Dr. José R. Almirall Profile

Dr. José R. Almirall

Assistant Professor at Florida International Univ

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Publications (11)

Proceedings Article | 20 May 2005 Paper

Application of a SPME-IMS detection system for explosives detection

Jeannette Perr, Kenneth Furton, Jose Almirall

Proceedings Volume 5778, (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.605869

KEYWORDS: Explosives, Explosives detection, Ions, Statistical analysis, Urea, Ionization, Solids, Spectroscopy, Forensic science, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 20 May 2005 Paper

Discrimination of smokeless powders by headspace SPME-GC-MS and SPME-GC-ECD, and the potential implications upon training canine detection of explosives

Ross Harper, Jose Almirall, Kenneth Furton

Proceedings Volume 5778, (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.603928

KEYWORDS: Explosives, Explosives detection, Chemical analysis, Manufacturing, Sensors, Chromatography, Additive manufacturing, Forensic science, Analytical research, Solids

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Proceedings Article | 20 May 2005 Paper

Forensic elemental analysis of materials by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)

Jose Almirall, Sayuri Umpierrez, Waleska Castro, Igor Gornushkin, James Winefordner

Proceedings Volume 5778, (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.605754

KEYWORDS: Glasses, Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, Forensic science, Statistical analysis, Spectroscopy, Plasma, Nondestructive evaluation, Analytical research, Calcium, Lead

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Proceedings Article | 28 March 2005 Paper

Human scent as a biometric measurement

Allison Curran, Paola Prada, Adee Schoon, Jose Almirall, Kenneth Furton

Proceedings Volume 5779, (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.603820

KEYWORDS: Biometrics, Skin, Statistical analysis, Spectroscopy, Solids, Forensic science, Biological research, Chemical analysis, Analytical research, Proteins

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Proceedings Article | 22 September 2003 Paper

Trace elemental analysis of glass and paint samples of forensic interest by ICP-MS using laser ablation solid sample introduction

Jose Almirall, Tatiana Trejos, Andria Hobbs, Kenneth Furton

Proceedings Volume 5071, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.498106

KEYWORDS: Glasses, Statistical analysis, Forensic science, Laser ablation, Lead, Calibration, Solids, Scanning electron microscopy, Headlamps, Chemical elements

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The importance of small amounts of glass and paint evidence as a means to associate a crime event to a suspect or a suspect to another individual has been demonstrated in many cases. Glass is a fragile material that is often found at the scenes of crimes such as burglaries, hit-and-run accidents and violent crime offenses. Previous work has demonstrated the utility of elemental analysis by solution ICP-MS of small amounts of glass for the comparison between a fragment found at a crime scene to a possible source of the glass. The multi-element capability and the sensitivity of ICP-MS combined with the simplified sample introduction of laser ablation prior to ion detection provides for an excellent and relatively non-destructive technique for elemental analysis of glass fragments. The direct solid sample introduction technique of laser ablation (LA) is reported as an alternative to the solution method. Direct solid sampling provides several advantages over solution methods and shows great potential for a number of solid sample analyses in forensic science. The advantages of laser ablation include the simplification of sample preparation, thereby reducing the time and complexity of the analysis, the elimination of handling acid dissolution reagents such as HF and the reduction of sources of interferences in the ionization plasma. Direct sampling also provides for essentially “non-destructive” sampling due to the removal of very small amounts of sample needed for analysis. The discrimination potential of LA-ICP-MS is compared with previously reported solution ICP-MS methods using external calibration with internal standardization and a newly reported solution isotope dilution (ID) method. A total of ninety-one different glass samples were used for the comparison study using the techniques mentioned. One set consisted of forty-five headlamps taken from a variety of automobiles representing a range of twenty years of manufacturing dates. A second set consisted of forty-six automotive glasses (side windows and windshields) representing casework glass from different vehicle manufacturers over several years was also characterized by RI and elemental composition analysis. The solution sample introduction techniques (external calibration and isotope dilution) provide for excellent sensitivity and precision but have the disadvantages of destroying the sample and also involve complex sample preparation. The laser ablation method was simpler, faster and produced comparable discrimination to the EC-ICP-MS and ID-ICP-MS. LA-ICP-MS can provide for an excellent alternative to solution analysis of glass in forensic casework samples. Paints and coatings are frequently encountered as trace evidence samples submitted to forensic science laboratories. A LA-ICP-MS method has been developed to complement the commonly used techniques in forensic laboratories in order to better characterize these samples for forensic purposes. Time-resolved plots of each sample can be compared to associate samples to each other or to discriminate between samples. Additionally, the concentration of lead and the ratios of other elements have been determined in various automotive paints by the reported method. A sample set of eighteen (18) survey automotive paint samples have been analyzed with the developed method in order to determine the utility of LA-ICP-MS and to compare the method to the more commonly used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) method for elemental characterization of paint layers in forensic casework.

