Applications In Forensic Proteomics

Introduction to forensic proteomics -- A proteomics tutorial -- Proteomic sample preparation techniques : toward forensic proteomic applications -- NextGen serology : leveraging mass spectrometry for protein-based human body fluid identification -- Informatics approaches to forensic body fluid identification by proteomic mass spectrometry -- Fingermarks as a new proteomic specimen : state of the art and perspective of in situ proteomics -- Human identification using genetically variant peptides in biological forensic evidence -- Proteomics in the analysis of forensic, archaeological, and paleontological bone -- Proteomics for microbial forensics -- ISO 17025 accreditation of method-based mass spectrometry for bioforensic analyses -- Unambiguous identification of ricin and abrin with advanced mass spectrometric assays -- Challenges in the development of reference materials for protein toxins -- The statistical defensibility of forensic proteomics.

Microbial Forensics is a rapidly evolving scientific discipline. In the last decade, and particularly due to the anthrax letter attacks in the United States, microbial forensics has become more formalized and has played an increasingly greater role in crime investigations. This has brought renewed interest, development and application of new technologies, and new rules of forensic and policy engagement. It has many applications ranging from biodefense, criminal investigations, providing intelligence information, making society more secure, and helping protect precious resources, particularly human life. A combination of diverse areas is investigated, including the major disciplines of biology, microbiology, medicine, chemistry, physics, statistics, population genetics, and computer science. Microbial Forensics, Second Edition is fully revised and updated and serves as a complete reference of the discipline. It describes the advances, as well as the challenges and opportunities ahead, and will be integral in applying science to help solve future biocrimes. A collection of microbiology, virology, toxicology and mycology as it relates to forensics, in one reference New and expanded content to include statistical analysis of forensic data and legal admissibility and the standards of evidence, to name a few Includes research information and application of that research to crime scene analysis, which will allow practitioners to understand and apply the knowledge to their practice with ease

Applications of Time-of-Flight and Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry in Environmental, Food, Doping, and Forensic Analysis deals with the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) in the analysis of small organic molecules. Over the past few years, time-of-flight (ToF) and Orbitrap MS have both experienced tremendous growth in a great number of analytical sectors and are now well established in many laboratories where high requirements are placed on analytical performance. This book gives a head-to-head comparison of these two technologies that compete directly with each other. As users with hands-on experience in both techniques, the authors provide a balanced description of the strengths and weaknesses of both techniques. In the vast majority of cases, ToF-MS and Orbitrap-MS have been used for qualitative purposes, mainly identification of discrete molecular entities such as drug metabolites or transformation products of environmental contaminants. This paradigm is now changing as quantitative capabilities are increasingly being explored, as are non-target approaches for unbiased broad-scope screening. In view of the continuous innovation of high-resolution MS instrument manufacturers in designing and developing more powerful machines, technological advances in both hardware and software are considerable, with many novel applications. This book summarizes and analyzes these trends. The compilation of selected examples from diverse analytical fields will allow the readers to discover not only the potential of high-resolution MS in their sector, but also shows advances in other fields that rely on hi-res MS. Provides comprehensive coverage of applications of time-of-flight and orbitrap mass spectrometry in environmental, food, doping, and forensic analysis Explores a variety of specialized techniques, giving a balanced description of the strengths and weaknesses of each Presents a general overview of imaging techniques within analysis

Concentrating on the natural science aspects of forensics, top international authors from renowned universities, institutes, and laboratories impart the latest information from the field. In doing so they provide the background needed to understand the state of the art in forensic science with a focus on biological, chemical, biochemical, and physical methods. The broad subject coverage includes spectroscopic analysis techniques in various wavelength regimes, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, electrochemical detection approaches, and imaging techniques, as well as advanced biochemical, DNA-based identification methods. The result is a unique collection of hard-to-get data that is otherwise only found scattered throughout the literature.

Matching DNA samples from crime scenes and suspects is rapidly becoming a key source of evidence for use in our justice system. DNA Technology in Forensic Science offers recommendations for resolving crucial questions that are emerging as DNA typing becomes more widespread. The volume addresses key issues: Quality and reliability in DNA typing, including the introduction of new technologies, problems of standardization, and approaches to certification. DNA typing in the courtroom, including issues of population genetics, levels of understanding among judges and juries, and admissibility. Societal issues, such as privacy of DNA data, storage of samples and data, and the rights of defendants to quality testing technology. Combining this original volume with the new update-The Evaluation of Forensic DNA Evidence-provides the complete, up-to-date picture of this highly important and visible topic. This volume offers important guidance to anyone working with this emerging law enforcement tool: policymakers, specialists in criminal law, forensic scientists, geneticists, researchers, faculty, and students.

With the development of new quantitative strategies and powerful bioinformatics tools to cope with the analysis of the large amounts of data generated in proteomics experiments, liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is making possible the analysis of proteins on a global scale, meaning that proteomics can now start competing with cDNA microarrays for the analysis of whole genomes. In LC-MS/MS in Proteomics: Methods and Applications, experts in the field provide protocols and up-to-date reviews of the applications of LC-MS/MS, with a particular focus on MS-based methods of protein and peptide quantification and the analysis of post-translational modifications. Beginning with overviews of the use of LC-M/MS in protein analysis, the book continues with topics such as protocols for the analysis of post-translational modifications, with particular focus on phosphorylation and glycosylation, popular techniques for quantitative proteomics, such as multiple reaction monitoring, metabolic labelling, and chemical tagging, biomarker discovery in biological fluids, as well as novel applications of LC-MS/MS. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, LC-MS/MS in Proteomics: Methods and Applications presents the techniques and concepts necessary in order to aid proteomic practitioners in the application of LC-MS/MS to essentially any biological problem.

Forensic Microbiology focuses on newly emerging areas of microbiology relevant to medicolegal and criminal investigations: postmortem changes, establishing cause of death, estimating postmortem interval, and trace evidence analysis. Recent developments in sequencing technology allow researchers, and potentially practitioners, to examine microbial communities at unprecedented resolution and in multidisciplinary contexts. This detailed study of microbes facilitates the development of new forensic tools that use the structure and function of microbial communities as physical evidence. Chapters cover: Experiment design Data analysis Sample preservation The influence of microbes on results from autopsy, toxicology, and histology Decomposition ecology Trace evidence This diverse, rapidly evolving field of study has the potential to provide high quality microbial evidence which can be replicated across laboratories, providing spatial and temporal evidence which could be crucial in a broad range of investigative contexts. This book is intended as a resource for students, microbiologists, investigators, pathologists, and other forensic science professionals.