Paper-based microfluidic devices: On-site tools for crime scene investigation

The use of paper-based microfluidics devices (μPADs) for designing rapid, easy, and on-site devices has undergone a dramatic increase in the last few years and the development of applications in the field of forensic science has had concomitant advances. The use of μPADs at the crime scene is finalized not only to obtain a rapid response but also to have crucial information on evidence collection. Several authors have proposed μPADs as alternative approaches to existing tests. These devices are designed to be used on-site without, or minimal, power sources. Furthermore, the technology provides prompt-readouts using a small sample volume, preserving important evidence for instrumental analysis. This review aims to provide a critical evaluation of developed μPADs. The document includes a brief overview on fabrication methods and on detection strategies, and it assesses advantages and limitations of applications related to forensic matters. A final section is devoted to future developments.