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(Late) Invited Presentation

Forensics

FORENS02: Forensics Analysis in the Lab and at the Crime Scene

Towards Estimating the Time Since Deposition of Bloodstains on Fabrics Using ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

Wednesday, October 8, 2025
3:50 PM - 4:10 PM EDT
Location: Meeting Room #1

    Presenting Author(s)

  • MA

    Mohamed O. Amin

    Postdoctoral Researcher
    University at Albany, SUNY
    Albany, New York, United States

    • Non-Presenting Author(s)

  • MA

    Meshari Al-Qalfas

    MSc Student
    Faculty of Science, Forensic Science Program, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    Kuwait, Al Asimah, Kuwait

  • SA

    Salma Al-Antari

    Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 5969, 13060 Safat, Kuwait
    Kuwait, Al Asimah, Kuwait

  • ZH

    Zainab H. Hussain

    Faculty of Science, Forensic Science Program, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait City, Kuwait
    Kuwait, Al Farwaniyah, Kuwait

  • BV

    Bhavik Vyas, PhD

    Research Assistant
    University at Albany, SUNY
    Albany, New York, United States

    • Project Lead(s)

  • IL

    Igor K. Lednev, PhD

    Distinguished Professor
    University at Albany, SUNY
    Albany, New York, United States

  • EA

    Entesar Al-Hetlani, PhD

    Associate Professor
    Kuwait University
    Asmaa, Al Asimah, Kuwait

    • Submitter(s)

  • MA

    Mohamed O. Amin

    Postdoctoral Researcher
    University at Albany, SUNY
    Albany, New York, United States

In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: IR spectrscppy and chemometrics are promise tool for estimating theTSD of bloodstains for forensic investigation

Abstract Text:

Bloodstains are critical evidence at crime scenes, often linked to violent crimes. Accurately estimating the time since deposition (TSD) of bloodstains can provide essential insights for reconstructing crime timelines. This presentation demonstrates the use of attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics to estimate the time since deposition (TSD) of bloodstains on common fabrics under (i) ambient conditions and (ii) simulated Gulf climate (≥47 °C, moderate humidity). Although fabric substrates contributed to the spectral background, bloodstain-related bands such as amide I (~1636 cm⁻¹) and amide II (~1535 cm⁻¹) were observed. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) classified “recent” versus “older” stains with external validation accuracies of 92% (polyester) and 94% (cotton) for ≤72 h versus >72 h at ambient conditions, and 93% (cotton) and 97% (modal) for ≤96 h versus >96 h under simulated hot environmental conditions. For continuous aging, partial least squares regression (PLSR) combined with a genetic algorithm (GA) achieved R²pred ≈ 0.86–0.85 (polyester/cotton, ambient) and 84–89% predictive performance (cotton/modal, heat). These results support ATR-FTIR as a nondestructive, rapid tool for estimating bloodstain age on common fabrics, including in high-temperature environments. Future research may also focus on examining degradation patterns across different surfaces and settings. Once thoroughly developed and validated through broader studies, this approach could offer a practical, non-destructive tool for estimating bloodstain age in forensic applications.