What Electrochemical Biosensors Can Do for Forensic Science? Unique Features and Applications

Abstract

This article critically discusses the latest advances in the use of voltammetric, amperometric, potentiometric, and impedimetric biosensors for forensic analysis. Highlighted examples that show the advantages of these tools to develop methods capable of detecting very small concentrations of analytes and provide selective determinations through analytical responses, without significant interferences from other components of the samples, are presented and discussed, thus stressing the great versatility and utility of electrochemical biosensors in this growing research field. To illustrate this, the determination of substances with forensic relevance by using electrochemical biosensors reported in the last five years (2015–2019) are reviewed. The different configurations of enzyme or affinity biosensors used to solve analytical problems related to forensic practice, with special attention to applications in complex samples, are considered. Main prospects, challenges to focus, such as the fabrication of devices for rapid analysis of target analytes directly on-site at the crime scene, or their widespread use and successful applications to complex samples of interest in forensic analysis, and future efforts, are also briefly discussed.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in the Characterisation and Application of Modified Electrodes for Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors

“…Impedimetric biosensors with redox probes have found various applications in forensic science [ 25 ]. They have also been used in modified electrode sensors with conducting polymers such as polypyrrole [ 26 ].…”

Laser‐Induced Graphene on Paper toward Efficient Fabrication of Flexible, Planar Electrodes for Electrochemical Sensing

“…Biosensors are currently one of the most pursued fields of research, with several applications finding important use in our society, from food to environmental monitoring, [1,2] forensics, [3,4] and healthcare, [5] by introducing devices with little complexity, low cost of production, easy operation and higher user friendliness. [6,7] Biosensors mostly distinguish themselves through their detection methodologies, where electrochemical ones stand out, due to their high analytical performance in terms of sensitivity, selectivity and response time, paired with low cost and portability, [8,9] being highly recognized by several decades of advances in glucometers.…”

LA DESCRIPCIÓN TEÓRICA DE LA DETECCIÓN ELECTROQUÍMICA DEL FÁRMACO PILOCARPINA, ASISTIDA POR EL COMPUESTO Ag2O2 – COLORANTE ESCUÁRICO

“…Como la acción del medicamente depende fuertemente de la dosis, se hace necesario desarrollar un método rápido y exacto de la medición de su concentración en varios medios, y esta tarea permanece actual [2]. Poseyendo grupos electroactivos (el núcleo imidazólico y fragmento de butirolactona), la pilocarpina se puede detectar por vía electroquímica [3]. Aunque los métodos, envolviendo la reducción catódica, sean preferibles, los anódicos también se pueden aplicar, a pesar de ser necesario aplicar oxidantes fuertes como sustancias activas.…”