On the IR spectroscopy and chemometric based rapid and non-destructive method for the investigation of sunscreen stains: Application in forensic science

Cosmetic products such as sunscreens may often be encountered in forensic investigations as traces left on tissue paper, apparels, drinkware, painted exterior, or various alternative surfaces. The pilot study aimed at efficiently using Infrared spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics to cater to unbiased, rapid, and non-destructive identification of sunscreens which will aid various forensic investigations soon. In the present research, a total of 109 sunscreen samples were analyzed using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The physicochemical data from the FTIR instrument was then subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), which successfully distinguished most of the samples based on their spectral information. The trained model resulted in clear segregation of unknown sunscreen samples. This could provide an outstanding level of confidence during the conduction of ‘questioned versus known’ comparisons of similar sunscreens and will give the details of the manufacturer, thereby, helping in rounding off the suspects.