Honors Projects

Abstract

Pepper spray is a common self defense tool used in both law enforcement and civilian settings, with the goal of incapacitating the sprayed individual. In real casework where pepper spray was used, a red-brown stain which tested positive presumptively for blood provided no DNA profile after further testing six months later. A previous graduate student, Emma Crawn, attempted to emulate these casework conditions and instead achieved a DNA profile with slight indications of inhibition or degradation. Further analysis of active pepper spray ingredients such as Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) and Chloroacetophenone (CN) reveals that there are observed reactions, such as oxidation, capable of damaging DNA, and further research is needed to identify which variables lead to the casework outcome. Variables such as DNA extraction method, time in storage, pepper spray type could have the largest impact on the resulting profile. Another graduate student, Kayla Kelly, is investigating the impact of storage up to nine months. An ideal experiment expanding on Crawn's research would include an expanded timeframe and an increase in pepper spray variety, including sprays with CN as the main ingredient and higher concentrations of OC spray. The results of such research would seek to emulate the casework outcome, allowing further development of guidelines and expected behaviors of pepper spray in Forensic casework.

Major

Forensic Biology

First Advisor

Dr. Crystal Oechsle

First Advisor Department

Biological Sciences

Second Advisor

Dr. Julie Peterson

Second Advisor Department

Chemistry

Publication Date

Spring 4-24-2026

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