Gun Residue Analysis Using Paper Microfluidics
Open Access
- Author:
- Paredes-rodriguez, Chastity Natasha
- Area of Honors:
- Science (Berks/Lehigh)
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- James Michael Karlinsey, Thesis Supervisor
Jeanne Marie Rose, Thesis Honors Advisor
Jeanne Marie Rose, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- gun
gunshot
gunpowder
residue
explosives
wax
colorimetric
whatman
authority
field
substrate
paper
microfluidic - Abstract:
- At borders, security checkpoints, and crime scenes, officials need an efficient test for explosive, gunpowder, and gunshot residues. This work describes the development and evaluation of a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) that is intended to be used for the rapid detection of aromatic compounds present in gunpowder and gunshot residue. The µPAD offers benefits of rapid prototyping, reduced cost, disposability, and ease of transport, which is important for an application that is designed for use in the field. Similar work has been reported in the literature for a µPAD-based colorimetric assay that detects aromatics from explosives. The µPAD presented here was designed using AutoCAD software and patterned onto chromatography paper of various grades with a dedicated printer using wax-based ink to define fluidic flow paths. A panel of common residues was evaluated on paper in order to better understand experimental limitations, prior to the acquisition of real samples from local authorities (e.g., campus police) that were able to provide substrate containing residue. A colorimetric response on paper was thoroughly explored for each residue. The latter analysis could prove beneficial for follow‐up analysis after an initial colorimetric screening “in the field.”