Message from the Editor:

The Journal of the American Society of Trace Evidence Examiners (JASTEE) is always on the lookout for high quality contributions. If you have been sitting on a great idea for a paper, or if you presented at one of the past regional forensic association meetings or trace evidence symposia but have never written up your paper for publication, now is the time to act. Everyone benefits when these papers are published and shared with the broader community through a peer reviewed format. We have big plans for JASTEE, but we cannot do it alone, so get writing, and contact Heidi Prough if you have any questions at ProughH@michigan.gov.

Submission questions? See JASTEE's Guide for Authors and the JASTEE Article Template.

Article Title Authors Keywords Year Month Issue

Case Study: Expectations and Interpretations of an Alternate Known Fiber Sample

Michael J. Bertocchi

Fiber Comparison, Alternate Known Sample, Microspectrophotometry (MSP)

2024

February

13-1

In-house Validation of Classification of Glass Type by Assessment of XRF Elemental Ratios

Kris Gates, Carly Sizelove, Anne Young

Glass, Classification, X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Sheet, Container

2024

February

13-1

A Low-Cost Fiber Optic Visible Microspectrometer for the Small Forensic Science Laboratory

Thomas A. Kubic, Mircea A. Comanescu, Tiffany J. Millett

microspectrophotometer, forensics, forensic science, criminalistics, fibers, glass, polarized light, microscopy, color, metamerism

2024

February

13-1

Case Study: Not a Normal Hair Case - an Alpaca Hair Comparison

Emily Weber

Hair Comparisons, Alpaca, Microscopic Characteristics, Medulla

2022

December

12-1

Survey of Mounting Media Used for Hair and Fiber Microscopy

Maria Lawas, Linda M. Otterstatter, Joshua D. Friedman, Joseph Donfack

Fiber Analysis, Light Microscopy, Microspectrophotometry, Mounting Medium

2022

December

12-1

Determining the Minimum Weight of Soil Samples for Forensic Geological Analysis

Brittany Claassen, Emma Redman, Ted Schwartz, Thomas Brettell, Lawrence Quarino

Soil, Sample Size, Comparative Analysis

2022

December

12-1

Conducting and Reporting Paint Data Query (PDQ) Searches

Diana M. Wright

Paint Data Query, Make-Model-Year, Spectral Search Libraries

2021

December

11-1

Takata Airbag Death: Source-Determination Investigation of Metal Fragment Recovered from Driver

Richard S. Brown

Takata Corporation, airbag, ammonium nitrate, inflator, fracture, Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy (FT-IR), fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDS), polarized light microscopy (PLM), computed X-ray tomography, forensic investigation

2021

December

11-1

Evaluation of Eight Mounting Media and Acrylic Microscope Slides for Hair and Fiber Microscopy

Maria Lawas, Linda M. Otterstatter, Joshua D. Friedman, Joseph Donfack

Fiber Analysis, Light Microscopy, Microspectrophotometry, Mounting Medium

2021

December

11-1

Evaluation of the Evidentiary Value of Cable Ties

Celeste Lambert, Brandi Clark, Ted Schwartz, Thomas Brettell, Lawrence Quarino

Cable Ties, Database, Class Characteristics, Striations

2020

December

10-1

Forensic Examination of Ceramic Frit on Automotive Glass

Troy Ernst, Kris Gates, Christine Gregory, Chris Hamburg

Ceramic Frit; Automotive Glass; XRF; Elemental Analysis; Trace Evidence

2020

December

10-1

Particulates in Injection Solutions of Street Heroin in Israel - Potential Hazard

Avraham Zelkowicz, Uriel Bretler, Etia Cohen, Dana Sonenfeld, Aliza Raziel

Forensic Toxicology, Heroin Injection, Particulates, Intravenous Solution, Heroin Injector, Particle Diameter

2020

December

10-1

Analysis and discrimination of colored pressure sensitive tape backing by microspectrophotometry

Susan Gross, Joshua Jorstad

Colored Tape Backing, Microspectrophotometry, Duct Tape, Electrical Tape

2019

December

9-1

Time and temperature dependent analysis of bleach degradation residues on textile fabrics by presumptive chemical analysis and ion chromatography-mass spectrometry

Mark LaVigne, Joseph J. Cavaleri, Katherine Roberts

Bleach Degradation, Diphenylamine, Ion-Chromatography Mass-Spectrometry, Textile Fabric, Storage Conditions, Orthotolidine, KI-Starch Paper

2019

December

9-1

Trace Isotope Analysis of Dental Enamel for the Micro Regional Geological Attribution of Human Remains in Virginia

