Spectroscopic, Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Hair Cosmetic Products as a Forensic Evidence
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Hair is one of the most common pieces of evidence that is collected at a crime scene; however, this kind of evidence is surprisingly underused through testing by investigators. Microscopic techniques are widely employed for forensic hair sample characterization; however, it cannot provide details information about hair cosmetic products. Utilizing other available techniques will assist in the power of forensic hair cosmetic product analysis with regards to individualizing a suspect or victim. The purpose of this research is to determine if cosmetic products can be detected on hair after a long period of time and if these products are also tracible after being removed from the hair. Herein, IR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry characterization of various hair cosmetic products such as gels and dyes are conducted. Most of the hair gel samples show characteristics broad and strong peak at 3350 cm-1 for OH stretching. It is apparent that there is OH group present in most of the samples may be due to various polymer additives in the hair gel. In addition, there is also a medium intense peak around 1750 cm 1, which corresponds to C=O stretching. Therefore, this evidence points to an existence of a carboxylic acid group. IR spectra provide limited information about the molecules present in the hair gels. The chromatographic separation of the hair gel products is performed which confirms that various molecules are eluted at different time points.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Chemistry and Biochemistry
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Mohammad A. Halim
Spectroscopic, Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Hair Cosmetic Products as a Forensic Evidence
Hair is one of the most common pieces of evidence that is collected at a crime scene; however, this kind of evidence is surprisingly underused through testing by investigators. Microscopic techniques are widely employed for forensic hair sample characterization; however, it cannot provide details information about hair cosmetic products. Utilizing other available techniques will assist in the power of forensic hair cosmetic product analysis with regards to individualizing a suspect or victim. The purpose of this research is to determine if cosmetic products can be detected on hair after a long period of time and if these products are also tracible after being removed from the hair. Herein, IR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry characterization of various hair cosmetic products such as gels and dyes are conducted. Most of the hair gel samples show characteristics broad and strong peak at 3350 cm-1 for OH stretching. It is apparent that there is OH group present in most of the samples may be due to various polymer additives in the hair gel. In addition, there is also a medium intense peak around 1750 cm 1, which corresponds to C=O stretching. Therefore, this evidence points to an existence of a carboxylic acid group. IR spectra provide limited information about the molecules present in the hair gels. The chromatographic separation of the hair gel products is performed which confirms that various molecules are eluted at different time points.