Examining thermally induced movement of the fatal fire victim.

Investigating a fatal fire scene comprises analysis not only of the fire's development to identify the point of fire origin and ignition source, but analysis of a victim's position and their relationship within the scene. This work presents both qualitative and quantitative results from experimentation investigating the effect of a real fire environment on the human body, and how the position of a victim at the post burn investigation stage may be significantly different to the position at fire ignition. Qualitative observations were undertaken on the burning of 39 compartment and vehicle scenes from ignition through to suppression, each containing a human cadaver. The results of analysis question the validity of previous work based on cremation observations. Quantitative results were produced by recording 13 points on the body on the X, Y and Z axis, both pre and post burn on a smaller dataset of ten compartment burns. Results have enabled a more robust assessment of thermally induced movement of the body within the scene along each axis, evidencing that pugilism is not the universal reaction of the fatal victim to thermal exposure, with extension of the upper limbs far more common than has been previously reported.

Examination of misconceptions surrounding fatal fire victims.

Fire deaths are not unusual in forensic investigative practice but due to the destructive nature of fire they are often very difficult to investigate. With the need to identify the deceased and the events surrounding the manner and cause of death, knowledge of thermally induced alteration to the human body is important. Within the fire investigation community, a number of misconceptions have been present for years regarding the protrusion of the tongue as an indicator of life during the fire, and fractured skulls as the result of brains boiling and skulls exploding. This work presents qualitative analysis on the experimental burning of 42 unembalmed human donated cadavers by the San Luis Obispo Strike Team (SLOFIST) on their annual Forensic Fire Death Investigation Course (FFDIC) between 2017 and 2019. Prior to burning, the position of the tongue within the dental arch was confirmed and sharp, blunt, surgical and gunshot trauma to the cranium documented. Temperature was recorded from ignition through to suppression with thermocouples present both within the scene and the body. Post burn analysis on the position of the tongue, observation of cranial fractures and presence of brain tissue were recorded and analysed in conjunction with thermocouple data, fire scene dynamics and body demographics. The results provide a more comprehensive understanding of the thermal environmental factors involved in producing the phenomena that facilitate these misconceptions, identifying that a more thorough understanding of individual fire scenes and their development is essential when interpreting alteration and injury to the body of the fatal fire victim.

Stable chemical enhancement of passivating nanolayer structures grown by atomic layer deposition on silicon.

Incorporation of carrier-selective passivating contacts is on the critical path for approaching the theoretical power conversion efficiency limit in silicon solar cells. We have used plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create ultra-thin films at the single nanometre-scale which can be subsequently chemically enhanced to have properties suitable for high-performance contacts. Negatively charged 1 nm thick HfO2 films exhibit very promising passivation properties - exceeding those of SiO2 and Al2O3 at an equivalent thickness - providing a surface recombination velocity (SRV) of 19 cm s-1 on n-type silicon. Applying an Al2O3 capping layer to form Si/HfO2/Al2O3 stacks gives additional passivation, resulting in an SRV of 3.5 cm s-1. Passivation quality can be further improved via simple immersion in hydrofluoric acid, which results in SRVs < 2 cm s-1 that are stable over time (tested for ∼50 days). Based on corona charging analysis, Kelvin probe measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the chemically induced enhancement is consistent with changes at the dielectric surface and not the Si/dielectric interface, with fluorination of the Al2O3 and underlying HfO2 films occurring after just 5 s HF immersion. Our results show that passivation is enhanced when the oxides are fluorinated. The Al2O3 top layer of the stack can be thinned down by etching, offering a new route for fabrication of ultra-thin highly passivating HfO2-containing nanoscale thin films.

