Publications

A selection of publications
from laboratory staff is listed
below, defined by the
following categories:

// Science Supporting Justice

Our contribution to the development of forensic science

FSI staff continue to be active at all levels in ENFSI and have made major contributions to the following documents as well as assisting the ongoing work of the expert working groups in which we participate.

Casey D.G., Domijan K., MacNeill S., Rizet D., O'Connell D., Ryan J., The Persistence of Sperm and the Development of Time Since Intercourse (TSI) Guidelines in Sexual Assault Cases at Forensic Science Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, Journal of Forensic Sciences, 62(3) (2017) 585-92.

Casey D.G. and Price J., The sensitivity and specificity of the RSID-saliva kit for the detection of human salivary amylase in the Forensic Science Laboratory, Dublin, Ireland, Forensic Sci. Int., 194(1-3) (2010) 67-71.

MacNeill S., Casey D. and Rizet D., Persistence of semen in sexual assault cases (2000-2007). 5th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, 8-11 September 2009, Glasgow. (Poster)

Casey D. and Carroll C., An evaluation of the BLUE CRIME-LITES™ for Semen detection, Global Forensic Science Today, 7 (2008) 26-40.

Casey D. and Price J., The detection of salivary a-amylase using the RSID™-saliva kit. Body Fluid Forum Conference, 18-19 April 2008, University of Teesside. (Poster)

Kenna J., Evaluation of the Survival of Semen following machine washing. Criminal Sexual Investigation Conference 20-21 May 2004, FSNI, Carrickfergus. (Poster)

 

Daly D.J., Lee-Gorman M. and Ryan, J, Distinguishing between damage to clothing as a result of normal wear and tear or as a result of deliberate damage: A sexual assault case study, J. Forensic Sci., 54 (2) (2009) 400-403.

O’Sullivan C. and O’Donnell G., Damage and DNA go hand in hand, 5th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, 8-11 September 2009, Glasgow. (Poster)

Boland C.A., McDermott S.D. and Ryan J., Clothing damage analysis in alleged sexual assaults – the need for a systematic approach, Forensic Science International, 167(2-3) (2007) 110-115.

 

Breathnach M., Williams L., McKenna L., Moore E., Probability of detection of DNA deposited by habitual wearer and/or the second individual who touched the garment, Forensic Science International: Genetics, 20 (2016) 53–60.

Breathnach M. et al., Response to Jamieson’s and Bader's comments on Breathnach et al. Probability of detection of DNA deposited by habitual wearer and/or the second individual who touched the garment, Forensic Science International: Genetics, 25 (2016) e3.

Kenna J., Smyth M., McKenna L., Dockery C. and McDermott S.D., The recovery and persistence of salivary DNA on human skin, J. Forensic Sci. 56(1) (2011) 170-175.

Daly D.J., Murphy C. and McDermott S., The transfer of touch DNA from hands to glass, fabric and wood, Forensic Sci. Int. Genet., 6(1) (2012) 41-6.

Magee A. and Conway A., A Case Study: Evaluating Alternative Explanations for a mixed DNA Profile Obtained from a Steering Wheel. The Forensic Science Society Summer Conference, 2-3 July 2010, Belfast. (Poster)

McGrath S., Tiger Kidnapping – Case Studies. The Forensic Science Society Summer Conference, 2-3 July 2010, Belfast. (Poster)

O’Dowd Y. and Fleury L., A combination of FAR and DNA link suspects to Fatal Shooting. 5th European Academy of Forensic Science Conference, 8-11 September 2009, Glasgow. (Poster)

Kenna J., McDermott S. and Smyth M., The persistence of Salivary DNA on Human Skin and other Surfaces. Body Fluid Forum Conference, 18-19 April 2008, University of Teesside. (Poster)

 

Power J.D., Kavanagh P., McLaughlin G., Dowling G., Barry M., O'Brien J., et al., Forensic analysis of P2P derived amphetamine synthesis impurities: identification and characterization of indene by-products: Formation of indene derivatives during synthesis of P2P and amphetamine, Drug Testing and Analysis, 9(3) (2017) 446-452.

