Abstract The branch of science which deals with the study of cosmetics is known as cosmetology. Women love wearing makeup, as they feel it can help them enhance their beauty and make them feel and look more attractive and gorgeous. Further, according to Locard’s Principle of Exchange, “every contact leaves a trace”. Many of the violent crimes such as assaults, robberies, rapes and murders involve direct contact between the assailant and a female victim. Well known examples of some trace or associative evidences are hair, fibers, paint chips, broken glass fragments, soil particles, etc. Thus, a transfer of some type of cosmetic product is possible and, consequently, the clothing or body of the suspect may bear smeared traces of a cosmetic. The analysis of these smudges can provide circumstantial evidence connecting a suspect and victim or placing a suspect at the crime scene. This review is an effort for enlisting of various cosmetics and cosmeceuticals which may helpful in solving crimes against women.
Keywords: cosmetics, cosmeceuticals, forensic investigation, chemical evidences2