Varsity research team links cosmetics, crime scene
Ravneet Singh
Tribune News Service
Patiala, December 29
A professor and research scholars at the Department of Forensic Science, Punjabi University, have come up with a study which aims at facilitating effective utilisation of evidence pertaining to cosmetics recovered from crime scenes during investigations.
They have published their research papers on differences among cosmetics with a technique, the use of which could help link those present at a crime spot at a given time. Dr Rajinder Singh and his team have presented the applications of Attenuated Total Reflectance- Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy technique on cosmetics that neither destroys the evidence with use, nor involves the use of chemicals that harm the environment.
UTILISING EVIDENCE
- The team has published its research papers on differences among cosmetics with a technique, the use of which could help link those present at a crime spot at a given time
- The team said traces of cosmetics are left behind on many objects, which can be recovered as evidence for events and locations
Dr Rajinder Singh, Associate Professor and Head of Department of Forensic Science, said traces of cosmetics like lipstick, kajal, eyeliner, foundation and nail polish are left behind on many objects, clothes, cups, glasses and cigarette butts. He said these can be recovered as evidence for events and locations. “They are often transferred between the victims and perpetrators of crime. Using this technique, we have differentiated among different types of kajal, foundation, lipstick etc that are commonly used in India. The differences among recovered cosmetic evidences in form of transferred evidence, writing material in anonymous threatening letters and suicide letters could help link them with the victim, the accused, especially in cases of sexual assaults against women, as women happen to use cosmetic products usually.”
Their research has shown that the technique when used on cosmetics in forensic investigations does not destroy the evidence which can then be used repeatedly. “Earlier, the collected cosmetic evidence used to get destroyed upon use as harmful chemicals were used in testing. But with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, the evidence can be used and preserved for further repeated testing. It is also eco-friendly.”
Dr Singh and his team, including senior research fellows Rito Chophi, Spriha Sharma and Sweety Sharma, have published papers on the same in journals including ‘Forensic Science International’, ‘Journal of Forensic Sciences’ and ‘Forensic Chemistry’.
He said the research could open up new dimensions of technical developments in the analysis of cosmetics for forensic evidence. In future research, they aim to generate a global database of cosmetic products that will allow reliable identification of distinct types of cosmetic evidences.