Robotic Arthroplasty Clinical and cost Effectiveness Randomised controlled trial (RACER-knee): a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Robotic-assisted knee replacement systems have been introduced to healthcare services worldwide in an effort to improve clinical outcomes for people, although high-quality evidence that they are clinically, or cost-effective remains sparse. Robotic-arm systems may improve surgical accuracy and could contribute to reduced pain, improved function and lower overall cost of total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. However, TKR with conventional instruments may be just as effective and may be quicker and cheaper. There is a need for a robust evaluation of this technology, including cost-effectiveness analyses using both within-trial and modelling approaches. This trial will compare robotic-assisted against conventional TKR to provide high-quality evidence on whether robotic-assisted knee replacement is beneficial to patients and cost-effective for healthcare systems. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Robotic Arthroplasty Clinical and cost Effectiveness Randomised controlled trial-Knee is a multicentre, participant-assessor blinded, randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of robotic-assisted TKR compared with TKR using conventional instruments. A total of 332 participants will be randomised (1:1) to provide 90% power for a 12-point difference in the primary outcome measure; the Forgotten Joint Score at 12 months postrandomisation. Allocation concealment will be achieved using computer-based randomisation performed on the day of surgery and methods for blinding will include sham incisions for marker clusters and blinded operation notes. The primary analysis will adhere to the intention-to-treat principle. Results will be reported in line with the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials statement. A parallel study will collect data on the learning effects associated with robotic-arm systems. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The trial has been approved by an ethics committee for patient participation (East Midlands-Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee, 29 July 2020. NRES number: 20/EM/0159). All results from the study will be disseminated using peer-reviewed publications, presentations at international conferences, lay summaries and social media as appropriate. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN27624068.

Interfacial Chemistry Effects in the Electrochemical Performance of Silicon Electrodes under Lithium-Ion Battery Conditions.

Understanding the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and (de)lithiation phenomena at silicon (Si) electrodes is key to improving the performance and lifetime of Si-based lithium-ion batteries. However, these processes remain somewhat elusive, and, in particular, the role of Si surface termination merits further consideration. Here, scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) is used in a glovebox, followed by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) at identical locations to study the local electrochemical behavior and associated SEI formation, comparing Si (100) with a native oxide layer (SiOx /Si) and etched with hydrofluoric acid (HF-Si). HF-Si shows greater spatial electrochemical heterogeneity and inferior lithiation reversibility than SiOx /Si. This is attributed to a weakly passivating SEI and irreversible lithium trapping at the Si surface. Combinatorial screening of charge/discharge cycling by SECCM with co-located SIMS reveals SEI chemistry as a function of depth. While the SEI thickness is relatively independent of the cycle number, the chemistry - particularly in the intermediate layers - depends on the number of cycles, revealing the SEI to be dynamic during cycling. This work serves as a foundation for the use of correlative SECCM/SIMS as a powerful approach to gain fundamental insights on complex battery processes at the nano- and microscales.

Survival of sharp force trauma in burnt bones: effects of environmental factors.

This study investigates how environmental variables, such as temperature and rainfall, affect previously induced cut marks on burnt bones. This research used non-serrated and serrated blade knives to inflict trauma on Sus scrofa ribs (n = 240). The bones were later burnt and left for 1 month in a taphonomic experimental facility. Qualitative and quantitative examinations were conducted using macroscopic and microscopic techniques to assess specific characteristics of the cut marks. Any changes to the dimension and morphology of the cut marks as well as their level of fragmentation were recorded.This study has led to three important outcomes: (1) identification of pre-existing cut marks is possible in reconstructed burnt bone fragments; (2) cut marks from different types of knife blades showed dissimilar responses to heat and the environment; and (3) specific environmental variables affect burnt bone fragmentation. These results have implications for trauma analysis on burnt remains in forensic anthropology casework.

Forensic DNA extraction methods for human hard tissue: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of technologies and sample type.

DNA identification of human remains has a valuable role in the field of forensic science and wider. Although DNA is vital in identification of unknown human remains, post-mortem environmental factors can lead to poor molecular preservation. In this respect, focus has been placed on DNA extraction methodologies for hard tissue samples, as these are the longest surviving. Despite decades of research being conducted on DNA extraction methods for bone and teeth, little consensus has been reached as to the best performing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a thorough systematic literature review to identify potential DNA extraction technique(s) which perform optimally for forensic DNA profiling from hard tissue samples. PRISMA guidelines were used, by which a search strategy was developed. This included identifying databases and discipline specific journals, keywords, and exclusion and inclusion criteria. In total, 175 articles were identified that detailed over 50 different DNA extraction methodologies. Results of the meta-analysis conducted on 41 articles - meeting further inclusion criteria - showed that statistically significant higher DNA profiling success was associated with solid-phase magnetic bead/resin methods. In addition, incorporating a demineralisation pre-step resulted in significantly higher profiling successes. For hard tissue type, bone outperformed teeth, and even though dense cortical femur samples were more frequently used across the studies, profiling success was comparable, and in some cases, higher in cancellous bone samples. Notably, incomplete data sharing resulted in many studies being excluded, thus an emphasis for minimum reporting standards is made. In conclusion, this study identifies strategies that may improve success rates of forensic DNA profiling from hard tissue samples. Finally, continued improvements to current methods can ensure faster times to resolution and restoring the identity of those who died in obscurity.

