Special Issues-08-01-2018

For analyzing unknown biological stains in a forensic setting, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has many advantages. It can provide confirmatory identification of the fluid type, can estimate the stain’s age, discriminate species, and can be used on samples found on various substrates and exposed to various environmental conditions.

Shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR HSI) shows great potential in the targeting and identification of explosive and narcotic materials in complex scenes where the target concentration is low. Tunable filter–based SWIR HSI sensors can be configured to use either single-bandpass or multiple-bandpass wavelength tuning to enable hazardous material detection in stationary, moving sensor, or moving target scenarios.

External reflection using IR spectroscopy is effective for examining paintings, polymer-coated metals like soda can coatings, and even bulk polymers. Shiny, metallic surfaces provide a strong specular reflection spectrum that matches standard absorbance spectra very well. Less-reflective surfaces, like dark plastics, may require additional software processing.

Click the title above to open the Spectroscopy August 2018 Special Issue, IR Spectroscopy for Today's Spectroscopists, in an interactive PDF format.