Nanotechnology In Forensic Science

Abstract

Nanotechnology is a way of manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. A general way of showing nanotechnology was established by national nanotechnology initiative, according to which nanotechnology is defined as the manipulation of matter with at least one dimension sized from 1 to 100 nanometers. Nanotechnology is a superb way or we can say it is the route in forensic science for solving all criminal cases. In the current years, nanotechnology has emerged as a leading edge interdisciplinary technology designed at the juncture of the anomalous number of disciplines, obscuring the lines flanked by pure and applied research. Nanotechnology might have a potential to make significant positive contribution in forensic drug detection to solve crimes. We hypothesized that the nanoparticles and chemically modified nanoparticles may alter or enhance the spectroscopic signals of forensic drugs in fingerprint samples. Nanoparticle has unique and unified nanostructures and may specifically interact with forensic drugs via their well-controlled nanostructures. In this review we have discussed about the expressive way of nanotechnology in field of forensic science. Keywords:Nanotechnology, Forensic nanotechnology, Crime detection, Forensic investigation.

Introduction

Nanotechnology is the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometres, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. The size of nanometer is about 3-5 atoms wide. Nanotechnology include living beings. The prefix nano has been acquired from the Greek word ‘nanos’ meaning “dwarf” which signifies things of the size of one billionth [1]. It is well-defined as the field dealing with the manipulation of atom or molecules from the material world by the amalgamation of engineering, chemical and biological methodologies. Nanotechnology is pertinent in vast region i. e different field of science and technology. Nanotechnology have vast variety of uses in region where a prescription is used to cure diseases and in a field of engineering[2-8]. Nanotechnology due to its multipurpose use and advantages in all areas, it referred to as a universal purpose technology since its foremost version will have its impact on relatively on all field, industries and all areas of civilization [8-10]. Nano-forensics, a completely new area of forensic science associated with the development of nanosensors, nanotechnical methods for real-time crime scene investigation and terrorist activity investigations, determining the presence of explosive gases, biological agents and residues. Forensic Science is a broad field of subspecialties which use techniques adapted from the natural sciences to obtain criminal or other legal evidence. The countless applications of nanotechnology embrace catalysis, optical devices, photo-electrochemistry, biomedicine, diagnostics, foods and environment [11]. Nanotechnology has popped up as one of the most propitious and innovative research area in modern science [12] with appreciable attention drawn towards the development of novel strategies, laid down for synthesizing myriad nano-objects with manifold applications.

Forensic nanotechnology:

Nanoforensic is that route of forensic science that contain nanosensors and nanotechinical methods that are used in crime scene examination and terrorist activity inquries and in detecting the presence of explosive gases. Forensic Science is an expansive field of subspecialties which use different techniques amended from the natural sciences to acquire criminal or further legitimate evidence. Application of nanotechnology is possible to augment the capability to toxic materials, forensic evidence in tissue, materials and soil. Nano-analysis is commonly used in the nanotechnology detection of crimes. Some of these analyses techniques are Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, and Raman Microscopy [10, 13-14]. Materials at the nano-scale exhibits novel biological and physicochemical properties unseen in their bulk counterparts. Among all the nanomaterials, nanoparticles have attained an eminent position ensuing from its pioneering and enhanced properties based on their size, shape, distribution and morphology. DNA extraction from palm-prints, fingerprints, gun residues, explosives and heavy metals are some of the novel approaches that ease the way for forensic scientists to provide conclusive evidence [15-19].

Applications of Forensic Nanotechnology

AFM and the Time of Death:

Cai and Chen first reported the application of AFM to resolve one of the most crucial issue in forensic science – the estimation of the time of death[20]. The changes that occur in blood cells find useful for quantitative work of time of termination The deformation of cell and membrane surface of unfixed erythrocytes with time lapse is observed. Fissures and cell shrinkage took place in half a day. More protuberances on erythrocytes began to reveal in 2. 5 days. Estimation of the time of death can be estimated as an indication because of increment of number of protuberance.

Forensic DNA analysis

DNA analysts -- sometimes called forensic biologists -- play a key role in the investigation of violent crimes. They collect, test and analyze blood samples to help provide critical evidence of how a crime happened and who committed it. People whodo this work used to be known as forensic serologists. Need of forensic in DNA analysis came in world to work for rape cases murder cases and other criminal cases. It can also be used to analyze blood stains, hairs etc. Microfluidic devices are the recent advanced devices used for forensic DNA analysis. The advantages of these devices are shorter examination time, risk of contamination is less, it is directly applicable at the crime scene. Another most important technology is microfluidic chip technology has already proven to be useful and effective within medical applications, such as for point-of-care use [21-27].

Forensic explosive detection

Terrorist activites are increasing day by day, these activities harm living as well as non living things. These activities also affect ecosystem. Major threat of these activities is bomb blasts. After these explosives nanotechnology in part of forensic science is used to detect these explosive. Nano materials provide a active potential to create sensors for detection of explosives. Systematic and efficient detection of explosives which were hidden in vehicles and luggage. Tracing of explosives is a very costly and highly complicated task. Nanostructures are used as sensors for detection of different chemical and biological compounds including explosives. The Ultra small devices have high sensing capability.

Forensic fingerprint detection:

Nano particles are made up of gold which when attached to body surface recognize the breakdown products of common drugs which lead to change in colour. By this fringerprinting system we can find record of any criminal or any person. In short way it can be said that forensic fingerprint detection is a new hope to investigate fir criminal cases.