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Publications and Presentations

Microscopic Traces: Solving Real World Problems with Science

Microtrace Presents at American Academy of Forensic Sciences 2024

Microscopical Pursuit: An evening of photomicrography-based trivia

Microscopical recognition and characterization of solution dyed fibers

Jason Beckert Speaks to Forensic Science Students at Bowling Green State University

Forensic Chemical Microscopy and the Fun of Figuring Things Out

All Publications and Presentations by Date

Is a Conservative Decision in the Lab Always Conservative?

The Examination of Stomach Contents in a Suspected Suicide

Microtrace’s Range of Analytical Experience on Display at Inter/Micro 2023

An Introduction to the Forensic Analysis of Solution Dyed Fibers

The Microscopical Recognition and Characterization of Pigmented Fibers

The Chemistry of Forensic Fiber Analysis

Article- Routine Mitogenome MPS Analysis from 1 and 5 mm of Rootless Human Hair

An Introduction to the Forensic Investigation and Analysis of Trace Evidence

Microtrace Article: Glass Analysis by X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry

Inter/Micro 2022 Displays Microtrace’s Analytical Versatility

Forensic Microscopy: Problem Solving through Microanalysis

Two Microtrace Scientists Present at Annual MAFS Meeting in Des Moines

Glass Evidence Analysis by Refractive Index and Elemental Composition

Article: Characterization of Aluminum Powders in IEDs, Part II

Article: Characterization of Crystalline Structures in Cannabis Extracts

Microtrace Scientists Present at Annual MAFS Meeting

Optical and Chemical Characterization and Identification of Crystalline Structures in Cannabis Solvent Extracts

Forensic Analysis of New and Emerging Fibers

Commentary: Traceology, Criminalistics, and Forensic Science

Reference Collections Presentation by Chris Palenik at CFSRE Symposium

Jason Beckert Speaks to Santa Clara University School of Law

Asian Forensic Sciences Network Guest Speaker

Article: Characterization of Aluminum Powders in IEDs

Book Chapter- Forensic Hair Microscopy

Article: Toner Particles as Forensic Evidence

Feature Article: Resolving the Source of Foreign Matter in Formulations

Article: The Analysis of 3D Printer Dust for Forensic Applications

Microtrace Scientists Present at Pittcon 2020

American Academy of Forensic Sciences Conference 2020

Microtrace Presents at the Midwest Microscopy and Microanalysis Society

MAFS Annual Conference in Louisville, KY this Week

Article: The Role of Collections in Trace Evidence

Trace Evidence Presentation at Public Defender Forensic Science Conference

Microtrace’s Breadth of Expertise at Inter/Micro 2019

Sub‐visible Paint Article by Microtrace Scientists

Kelly Brinsko Beckert Presents at Joint SAFS/ASTEE Conference

NIJ Webinar to Feature Research of Dr. Christopher Palenik

Encyclopedia of Analytical Science Chapter by Microtrace Scientists

Ethan Groves presents to EAS on Paint Comparisons

A Closer Look at Crime

Skip Palenik Presents Keynote at CTT Conference

Forensic Dust Analysis Course

Microtrace’s Analytical Versatility on Display at Inter/Micro 2018

Skip Palenik Speaks to Caribbean Commissioners of Police

Chris Palenik Speaks to NACDL on Nanotrace Evidence

Journal of AOAC Article by Microtrace Scientists

Forensic Science International Article by Microtrace Scientists

Forensic Chemistry Article by Microtrace Scientists

Microtrace Scientists Present on Nanoparticles at Pittcon 2018

Skip Palenik Guides MAFS Workshop to Uncover “What’s in that Dust?”

