Projects
Innovative forensic trace investigation via microfluidics and single-cell genomics (CapCell)
CapCell is an EU-funded research project that aims to revolutionise forensic DNA analysis to deliver more justice for victims of sexual violence. By combining microfluidics and single-cell genomics, the project develops a new toolkit to isolate and interpret individual DNA profiles from complex biological mixtures. Forensic practitioners across Europe will be able to use these tools for improved identification of perpetrators.
More information: https://capcell.eu/
Finished projects:
IT SPECIALISTS ATTENDING OLAF FUNDED TRAINING IN VILNIUS
During 28th November 2022 throughout 9th December 2022 IT specialists (EFSI, 2 participants) will attended 2 weeks Mobile Forensic Basic and Mobile Forensic Intermediate training, which is organized by the Lithuanian Police Forensic Science Centre and will be held in Vilnius, Lithuania. The main purpose of the training in not only receiving knowledge and skills, but also create specialist network, share best practices.
The training is funded by the OLAF project No 101059385 “Improving Baltic States, Croatian and North Macedonian Police Computer Forensics Specialists' Skills in IT Investigations by Organizing Mobile Forensics Training”.
Towards the European Level Exchange of Facial Images
This EU funded project “Towards the European Level Exchange of Facial Images“ (TELEFI project) is undertaking a study on how facial recognition is currently being used for the investigation of crime across EU Member States. In addition, particular consideration will be given to the potential for implementing the exchange of facial images within the Prüm framework.
More information: https://www.telefi-project.eu/.
Reduction of alcohol-related health problems and behavioural risks: study of metabolites generated due to consumption of alcohol or its surrogates
The study is associated with the “Activities and Objectives in the Alcohol Abuse Prevention Domain” in the National Health Plan 2009-2020 of the Ministry of Social Affairs, as agreed in the “Healthy lifestyle” Domain of National Health Plan 2009-2020 and the action programme of the Government of the Republic 2015–2019 Alcohol and tobacco harm reduction
The necessity to assess the exact time point of alcohol consumption and to make quality improvements in the diagnosis of alcohol-use arises from the high number of drunk drivers and high prevalence of alcohol-related health problems. Knowing the ratio between concentrations of the alcohol metabolites ethyl glucuronide (EtG), ethyl sulphate (EtS), and alcohol enables the time of alcohol use to be determined. As a result of the study improvements will be made in the quality of diagnosing alcohol use in motor vehicle drivers. A method to test EtG and EtS levels will be developed that can be used to calculate the starting time of alcohol consumption in drunk drivers based on the ratio between EtG, EtS and alcohol.
The second objective of the project is to develop a determination method for β-hydroxybutyrate and to put it to use thereafter in patients with chronic and acute alcohol use and diabetic patients, and to identify the link between βHB concentration and diabetes or alcohol poisoning in the deceased. To differentiate between the causes of the health problem: disease (diabetes), alcohol surrogate poisoning, or chronic alcohol use, β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) will be used as one of the metabolic products. The indicator for ketoacidosis is βHB, which is generated from free fatty acids in case of ketoacidosis, and helps to distinguish whether the β-hydroxybutyrate in the body is exogenous (derived from alcohol) or it is generated endogenously, e.g. due to diabetes. The βHB test enables the cause of death to be determined more precisely and thereby contribute to the resolution of legal issues.
The total cost of the research project is €150,000, €75,000 of which is self-financed. The project will be implemented from 30.01.2017–29.07.2018.