• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.285.2-286
• /
• 2003

Analysis of illicit methamphetamine samples seized in Korea is discussed. The samples are extracted with the small portion of ethyl acetate under neutral conditions and the extracts are analyzed by GC-MS. Several impuritiy peaks are found in each chromatrogram. Eight compunds (1,2-Dimethyl-3-phenylaziridine, amphetamine oxime, ephedrine, N-formylmethamphetamine, N-acetylmethamphetamine, acetylephedrine, 3,4-dimethyl-5-phenyl-2-oxazolidone, methamphetamine dimer) are identified impurities in illicit methamphetamine and the identity of the impurity is conformed synthesis. (omitted)

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.189-199
• /
• 2024

In forensic genetics, when it is not possible to confirm an individual's identity through STR profile analysis, additional information about the individual can be obtained using DNA-based phenotypic traits estimation. Recently, various researches have been conducted on methods to determine externally visible characteristics (EVC) such as eyes, hair, and skin color. However, relying solely on such phenotypic traits information has limitations for application in East Asian regions, including Korea. In this study, in order to utilize EVC related to an individual's appearance as investigative information, SNPs related to eye shape, hair thickness, skin color, as well as baldness, body type, high myopia, facial shape, acne, and behavioral habits were explored. A total of 50 SNPs were selected, and a targeted amplicon NGS panel capable of amplifying them all at once was developed. Experimental results confirmed the allelic types and frequencies of the 50 SNPs in 14 samples. We plan to use this panel to investigate the correlation between genotype and phenotype using various samples, and to develop methods for interpreting the results.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.420-425
• /
• 2013

Phentermine (PT) and phenmetrazine (PM) have been widely used as anti-obesity drugs. These drugs should be used with caution due to its close relation to amphetamine in its structure and toxicity. PT and PM, amphetamine-type anorectics, have recently been considered as alternatives for methamphetamine abuse in Korea. In addition, the misuse and abuse of PT and PM obtained by illegal sources such as the internet become a serious social problem. In the present study, a simultaneous detection and quantification method for determining PT and PM in human urine was developed and validated according to the international guidelines. The urine samples were screened using a fluorescence polarization immunooassay and analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after extraction using automatic solid phase extraction (SPE) with a mixed-mode cation exchange cartridge and derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA). The validation results for selectivity, linearity, limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy and recovery were satisfactory. The validated method was successfully applied to authentic urine samples collected from 38 drug abuse suspects. PT and/or PM were identified with or without methamphetamine in urine samples. Abuse of PT and PM have increased continuously in Korea, therefore, closer supervision of the inappropriate use of anoretics is necessary.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.80-88
• /
• 2023

Fingerprints play a crucial role in the identification of potential suspects in criminal cases. However, determining the actual time, i.e., the time at which the fingermark was deposited, is challenging. Herein, we investigated the persistence and aging of fingerprints over time by observing the time evolution of latent fingerprints on a polystyrene box stored in a dark room. Fingerprint samples that were stored for up to two years could be detected with maximum accuracy using a black iron-oxide-based emulsion (black emulsion). To estimate the time of fingerprint deposition, fingerprint aging was studied by analyzing the lipid components of the fingerprints after their development. Cholesterol and squalene were selected as indicators of fingerprint aging, and their ratio was estimated to assess aging. In the case of fingerprint samples stored in a dark room for up to one month after deposition, the cholesterol/squalene ratio was approximately 0.01; it increased gradually to ≥ 0.1 over six months. A substantial reduction in the levels of cholesterol and squalene from the initial levels was also noted. Cholesterol and squalene were not detected after one year of storage. Thus, the extent of aging could be determined by analyzing the aging indicators for up to six months. Two cases that could cause error in the estimation of the fingerprint deposition time, namely, heating of the fingerprint sample before development and storage of the developed fingerprints in a dark room, were also investigated.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.04a
• /
• pp.275.1-275.1
• /
• 2003

Because people who take more than two drugs have increases, a simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous analysis of amphetamine, methamphetamine and nalbuphine in urine was developed. After alkalinization of the urine samples with 6 N-NaOH, the analytes were extracted using ethyl acetate, derivatized with MSTFA : TSIM : TMCS (= 100 : 2 : 5) prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) analysis with selected ion monitoring. (omitted)