See Breadth of Microtrace at Inter/Micro 2017

Skip Palenik to Lead Workshop on Trace Evidence in Animal Abuse Cases

Skip Palenik Interviewed on FBI Mishandling of Hair Evidence

Article: RI Variation Within Container Glass

National Commission on Forensic Science Invites Chris Palenik to Speak

Chris Palenik Invited to Speak at INTERPOL on Counterfeiting

Jason Beckert Speaks at Cook County Public Defender’s Seminar

Skip Palenik Invited Guest of Honor at Latvia ENFSI meeting

Chris Palenik to Present Trace Evidence Workshop in Bangkok

Skip Palenik to Present Invited Talk at M&M 2016

Chris Palenik to Present Plenary Address at NIST Conference

Microtrace Scientists to Present at Inter/Micro 2016

Chris Palenik Featured in Cover Story for The Analytical Scientist

SCIX 2015 invites Chris Palenik to give keynote lecture

Trace evidence symposium webcast to show Microtrace talks.

Surrounded by Spheres: Microspheres and Nanospheres in the World Around Us

Microtrace presenting at the DRI Product Liability Conference

Obliterated, Obscured, and Altered Writing

Forensic Microscopy in Elsevier’s Chemistry, Molecular Sciences and Chemical Engineering Reference Module in Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Reference Module

Jason Beckert of Microtrace to present at annual MAFS meeting in St. Paul, MN

Case Study: Sub-micron analysis of multi-laminate film

Seeing Color: Practical Methods in Pigment Microscopy

Streaks in Salmon

Say it ain’t so, Joe

Key Considerations for Consumer Complaint Sample Analysis

Determination of Syringe Penetration Angles in Pharmaceutical Vials.

Practical colorant identification applied to forensic casework

Developing Investigative Leads through the Microscopical Examination of Soil Traces

Presentation to the Abu Dhabi Police Crime Laboratory

Microscopical Technique for the Analysis and Comparison of Soil Traces in Forensic Investigations

Raman spectroscopy of automotive and architectural paints: in situ pigment identification and evidentiary significance.

Plumbum Microraptus: Definitive Microscopic Indicators of a Bullet Hole in a Synthetic Fabric

The Role of Heavy Mineral Analysis in Forensic Soil Examination

Systematic in situ Identification of Pigments in Paint by Raman Microspectroscopy

The Forensic Analysis of Paint Evidence Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Chemistry Signal-to-noise ratios in forensic glass analysis by micro x-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Microscopic Trace Evidence: The Overlooked Clue

A Brief Introduction to Forensic Geosourcing

Development of a Pigment Classification Scheme by Raman Spectroscopy

Four Score and Seven Years Ago, or Was It?

Mapping Elemental and Refractive Index Variation in Container Glass

The Forensic Analysis of Paint Evidence Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy Part I:Development of Libraries and Application Methods

Benefits of Using Cross-Sectioning in the Forensic Analysis of Automotive Paints

Harms Investigation Discussion Panel

Fundamentals of Forensic Pigment Identification by Raman Microspectroscopy: A practical identification guide.

Applications of Cathodoluminescence Microscopy and Spectroscopy to Forensic Evidence

Can You Hear Me Now: An Investigation into Mobile Telephone Screen Glass

When is a peak, a peak? Calculating detection and quantification limits for micro X-ray fluorescence spectrometry of glass samples.

Inter-Laboratory Comparison of LA-ICP-MS, µXRF and LIBS methods for Bulk Soil Analysis

Chemical Classification of Pigments by Raman Spectroscopy for Forensic Applications

Beyond Comparison: Developing Investigative Leads from Trace Evidence

A Better Fate For Mercury?

Trace Element Considerations in Forensic Soil Analysis

Obtaining investigative forensic information from the analysis of rodents in food products

Use of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applied to the study of fluorescing pigments and dyes

Raman spectroscopy of organic pigments

Trace evidence applications of cathodoluminescence microspectrophotometry

Raman spectroscopy of Forensic Evidence

Organic Pigments: Analytical characterization and classification by Raman spectroscopy

Microanalysis of Architectural Tinting Pigments

Food Forensics: Applications of microscopy and microchemistry to contamination issues in the food industry

Cathodoluminescence as a Forensic Tool

Microanalytical Characterization of Architectural Paint Pigments

A Practical Technique for the Recognition of Modern Sculptures Proffered as Ancient Works of Art

Planar Section of Multilayer Paint Chips

Workshop on Raman Spectroscopy of Forensic Evidence

Application of Cathodoluminescence Microspectrophotometry for Forensic Comparison of Concrete Samples

