Capturing Air Samples for Forensic Investigation

• US 20090133513A1
• Filed: 11/26/2007
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Davis, Brian Jeffrey, McCormack, Todd Donald, Doyle, Timothy Clay
• Granted Patent: US 7,770,476 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/864.510
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2273 Atmospheric sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/024 passengers or luggage

Abstract

In one embodiment, air is automatically sampled within a zone of interest in response to an event caused by a mammal. The release of material from the mammal may be induced by directing an increased velocity airflow at the mammal or by introducing a sneezing agent into the zone of interest and capturing the air sample after the mammal has sneezed. Materials contained within the sampled air may include organic material such as skin, hair, saliva, or mucus, and gases such as CO2 and methane. The materials may be forensically analyzed to confirm the presence or to determine the identity of the mammal. The organic materials may contain DNA, in which case the forensic analysis may include a DNA analysis to determine the identity of the mammal.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

automatically capturing, in a first sealed container, a control air sample from a zone of interest prior to an entrance of a mammal into the zone of interest;

automatically capturing, in a second sealed container, an evidence air sample containing material from the mammal after the entrance of the mammal into the zone of interest; and

analyzing the material in the evidence air sample to identify characteristics of the mammal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

electronically detecting an event in the zone of interest caused by the mammal; and

automatically capturing the evidence air sample in response to the electronic detection of the event.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristics of the mammal include the presence or identity of the mammal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the material in the evidence air sample includes performing a DNA analysis on the material.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the material in the evidence air sample includes determining the concentration of gases in the evidence air sample.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the material comprises DNA, methane, carbon dioxide, saliva, mucus, hair, skin, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically inducing the mammal to expel the material.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein inducing the mammal to expel the material comprises introducing a sneezing agent into the zone of interest, and capturing the evidence air sample after the mammal has sneezed.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising directing an air stream at the mammal sufficient to remove surface material from the mammal, and capturing the removed surface material within the evidence air sample.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the surface material includes skin cells or hair of the mammal.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

electronically detecting an odor present in the zone of interest.

12. A system, comprising:

an air-sampling container;

an airflow system configured for moving air from the zone of interest into the air-sampling container and selectively closing airflow to the air-sampling container; and

a controller configured for selectively closing the airflow to the container in response to an event caused by a mammal that enters the zone of interest to capture an air sample from the zone of interest within the air-sampling container.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a sensor configured for detecting the event caused by the mammal and generating a signal to the controller in response thereto for selectively closing the airflow.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a sneeze induction system configured to release a sneezing agent in the zone of interest in response to detection of the event, wherein the controller is configured to close the airflow to the container after the sneezing agent is released.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is configured to periodically release the captured air sample and capture another air sample within the air-sampling container.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising an odor detector in electronic communication with the controller, wherein the odor detector is configured to generate a signal representative of an airborne substance in the zone of interest.

17. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

an increased-velocity airflow capture subsystem configured for directing an airflow stream of at least 10 mph at a mammal generating the mammalian activity within the zone of interest, to dislodge material from the mammal.

18. A method, comprising:

automatically capturing, in a sealed container, an evidence air sample containing material from a mammal after the entrance of the mammal into a zone of interest; and

analyzing the material in the evidence air sample to determine the entrance of the mammal within the zone of interest or to determine the identity of the mammal.