Solving the inverse problem of post-mortem interval estimation using Bayesian Belief Networks.

Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) can be applied to solve inverse problems such as the post-mortem interval (PMI) by a simple and logical graphical representation of conditional dependencies between multiple taphonomic variables and the observable decomposition effect. This study is the first cross-comparison retrospective study of human decomposition across three different geographical regions. To assess the effect of the most influential taphonomic variables on the decomposition rate (as measured by the Total Decomposition Score (TDS)), decomposition data was examined from the Forensic Anthropology Research Facility at the University of Tennessee (n = 312), the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner in Pittsburgh, US (n = 250), and the Crime Scene Investigation department at Southwest Forensics in the UK (n = 81). Two different BBNs for PMI estimations were created from the US and the UK training data. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most influential parameters of TDS variance, with weaker variables (e.g., age, sex, clothing) being excluded during model refinement. The accuracy of the BBNs was then compared by additional validation cases: US (n = 28) and UK (n = 10). Both models conferred predictive power of the PMI and accounted for the unique combination of taphonomic variables affecting decomposition. Both models had a mean posterior probability of 86% (US) and 81% (UK) in favor of the experimental hypothesis (that the PMI was on, or less than, the prior last known alive date). Neither the US nor the UK datasets represented any cases below 'moderate' support for the value of PMI evidence. By applying coherent probabilistic reasoning to PMI estimations, one logical solution is provided to model the complexities of human decomposition that can quantify the combined effect of several uncertainties surrounding the PMI estimation. This approach communicates the PMI with an associated degree of confidence and provides predictive power on unknown PMI cases.

The application of dual energy X-ray soil screening in forensic archaeology.

The need to forensically search soil for small artefacts at a burial site or traces of evidence in a deposition site is a common task shared by investigators and forensic archaeologists. In forensic casework, the importance of finding small pieces of evidence, such as personal effects or ballistic fragments, cannot be overstated as it can assist in the positive identification of the deceased, give an insight into the manner and cause of death, and identify any perpetrators. The soil search methods known as wet and dry sieving, are cumbersome, time-consuming and have limited success for some soil types. This often leads to the decision not to search, resulting in missed opportunities to identify potential evidence. The primary aim of this study was to investigate if a dual energy X-ray baggage scanner could be used to search for items of potential forensic interest in soil. A trial was conducted using a Smiths Detection ScanTrailer 100100 V-2is mobile X-ray inspection system to establish if it could be used to detect organic, inorganic, and metallic items located within soil. The soil type and natural variables such as water and organic content were adjusted to simulate different environments. The baggage scanner was found to provide a quick and easy way to detect items contained within various soil types, particularly in a sand rich matrix. It is estimated that using this method to search 1 m3 of soil, when broken down into samples that are < 13 cm in depth, would take around one hour to complete, compared with 100 to 150 person-hours by manual sieving. This is believed to be the first use of dual energy X-ray technology for this purpose and shows the potential for further research and use of this method in forensic archaeology.

New Trends in Immunohistochemical Methods to Estimate the Time since Death: A Review.

The identification of a reliable and accurate post-mortem interval (PMI) is a major challenge in the field of forensic sciences and criminal investigation. Several laboratory techniques have recently been developed that offer a better contribution to the estimation of PMI, in addition to the traditional physical or physico-chemical (body cooling, lividity, radiocarbon dating, rigor mortis), chemical (autolysis), microbiological (putrefaction), entomological, as well as botanical parameters. Molecular biology (degradation pattern of macromolecules such as proteins, DNA, RNA), biochemical analysis of biological fluids (such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor), and immunohistochemistry are some of the most recent technological innovations. A systematic review of the literature was performed with the aim of presenting an up-to-date overview on the correlation between the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of specific antigenic markers at different PMIs. The systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Scopus and PubMed were used as search engines from January 1, 1998 to March 1, 2022 to evaluate the effectiveness of immunohistochemistry in estimating PMI. The following keywords were used: (immunohistochemical) OR (immunohistochemistry) AND (time since death) OR (post-mortem interval) OR (PMI). A total of 6571 articles were collected. Ultimately, 16 studies were included in this review. The results of this systematic review highlighted that IHC techniques, in association with traditional methods, add, in Bayesian terms, additional information to define a more accurate time of death and PMI. However, current IHC results are numerically limited and more data and studies are desirable in the near future.

