<p>The detection and visualisation of various body fluids such as blood, semen, saliva, etc., are commonly used as evidence for crime scene analysis. Among these body fluids, ear wax (cerumen) is often unnoticed, yet it could provide valuable clues for solving crimes. This study focuses on the use of alternate light sources and barrier filters to detect ear wax. Ear wax contains sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, dust and debris. Its colour and consistency are variable and are detectable for long periods, which makes it useful for personal identification. In this paper, we propose a novel and non-invasive ALS-barrier filter-based approach for detecting and visualising ear wax for forensic analysis. Ear wax is secreted by the ceruminous glands in the ear canal and serves as a protective barrier against dirt and microorganisms. This research aims to explore the potential of ear wax as forensic evidence, as it may be found at crime scenes on various objects such as clothing, handkerchiefs, pens, pencils, Bluetooth devices, balaclavas, or any items handled by the suspect or victim. Alternate Light Sources (ALS), in combination with specific barrier filters, are expected to provide an advanced method for detecting and visualizing body fluids that are invisible under normal lighting conditions. It also includes comparative studies of bovine and human samples carried out under different permutations and combinations and its effectiveness to differentiate between them. Preliminary studies suggest that ear wax fluoresces under ALS within a set wavelength range, depending on the applied barrier filter. This research further investigates how ALS can be used to detect ear wax and explore its visibility up to 30 days post-deposition, ensuring its reliability as evidence even in delayed investigations. By utilizing ALS technology with the correct barrier filters, this study intends to enhance forensic investigators’ ability to locate and document ear wax at crime scenes, improving the accuracy and reliability of evidence collection. This approach is expected to offer significant benefits in detecting trace evidence that may be missed through traditional methods, thus strengthening the overall investigative process. This research aims to validate the potential of ALS and barrier filters as an effective tool for detecting ear wax in forensic investigations, contributing to the reconstruction of events, the identification of suspects, and the overall success of crime scene analysis.</p>

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Forensic Detection of Ear Wax Using Alternate Light Sources and Barrier Filters: A Novel Approach for Crime Scene Analysis

  • Aaromal Venugopal,
  • Geeta Gupta,
  • Shreeshabha Shetty

摘要

The detection and visualisation of various body fluids such as blood, semen, saliva, etc., are commonly used as evidence for crime scene analysis. Among these body fluids, ear wax (cerumen) is often unnoticed, yet it could provide valuable clues for solving crimes. This study focuses on the use of alternate light sources and barrier filters to detect ear wax. Ear wax contains sebum, dead skin cells, sweat, dust and debris. Its colour and consistency are variable and are detectable for long periods, which makes it useful for personal identification. In this paper, we propose a novel and non-invasive ALS-barrier filter-based approach for detecting and visualising ear wax for forensic analysis. Ear wax is secreted by the ceruminous glands in the ear canal and serves as a protective barrier against dirt and microorganisms. This research aims to explore the potential of ear wax as forensic evidence, as it may be found at crime scenes on various objects such as clothing, handkerchiefs, pens, pencils, Bluetooth devices, balaclavas, or any items handled by the suspect or victim. Alternate Light Sources (ALS), in combination with specific barrier filters, are expected to provide an advanced method for detecting and visualizing body fluids that are invisible under normal lighting conditions. It also includes comparative studies of bovine and human samples carried out under different permutations and combinations and its effectiveness to differentiate between them. Preliminary studies suggest that ear wax fluoresces under ALS within a set wavelength range, depending on the applied barrier filter. This research further investigates how ALS can be used to detect ear wax and explore its visibility up to 30 days post-deposition, ensuring its reliability as evidence even in delayed investigations. By utilizing ALS technology with the correct barrier filters, this study intends to enhance forensic investigators’ ability to locate and document ear wax at crime scenes, improving the accuracy and reliability of evidence collection. This approach is expected to offer significant benefits in detecting trace evidence that may be missed through traditional methods, thus strengthening the overall investigative process. This research aims to validate the potential of ALS and barrier filters as an effective tool for detecting ear wax in forensic investigations, contributing to the reconstruction of events, the identification of suspects, and the overall success of crime scene analysis.