• Analysis of textile dyes in fibers by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) detection – Microscopy is often used to analyze and compare single fibers. However, the textile dyes can be separated by HPLC with UV/VIS detection allowing for a more quantitative comparison. In case work, the amount of dye needed for HPLC injection and the destruction of the fiber makes this procedure impractical (see #2). We are developing a method which will allow separation of the dyes by capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection. This allows for nanoliter injection amounts allowing analysis of dyes with a smaller fiber piece possibly saving the fiber evidence. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) detection provides exceedingly low detection limits of textile dyes. This detector can provide a significant improvement in mass detectability compared to standard UV/VIS detectors for CE. Typically, sensitivity in the order of 10– 1 1 M can be obtained with minimum detectable quantities in the zeptomole region. We are also exploring the need to dervitize the dyes when their excitation wavelength does not match the wavelength of our lasers.

• Analysis of textile dyes in fibers by TLC and HPLC – The separation of textile dyes in fibers by TLC is routine in crime laboratories. However, the amount each dye present is difficult to determine with TLC. HPLC has the advantage of quantitatively determining the amount of each dye and their ratio and can be a discriminating tool to determine if two fibers are of the same origin. We are currently working to reduce the amount of fabric needed to increase the usefulness of the HPLC method.

• Analysis of anabolic steroids by capillary electrophoresis with UV/VIS detection –Dr. Wilson’s group is adapting the method developed by Lurie (J. Chromatogr. A. 780 (1997) 265-284) to steroid analysis for future use in casework.

• Glass fracture and reconstruction -

  In the above image, Dr. "Packin' Heat" Wilson and students fracture glass panes under the instruction of Don Alwes, Firearms Instructor, DOCJT.

  In this study, glass panes obtained from a local manufacturing plant are being broken with different weapons and reconstructed to see what facts can be found. Currently, crime labs are often asked to determine on which side the impact was made. We were interested to see if additional information could be obtained. To date 17 glass panes have been systematically broken and reconstructed. Glass panes 5-17 were shot with bullets of different caliber to see if the impact pattern could be linked to the size of the bullet. Following the reconstruction, we discovered secondary fractures which occurred close to the impact point when the fracture was made with a low velocity weapon. We believe these secondary fractures will be useful in determining the point of origin of a single glass fragment.

Referred Publications:

“Crosslinking Studies of Supersaturated Lysozyme Solutions,” Clayton L. Hall, John R. Clemens, Amanda M. Brown, Haiqing Hu, Lori J. Wilson, accepted Acta Crystallographica Section D, Vol. 00, p. 00-00, 2005.

“Quantification of DHK Production by Flavanone 3-Hydroxytransferase Using Capillary Electrophoresis,” Daniel Owens, Tracy Hale, Lori J. Wilson and Cecilia McIntosh, Plant Phytochemistry, Vol. 13, 69-74, 2002.

"Lysozyme Self-Association In Aqueous NaCl at pH 4.0 and 20oC" Lori J. Wilson, Yeong Woo Kim and James K. Baird, Crystal Growth and Design, Vol.  2, No. 1, 41-43, 2002.

“A Spectrophotometer Based Method for Crystallization Induction Time Period Measurements” Haiqing Hu, Xiayoe Yang and Lori J. Wilson, J. Crystal Growth, Vol 232/1-4,  86-92, 2001.

“Simplex Optimization of Crystallization Conditions,” Bradley D. Prater, Steven Tuller and L. J. Wilson, Journal of Crystal Growth,Vol. 196, 674-684, 1999.

“Development of a MultiChambered Diffusion Unit for Crystallization Kinetics,” Objectif Espace ‘97, Vol. 1, 333-338, 1998.

 “Salt–Induced Aggregation of Lysozyme Studied by Cross–Linking with Glutaraldehyde:  Implications for Crystal Growth,” Fang Wang, John Hayter and Lori J. Wilson, Acta Crystallographica Section D, Volume 52, 901?]908, 1996.

“Monomer Concentrations and Dimerization Constants in Crystallizing Lysozyme Solutions by Dialysis Kinetics,” L. J. Wilson, L. Adcock–Downey and M. L. Pusey, Biophysical Journal, Volume 71, 2123-2129, 1996.

 “Salt–Induced Aggregation of Lysozyme:  Implications for Crystal Growth,” L. J. Wilson, NASA CR–196533, XLVIII, 1–5, 1994.

“A Dialysis Technique for Determining Aggregate Concentrations in Crystallizing Protein Solutions.”  L. J. Wilson, L. D. Adcock and M. L. Pusey, J. Phys. D:  Appl. Phys., 26, B113–B117, 1993.

“Control of Solvent Evaporation in Lysozyme Crystallization,” L. J. Wilson and F. L. Suddath, Journal of Crystal Growth Vol. 116, 414–421, 1992.

“Crystallization of Proteins by Dynamic Control of Evaporation.” L. J. Wilson, T. L. Bray and F. L. Suddath, Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol. 110, 142–147, 1991.

“Determination of Monomer Concentrations in Crystallizing Lysozyme Solutions.”  L. J. Wilson and Marc Lee Pusey, Journal of Crystal Growth, 122, 8–13, 1991.