Counterfeiting and forgery are criminal offenses that significantly impact businesses, individuals, and political entities punishable with up to 10 years imprisonment. Counterfeiting of products intended for human use/consumption may have significant health risks and, in extreme cases, could lead to indictment for manslaughter. Suspected counterfeit products, such as whisky, are mostly analysed through composition of the liquid, requiring tampering of products, and reducing their value. This is particularly problematic for rare/expensive examples where maintaining quality is important. Document examination on suspicion of manipulation (forgery) is investigated using non-destructive optical methods (which can be subjective) as well as spectroscopic methods (which can provide information on classes of molecules present within samples but lack specificity).
This doctoral project will use advanced analytical tools to analyse ink/substrate composition of counterfeit product labels (specifically whisky) and forged documents. To provide rapid chemical information non-destructive spectroscopic methods such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman imaging, handheld Raman and Atomic force microscopy (AFM)-Raman) will be used. More destructive mass spectrometry imaging methodologies such as (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) and desorption electrospray ionisation (DESI)) will be utilised as a confirmatory approach by identifying and visualising specific ink/substrate components
This multidisciplinary doctoral project will be based in the world leading Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging at the Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University and will involve collaborative work with experts and Law enforcement agencies (the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI) and Portuguese Police), forensically relevant methods will be developed. Research objectives will allow (a) generation of ink/substrate spectral databases to automatically recognise chemical components for use in counterfeit/forgery identification (b) development of a multimodal analytical workflow (incorporating machine learning approaches) to maximise intelligence recovered from samples (c) finger-mark detection to prove document/product handling (d) investigation into the potential for ink dating (to offer forensic timelines) and (e) insights into transfer to similar counterfeit products (wine, currency etc).
The successful applicant will gain a deep understanding of both the chemistry and the operational aspects of the analytical techniques employed; research skills will be maximised not only thanks to the variety of mass spectrometry and spectroscopic approaches employed but also thanks to the breath of the project scope, enabling them to also appreciate the operational and regulatory requirements for the deployment of the protocols in forensic laboratories and for end users in a commercial setting.
Eligibility
Information on entry requirements can be found at GTA Program Page
Applicants should have a degree in chemistry, or any other relevant area, at a minimum of 2.1.
How to apply
We strongly recommend you contact the lead academic, Dr Robert Bradshaw [Email Address Removed], to discuss your application
Please visit our GTA program page for more information on the Graduate teaching assistant program and how to apply.
Start date for studentship: February 2022
Interviews are scheduled for: November 2021
For information on how to apply please visit GTA program page
Your application should be emailed to [Email Address Removed] by the closing date of 30th October 2021.
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