How Do Drugs Affect the Skeleton? Implications for Forensic Anthropology.

Forensic anthropologists rely on a number of parameters when analyzing human skeletal remains to assist in the identification of the deceased, predominantly age-at-death, sex, stature, ancestry or population affinity, and any unique identifying features. During the examination of human remains, it is important to be aware that the skeletal features considered when applying anthropological methods may be influenced and modified by a number of factors, and particular to this article, prescription drugs (including medical and non-medical use) and other commonly used drugs. In view of this, this paper aims to review the medical, clinical and pharmacological literature to enable an assessment of those drug groups that as side effects have the potential to have an adverse effect on the skeleton, and explore whether or not they can influence the estimation of age-at-death, sex and other indicators of the biological profile. Moreover, it may be that the observation of certain alterations or inconsistencies in the skeleton may relate to the use of drugs or medication, and this in turn may help narrow down the list of missing persons to which a set of human remains could belong. The information gathered from the clinical and medical literature has been extracted with a forensic anthropological perspective and provides an awareness on how several drugs, such as opioids, cocaine, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, tobacco and others have notable effects on bone. Through different mechanisms, drugs can alter bone mineral density, causing osteopenia, osteoporosis, increase the risk of fractures, osteonecrosis, and oral changes. Not much has been written on the influence of drugs on the skeleton from the forensic anthropological practitioner perspective; and this review, in spite of its limitations and the requirement of further research, aims to investigate the current knowledge of the possible effects of both prescription and recreational drugs on bones, contributing to providing a better awareness in forensic anthropological practice and assisting in the identification process of the deceased.

A retrospective comparative study to evaluate the reliability of post-mortem interval sources in UK and US medico-legal death investigations.

Post-mortem interval (PMI) information sources may be subject to varying degrees of reliability that could impact the level of confidence associated with PMI estimations in forensic taphonomy research and in the practice of medico-legal death investigation. This study aimed to assess the reliability of PMI information sources in a retrospective comparative analysis of 1813 cases of decomposition from the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner in Pittsburgh, US (n = 1714), and the Crime Scene Investigation department at Southwest Forensics in the UK (n = 99). PMI information sources were subjected to a two-stage evaluation using an adapted version of the 3x5 aspects of the UK police National Intelligence Model (NIM) to determine the confidence level associated with each source. Normal distribution plots were created to show the distribution frequency of the dependent variables (decomposition stage and source evaluation) by the independent variable of PMI. The manner, location, and season of death were recorded to ascertain if these variables influenced the reliability of the PMI. A confidence matrix was then created to assess the overall reliability and provenance of each PMI information source. Reliable PMI sources (including forensic specialists, missing persons reports, and digital evidence) were used across extensive PMI ranges (1 to 2920 days in the US, and 1 to 240 days in the UK) but conferred a low incidence of use with forensic specialists providing a PMI estimation in only 35% of all homicide cases. Medium confidence PMI sources (e.g., last known social contact) accounted for the majority of UK (54%, n = 54) and US (82%, n = 1413) cases and were associated with shorter PMIs and natural causes of death. Low confidence PMI sources represented the lowest frequencies of UK and US cases and exclusively comprised PMI information from scene evidence. In 96% of all cases, only one PMI source was reported, meaning PMI source corroboration was overall very low (4%). This research has important application for studies using police reports of PMI information to validate PMI estimation models, and in the practice of medico-legal death investigation where it is recommended that i) the identified reliable PMI sources are sought ii) untested or unreliable PMI sources are substantiated with corroborating PMI information, iii) all PMI sources are reported with an associated degree of confidence that encapsulates the uncertainty of the originating source.

Physicochemical Changes in Bone Bioapatite During the Late Postmortem Interval Pre- and Post-Burning.

