluorimeter is a large benchtop device and requires system optimization for forensic applications. In situ applications have the advantage that measurements can be performed directly at the crime scene, without additional sampling or storage steps. Therefore, a portable fiber-based fluorimeter was developed, consisting of two optimized light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and two spectrometers to allow the fluorescence protein and FOX measurements. The handheld fiber can be used without touching the traces, avoiding the destruction or contamination of the trace. In this study, we have measured the ageing kinetics of semen stains over time using both our portable fluorimeter and a laboratory benchtop fluorimeter and compared their accuracies for the age estimation of semen stains. Successful age estimation was possible up to 11 days, with a mean absolute error of 1.0 days and 0.9 days for the portable and the benchtop fluorimeters, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of using the portable fluorimeter for in situ applications.

Reference Achetib, N., Leemberg, C. C., Geurts , M. M. P., Bloemen, P. R., van den Elzen, R. M., Aalders, M. C. G., & van Dam, A. (2023). Towards Onsite Age Estimation of Semen Stains Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy. Sensors, 23(13), Article 6148. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23136148
Published by  Centre for Applied Research Technology 1 July 2023

Publication date

Jul 2023

Author(s)

Nihad Achetib
Caren C. Leemberg
Mathijs M. P. Geurts
Paul R. Bloemen
Richard M. van den Elzen
Maurice C. G. Aalders

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