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The use of common powder suspension is a well-proven method for developing fingermarks deposited on the sticky side of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The starting point of this study was the question of whether the pH value of the type of powder suspension commonly used in Germany (i.e., a suspension of lamp black powder and ether sulfate) has an inf luence on the quality of the fingermarks developed. The answer to this question is, yes. Optimum development was achieved at pH values ranging between pH 3 and pH 4. In this study, we present an improved powder suspension that is capable of developing fingermarks with good clarity and contrast and without background discoloration. By using citric acid for pH adjustment, the preparation of the suspension is simple and affordable. Moreover, using this natural acid has a positive effect on workplace safety and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many years now, Pabst's micro-press has been used in German forensic science laboratories as a valuable addition to methods of comparative analysis of plastic trace evidence. However, it is as yet hardly known in laboratories outside of Germany. The principal reproducibility is demonstrated by a homogeneity check of a raw backing material of defined origin. The illustrated results of a proficiency test emphasise the applicability of the Pabst method for forensic comparisons. The discrimination power of the Pabst method was tested by taking 90 black PVC-backings provided by the FBI Laboratory, i.e. those that could not be discriminated by standard methods. In this way further discriminations could be achieved. In the following, the Pabst method is therefore introduced as a straightforward, inexpensive and useful tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study looks at six different modern wound dressings to investigate how likely they are to cause skin stripping and impairment of the skin's barrier function. Method: Healthy volunteers had each dressing applied, removed and reapplied to the skin on their back over the study period of 15 days. Skin barrier function was investigated using the amount of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and then related to the amount of skin stripping, investigated by measuring stained skin removal, the thickness of the stratum corneum after treatment, and the amount of skin attached to the removed dressings. General signs of trauma, such as skin dryness and erythema, were investigated by subjective and objective parameters. Results: TEWL values measured on the untreated test area, as well as after application of Urgotul Trio, remained relatively unchanged and Mepilex Border decreased slightly (~1g/m2/h), while all other dressings displayed an increased in TEWL: Allevyn Adhesive (5g/m2/h), Versiva XC (14g/m2/h), Comfeel Plus (22g/m2/h) and Biatain (28g/m2/h). By the end of the study, only the untreated area (mean 43% dye remaining), Mepilex Border (76%) and Urgotul Trio (34%) areas had visible dye remaining. It is interesting to note that the untreated site had a colour change, suggesting loss of stratum corneum, due to the shedding of skin cells from the surface. The increase in total skin colour for Comfeel Plus and Biatain after day 8 might be assigned to an increased redness due to erythema. All the dressings showed evidence of stratum corneum attached to the adhesive, except Mepilex Border, which appeared to be free of any attached stratum corneum. Conclusion: Overall the best performance in terms of skin protection and failure to cause skin trauma was found to be for Mepilex Border. Conflict of interest: This project was funded by a grant from Molnlycke Healthcare Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Devices to collect hairs from Eurasian otters were tested in captivity. Two designs of hair traps (a wooden box and a set of 7 sticks stuck into the ground) were set in an enclosure and each was tested with two different materials to capture hairs: double-sided adhesive tape and the hook side of velcro brand fastener. Three types of lures were used to entice the otters into the box: food, foreign spraints and cod liver oil. All the hair trap configurations tested were successful in capturing hairs, and up to 52 hairs/24 hours were found glued on the adhesive tape that was fastened to the lid of the box. The set of sticks with velcro strips was the less effective device with only 5 hairs captured in 4 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]