Evaluation of Staple Impressions in the Scanning Electron Microscope

Basu, S.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-5245-7_3

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 4 publications

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“…Identified constituents were then rated as to whether it was "common" (consistently found throughout the sample) or "present" (detected but infrequently) (7)(8)(9)(10)(11). This designation does not necessarily indicate the relative abundance of a constituent by weight or volume within a sample; it is an indictor of numerical abundance of a constituent.…”

Section: Analytic Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the dust/smoke aerosol that settled east of the World Trade Center (WTC) in lower Manhattan after the collapse of the WTC 11 September 2001.

Lioy

Weisel

Millette

et al. 2002

Environ Health Perspect

449

453

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The explosion and collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) was a catastrophic event that produced an aerosol plume impacting many workers, residents, and commuters during the first few days after 11 September 2001. Three bulk samples of the total settled dust and smoke were collected at weather-protected locations east of the WTC on 16 and 17 September 2001; these samples are representative of the generated material that settled immediately after the explosion and fire and the concurrent collapse of the two structures. We analyzed each sample, not differentiated by particle size, for inorganic and organic composition. In the inorganic analyses, we identified metals, radionuclides, ionic species, asbestos, and inorganic species. In the organic analyses, we identified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls, polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans, pesticides, phthalate esters, brominated diphenyl ethers, and other hydrocarbons. Each sample had a basic pH. Asbestos levels ranged from 0.8% to 3.0% of the mass, the PAHs were > 0.1% of the mass, and lead ranged from 101 to 625 microg/g. The content and distribution of material was indicative of a complex mixture of building debris and combustion products in the resulting plume. These three samples were composed primarily of construction materials, soot, paint (leaded and unleaded), and glass fibers (mineral wool and fiberglass). Levels of hydrocarbons indicated unburned or partially burned jet fuel, plastic, cellulose, and other materials that were ignited by the fire. In morphologic analyses we found that a majority of the mass was fibrous and composed of many types of fibers (e.g., mineral wool, fiberglass, asbestos, wood, paper, and cotton). The particles were separated into size classifications by gravimetric and aerodynamic methods. Material < 2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter was 0.88-1.98% of the total mass. The largest mass concentrations were > 53 microm in diameter. The results obtained from these samples can be used to understand the contact and types of exposures to this unprecedented complex mixture experienced by the surviving residents, commuters, and rescue workers directly affected by the plume from 11 to 12 September and the evaluations of any acute or long-term health effects from resuspendable dust and smoke to the residents, commuters, and local workers, as well as from the materials released after 11 September until the fires were extinguished. Further, these results support the need to have the interior of residences, buildings, and their respective HVAC systems professionally cleaned to reduce long-term residential risks before rehabitation.

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Section: Analytic Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the dust/smoke aerosol that settled east of the World Trade Center (WTC) in lower Manhattan after the collapse of the WTC 11 September 2001.

Lioy

Weisel

Millette

et al. 2002

Environ Health Perspect

449

453

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Scanning Electron Microscopy in Forensic Science

Basu

2000

Encyclopedia of Analytical Chemistry

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Scanning electron microscopy is providing increasingly definitive solutions to criminal problems since its commercial debut in 1965. This has been due to the ability of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) to simultaneously produce several electron probe‐induced signals from the specimen, which generate readily interpretable images of surface topography and material composition. The successful applications of these signals are determined by sample preparation and instrumental parameters. No other microbeam technology combines high resolution (2–5 nm) of the topographic (secondary) electrons with large depth of field for three‐dimensional viewing. The SEM is indeed ideal for stereomicroscopy. The versatility of the SEM stems from its additional capability to process each specimen signal by various contrast enhancement methods, such as line scanning, deflection modulation (DM), area mapping, etc. These methods allow an intuitive, stylistic, and synthetic analysis of the image and are ideal for quality control analysis. Digital SEMs have pioneered in automated image processing and unattended search and analysis of particulates. The combined SEM and energy‐dispersive X‐ray microanalysis (EDX) is the most definitive technique in testing for gunshot residue (GSR) particles, collected by the glue‐lift technique. In the analyses of other trace evidence, such as hair and fibers, in physical matching, and in nondestructive elemental analysis of physical evidence, the SEM/EDX is the most efficient of all microbeam technologies. From firearms, bullet wounds and human bones, to plants, pollen and fungi, the list of criminal evidence examined by SEM/EDX is endless. However, the SEM/EDX is not ideal for quantitative analysis of elements present as traces (<1% w/w). The SEM lacks the three‐dimensional sectioning abilities of scanning beam confocal microscopes. The imaging capabilities of the SEM surpass these limitations. The SEM is, therefore, a major tool in forensic research and investigation.

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Evaluation of Staple Impressions in the Scanning Electron Microscope

Cited by 2 publications

References 4 publications

Characterization of the dust/smoke aerosol that settled east of the World Trade Center (WTC) in lower Manhattan after the collapse of the WTC 11 September 2001.

Characterization of the dust/smoke aerosol that settled east of the World Trade Center (WTC) in lower Manhattan after the collapse of the WTC 11 September 2001.

Scanning Electron Microscopy in Forensic Science

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