Proceedings Article | 22 September 2003 Paper

Optimization of biological and instrumental detection of explosives and ignitable liquid residues including canines, SPME/ITMS and GC/MSⁿ

Kenneth Furton, Ross Harper, Jeannette Perr, Jose Almirall

Proceedings Volume 5071, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.498122

KEYWORDS: Explosives, Liquids, Sensors, Ions, Spectroscopy, Chemical analysis, Interfaces, Silica, Explosives detection, Forensic science

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A comprehensive study and comparison is underway using biological detectors and instrumental methods for the rapid detection of ignitable liquid residues (ILR) and high explosives. Headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) has been demonstrated to be an effective sampling method helping to identify active odor signature chemicals used by detector dogs to locate forensic specimens as well as a rapid pre-concentration technique prior to instrumental detection. Common ignitable liquids and common military and industrial explosives have been studied including trinitrotoluene, tetryl, RDX, HMX, EGDN, PETN and nitroglycerine. This study focuses on identifying volatile odor signature chemicals present, which can be used to enhance the level and reliability of detection of ILR and explosives by canines and instrumental methods. While most instrumental methods currently in use focus on particles and on parent organic compounds, which are often involatile, characteristic volatile organics are generally also present and can be exploited to enhance detection particularly for well-concealed devices. Specific examples include the volatile odor chemicals 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and cyclohexanone, which are readily available in the headspace of the high explosive composition C-4; whereas, the active chemical cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX) is not. The analysis and identification of these headspace 'fingerprint' organics is followed by double-blind dog trials of the individual components using certified teams in an attempt to isolate and understand the target compounds to which dogs are sensitive. Studies to compare commonly used training aids with the actual target explosive have also been undertaken to determine their suitability and effectiveness. The optimization of solid phase microextraction (SPME) combined with ion trap mobility spectrometry (ITMS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (GC/MSⁿ) is detailed including interface development and comparisons of limits of detection. These instrumental methods are being optimized in order to detect the same target odor chemicals used by detector dogs to reliably locate explosives and ignitable liquids.

Proceedings Article | 14 August 2002 Paper

Association of glass fragments by their trace elemental content using ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS in the analysis scheme

Jose Almirall, Shirly Montero, Kenneth Furton

Proceedings Volume 4708, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.479293

KEYWORDS: Glasses, Statistical analysis, Lead, Laser ablation, Magnesium, Chemical elements, Calibration, Barium, Strontium, Zirconium

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Proceedings Article | 4 February 1999 Paper

Field recovery of explosive residues using solid-phase microextraction followed by chromatographic analysis

Jose Almirall, Lianming Wu, Grace Bi, Michael Shannon, Kenneth Furton

Proceedings Volume 3576, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334539

KEYWORDS: Explosives, Solids, Forensic science, Chromatography, Analytical research, Chemistry, Statistical analysis, Interfaces, Gallium, Bismuth

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Proceedings Article | 4 February 1999 Paper

Elemental analysis of forensic glasses by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Jose Almirall, Douglas Duckworth, Charles Bayne, Sherman Morton, David Smith, Robert Koons, Kenneth Furton

Proceedings Volume 3576, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334518

KEYWORDS: Glasses, Forensic science, Statistical analysis, Chemical elements, Manufacturing, Strontium, Barium, Plasma, Magnesium, Zirconium

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Proceedings Article | 4 February 1999 Paper

Variables controlling the recovery of ignitable liquid residues from simulated fire debris samples using solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography

Kenneth Furton, Jose Almirall, Jing Wang

Proceedings Volume 3576, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334524

KEYWORDS: Solids, Liquids, Adsorption, Bioalcohols, Statistical analysis, Chromatography, Forensic science, Chemistry, Temperature metrology, Fiber coatings

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Proceedings Article | 10 February 1997 Paper

Statistical significance of trace evidence matches using independent physicochemical measurements

Jose Almirall, Michael Cole, Kenneth Furton, George Gettinby

Proceedings Volume 2941, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.266309

KEYWORDS: Glasses, Statistical analysis, Iron, Manufacturing, Magnesium, Databases, Refractive index, Zirconium, Chemical elements, Calcium

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Showing 5 of 11 publications

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