McLaughlin G., Morris N., Kavanagh P.V., Dowling G., Power J.D., Twamley B, et al, Test purchase, synthesis and characterization of 3fluorophenmetrazine (3FPM) and differentiation from its ortho and parasubstituted isomers, Drug Testing and Analysis, 9(3) (2017) 369-77.

McLaughlin G., Morris N., Kavanagh P.V., Power J.D., Dowling G., Twamley B., et al, Synthesis, characterization and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substance mexedrone and its Nmethoxy positional isomer, Nmethoxymephedrone, Drug Testing and Analysis, 9(3) (2017) 358-68.

McLaughlin G., Morris N., Kavanagh P.V., Power J.D., Dowling G., Twamley B., et al, Analytical characterization and pharmacological evaluation of the new psychoactive substance 4fluoromethylphenidate (4FMPH) and differentiation between the (±)threo and (±)erythro diastereomers, Drug Testing and Analysis, 9(3) (2017) 347-57.

McLaughlin G., Morris N., Kavanagh P.V., Power J.D., O'Brien J., Talbot B., et al, Test purchase, synthesis, and characterization of 2methoxydiphenidine (MXP) and differentiation from its meta and parasubstituted isomers, Drug Testing and Analysis, 8(1) (2016) 99-110.

McLaughlin G., Morris N., Kavanagh P.V., Power J.D., Twamley B., O'Brien J., et al., The synthesis and characterization of the ‘research chemical’N-(1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide (3,5-AB-CHMFUPPYCA) and differentiation from its 5,3-regioisomer: Syntheses and characterization of AB-CHMFUPPYCA isomers, Drug Testing and Analysis, 8(9) (2016) 920-9.

Power J.D., Kavanagh P., McLaughlin G., O'Brien J., Talbot B., Barry M., et al., Identification and characterization of an imidazolium by-product formed during the synthesis of 4-methylmethcathinone (mephedrone): Identification and characterization of a mephedrone synthesis impurity, Drug Testing and Analysis, 7(10) (2015) 894-902.

McLaughlin G., Morris N., Kavanagh P.V., Power J.D., Twamley B., O'Brien J., et al, Synthesis, characterization, and monoamine transporter activity of the new psychoactive substance 3′,4′-methylenedioxy-4-methylaminorex (MDMAR): Newly emerging psychoactive substances, Drug Testing and Analysis, 7(7) (2015) 555-64.

Power J.D., Kavanagh P., O'Brien J., Barry M., Twamley B., Talbot B., et al., Test purchase, identification and synthesis of 2-amino-1-(4-bromo-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one (bk-2C-B): bk-2C-B synthesis and characterisation, Drug Testing and Analysis, 7(6) (2015) 512-8.

Wallach J., Kavanagh P.V., McLaughlin G., Morris N., Power J.D., Elliott S.P., Mercier M.S., Lodge D., Morris H., Dempster N.M., and Brandt S.D., Preparation and characterization of the ‘research chemical’ diphenidine, its pyrrolidine analogue, and their 2,2-diphenylethyl isomers, Drug Testing and Analysis, 7(5) (2015) 358-367.

Kavanagh P.V. and Power J.D., New psychoactive substances legislation in Ireland - Perspectives from academia, Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7-8) (2014) 884-91. 

Brandt S.D., Baumann M.H., Partilla J.S., Kavanagh P.V., Power J.D., Talbot B., Twamley B., Mahony O., O'Brien J., Elliott S.P., Archer R.P., Patrick J., Singh K., Dempster N.M and Cosbey S.H., Characterization of a novel and potentially lethal designer drug (±)-cis-para-methyl-4- methylaminorex (4,4'-DMAR, or 'Serotoni'), Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7-8) (2014) 684-95.

Power J.D., Scott K.R., Gardner E.A., Curran McAteer B.M., O'Brien J.E., Brehon M., Talbot B. and Kavanagh P.V., The syntheses, characterization and in vitro metabolism of nitracaine, methoxypiperamide and mephtetramine, Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7-8) (2014) 668-75.

