On the forensic relevance of tattoos: distinguishing black inks with energy dispersive spectroscopy and backscattered scanning electron microscopy.

IF 1.5 4区医学 Q2 MEDICINE, LEGAL

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Pub Date : 2024-09-01 Epub Date: 2024-02-07 DOI:10.1007/s12024-024-00782-y

Thais Pulcinelli, Thiago Gomes da Silva, Débora Duarte Moreira, Leonardo Evangelista Lagoeiro, Deonir Agustini, Rhonan Ferreira Silva, Ademir Franco

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Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze black tattoo inks by means of energy dispersive spectroscopy and backscattered scanning electron microscopy.

Methods: The sample consisted of five types of commercial tattoo pigments of the black colour (Easy Glow^™, Electric Ink^™, Iron Works^™, Master Ink^™, and Viper^™). An Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) detector (Silicon Drift Detector - SDD - type) attached to a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) device (Tescan Vega3 LMU, Libusina, Czech Republic) was used. X-ray characteristic signs were detected for each tattoo ink in an interval between 0 and 2.5 keV. The electron acceleration potential in the microscope was 15 keV. Two regions were analyzed for each sample (n = 10). On each region, a micrography of backscattered electrons (BSE) was obtained. Means and standard deviations (SD) of the weight percentages (Wt%) were calculated.

Results: C and O were predominant, with a mean O/C ratio between 2.69 and 2.74 Wt%. Electric Ink and Master Ink were the most similar pigments, while Easy Glow was the most distinctive - with agglomerates of Al that had a concentration 25 × higher than other specimens. Other compounds detected in the sample were Cl and Cu.

Conclusion: EDS and SEM were efficient to distinguish black tattoo inks. These are our preliminary outcomes on the use of EDS and SEM to analyze black tattoo inks. Thus, careful interpretation is necessary to avoid rash applications in human identification practice.

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纹身的法医学意义：用能量色散光谱仪和背散射扫描电子显微镜区分黑色墨水。

目的：本研究旨在通过能量色散光谱法和背散射扫描电子显微镜分析黑色纹身墨水：样品包括五种黑色商业纹身颜料（Easy Glow™、Electric Ink™、Iron Works™、Master Ink™ 和 Viper™）。在扫描电子显微镜（SEM）装置（Tescan Vega3 LMU，Libusina，捷克共和国）上安装了一个能量色散光谱（EDS）检测器（硅漂移检测器 - SDD 型）。在 0 至 2.5 千伏之间的区间内检测每种纹身墨水的 X 射线特征。显微镜中的电子加速度为 15 keV。每个样本分析两个区域（n = 10）。每个区域都获得了背散射电子（BSE）的显微照片。计算了重量百分比（Wt%）的平均值和标准偏差（SD）：C 和 O 占主导地位，平均 O/C 比重在 2.69 和 2.74 Wt%之间。Electric Ink 和 Master Ink 是最相似的颜料，而 Easy Glow 则是最独特的颜料--其铝的团聚浓度比其他样品高出 25 倍。样品中检测到的其他化合物还有 Cl 和 Cu：结论：EDS 和 SEM 能有效区分黑色纹身油墨。以上是我们使用 EDS 和 SEM 分析黑色纹身墨水的初步结果。因此，在人体鉴定实践中，有必要谨慎解读，避免草率应用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology MEDICINE, LEGAL-PATHOLOGY

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

5.60%

发文量

114

审稿时长

6-12 weeks

期刊介绍： Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology encompasses all aspects of modern day forensics, equally applying to children or adults, either living or the deceased. This includes forensic science, medicine, nursing, and pathology, as well as toxicology, human identification, mass disasters/mass war graves, profiling, imaging, policing, wound assessment, sexual assault, anthropology, archeology, forensic search, entomology, botany, biology, veterinary pathology, and DNA. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology presents a balance of forensic research and reviews from around the world to reflect modern advances through peer-reviewed papers, short communications, meeting proceedings and case reports.