Forensic investigators may soon have an electronic ally that allows them to collect samples quickly, automatically and without handling the evidence. The Department of Energy's Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico has engineered the Hands-Off Sampler Gun to help sample collectors prevent cross-contamination or mishandling and to protect them from potentially hazardous substances such as ricin or anthrax.
The idea for the Sampler Gun originated with Dr. Torsten Staab, a scientist at Lab's Applied Engineering Technologies division. When Staab observed the collection process during routine lab inspections, he realized there must be a more accurate and less time consuming method of recording the samples.
Currently, each sample collected takes five minutes or more to process at the scene including manually recording information such as where, when and how the sample was collected, who collected it, and identifying it with a barcode. The information then needs to be duplicated electronically, leaving it open to subjective interpretation and potential errors in the process.
But the battery-operated, high-tech Sampler Gun electronically tracks and records sampling related information, such as time location, method, and any observations. This reduces the number of process errors and operator contact with contaminated areas. The device also includes a universal sample media adaptor which can be loaded and discharged from the Sampler Gun without being touched by human hands, thus lessening opportunities for contamination.
Staab sought commercialization resources from the Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization (OTTC) at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).
In February 2004, OTTC awarded funds from the Center of Commercialization of Advanced Technology (CCAT) to Staab amounting to $75, 000 in February 2004 for prototype development with additional funding for a market study. "The funding allowed me to buy all the components that I thought would be important to the device, but it also helped me to pay for the software development in-house," said Staab. The first prototype of the Hands-Off Sampler Gun was completed in 2004.
Data recorded at the scene is stored on a wi-fi enabled pocket PC that is embedded into the Sampler gun. The data can be downloaded at a later time to a desktop computer. The PC can also be used to wirelessly download maps, instructions, intra-team communications and blueprints to sample collectors to improve efficiency and situational awareness.
Staab also designed the Hands-Off Sampler Gun to include a digital camera that can take still shots or video; a digital voice recorder; a bar code reader; a sonar sensor for measuring distance; a temperature probe; GPS capabilities; an SD memory card reader and an electronic compass. The design also includes voice recognition sensors allowing voice commands to the system, thus, minimizing contact with the device and lessening the possibility of contamination.
The device also has an integrated LED flash light (eliminating the need to hunt down a separate light and allowing the sampler taker a free hand) and an air pump that allows the collection of air samples, just as the universal sample media collector does for solids or liquids. The Sampler Gun was also designed so that biological, chemical and radiological sensors can be integrated into the device to provide sample identification capabilities for instant feedback.
Additionally, the Sampler Gun stores its multi-media field information in a non-proprietary data format using eXtenable Markup Language (XML). This allows all federal, state and/or local government agencies involved with the sampling process to easily share and store the information while using their own proprietary database systems.
OTTC has provided on-going support for the Sampler Gun with another $7000 in January 2007 to build two additional prototype devices that Staab's team can send to potential licensees.
For more information, please contact:
Juli Gandasatria, Sr. Technology Program Manager
Office of Technology Transfer and Commercialization
E-mail: jgandasa@csusb.edu
Phone: 909-537-7758 / Fax: 909-537-7450