Postmortem chemical transformation of bone bioapatite can take place during early diagenesis, resulting in a more thermodynamically stable mineral phase. This paper examines the impact of a one year postmortem interval on unburnt and burnt bone's structural and chemical alterations. This question is of importance for the reconstruction of funerary practices involving cremation in the archaeological record, as well as forensic anthropological investigations. Fleshed pig (Sus scrofa) tibiae were left exposed in a field, then collected at 14, 34, 91, 180, and 365 day intervals prior to being burnt in an outdoor fire (≤750 °C bone temperature). Fresh (fleshed) tibiae acted as unburnt and burnt controls. Also included in the study were two cremated human bone fragments from Middle-Late Neolithic (ca. 3300-2500 BCE) Ireland. Samples were analyzed for major and trace elements using an electron microprobe wavelength dispersive analyzer and molecular structures using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Linear regression, principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, and multivariate analysis of variance were performed for statistical analysis. Results indicate that the concentrations of elements associated with extracellular fluid (K, Na, and Cl) change with the postmortem interval (PMI) and survive burning. K values under 0.07 ± 0.01 wt% in the inner and mid-cortical zones of burnt bones suggest that bones were not burnt immediately after death. Using this criterion, results from the archaeological samples would indicate a PMI of at least weeks to months prior to cremation. Ca, P, Fe, Al, Si, and Sr are not significantly altered with burning, and Fe, Al, Si, and Sr are also unaffected by the PMI. In unburnt bones increased crystallinity and carbonate loss are detectable in <1 year, but both are obscured by burning. Structurally, the carbonate to phosphate ratio (C/P), the phosphate high temperature, and cyanamide to phosphate (CN/P) are the most useful ratios for discriminating between unburnt and burnt bones.

Room Temperature Enhancement of Electronic Materials by Superacid Analogues.

Treatment with the superacid bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (sometimes known as TFSA, TFSI, or HNTf2) enhances the properties of a wide range of optoelectronic materials, resulting in longer effective carrier lifetimes and higher photoluminescence quantum yields. We have conducted a multimaterial study treating both crystalline silicon and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) monolayers and few-layer flakes with solutions formed from TFSA and a range of compounds with related chemical structures with different Lewis acidities, in order to elucidate the factors underpinning the TFSA-related class of enhancement treatments. We adopt dichloromethane (DCM) as a common solvent as it provides good results at room temperature and is potentially less hazardous than TFSA-dichloroethane (DCE) heated to ∼100 °C, which has been used previously. Kelvin probe experiments on silicon demonstrate that structurally similar chemicals give passivating films with substantially different charge levels, with the higher levels of charge associated with the presence of CF3SO2 groups resulting in longer effective lifetimes due to an enhancement in field-effect passivation. Treatment with all analogue solutions used results in enhanced photoluminescence in MoS2 and WS2 compared to untreated controls. Importantly we find that MoS2 and WS2 can be enhanced by analogues to TFSA that lack sulfonyl groups, meaning an alternative mechanism to that proposed in computational reports for TFSA enhancement must apply.

Measuring dimensional and morphological heat alterations of dismemberment-related toolmarks with an optical roughness metre.

This experimental study provides a further understanding of the post-burning nature of sharp force trauma. The main objective is to analyse the distortion that fire may inflict on the length, width, roughness, and floor shape morphology of toolmarks induced by four different implements. To this end, four fresh juvenile pig long bones were cut with a bread knife, a serrated knife, a butcher machete, and a saw. A total of 120 toolmarks were induced and the bone samples were thus burnt in a chamber furnace. The lesions were analysed with a 3D optical surface roughness metre before and after the burning process. Afterwards, descriptive statistics and correlation tests (Student's t-test and analysis of variance) were performed. The results show that fire exposure can distort the signatures of sharp force trauma, but they remain recognisable and identifiable. The length decreased in size and the roughness increased in a consistent manner. The width did not vary for the saw, serrated knife, or machete toolmarks, while the bread knife lesions slightly shrunk. The floor shape morphology varied after burning, and this change became more noticeable for the three knives. It was also observed that the metrics of the serrated knife and machete cut marks showed no significant variations. Our results demonstrate that there is a variation in the toolmark characteristics after burning. This distortion is dependent on multiple factors that influence their dimensional and morphological changes, and the preservation of class features is directly reliant upon the weapon employed, the trauma caused, and the burning process conditions.

Knife cut marks inflicted by different blade types and the changes induced by heat: a dimensional and morphological study.