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.229-232
• /
• 2009

DNA isolation for PCR-based short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is essential to recover high yields of amplifiable DNA from low copy number (LCN) DNA samples. There are different methods developed for DNA extraction from the small bloodstain and gloves, commonly found at crime scenes. In order to obtain STR profiles from LCN DNA samples, DNA extraction protocols, namely the automated $iPrep^{TM}$ $ChargeSwitch^{(R)}$ method, the automated $QIAcube^{TM}$ method, the automated $Maxwell^{(R)}$ 16 DNA $IQ^{TM}$ Resin method, and the manual $QIAamp^{(R)}$ DNA Micro Kit method, were evaluated. Extracted DNA was quantified by the $Quantifiler^{TM}$ Human DNA Quantification Kit and DNA profiled by $AmpFISTR^{(R)}$ $Identifiler^{(R)}$ Kit. Results were compared based on the amount of DNA obtained and the completeness of the STR profiles produced. The automated $iPrep^{TM}$ $ChargeSwitch^{(R)}$ and $QIAcube^{TM}$ methoas produced reproducible DNA of sufficient quantity and quality trom the dried blood spot. This two automated methods showed a quantity and quality comparable to those of the forensic manual standard protocols normally used in our laboratory. In our hands, the automated DNA extraction method is another obvious choice when the forensic case sample available is bloodstain. The findings of this study indicate that the manual simple modified $QIAamp^{(R)}$ DNA Micro Kit method is best method to recover high yields of amplifiable DNA from the numerous potential sources of LCN DNA samples.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.558-568
• /
• 2021

The digital image to be accepted as legal evidence, it is important to verify the authentication of the digital image. This study proposes a method of authenticating digital images through three steps of comparing the file structure of digital images taken with iPhone, analyzing the encoding information as well as media logs of the iPhone storing the digital images. For the experiment, digital image samples were acquired from nine iPhones through a camera application built into the iPhone. And the characteristics of file structure and media log were compared between digital images generated on the iPhone and digital images edited through a variety of image editing tools. As a result of examining those registered during the digital image creation process, it was confirmed that differences from the original characteristics occurred in file structure and media logs when manipulating digital images on the iPhone, and digital images take with the iPhone. In this way, it shows that it can prove its forensic authentication in iPhone.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.57 no.5
• /
• pp.330-336
• /
• 2013

"The Act on Medication Treatment of Sexual Impulse of Sex Offenders" known as chemical castration has been effective since July 2011 in Korea. According to the law, monitoring of male sex hormone in urine is enforced to request National Forensic Service more than once a month after injection of medicine designed to reduce sex impulse. We established a rapid and sensitive method for the monitoring of testosterone (T) and epitestosterone (E) in human urine by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Three mL of urine was pretreated by solid-phase extraction for purification and performed enzymatic hydrolysis. The pretreated samples were extracted twice with 2 ml of ethyl acetate and n-hexane (2 : 3). The separation was applied on Thermo Hypersil GOLD C18 column ($1.9{\mu}m$, $100{\times}2.1mm$). A gradient elution of methanol and water of 0.1% formic acid were used as mobile phase and the retention time was less than 10 min. LC-MS/MS system coupled with an electrospray ionization source was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The transitions of the analytes executed as following: m/z $289{\rightarrow}97$, 109 for T and E, m/z $292{\rightarrow}109$ for $T-d_3$ and $E-d_3$ as internal standards. The validation results of the method were satisfactory. The limits of detection were 0.05 ng/ml and the limits of quantification were 0.1 ng/ml. This method was successfully applied to real human urine sample. The developed method will be useful for monitoring T/E ratio in urine of sex offenders.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.545-553
• /
• 2012

Determination of the type and origin of the body fluids found at a crime scene can give important insights into crime scene reconstruction by supporting a link between sample donors and actual criminal acts. For more than a century, numerous types of body fluid identification methods have been developed, such as chemical tests, immunological tests, protein catalytic activity tests, spectroscopic methods and microscopy. However, these conventional body fluid identification methods are mostly presumptive, and are carried out for only one body fluid at a time. Therefore, the use of a molecular genetics-based approach using RNA profiling or DNA methylation detection has been recently proposed to supplant conventional body fluid identification methods. Several RNA markers and tDMRs (tissue-specific differentially methylated regions) which are specific to forensically relevant body fluids have been identified, and their specificities and sensitivities have been tested using various samples. In this review, we provide an overview of the present knowledge and the most recent developments in forensic body fluid identification and discuss its possible practical application to forensic casework.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.219-226
• /
• 2007

Glass is frequently encountered as types of materials that are submitted to forensic science laboratories as a result of trace evidence transfers. The repeatability and the reproducibility of trace element analysis were presented. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on laser ablation inductively coupled plasma spectrometric analyses of the fragments to identify the source. Pairwise comparisons were completed for all samples. In a pairwise comparison, each sample was compared to each other for a possible [n(n-1)/2] (n : numbers of the samples) total comparison to associate/discriminate samples using Tukey's HSD method. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of LA-ICP-MS for multi-element analysis of forensic samples. The 12 glass fragments from two manufacturers were collected and analyzed to identify the source. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed on 31 elements in NIST 612 Trace elements in Glass. Elements were classified into four categories defined by the combination of precision and variation of inter-samples. We selected 11 elements, 209Bi, 90Zr, 121Sb, 178Hf, 59Co, 238U, 208Pb, 140Ce, 118Sn, 49Ti and 137Ba. 6 pairs out of 66 possible pairs were not distinguished when compared by 137Ba (p<0.05). However, all samples were distinguished using both 49Ti and 137Ba (p<0.05). In conclusion, multi-elemental analysis with LA-ICP-MS is a potential tecnique for the discrimination of forensic samples.