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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SWGMAT

None

2014

January

5-1

Guideline for Assessing Physical Characteristics in Forensic Tape Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2011

December

2-1

Standard Guide for Using Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2011

December

2-1

Forensic Fiber Examination Guidelines: Infrared Analysis of Textile Fibers

SWGMAT

None

2015

January

6-1

Guideline for Assessing Physical Characteristics 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 Tape Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2014

January

5-1

Guideline for Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2011

December

2-1

Forensic Fiber Examination Guidelines: Fabric and Cordage

SWGMAT

None

2015

January

6-1

Guideline for Forensic Examination of Pressure Sensitive Tapes

SWGMAT

None

2011

December

2-1

Guideline for Using Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy in Forensic Tape Examinations

SWGMAT

None

2011

December

2-1

Guideline for Using Light Microscopy in Forensic Examinations of Tape Components

SWGMAT

None

2011

December

2-1

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

Glitter as a Source of Trace Evidence

Susan Gross, Katherine Igowsky, Elizabeth Pangerl

Glitter, Trace, Trace Evidence

2010

June

1-1

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

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

Flexible Sealants – An Analysis

Steven Stone

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

2015

January

6-1

Discrimination of Retail Black Spray Paints

Scott Ryland

Forensic, Comparisons, Paint, Spray Paint, Discrimination Study

2010

December

1-2

Discrimination of Flat (Sheet) Glass Specimens Having Similar Refractive Indices Using Micro X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Scott Ryland

Forensic, Glass Comparisons, Discrimination Study, X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

2011

December

2-1

Analysis of Bicomponent Fibers Using Confocal Raman Mapping

Robyn Weimer, Jennifer Clary, Robert Heintz, Mark Wall

None

2012

August

3-1

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

Differentiation between Lip Cosmetics Using Raman Spectroscopy

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

Cosmetics, Lip Gloss, Lip Balm, Raman

2015

January

6-1

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

The Effects of Cyanoacrylate Fuming and Fluorescent Dye Staining on Forensic Tape Analysis

Natasha Neel, Andrew J. McIntyre

Cyanoacrylate, Rhodamine 6G, Duct Tape, Black Electrical Tape, Masking Tape, Packaging Tape, Physical Matches, FTIR

2010

December

1-2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evaluation of Refractive Index Values for Permount®

Larry Peterson

Permount®, Refractive Index

2017

March

7-1

Microspectrophotometry (MSP) of Blood - An Update

Larry K. Peterson

Forensic Science, Microscopy, Microspectrophotometry, MSP, Blood

2010

June

1-1

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

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

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

Microscopical Identification of 19th Century Corset Cording Fibers

Kelly M. Brinsko

Hair Degradation, Hair Identification, Human Remains, Skeleton, Cording, Binder, Historic Textiles, Fiber Identification, Fabric, Clothing, Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM), Stereomicroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scale Casts, Chloroform, Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA)

2010

December

1-2

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

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

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

Distinguishing Coal, Coke, and Other Black Particles

J.R. Millette, R.S. Brown, J.P. Kyle, W. Turner Jr., W. Hill, and W.R. Boltin

Opaque particles, coal, anthracite, bituminous, lignite, petroleum coke, peat

2010

June

1-1

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

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

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

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

Emily Weber

Hair Comparisons, Alpaca, Microscopic Characteristics, Medulla

2022

December

12-1