AberSci: Forensics

What if your fingerprint could tell you more than just who you are? In this episode, Jack Hogan dives into the world of forensic science and fingerprints with Abertay MSci student Josh Raybould to find out if our fingerprints could one day reveal hidden information about us. By using a special microscope that ‘feels’ the surface of samples, Josh was able to look at the smaller details of fingerprints left on glass slides for 14 days, revealing a hidden world of microscopic crystal s...

This episode contains references to drug taking.Ever been offered poppers while checking your coat in a nightclub? Maybe you have experience ‘odourising’ your recreational space. Have you ever wondered what they really contain?Jack Hogan interviewed Abertay University researcher Heather Gulbrandsen to find out more. In our podcast listen to Heather explain her research into poppers and what she discovered. During her research she has discovered what poppers contain and if they deg...

Deliberate Corrosive Substance Attacks (DCSAs), or "acid attacks", are on the rise both globally and in the UK with 472 instances being recorded in England and Wales in 2023 alone. This sparks the question: how well equipped are forensic scientists to tell the difference between corrosive damage and damage from other sources, such as fire? Research performed by Thuva Gyllenfjell examined the ability of existing forensic techniques used in fabric examination in order to determine this. The res...

Who knew your perfume could be a silent witness? An exciting study explores the use of fragrance as a novel form of trace evidence in forensic investigation, with some intriguing results. Here we speak to Zoë Davies, a researcher at Abertay University who investigated transferring fragrances between fabrics and found that, yes, your signature scent can indeed linger on other fabrics after contact. This opens doors for cases where recovered fragrance could become a crucial piece of evide...

Did you know that by 2024, the consumption of plant-based protein powders and plant-based food in general has reached a market value at a staggering US$2.85 billion? But here's the truth: studies abroad raised some concerns. They found that the protein levels on labels didn't always match up with reality, and contaminants like lead and arsenic became a part of the mix.Here in the UK, a groundbreaking study took place, unravelling the truth behind plant-based protein supplements. With meticulo...