| Title: | Fragrance transfer between fabrics for forensic reconstruction applications |
| Author(s): | Gherghel S; Morgan RM; Arrebola-Liebanas JF; Blackman CS; Parkin IP; |
| Address: | "UCL Department of Security and Crime Science, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom; UCL Centre for the Forensic Sciences, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom; Research Group 'Analytical Chemistry of Contaminants', Department of Chemistry and Physics, Research Centre for Agricultural and Food Biotechnology (BITAL), University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence, ceiA3, E-04120 Almeria, Spain; UCL Department of Chemistry, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: simona.gherghel.14@ucl.ac.uk. UCL Department of Security and Crime Science, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom; UCL Centre for the Forensic Sciences, 35 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9EZ, United Kingdom. Research Group 'Analytical Chemistry of Contaminants', Department of Chemistry and Physics, Research Centre for Agricultural and Food Biotechnology (BITAL), University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence, ceiA3, E-04120 Almeria, Spain. UCL Department of Chemistry, 20 Gordon Street, London WC1H 0AJ, United Kingdom" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.02.002 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1876-4452 (Electronic) 1355-0306 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Sexual assault is a serious crime that often has low conviction rates. Recent literature has demonstrated that there is potential for fragrances to be valuable in forensic reconstructions where there has been contact between individuals. However, developing appropriate evidence bases for understanding the nature of fragrance transfer in these contexts is needed. This article presents three experiments that address the transfer process of fragrances that have been transferred from a primary piece of fabric onto a secondary piece of fabric, in a manner that could occur during an assault. The three variables studied were the ageing time of the fragrances on the first fabric prior to transfer, the contact time between the two fabrics, and lastly the fabric type (of the primary material and the recipient material). The transfer was evaluated using a validated solid phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME GC-MS) method. The findings demonstrated that all three variables had an impact on the transfer of fragrances between clothing fabrics. Generally, lower volatility compounds were transferred and recovered in larger amounts than higher volatility compounds. All fragrance compounds were successfully recovered from a secondary piece of fabric even when the contact time was as short as 10?ª+s, and even when the perfume was aged on the primary fabric for as long as 48?ª+h. The nature of the fragrance transfer also depended on the fabric type, so that a clear discrimination was observed between the fragrance transfer that occurred onto a natural fabric (cotton) and onto a synthetic fabric (polyester)" |
| Keywords: | *Clothing Forensic Sciences/*methods Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Odorants/*analysis Perfume/*chemistry Principal Component Analysis Solid Phase Microextraction Textiles/*analysis *Time Factors Volatile Organic Compounds/*analysis Experimental stu; |
| Notes: | "MedlineGherghel, Simona Morgan, Ruth M Arrebola-Liebanas, Javier F Blackman, Chris S Parkin, Ivan P eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2019/05/06 Sci Justice. 2019 May; 59(3):256-267. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2019.02.002. Epub 2019 Feb 6" |
