Forensic Analysis of Tattoos and Tattoo Inks

Miranda, Michelle

doi:10.1201/b18938

Cited by 7 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Interest in tattoos has spanned multiple disciplines, including archeology, criminology, cultural anthropology, history, medicine, sociology, and forensic science. The focus of tattoo interest and scholarship has varied over time, with research addressing such topics as symbolism and semiotics, social stratification, criminal behavior and punishment methods, religious and medical trends, and general meaning and viewer perception (Miranda, ). Historically, a concerted effort has been made to understand the tattoo and its role in providing insight into the wearer's psychiatric, sexual or criminal behaviors and motivations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In such cases, the tattoo extends beyond ornamentation to that of a means of expressing personality and displaying the depths of one's psyche. Since the introduction of the tattoo, much time has been spent evaluating the meaning behind the tattoo—including the process or rituals associated with obtaining the tattoo(s), the selection of the design and its location on the body, as well as the motivation to obtain an indelible mark within the skin (Miranda, ). While desire to assign a meaning of a tattoo presents a way to evaluate the psychological motivations of a tattooed individual in a subjective matter, the utilization of tattoos as a tool of identification holds historical significance, and presents a practical, objective utility to the tattoo, especially in forensic investigations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Identification can be described as direct or indirect with direct associations being those in which identification is intended, such as penal, military, religious, familial, or gang affiliations and indirect associations those in which the identification is not the primary intention of the tattoo, such as the forensic identification of human remains based on evaluation of the decedent's ornamental tattoos (Miranda, ). While it could be argued that the majority of individuals do not decide to get tattooed for the purpose of ensuring correct identification of their remains in the event of a traumatic event, this was essentially the thought of many soldiers and sailors and the impetus for some of their tattoos (Kaufman, ; Wolf & Laumann, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Tattoos and tattoo inks: Forensic considerations

Miranda

2019

WIREs Forensic Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Tattoos and tattoo inks play a critical role in forensic investigations, and have done so for centuries. Tattoos are most useful as a means of identification for both the living and deceased. From their continued discovery on mummified remains dating from antiquity to their utilization in modern day investigations and prosecutions, tattoos demonstrate persistence and clues to cultural practices and identity. The tools and techniques of tattooing, as well as the phenomena of visualization of pigments according to the interaction of light radiation in human tissue is presented. An overview of the history of tattoos is provided, with a specific focus on tattoos in criminological, medicolegal and forensic investigations-from the characterization of criminals in the 19th century to the introduction of tattoo evidence in criminal trials of present day. Finally, an overview of the scientific study of tattoos and tattoo inks is presented, including the visualization of obscured tattoos, the chemical analysis of modern tattoo inks, and trends towards understanding the migration, retention, and photodecomposition of pigment particles. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the importance and utilization of tattoos and tattoo inks in a forensic context-specifically highlighting that tattoos can prove critical to providing investigatory leads in criminal investigations and tattoos and tattoo inks should have an increased use in forensic endeavors moving forward, both in casework and scholarly research.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Tattoos and tattoo inks: Forensic considerations

Miranda

2019

WIREs Forensic Science

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…[25] These investigations have demonstrated the utility of Raman spectroscopy as a powerful method for the evaluation of pigments used in tattoo inks. However, a study focused on Raman spectroscopy to create pigment spectral libraries at different excitation wavelengths has yet to be peer reviewed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[24] Further, Miranda performed a detailed evaluation of 14 pigment standards and tattoo inks from US, Chinese, and Brazilian manufacturers in order to identify the best analytical methods, including Raman, for qualitative classification. [25] These investigations have demonstrated the utility of Raman spectroscopy as a powerful method for the evaluation of pigments used in tattoo inks. However, a study focused on Raman spectroscopy to create pigment spectral libraries at different excitation wavelengths has yet to be peer reviewed.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of tattoo pigments by Raman spectroscopy

Yakes

Michael

Pérez-González

et al. 2017

J Raman Spectroscopy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

As a result of the increase in the practice of tattooing, the US Food and Drug Administration has identified a need for improved analytical methods to detect the pigments and potential impurities in the inks. Raman spectroscopy allows for nondestructive identification of compounds and is commonly used in art, archaeology, and forensics; however, the technique has only limitedly been applied to the identification of tattoo pigments. In this study, approximately 30 inorganic, organometallic, and organic pigments were evaluated with Raman spectroscopy by using 532, 633, and 780-nm lasers. Individual optimization of the instrumental parameters was performed for each pigment in order to enhance spectral quality. This research highlights the need for multiple laser interrogation, as the spectra of some pigments were difficult to obtain by using a particular wavelength due to interferences from absorption or fluorescence. However, by using these multiple wavelengths, all pigments could be identified by their unique spectral features. A spectral library of the pigments was created for each laser wavelength and then challenged with pigments from multiple manufacturers. All pigments were identified correctly, and the method is poised to be an effective, noninvasive means for qualitatively identifying tattoo pigments. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.Keywords: Raman spectroscopy; Tattoo inks; Pigments; Spectral library IntroductionTattoos are formed when ink containing insoluble pigments dispersed in an aqueous medium, often containing alcohol, glycerine, and/or witch hazel, is injected between the dermis and epidermis of the skin. Tattooing has been performed since ancient times and is currently used as an art form, as permanent makeup, and in medical applications.[1] Worldwide, an estimated 120 million people have tattoos [2] with approximately 12% of Europeans [3] and 24% of surveyed US citizens having a tattoo.[4]Regulation of the practice of tattooing and tattoo inks varies worldwide. In the United States, the pigments used in tattoo inks are considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be colour additives [5,6] and must be listed in the Code of Federal Regulations. [7] Currently, no colour additives have been approved by the FDA for use in injections such as tattooing. The practice of tattooing in the United States is regulated by state and local jurisdictions with adverse events monitored by the FDA.[1] While reported adverse events have generally involved microbial contamination, [8] such as the August 2015 recall of grey inks with Mycobacterium, [9] awareness of knowledge gaps on tattoo ink components and long-term risks is growing.[3] One concern is the overlap in tattoo pigments that are also used in the printing, plastics, coatings, textiles, and paint industries.[1] The Council of Europe 2008 Report proposed labelling requirements, chemicals that should not be used due to potential toxicity, and maximum allowed concentrations of impurities...

show abstract