Detailed information on skeletal trauma analysis of burned bone is important to ascertain the manner and cause of death in forensic casework. This research used three different knife types, one with a non-serrated blade, one a fine-serrated blade, and one a coarse-serrated blade, to inflict trauma to manually macerated Sus scrofa ribs (n = 240), and these ribs were later exposed to heat. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted using macroscopic and microscopic techniques to assess specific characteristics of the cut marks. Differences in cut mark dimension and morphology of the ribs were investigated. After heat exposure, the cut marks on the rib samples remained recognisable and did not alter considerably. A level of dimensional and morphological preservation was reliant on the cutting action and the features of the knife blade as well as surrounding bone injury. The cut marks inflicted by the non-serrated blade remained recognisable despite exposure to the burning process. However, the cut marks inflicted by the coarse-serrated blade were likely to change significantly when exposed to heat. This study leads to two important results: (1) identification of pre-existing cut marks prior to heat exposure is possible in reconstructed burned bone fragments, and (2) cut marks from different types of knife blades showed dissimilar responses to heat. The outcomes obtained in this study stressed the need to adopt great care with the effects of heat on skeletal trauma analysis.

Decomposition variability between the scene and autopsy examination and implications for post-mortem interval estimations.

Forensic experts rely on scene and/or autopsy photographs to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI) when an in-situ assessment of decomposition is unfeasible. The degree of decomposition may vary between the scene and autopsy, which importantly could affect estimations of the unknown PMI in forensic casework. This study aimed to investigate decomposition variability between the scene and autopsy and assess the subsequent effect on the accuracy of PMI estimations. Scene and autopsy photographs from 94 cases with known PMI were used from the Allegheny County Office of the Medical Examiner in Pittsburgh, United States. The total decomposition scoring (TDS) method measured the overall decomposition level, and 28 markers of decomposition were recorded as a percentage of the total body surface area (TBSA). In 60% of cases the TDS had increased at autopsy causing significant overestimations of the autopsy PMI and 86% of decomposition markers varied between the scene and autopsy. Decomposition progressed during mortuary time lags (MTL) of 3-44 h, where bodies were stored in a pre-autopsy refrigerator at 4 °C, suggesting that refrigeration may not always delay decomposition. This research also assisted in validating photographs as a proxy for real-time decomposition assessments. While the autopsy photographs conferred higher quality than the scene photographs, the scene photographs produced more accurate PMI estimations. Forensic experts should exhibit caution when estimating the PMI from autopsy photographs alone, as they may not accurately reflect scene decomposition. To prevent misinterpretation of the PMI estimation, both scene and autopsy photographs should always be requested.

Design of a Hand-Held and Battery-Operated Digital Microfluidic Device Using EWOD for Lab-on-a-Chip Applications.

Microfluidics offer many advantages to Point of Care (POC) devices through lower reagent use and smaller size. Additionally, POC devices offer the unique potential to conduct tests outside of the laboratory. In particular, Electro-wetting on Dielectric (EWOD) microfluidics has been shown to be an effective way to move and mix liquids enabling many PoC devices. However, much of the research surrounding these microfluidic systems are focused on a single aspect of the system capability, such as droplet control or a specific new application at the device level using the EWOD technology. Often in these experiments the supporting systems required for operation are bench top equipment such as function generators, power supplies, and personal computers. Although various aspects of how an EWOD device is capable of moving and mixing droplets have been demonstrated at various levels, a complete self-contained and portable lab-on-a-chip system based on the EWOD technology has not been well demonstrated. For instance, EWOD systems tend to use high voltage alternating current (AC) signals to actuate electrodes, but little consideration is given to circuitry size or power consumption of such components to make the entire system portable. This paper demonstrates the feasibility of integrating all supporting hardware and software to correctly operate an EWOD device in a completely self-contained and battery-powered handheld unit. We present results that demonstrate a complete sample preparation flow for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction and isolation. The device was designed to be a field deployable, hand-held platform capable of performing many other sample preparation tasks automatically. Liquids are transported using EWOD and controlled via a programmable microprocessor. The programmable nature of the device allows it to be configured for a variety of tests for different applications. Many considerations were given towards power consumption, size, and system complexity which make it ideal for use in a mobile environment. The results presented in this paper show a promising step forward to the portable capability of microfluidic devices based on the EWOD technology.