Materials Science and Engineering

Forensic nanotechnology

Nano-forensics is an entirely novel part of the forensic science accompanied with the enlargement of nanosensors, nanotechnical methods for real-time crime scene investigation and terrorist activity inquiries, detecting the presence of explosive gases, biological mediators and filtrates. Forensic Science is an expansive field of subspecialties which use different techniques amended from the natural sciences to acquire criminal or further legitimate evidence. Nanotechnology is beginning to have an influence on the holding of evidence at crime scenes, its examination in the laboratory and its presentation in the court of law. Application of nanotechnology is possible to augment the capability to toxic materials, forensic evidence in tissue, materials and soil. Nano-analysis is generally used in the detection of crimes in nanotechnology which comprises some of the techniques like Scanning Electron Microscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering and Raman Microscopy. These techniques assist forensic scientists in two different ways, one is by making it conceivable to analyze nano-scaled trials and the other by making use of the exact effects of nanomaterial to recognize and assemble evidence, which would not have been possible by earlier techniques. Some of the novel approaches that ease the way for forensic scientists are DNA extraction from palm-prints, gun residues, fingerprints, explosives and heavy metals which provide conclusive evidence.