Negative results: Investigations into the quantification of silicone-based condom lubricants in solution by DRIFTS-FTIR

Condom (specifically silicone) lubricants are a form of trace evidence being increasingly submitted for examination in forensic investigations sexual assault. Interpreting these traces requires an understanding their transfer and persistence, such as able to quantify the amount transferred material well loss percentage over time. However, best our knowledge, accurate quantification method silicone polymers within context has not been reported. This study evaluated diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), commonly used qualitative analysis condom casework, approach or semi-quantification solution. Although general trend was observed between DRIFTS signal lubricant concentration, high variability sample runs meant that changes were reproducible enough quantitative prediction.