Nicole Palmer, Robert Stein, Qin Wang, Scott Gronert, Tal Simmons

human identification, trace isotopes, dental enamel, Virginia, geolocation

2019

December

9-1

Calcium oxalate crystal identification in kidney tissue

Larry Peterson

Ethylene glycol, kidney tissue, calcium oxalate crystals, refractive index, Fourier- transform infrared microspectroscopy (micro-FTIR)

2019

December

9-1

Little Variation Exists Between Laboratory Procedures for the Microscopical Examination of Human Hair

Nancy E. Murphy, Amy Reynolds, Adam B. Hall

Trace Evidence, Hair Analysis, Microscopical Hair Examination

2018

November

8-1

Detection of Bullet v. Nail Damage to Textile Fabrics Using Polarized Light Microscopy

Katherine A. Roberts, Gregory Hogrebe, Galyn Fischer, Amanda R. Davis

Textile Fabrics, Ductile Fracture, Bullet and Nail Hole Damage, Fiber-end Deformation, Polarized Light Microscopy

2018

November

8-1

Study of Transfer and Persistence of Glass in a Mock Kidnapping Case

Katrina Rupert, Mandy Ho, Tatiana Trejos

Glass Evidence, Glass Persistence, Glass Transfer, Trace Evidence, Vehicle Glass

2018

November

8-1

Discrimination Power of Automotive Paint Comparisons using a Paint Analytical Scheme

Amy Reynolds, Kevin Roberts, Alex Thompson, Emily Runt

Forensic Science, Trace Evidence, Automotive Paint, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Comparison Microscope, Paint Analysis

2018

November

8-1

Differential Sampling of Contact Surfaces of Footwear to Separate Fractions of Loosely, Moderately and Tightly Held Particles

David A. Stoney, Paul L. Stoney

Differential Sampling, Footwear, Contact Surfaces, Particles

2017

March

7-1

The Differences Between Refractive Index Measurements of the External Surface and Bulk Area of Container Glass

Joseph Insana, Patrick Buzzini

forensic science, trace evidence, glass evidence, container glass, sampling, refractive index measurement, glass refractive index measurement (GRIM), phase contrast microscopy (PCM), filing of glass (FoG) methodforensic science, trace evidence, glass evidence, container glass, sampling, refractive index measurement, glass refractive index measurement (GRIM), phase contrast microscopy (PCM), filing of glass (FoG) method

2017

March

7-1

Variability of Refractive Index and Thickness of Tempered Glass throughout an Automotive Window

Michael Trimpe, Josi Sammarco

Glass, Refractive index, Thickness, Tempered, Automotive window, Variation

2017

March

7-1

Evaluation of Duct Tape Physical Characteristics: Part I - Within-Roll Variability

Kiersten LaPorte, Robyn Weimer

forensic science, trace evidence, duct tape, within-roll variability, physical characteristics

2017

March

7-1

Evaluation of Refractive Index Values for Permount®

Larry Peterson

Permount®, Refractive Index

2017

March

7-1

Identification of Modern Automotive Paint Systems using Paint Data Query (PDQ): A Collaborative Study

Tamara Hodgins, Andrew Ho, Mark Sandercock

Automotive Paint, Paint Database, Paint Data Query, PDQ, Infrared Spectroscopy, FTIR, Collaborative Study

2015

December

6-3

The Physical and Chemical Characterization of Multipurpose Architectural Paint

Erica Dolak, Robyn Weimer

Paint, Architectural Paint, Multipurpose, Self-priming, Discrimination Power, Analytical Scheme

2015

December

6-3

The Prevalence of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Factory Repairs in Automotive Paint Samples

Diana M. Wright, Andria H. Mehltretter

OEM Factory Repairs, Paint Data Query, Interpretation, FTIR, Reference Collections

2015

December

6-3

Seeing Color: Practical Methods in Pigment Microscopy

Christopher S. Palenik, Skip Palenik

Pigments, Paints, Fibers, Cosmetics, Forensic, Trace Evidence, Automotive, Architectural, Cross Sections, Smears, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)

2015

July

6-2

Changes Observed in Human Head Hairs Exposed to Heat

Katherine Igowsky, Elizabeth Pangerl

Hair, Burnt Hair, Heat Exposure, Hair Exposed to Heat, Forensic Hair Examinations, Microscopic, Hair Characteristics, Arson

2015

July

6-2

The Effect of Pigment Type on Pigment Variation due to Differential Mixing in Spray Paints

