Application of head space gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GCMS) to determine fragrances transferred between fabrics with varying force of contact

Honeychurch, Kevin

Abstract

In recent years, offenders have become more forensically aware; leading to the need for the development of new and novel evidence types. One such potential evidence type that we believe deserves further investigation is that of fragrance transfer. Locard’s principle states that “every contact leaves a trace”; demonstrating the possible two-way transfer of evidence, from the offender to the crime scene, and vice versa. As fragrance is commonly worn by many individuals, it allows for the potential transfer from an individual to another, demonstrating close contact or their presence at a specific location. However, to date only a small number of studies have been made into the possibility of utilising fragrance as trace evidence in this way. Our present study has investigated the possible application of headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS) to identify the trace transfer of fragrance for one fabric sample to another. We have investigated the effect of pressure on the transfer of the fragrance from its source. The effect of application time was also studied. It was found possible to readily identify different fragrances, hand sanitisers and toiletries from each other from the chromatographic profiles. The magnitude of the fragrance response was found to follow a log linear relationship with time. The effect of pressure was found to increase the transfer of the fragrance from one fabric to another. It was concluded that HS-GC/MS was able to determine the presence of fragrance on fabric and its transfer. Analysis of the fabric showed a correlation with both time after application and with the pressure of contact. It is concluded this could allow for the development of a new application in the forensic sciences.

• Presentation Conference Type: Edited Proceedings
• Conference Name: Forensic Olfactronic 2022: The First International workshop on chemical analysis of human scent for forensic purposes
• Start Date: Sep 22, 2022
• End Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Acceptance Date: Sep 22, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Publication Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Deposit Date: Feb 17, 2023
• Pages: 30
• Book Title: Book of abstracts of the First International workshop on Chemical Analysis of Human Scent for Forensic Purposes
• ISBN: 978-80-7592-140-6
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10463887
• Publisher URL: https://uanlch.vscht.cz/#novinka_detail26637112066461