Characterizing Fingernail Surface Morphology Exposed to Common Household Cleaning Agents Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Location
Poster Session 2 (Henderson Library)
Session Format
Poster Presentation
Your Campus
Statesboro Campus- Henderson Library, April 20th
Academic Unit
Department of Chemistry
Research Area Topic:
Natural & Physical Sciences - Chemistry
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Co-authors:
Olivia Creamer
Ashleigh Duty
Kyleigh Richardson
Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Shainaz Landge
Abstract
In criminal investigations, fingernails can be a crucial piece of physical evidence linking the victim to the crime scene. Scanning Electron Microscopy could provide a visualization of the morphology of fingernails. Fingernail morphology and surface chemistry will be observed in various pH conditions ranging from 2.5-12 exposed to vinegar, bleach, household ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. The hypothesis is that exposing fingernails to different household cleaning agents will create a structural change on the surface of fingernails, with various chemicals being left on the surface of the nails. The fingernails collected will not have nail polish or pre-applied chemicals, and three samples from a female and a male will be collected for each cleaning agent. There will be a waiting period of one week inside ambient temperature after exposure to cleaning agents and analysis. The findings of this study may aid in building a case in a typical forensics’ environment.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Start Date
4-20-2022 1:30 PM
End Date
4-20-2022 3:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Williams, Logan, "Characterizing Fingernail Surface Morphology Exposed to Common Household Cleaning Agents Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)" (2022). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 86.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2022/2022/86
Characterizing Fingernail Surface Morphology Exposed to Common Household Cleaning Agents Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Poster Session 2 (Henderson Library)
In criminal investigations, fingernails can be a crucial piece of physical evidence linking the victim to the crime scene. Scanning Electron Microscopy could provide a visualization of the morphology of fingernails. Fingernail morphology and surface chemistry will be observed in various pH conditions ranging from 2.5-12 exposed to vinegar, bleach, household ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. The hypothesis is that exposing fingernails to different household cleaning agents will create a structural change on the surface of fingernails, with various chemicals being left on the surface of the nails. The fingernails collected will not have nail polish or pre-applied chemicals, and three samples from a female and a male will be collected for each cleaning agent. There will be a waiting period of one week inside ambient temperature after exposure to cleaning agents and analysis. The findings of this study may aid in building a case in a typical forensics’ environment.
