Soft-Base Collector: Forensic Microbial Sampling

Soft-base shed cell collectors are forensic tools for microbial sampling on hard surfaces, using flexible bases to recover microbes while protecting surface integrity.

Core Content

  • Design: Flexible silicone base with micro-textured sampling pad + lightweight handle for easy maneuvering.
  • Usage: Press soft base on hard surfaces (glass, metal); swab gently in circles; transfer to microbial transport medium.

Key Features

  • Hard surface adaptability: Flexible base conforms to smooth/lightly textured hard surfaces for full contact.
  • Surface protection: Soft material avoids scratching delicate hard evidence (e.g., electronics, glass).
  • Microbe retention: Textured pad traps microbial cells without damaging their structure.
  • Sterile: Single-use packaging prevents cross-contamination in forensic sampling.

Application Scope

  • Crime scenes: Hard surfaces like windows, metal weapons, electronics for microbial evidence.
  • Biological threat cases: Sampling hard surfaces for harmful microbes in suspicious environments.
  • Forensic labs: Processing microbial samples from hard evidence for identification.

Small Shed Cell Collector: Forensic Microbial Tool

The small shed cell collector is a compact, high-efficiency tool for forensic microbial sampling, recovering trace cells from crime scenes for accurate microbial DNA analysis.

Core Content

  • Design: Miniature textured sampling head with ergonomic grip, fits tight spaces like tool crevices or fabric folds.
  • Usage: Press head firmly on target, swab in circular motions; transfer to microbial transport medium immediately.

Key Features

  • High efficiency: Captures 40% more microbial cells than standard swabs via optimized surface texture.
  • Compact size: Accesses narrow areas unreachable by larger sampling tools.
  • Contamination control: Single-use, pre-sterilized packaging prevents cross-contamination.
  • Rapid processing: Compatible with lab microbial DNA extraction workflows.

Application Scope

  • Forensic microbiology: Crime scenes (weapons, clothing) for microbial evidence like pathogens.
  • Cold cases: Re-sampling old evidence to detect microbial traces missed earlier.
  • Biological threat investigation: Sampling suspicious surfaces for harmful microbes.

D-Shield Microbial Swabs: Key Features & Use

D-Shield microbial evidence extraction swabs are specialized tools for collecting and preserving microbial samples (bacteria, fungi) in forensic, clinical, and environmental investigations. Their unique design enhances microbial recovery while preventing contamination, ensuring reliable downstream analysis.

Key Advantages

  • Enhanced Microbial Survival: Hydrophilic foam tip with microbial-friendly buffer retains 30% more microbes than standard swabs, preserving viability for culture or PCR.
  • Contamination Barrier: Built-in D-Shield sleeve covers the tip during storage/transport, preventing cross-contamination from external surfaces.
  • Surface Adaptability: Flexible foam tip conforms to uneven surfaces (e.g., medical devices, crime scene objects) for thorough sampling.
  • Easy Elution: Microbes release easily into extraction buffers, maximizing yield for lab testing.

Usage Procedures

  1. Prep: Don sterile gloves; remove swab from sealed packaging, ensuring D-Shield sleeve stays in place until use.
  2. Sampling: Remove sleeve, swab target surface with gentle circular motions (10–15 passes); reattach sleeve immediately post-sampling.
  3. Preservation: Place swab into microbial transport medium tube; label with ID, date, and location.
  4. Transport: Ship at 2–8°C; avoid extreme temps to maintain microbial integrity.

Scope & Applications

  • Forensic Microscopy: Collecting microbial evidence from crime scenes (e.g., food poisoning, bioterrorism).
  • Clinical Diagnostics: Sampling from medical devices or patient surfaces for infection detection.
  • Environmental Monitoring: Testing surfaces in healthcare facilities or food processing plants for pathogens.