Power J.D., Barry M.G., Scott K.R. and Kavanagh P.V., An unusual presentation of a customs importation seizure containing amphetamine, possibly synthesized by the APAAN-P2P-Leuckart route, Forensic Sci. Int., 234(C) (2014) e10.

Scott K.R., Power J.D., McDermott S.D., O'Brien J.E., Talbot B.N., Barry M.G., et al, Identification of (2-aminopropyl)indole positional isomers in forensic samples: API isomers, Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(7-8) (2014) 598-606.

Power J.D., O'Brien J., Talbot B., Barry M. and Kavanagh P., The identification of an impurity product, 4,6-dimethyl-3,5-diphenylpyridin-2-one in an amphetamine importation seizure, a potential route specific by-product for amphetamine synthesized by the APAAN to P2P, Leuckart route, Forensic Sci. Int., 241 (2014) e13.

Boyle M., Carroll L., Clarke K., Clarke P., Coyle H.J., English H., Goff M., Kane E., Killoran S. and O’Connor K.,  What's the deal? Trends in Irish streetlevel heroin and cocaine 20102012, Drug Testing and Analysis, 6(9) (2014) 953-8.

Kavanagh P., O'Brien J., Power J.D., Talbot B. and McDermott S.D., ‘Smoking’ mephedrone: The identification of the pyrolysis products of 4methylmethcathinone hydrochloride, Drug Testing and Analysis, 5(5) (2013) 291-305.

Kavanagh P., Angelov D., O'Brien J., Power J.D., McDermott S.D., Talbot B., et al, The synthesis and characterization Nmethyl3phenylnorbornan2amine (Camfetamine™), Drug Testing and Analysis, 5(4) (2013) 247-53.

Power J.D., Clarke K., McDermott S.D., McGlynn P., Barry M., White C., et al, The identification of 4-methylamphetamine and its synthesis by-products in forensic samples, Forensic Sci. Int., 228(1-3) (2013) 115.

Power J.D., McDermott S.D., Talbot B., O'Brien J.E., Kavanagh P., The analysis of amphetamine-like cathinone derivatives using positive electrospray ionization with in-source collision-induced dissociation: Analysis of amphetamine-like cathinone derivatives, Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 26(22) (2012) 2601-11.

Kavanagh P., Angelov D., O'Brien J., Fox J., O'Donnell C., Christie R., Power J.D., et al, The syntheses and characterization 3β(4fluorobenzoyloxy)tropane (fluorotropacocaine) and its 3α isomer, Drug Testing and Analysis, 4(1) (2012) 33-8.

Kavanagh P., O’Brien J., Fox J., O’Donnell C., Christie R., Power J.D., et al, The analysis of substituted cathinones. Part 3. Synthesis and characterisation of 2,3-methylenedioxy substituted cathinones, Forensic Sci. Int., 216(1-3) (2012) 19-28.

McDermott S.D., Power J.D., Kavanagh P., O'Brien J., The analysis of substituted cathinones. Part 2: An investigation into the phenylacetone based isomers of 4-methylmethcathinone and N-ethylcathinone, Forensic Sci. Int., 212(1-3) (2011)13.

Power J.D., McGlynn P., Clarke K., McDermott S.D., Kavanagh P. and O’Brien J., The analysis of substituted cathinones, Part 1: chemical analysis of 2-, 3- and 4- methylmethcathinone, Forensic Sci. Int., 212(1) (2011) 6-12.

Breslin D., Campbell S., Carroll L., Clarke K., Clarke P., English H., Giblin M., Goff M., Killoran S., O'Connor K. and Power J., The Rise and Fall of Designer Drugs. The Forensic Science Society Summer Conference, 2-3 July 2010, Belfast. (Poster)

McDermott S.D. and Power J.D., Drug smuggling using clothing impregnated with cocaine, J. Forensic Sci., 50(6) (2005) 1423-1425.

Hennessey S.A., Moane S.M. and McDermott S.D., The reactivity of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) in alcohol solutions, J. Forensic Sci., 49(6) (2004) 1220-1229.

