Investigating crimes with one fibre
The researchers were able to establish that a receipt was forged by showing that inks from different ballpoint pens were evident on single fibres of paper. Image: Devonyu/iStockphoto Flinders University’s latest advance in forensic science should send a chill down the spines of would-be criminals.A team of forensic and analytical chemistry students and staff have been able to establish that a receipt was forged by demonstrating that inks from different ballpoint pens were evident on single fibres of paper.The novel technique – in which fibres were extracted under a microscope using a piece of tungsten wire and tweezers with super-fine points – has the potential to revolutionise forensic and medical investigations which usually require much larger samples.The research, undertaken by student Broderick Matthews and published in the prestigious journal Forensic Science International, has earned the recognition of the National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS) which recently named it Best Case Study published...