Forensic Analysis of Saliva: Development of Crown-Ether-Based Potassium Biosensors from Cigarette Butts for Crime Scene Investigation

Author(s)	Mr. Mohammed Yousuf Ali
Country	India
Abstract	This work outlines the development and forensic use of a new electrochemical biosensor for the detection and profiling of potassium ions in saliva residue recovered from cigarette butts. The sensor was specifically constructed to work on the Nernstian principle using a dibenzo-18-crown-6 ether film coating over a carbon counter electrode to selectively chelate potassium. Standard calibration using potassium chloride (KCl) solutions provided a sensitivity of 57.4 mV/decade in the range of 8 to 70 mmol/L. Analysis of saliva residues collected from 120 cigarette butts belonging to 20 individuals revealed high potassium sensitivity compared to sodium (35 mV/decade), with negligible interference from sodium ions. Atomic absorption spectroscopy validated the biosensor readings. The findings confirm that potassium profiling from saliva traces on cigarette butts offers an accurate, non-destructive forensic method for human identification and evidence evaluation.
Keywords	Potassium, Dibenzo-18-Crown-6, Potentiometric Sensor, Cigarette Butts, Saliva,Forensic Biosensor
Field	Biology > Bio + Chemistry
Published In	Volume 16, Issue 4, October-December 2025
Published On	2025-11-09

About IJSAT Fees & Payment Current Issue Publication Archive	Submit Research Paper Track Submission Status Publication Guidelines Publication Ethics Peer Review & Plagiarism	Join as a Reviewer Editors & Reviewers Reviewer Referral Program Get Reviewer Membership Certi.	Website/Journal Policies Usage Policy Content Policies Privacy Policy

Contact Us	Message on WhatsApp	+91-9687-182-185	editor@ijsat.org

International Journal on Science and Technology