Spectral peak enhancement of biological fluids by magnetron-sputtered silver nanoparticles

Abstract

Body fluids recovered from crime scenes are one of the most indispensable forms of evidence for forensic investigators. Such evidence, although obtained in minute quantities, is priceless in assisting the identification of a suspect and exonerating an innocent individual. This work delineates spectral enhancement of trace elements obtained from the crime scene by using spectroscopic techniques. Sputtering silver nanoparticles on the samples resulted in spectral peak enhancement, which is attributed to quantum confinement and a localized surface plasmon resonance effect. The specimen was characterized using UV/visible spectroscopy; for morphological studies, scanning electron microscopy was used, and chemical surface analysis of the sample was carried out using Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflection spectroscopy and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectrographic analysis. Additional enhancement in the peaks was observed in samples obtained from diseased blood. The augmented spectral peak pattern ascertained in the diseased blood can be a tool for narrowing down the investigation to smaller radii. The findings of this analysis will certainly help forensic investigators in confronting the tough challenges concerning crime scene management of body fluids in the long run.