Kris M. Gates

Paint, Spray Paint, FT-IR, Pigments, Heterogeneity, Sublimation

2015

July

6-2

Evaluation of Automotive Lenses for Forensic Applications by FTIR, PGC, and Raman Spectroscopy

Susan T. Gross, Robert Duevel, Jeffrey Wilson, José R. Almirall

Forensic Science, Plastics, Taillights, Automotive Lenses

2015

July

6-2

Intra-Roll and Intra-Jumbo Roll Variation of Duct Tapes

Andria H. Mehltretter, Diana M. Wright, Joshua R. Dettman, Michael A. Smith

Duct Tape, Variation, Stereomicroscopy, Scrim Count, Width, Thickness, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Statistical Analysis, Jumbo Roll

2015

January

6-1

Forensic Fiber Examination Guidelines: Fabric and Cordage

SWGMAT

None

2015

January

6-1

Forensic Fiber Examination Guidelines: Infrared Analysis of Textile Fibers

SWGMAT

None

2015

January

6-1

Plumbum Microraptus: Definitive Microscopic Indicators of a Bullet Hole in a Synthetic Fabric

Christopher S. Palenik, Skip Palenik, Peter Diaczuk

Ammunition, Backscattered Electron Imaging, Bullets, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fabrics, Fibers, Firearms, Forensic Science, Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy, Lead, Primer Gunshot Residue, Polarized Light Microscopy, Secondary Electron Imaging, Scanning Electron Microscopy

2015

January

6-1

Comparison of Nylon, Polyester, and Olefin Fibers using FTIR and Melting Point Analysis

Anne E. Kisler-Rao

Fiber, Nylon, Polyester, Olefin, FTIR, Melting Point

2015

January

6-1

Differentiation between Lip Cosmetics Using Raman Spectroscopy

P. Gardner, M.F. Bertino, Robyn Weimer

Cosmetics, Lip Gloss, Lip Balm, Raman

2015

January

6-1

Flexible Sealants – An Analysis

Steven Stone

Flexible Sealants, IR, SEM, Py-GC-MS, PLM

2015

January

6-1

Guideline for Assessing Physical Characteristics in Forensic Tape Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2014

January

5-1

Synthetic Wig Fibers: Analysis & Differentiation from Human Hairs

Holly Long, Sarah Walbridge-Jones, Kacie Lundgren

Wigs, Wig Fibers, Hairs, MSP, FTIR, Cross-sections, Scale Casts, PLM, Microscopy

2014

January

5-1

Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Tape Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2014

January

5-1

Standard Guide for Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Paint Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2014

January

5-1

The Evidential Value of Fibers Used in Hi-Vis Workwear

T. Coyle, C. Shaw, L. Stevens

Hi-Vis, Fiber, Evidential Value, Polyester

2013

August

4-2

Plumbum Microraptus: Definitive Microscopic Indicators of a Bullet Hole in a Synthetic Fabric

Christopher S. Palenik, Skip Palenik, Peter Diaczuk

Ammunition, Backscattered Electron Imaging, Bullets, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Fabrics, Fibers, Firearms, Forensic Science, Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy, Lead, Primer Gunshot Residue, Polarized Light Microscopy, Secondary Electron Imaging, Scanning Electron Microscopy

2013

August

4-2

Glycol Ethers: A New Category of Oxygenated Solvents Encountered in Fire Debris Samples

Troy Ernst, Kevin Streeter

Fire Debris, Oxygenated Solvents, Glycol Ethers, DOWANOL, Scented Oils, Air Fresheners, GC/MS

2013

August

4-2

Duct Tape Sourcing Examinations: Developing Investigative Leads using Multiple Resources

Diana M. Wright, Andria H. Mehltretter

Duct Tapes, Sourcing, FTIR, SEM/EDS, XRD, Py-GC/MS, Reference Collections

2013

January

4-1

Measurement and Variation of UV Absorbers within Multi-Year Samples of Automotive Clear Coat Paint

Steven Stone, Margaret Barber, Ronald Wojciechowski, Paul Martin

None

2013

January

4-1

A Method for Isolating Very Small Particles from Plastic Explosive Samples

Andrew M. Bowen

Composition C4, Dust, Explosives, Forensic Investigation, Plastic Explosives, Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Provenance, Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Small Particles, X-ray Diffraction (XRD)

2013

January

4-1

Chemical Properties of Selected Plastic-Tipped Bullets

Melisa C. Thompson, Cady A. Lancaster, Michele G. Banta, Crystal N. Hart, Michael D. Scanlan, Edgard O. Espinoza

Plastic-tipped Bullets, Ballistic-tip Ammo, FTIR, XRF, Discriminate Analysis

2012

August

3-1