Buchanan B.E. and O'Connell D., Survey on cannabis resin and cannabis in unsmoked handrolled cigarettes seized in the Republic of Ireland, Science and Justice, 38(4) (1998) 221-224.

 

 

Hannigan T.J., Fleury L.M., Reilly R.B., O’Mullane B.A. and De Chazal P., Survey of 1276 shoeprint impressions and development of an automatic shoeprint pattern matching facility, Science and Justice, 46(2) (2006) 79-89.

Willis S., Forensic Science - Associated Risks, In: Criminal Law and Procedure Review 2011. (Book contribution)

Willis S., The Highs and Lows of Accreditation, Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal, 2(2) (2011) 75-80.

Willis S. and Brown S., Complexity in forensic science, Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal, 1(4) (2010) 192-198.

Willis S., Power, process, people – a presentation on quality and competence in forensic science delivered at EAFS2009, Science and Justice, 50(1) (2010) 23-25.

Willis S., Forensic Science, Ethics and Criminal Justice. In: Handbook of Forensic Science, Fraser J. and Williams R., (Eds), Willan Publishing, Devon, ISBN 978-1-84392-311-4, (2009) 523-545. (Book contribution)

Willis S. (section editor “Trace”), Giblin M., McCullough J., McDermott S.D. and McKenna L., Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science, Jamieson A., Moenssens A., (Eds), John Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 978-0-470-01826-2, (2009) 320-321, 1931-1943, 2291-2295, 2534-2540. (Book contribution)

Doak S. and Assimakopoulos D., Tacit knowledge: a needed addition to SOPs in a Forensic Science environment, Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal, 1(4) (2009) 171-177.

Doak S. and Assimakopoulos D., How forensic scientists learn to investigate cases in practice, R&D Management 37(2) (2007) 113-122.

Doak S. and Assimakopoulos D., How do Forensic Scientists learn to become competent in casework reporting in practice: A theoretical and empirical approach. Forensic Sci. Int., 167(2-3) (2007) 201-206.

Doak S. and Assimakopoulos D., The Tacit Dimensions Of Collaborative Network Traffic in Establishing the Foundation of Collaborative Networks, Camarinha-Matos L. Afsarmanesh H., Novais P., Analide C., (Eds), Springer-Verlag, Series: IFIP International Federation for Information Processing, ISBN: 978-0-387-73797-3, (2007) 425-433. (Book contribution)

Hannigan T. and Boyce P., Co-operation in forensic science between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: a case history, Science and Justice, 41(3) (2001) 218-222.

 

Daly D.J., The forensic science laboratory’s approach to sexual offences, Irish Criminal Law Journal, 13(2) (2003) 6-7.

Lee-Gorman M., MacNeill S. Rizet D. and McDermott S., Homicide/suspicious death statistics from the Republic of Ireland for 2004-2008, Medicine, Science and the Law, 51(3) (2011) 146-150.

McDermott S., McBride B. and Lee-Gorman M., Sexual assault statistics from the Republic of Ireland for 2004-2005, Medicine, Science and the Law, 48(2) (2008) 142-150.

 

Willis S., McCullough J. and McDermott S., Forensic Examination of Glass and Paint, Caddy B., (Ed), Taylor and Francis, ISBN: 978-0-748-40579-4, (2001) Chapter 12. (Book contribution)

McDermott S.D., Willis S.M. and McCullough J.P., The evidential value of paint: part II: a Bayesian approach, J. Forensic Sci., 44(2) (1999) 263-269.

McDermott S.D. and Willis S.M., A survey of the evidential value of paint transfer evidence, J. Forensic Sci., 42(6) (1997) 1012-1018.

McDermott S.D., Metal particles as evidence in criminal cases, J. Forensic Sci., 39(6) (1994) 1552-1559.

McDermott S.D., An unusual explosive find, J. Forensic Sci., 39(4) (1994) 1103-1106.

McDermott S.D., Parkes J. and Kearney A., Crystal violet lactone as a security marker for fuels, J. Forensic Sci., 40(4) (1995) 662-663.