Chemical Sensing and Analytical Methods for Forensic Applications

Dear Colleagues,

In forensic science, there is a high demand for rapid, easy-to-use, inexpensive, and non-destructive analytical methods with selective capabilities that could be efficiently used in presumptive or confirmatory testing of forensic evidence. With the paradigm shift in the chemical analysis of trace evidence, integrating chemical characteristics of physical evidence for intelligent investigation of crimes is one of the major focuses of this discipline.

This Special Issue aims to focus on the development of novel sensing or analytical systems that can accurately and reliably promote the use of trace evidence for high-quality crime scene investigation. Papers that address the various emerging technologies such as 3D printing, 3D scanning, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered field chemical sensing systems are highly encouraged.

The topics of this Special Issue include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Chemical sensing and analysis in forensic science;
• Trace evidence detection;
• Crime scene management;
• Separation science for forensic chemistry;
• Emerging technologies in trace chemical detection;
• Artificial intelligence-powered field chemical sensors.

Prof. Dr. Jorn Yu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Chemosensors is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Title: Recent advances in Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for drugs of abuse and pharmaceutical analysis in biological and non-biological samples
Authors: Susan Mohamed; Arianna Giorgetti; Simone Santelli; Paolo Fais; Jennifer Pascali
Affiliation: Legal Medicine, Padua University, Italy
Abstract: Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained popularity over the past 20 years, with hundreds of papers published annually. These polymers can be considered artificial antibodies, created using target templates and employed to selectively recognize and bind to target analytes. Their fields of application are vast and potentially encompass any area where selective binding is crucial, such as immunoassays, affinity separation, biosensors, and directed synthesis and catalysis. The aim of this review is to highlight the most interesting applications developed in the last 10 years regarding the use of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in the analysis of drugs of abuse and pharmaceutical compounds in both biological and non-biological materials. Special attention is given to forensic applications.