NIST Vapor Detection in Forensic Chemical Analysis
NIST is developing a cryoadsorption technique for improved vapor sampling and analysis of forensic evidence like fire debris, explosives, and grave soils.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $82,764 per year plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical appointment duration 2 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship at NIST to develop and apply a novel cryoadsorption technique for quantitative vapor sampling in forensic chemical analysis, including fire debris, explosives, and grave soil detection.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens with a doctoral degree; applications require prior contact with research advisers; NIST participates in February and August review cycles.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focuses on advancing forensic chemical analysis through a newly developed vapor sampling technique called cryoadsorption. This method combines low temperature solute transpiration with high-efficiency sorbents in a capillary carrier, enabling quantitative vapor sampling with low uncertainty even for low volatility liquids and solids. Unlike traditional purge and trap methods, cryoadsorption can analyze low vapor pressure substances and provides thermodynamically describable measurements via the vant Hoff equation.
The research will pursue two main directions aligned with critical forensic science needs:
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Fire Debris Analysis:
- Sampling and analyzing residual accelerants from controlled burn patterns on wood substrates to determine evaporation profiles.
- Detecting weathered accelerants, focusing on polar constituents formed by fuel decomposition in soil environments.
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Detection of Vapor or Gaseous Markers:
- Using the cryoadsorber as a platform for immobilized reagent systems.
- Current projects include detecting vapor phase hydrogen peroxide (for explosives and incendiary detection) and identifying ninhydrin-fixing bacteria to locate grave soils of illegally buried corpses.
This research aims to improve forensic detection capabilities for accelerants, explosives, and biological markers relevant to law enforcement and forensic investigations.
