Forensic Device for Collecting a Sample

Abstract

The present invention relates to a forensic device suitable for acquisition and storage of biological samples, comprising in an air tight container (1) a water soluble layer (10) which is adhered to a flexible layer (11) by a water impermeable adhesive layer (12), wherein the air tight container (1) comprises a cover (2) defining a storage compartment (3) and a base (4) having attached thereto a protrusion (5) which extends from the base (4) inside said storage compartment (3). Further, the present invention relates to the use of the forensic device to acquire and store a biological sample.

Claims

1. A forensic device suitable for acquisition and storage of biological samples, comprising: in an air tight container, a water soluble layer which is adhered to a flexible layer by a water impermeable adhesive layer.

2. The forensic device according to claim 1, wherein the air tight container comprises a cover defining a storage compartment and a base having attached thereto a protrusion which extends from the base inside said storage compartment.

3. The forensic device according to claim 2, wherein the flexible layer is attached to an end surface of the protrusion.

4. The forensic device according to claim 3, wherein the water soluble layer is provided with a sealing.

5. The forensic device according to claim 1, wherein the water soluble layer is provided with a color which is different from a color of at least one of the flexible layer and the water impermeable adhesive layer.

6. The forensic device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible layer is a foam layer.

7. The forensic device according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is proved with at least one passage which connects the storage compartment with a dry compartment defined in the base.

8. The forensic device according to claim 1, further comprising a dehumidifier.

9. The forensic device according to claim 8, wherein the dehumidifier is placed in a dry compartment defined in the base.

10. The forensic device according to claim 2, wherein the base is provided with projections to enable a solid grip on the base.

11. The forensic device according to claim 2, wherein the base is provided with an edge which abuts the cover to air tightly connect the base with the cover.

12. The forensic device according to claim 2, further comprising closing means between the cover and the base to air tightly close the storage compartment.

13. A method of using the forensic device as defined in claim 1, comprising: using the forensic device for at least one of acquisition and storage of biological samples.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the biological samples are forensic samples.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the forensic samples are selected from the list consisting of saliva, sperm, blood and epidermis cells

16. The forensic device according to claim 6, wherein the flexible layer is a polyethylene foam layer.

Description

[0023] The invention is further illustrated by the below description of a preferred embodiment, wherein is referred to the FIGS. 1 to 3, showing:

[0024] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a forensic device according to the invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a forensic device according to the invention wherein the cover is removed;

[0026] FIG. 3 a cross section of a forensic device according to the invention.

[0027] FIG. 1 shows forensic device of the present invention which is suitable for acquisition and storage of biological samples, comprising air tight container (1) comprising a cover (2) defining a storage compartment (3) and a base (4) having attached thereto a protrusion (5) which extends from the base (4) inside said storage compartment (3). In the shown embodiment, the forensic device is a circular device. This is advantageous for ease of handling, however, it is also possible to configure the present forensic device in another shape, such as for example rectangular. The cover (2) is air tightly connected with the base (4), and can be removed from the base (4) to use the base (4) with the protrusion (5) to acquire a biological sample such as epidermis cells from a surface. The free flat end of protrusion (5) is provided with a flexible layer (11) of polyethylene foam. On the flexible layer (11) is adhered a water soluble layer (10) having another color than the flexible layer (11) (color not shown). The water soluble layer (10) is adhered to the flexible layer (11) by a water impermeable adhesive. This provides the advantage that after the collection of the biological sample, which is acquired by the water soluble layer (10) by touching a surface with the water soluble layer (10), the water soluble layer can conveniently be separated from the adhesive layer (12) and the flexible layer (11) by wetting the water soluble layer (10) with for example water and removal of the water soluble layer by a swab.

[0028] The flexible layer (11) is advantageous for the collection of biological samples, such as for example epidermis cells, especially from rough surfaces such as clothing. The flexible layer (11) is adjustable, thus after pressing the base (4) with protrusion (5) on a rough surface, the water soluble layer (10) has a maximum contact with the rough surface to ensure that the maximum number of cells are collected by the water soluble layer (10). This is advantageous since for a further analysis, for example DNA profiling, a certain amount of biological sample needs to be present.

[0029] FIG. 1 further shows passage (6) in protrusion (5) which connects the storage compartment (3) with a dry compartment (not shown) defined in base (4). This dry compartment comprises a dehumidifier such as a dry capsule of silica gel. The passage (6) provides the advantage that the device can be stored without the degradation of the biological sample as a result of for example mold growing. Accordingly, the device of the present invention can be used on a forensic research site to acquire biological samples. After the collection of a sample it can be stored in the present device safely before the biological sample is analyzed in a research lab.

[0030] Advantageously, the cover (2) is from a transparent material, or partly transparent material, so the condition or presence of the water soluble layer (10) can be inspected without removal of the cover (2).

[0031] As is shown in FIG. 1, the base (4) provided with projections (8) to enable a solid grip on the base (4). Alternatively, the base (4) is provided with dimples to enable a solid grip.

[0032] Furthermore, base (4) is provided with circular edge (9) which outer diameter matches the inner diameter of cover (2) to ensure an air tightly connection between both parts. Advantageously, both the circular edge (9) and cover (2) are provided with closing means such as a thread.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a forensic device as shown in FIG. 1, which is ready for the collection of biological sample because the cover (not shown) is removed. The forensic researched can conveniently grip the forensic device on base (4) and touch a certain surface to be investigated with the water soluble layer (10). The water soluble layer (10) will collect biological material such as cells by pressing the water soluble layer (10) onto the surface to be investigated. After the collection of biological sample the cover (not shown) can be air tightly placed on the base (4) for storage of the biological sample without degradation thereof.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows base (4) which defines a dry compartment (7) for containing a dry capsule. Further, base (4) is provided with circular edge (9) which outer diameter matches the inner diameter of cover (2) to ensure an air tightly connection between both parts. Cover (2) and base (4) define an air tight storage compartment (3).

[0035] The base (4) is further provided with a protrusion (5) having a passage (6) which allows an open connection between the storage compartment (3) and dry compartment (7), as indicated by the arrow. Accordingly, if any moist is present in the storage compartment (3) it may be attracted by a dry capsule present in the dry compartment (7).

[0036] Further more is shown that on the flat end surface of protrusion (5) is provided a flexible layer (11) of polyethylene foam. On the flexible layer (11) is adhered a water soluble layer (10) having another color than the flexible layer (11) (color not shown). The water soluble layer (10) is adhered to the flexible layer (11) by a water impermeable adhesive layer (12). If after collection and storage the biological sample contained in the water soluble layer (10) needs to be analyzed, the water soluble layer can be separated easily from the water impermeable adhesive layer (12) by wetting the water soluble layer and collecting the water soluble layer by a swab. Furthermore, the water impermeable adhesive layer (12) prevents leakage of biological sample into the flexible layer (11) in case the biological sample is collected from a humid surface and/or a wet biological sample.