Abstract
This chapter focuses on the methods that can determine chemical or structural features of biological agent particles that are signatures of particular methods of growth and post-growth processing (often referred to as "weaponization"). The detection of these signatures in a sample of a bio-weapon (BW) agent can aid the attribution by indicating: (1) the level of sophistication of the producer, (2) the access to particular types of agent weaponization information, (3) the likelihood that the material could be or has been produced at a significant scale, (4) and by providing essential sample matching data for ascertaining a putative relationship with other samples obtained in other venues. An example of the use of biologicals in forensic science is DNA, amplifi{ligature}ed by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, legally admissible in courtas evidence. DNA evidence is successfully used in the court to convict or clear people of crimes because each person's DNA is unique. High-resolution techniques are being applied to investigations; such as Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is used for taking high-resolution images under hydrated conditions; this avoids any artifacts associated with the critical point drying process that is required under normal Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) operations. ESEM is also equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis and Backscatter capabilities. SEM is a standard "workhorse" technique for characterizing particulate samples, found in many laboratories worldwide. It provides excellent imaging of the surfaces of agent particles and other material in a sample, and is used for identifying likely agent particles for analysis by other instruments. When combined with EDX, the elemental composition of the material in the imaged region can be determined. These techniques continue to signature libraries of correlations between analyses and growth and processing conditions of growth, it will be necessary to develop an information system which combines types of data to determine unique signatures.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Microbial Forensics |
| Publisher | Elsevier Inc. |
| Pages | 251-294 |
| Number of pages | 44 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9780120884834 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Fingerprint
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Microbiology(all)
Cite this
Non-DNA Methods for Biological Signatures. / Schaldach, Charlene M.; Bench, Graham; DeYoreo, James J.; Esposito, Tony; Fergenson, David P.; Ferreira, James; Gard, Eric; Grant, Patrick; Hollars, Christopher; Horn, Joanne; Huser, Thomas R; Kashgarian, Michaele; Knezovich, John; Lane, Stephen M.; Malkin, Alexander J.; Pitesky, Maurice; Talley, Chad; Tobias, Herb J.; Woods, Bruce; Wu, Kuang Jen; Velsko, Stephan P.
Microbial Forensics. Elsevier Inc., 2005. p. 251-294.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - Non-DNA Methods for Biological Signatures
AU - Schaldach, Charlene M.
AU - Bench, Graham
AU - DeYoreo, James J.
AU - Esposito, Tony
AU - Fergenson, David P.
AU - Ferreira, James
AU - Gard, Eric
AU - Grant, Patrick
AU - Hollars, Christopher
AU - Horn, Joanne
AU - Huser, Thomas R
AU - Kashgarian, Michaele
AU - Knezovich, John
AU - Lane, Stephen M.
AU - Malkin, Alexander J.
AU - Pitesky, Maurice
AU - Talley, Chad
AU - Tobias, Herb J.
AU - Woods, Bruce
AU - Wu, Kuang Jen
AU - Velsko, Stephan P.
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - This chapter focuses on the methods that can determine chemical or structural features of biological agent particles that are signatures of particular methods of growth and post-growth processing (often referred to as "weaponization"). The detection of these signatures in a sample of a bio-weapon (BW) agent can aid the attribution by indicating: (1) the level of sophistication of the producer, (2) the access to particular types of agent weaponization information, (3) the likelihood that the material could be or has been produced at a significant scale, (4) and by providing essential sample matching data for ascertaining a putative relationship with other samples obtained in other venues. An example of the use of biologicals in forensic science is DNA, amplifi{ligature}ed by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, legally admissible in courtas evidence. DNA evidence is successfully used in the court to convict or clear people of crimes because each person's DNA is unique. High-resolution techniques are being applied to investigations; such as Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is used for taking high-resolution images under hydrated conditions; this avoids any artifacts associated with the critical point drying process that is required under normal Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) operations. ESEM is also equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis and Backscatter capabilities. SEM is a standard "workhorse" technique for characterizing particulate samples, found in many laboratories worldwide. It provides excellent imaging of the surfaces of agent particles and other material in a sample, and is used for identifying likely agent particles for analysis by other instruments. When combined with EDX, the elemental composition of the material in the imaged region can be determined. These techniques continue to signature libraries of correlations between analyses and growth and processing conditions of growth, it will be necessary to develop an information system which combines types of data to determine unique signatures.
AB - This chapter focuses on the methods that can determine chemical or structural features of biological agent particles that are signatures of particular methods of growth and post-growth processing (often referred to as "weaponization"). The detection of these signatures in a sample of a bio-weapon (BW) agent can aid the attribution by indicating: (1) the level of sophistication of the producer, (2) the access to particular types of agent weaponization information, (3) the likelihood that the material could be or has been produced at a significant scale, (4) and by providing essential sample matching data for ascertaining a putative relationship with other samples obtained in other venues. An example of the use of biologicals in forensic science is DNA, amplifi{ligature}ed by the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, legally admissible in courtas evidence. DNA evidence is successfully used in the court to convict or clear people of crimes because each person's DNA is unique. High-resolution techniques are being applied to investigations; such as Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is used for taking high-resolution images under hydrated conditions; this avoids any artifacts associated with the critical point drying process that is required under normal Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) operations. ESEM is also equipped with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalysis and Backscatter capabilities. SEM is a standard "workhorse" technique for characterizing particulate samples, found in many laboratories worldwide. It provides excellent imaging of the surfaces of agent particles and other material in a sample, and is used for identifying likely agent particles for analysis by other instruments. When combined with EDX, the elemental composition of the material in the imaged region can be determined. These techniques continue to signature libraries of correlations between analyses and growth and processing conditions of growth, it will be necessary to develop an information system which combines types of data to determine unique signatures.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33744523779&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33744523779&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-012088483-4/50016-0
DO - 10.1016/B978-012088483-4/50016-0
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:33744523779
SN - 9780120884834
SP - 251
EP - 294
BT - Microbial Forensics
PB - Elsevier Inc.
ER -