TY - JOUR
T1 - Alternate Light Source Findings of Common Topical Cosmetics and Three Removal Methods
AU - Anderson, Jocelyn C.
AU - Pollitt, Erin N.
AU - Schildbach, Caroline
AU - MacDonald, Ryan
AU - Rose, Lauren
AU - Sheridan, Daniel J.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was in part supported by K23AA027288 (J. C. A.) and the Mercy Medical Center Forensic Nurse Examiner Program.
Publisher Copyright:
© Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
PY - 2021/1/1
Y1 - 2021/1/1
N2 - Introduction Alternate light sources (ALSs) are a tool used by forensic nurses to aid in the physical examination of patients. Prior research has shown some topical makeup products absorb alternate light similar to the absorption noted in bruises. Therefore, the purposes of this study were (a) to further examine the ALS findings of multiple brands and types of makeup products and (b) to compare the efficacy of three methods of makeup removal. Methods Fourteen makeup products were applied to the forearms of 100 healthy adult volunteers with varying skin tones and then assessed under white light, six alternate light wavelengths, and three color filters, producing 19 total wavelength-and-filter combinations. The results were recorded before and after removal procedures by forensic nurse examiners who were blinded to the removal method. A three-arm randomized controlled trial of makeup removal methods (soap and water, isopropyl alcohol swab, makeup removal wipe) was conducted with the participants. Results All 14 makeup products produced absorption in at least 10% of the observations. Fluorescence was observed in more than 10% of the observations for only two products. After product removal, four products continued to produce statistically significant absorption findings when viewed under an ALS. One product produced significant fluorescence after removal procedures. There were no statistically significant differences between the removal methods noted in any of these analyses. Conclusion Our findings support the importance of using alternate light as one component of a comprehensive forensic examination, including history taking and physical examination.
AB - Introduction Alternate light sources (ALSs) are a tool used by forensic nurses to aid in the physical examination of patients. Prior research has shown some topical makeup products absorb alternate light similar to the absorption noted in bruises. Therefore, the purposes of this study were (a) to further examine the ALS findings of multiple brands and types of makeup products and (b) to compare the efficacy of three methods of makeup removal. Methods Fourteen makeup products were applied to the forearms of 100 healthy adult volunteers with varying skin tones and then assessed under white light, six alternate light wavelengths, and three color filters, producing 19 total wavelength-and-filter combinations. The results were recorded before and after removal procedures by forensic nurse examiners who were blinded to the removal method. A three-arm randomized controlled trial of makeup removal methods (soap and water, isopropyl alcohol swab, makeup removal wipe) was conducted with the participants. Results All 14 makeup products produced absorption in at least 10% of the observations. Fluorescence was observed in more than 10% of the observations for only two products. After product removal, four products continued to produce statistically significant absorption findings when viewed under an ALS. One product produced significant fluorescence after removal procedures. There were no statistically significant differences between the removal methods noted in any of these analyses. Conclusion Our findings support the importance of using alternate light as one component of a comprehensive forensic examination, including history taking and physical examination.
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U2 - 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000300
DO - 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000300
M3 - Article
C2 - 33060415
AN - SCOPUS:85102212444
SN - 1556-3693
VL - 17
SP - 14
EP - 23
JO - Journal of forensic nursing
JF - Journal of forensic nursing
IS - 1
ER -