Forensic Microscopy

An introduction to the in situ identification of pigments in automobile and architectural paints by Raman microspectroscopy

Big Picture Clues from Microscopic Particles: Applications of Geology to Forensic Science

Heavy Minerals in Forensic Science

The in situ identification of pigments in CMYK printing inks

Developing Investigative Leads through Trace Evidence

Ensuring the Continued Role of Science in the Forensic Examination of Trace Evidence

Applications of cathodoluminescence in Forensic Science

Forensic Trace Evidence: Big Picture Clues from Microscopic Particles

Synthessis, Isolation, and Characterization o f Chlorinated Products of Bleached 1-(methylamino)anthraquinone

Cathodoluminescence in Forensic Science

Developing Forensic Investigative Leads through the Microscopical Examination of Trace Evidence

The identification of unapproved materials injected into human tissue for the purpose of cosmetic enhancement

Novel applications of cathodluminescence microscopy

Advanced Trace Evidence Analysis

Forensic Microscopy of Fibers

Discrimination of Automobile Side Windows by Micro-XRF

Cathodoluminescence in Forensic Science

Trace Evidence for the Public Defender

Differentiation of calcite and dolomite using dispersion colors

Trace Evidence: Use and Misuse

From PhD to Professional: Bridging the Gap

Synthesis, Isolation, and Characterization of Chlorinated Products of Bank Security Dye Packs Upon Bleaching

Trace Evidence and the Law

An Evening with Skip Palenik

The optical characterization of TATP, “The mother of satan”

Introduction to the techniques of forensic soil comparison

Characterization of Nd, Te and U isotope ratios in uraninite using SIMS

Applications of cathodoluminescence in forensic geology

Characterization of soot and carbon black by GC and TEM

Applications of microscopy and microchemistry in forensic science

Applications of cathodoluminescence in the forensic analysis of trace evidence

Nanoscale occurrence of lead (Pb) in an Archean zircon

Isotopic composition and neutronics of the Okélobondo natural nuclear reactor

Microscopy and microchemistry of physical evidence

The natural fission reactors at Oklo, Gabon: Lessons for modeling the long-term behavior of a nuclear waste repository

Isotopic and Neutronic Composition of the Okelobondo Natural Nuclear Reactor

Nano- to Atomic Scale Imaging of Heavy Trace Metals Utilizing Advanced Microscopy Techniques

Forensic Microscopy

Forensic Analysis

The impact of uncertainties in geochemical modeling on performance assessments

Microscopic Trace Evidence: The Overlooked Clue

Forensic Science and Academic Science: Comment on Forensic Science: Oxymoron

Forensic Microscopy

Uncertainties in geochemical models of natural systems: Implications for performance assessments

Invisible Gold Revealed: Direct imaging of gold nanoparticles from a Carlin-type deposit

Solubility Limit of Gold in Arsenian Pyrite from Carlin-Type and Epithermal Deposits: EMPA, SIMS, HRTEM and Quantum-Mechanical Constraints

Fate of Pb in an Archean Zircon

Analysis of Fission Products and Pu Migration in the Okelobondo Reactor Zone Using SIMS

Review of Mute Witness: Trace Evidence Analysis

Distinguished Scientist Award: Acceptance Speech

Sphere of Influence – Forensic Files

Batch to batch differentiation of automobile paints

Practical aspects of electron microscopy in the trace evidence laboratory

Thermodynamic prediction of observed uranium minerals in the supergene-weathered Bangombé U-deposit: implications for blind prediction modeling

Science, Crime Detection and the Law from Sherlock Holmes to CSI

Casework examples illustrating the integration of polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy in the study of microscopic trace evidence

Paintball – Forensic Files

Forensic Soil Examination

Determining the shedability of various fiber types

The spent nuclear fuel analogue of the Oklo-Okélobondo and Bangombé natural fission reactors

Radiation damage in zircon

Hafnium in peralkaline and peraluminous boro-aluminosilicate glass and glass sub-components: a solubility study

Gold nanoparticles in aresenian pyrite from a Carlin-type deposit observed by HRTEM

Gold nanoparticles in aresenian pyrite from a Carlin-type deposit observed by HRTEM

Criminalistics: the bedrock of forensic science

Microscopy in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Just say it ain’t so, Joe: Analysis of Joe DiMaggio signed jerseys

Microscopy and Terrorism

Uranyl (U6+) phases in the weathering zone of the Bangombe U-deposit: Observed and predicted mineralogy.

