PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF DUST FROM THREE LOCATIONS

The purpose of the study was to conduct a forensic analysis to compare the composition of dust from three local settings: two from different laboratories at Salem State College and one from a residence in Lynn, Massachusetts. An untreated portion of each sample of dust from windowsills and door frames was examined with a Polarizing Microscope in both plane and cross polarized light, as well as with a Scanning Electron Microscope. Dust collected for viewing with the SEM was either collected on carbon tape or carbon-coated. Preliminary results show that the dust samples from the three locations have unique identifiers, although they share some characteristics in common such as hairs, fibers and pollen. Dust from the residence contained fur not seen in the two samples from the Salem State laboratories. Dust from the biology research laboratory included insect parts not seen in the geology laboratory or the residence samples, but both college samples included coal grains, probably from a local power plant. These initial results indicate that dust analysis is a useful forensic tool for characterizing indoor locations.