Thermodynamic prediction of observed uranyl phases in the supergene-weatherd Bangombe U-deposit: Implications for Blind Prediction Modeling

Microanalysis of radiation damage across a zoned zircon crystal

Microanalysis of radiation damage across a zoned zircon crystal

Oxidative Alteration of the Oklo-Okelobondo and Bangombe U-Deposits in Gabon: Observed and Predicted Mineralogy

Light and electron microscopy in soil investigations

Zircon as a host for the disposal of Plutonium

Uranyl Phases in the Bangombe U-Deposit

Fundamental of forensic microscopy

Accessories and components for the microscopist

Forensic Fiber Identification Course Guide

Contribution of chemical microscopy to trace evidence analysis

The role of sulfates during supergene weathering in the Oklo-Okelobondo uranium deposits

Fiber Microscopy

Wood Identification

Microscopy

Microchemistry

Dust

Gadolinium and hafnium alumino-borosilicate glasses: Gd and Hf solubilities

The role of the forensic scientist in the new millennium

Splitting hairs: For fun and (intellectual) profit

A Case of Art Fraud Unmasked

Forensic Fiber Reference Collection Manual

Forensic analysis of automotive paints: Evidential value and the batch problem

Microscopy and Microchemistry of Physical Evidence

Microscopy and Image Analysis for R&D

Forensic Microscopy as an Investigative Tool

Putting chemistry back into chemical microscopy

The Microscope – The Most Versatile Diagnostic and Analytical Tool in the Materials Sciences

Analysis of Chrome-Bearing Spinel from the Allende Meteorite

Large Relict Chromium Spinel from Allende: A link to Murchison?

Applying Chemical Microscopy to the Coatings Industry

Forensic Microscopy

Let’s take a dip – Lecture/demonstration on immersion microscopy

Microscopic Trace Evidence – The Overlooked Clue

Favorite Microscopy Books

Isolation and Identification of Paint Pigments by Sublimation

Identification of Gel-Based Inks

The forensic investigation of particles recovered from surfaces

Compensators for all seasons – Lecture/demonstration on compensators

Original Paint Finish Systems on Foreign Automobiles

Methods for the Identification of Vegetable Fibers

Micro-FTIR Spectroscopy of Acrylic Fibers

A New Method for Preparing Sections, Part II

Fiber Cross-Sections, Part I

The Microscopical Differentiation of Dog and Cat Hairs

The Solids We Breathe

Forensic Aspects of Polymer Analysis

Evidential Value of Cotton Fibers

How analytical tools are improving forensic chemistry

FTIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Microscopy – A New Tool for the Forensic Scientist

Advances in Solution of Crimes

Light Microscopy: Chemistry at the Picogram Level

Parmacognosy as a Tool for the Analytical Microscopist

Light Microscopy of Medullary Micro-Structure in Hair Identification

Microscopic Trace Evidence – The Overlooked Clue, Part IV, Arthur Koehler – Wood Detective

Microscopic Trace Evidence – The Overlooked Clue, Part III, E.O. Heinrich – “The Wizard of Berkeley”. Traps a Left-Handed Lumberjack

Trace Evidence – The Overlooked Clue, Part II, Max Frei – Sherlock Holmes with a Microscope

Microscopic Trace Evidence – The Overlooked Clue, Part I, Albert Schneider Looks at Some String

Comparison microscopy in the industrial laboratory

Microscopy and the Law

The determination of Geographical Origin of Dust Samples

Microscopical Examination of Air Pollutants

Microchemical Tests in Particle Identification

The polarizing microscope: a valuable analytical instrument in conservation

In the study of air pollutants chemical microscopy lets us see: The Solids We Breathe

The Microscope in Art and Archeology: Is it Jade

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