Highlights from Part 1 of The Future of Forensic Analysis

Happy National Forensic Science Week!

Throughout the week, Spectroscopy media and numerous other scientific organizations are celebrating the work done by forensic scientists in various industries. Forensic science is a discipline that has made sizable impacts in many different application areas, including clinical analysis, crime investigation and prevention, aeronautics, and pharmaceutical analysis.

Three days ago, we launched a content series titled, “The Future of Forensic Analysis,” where we highlighted several of the most recent studies that used spectroscopic techniques and instrumentation to advance the field. We spotlighted the work of several important industry leaders, and we demonstrated that the field is continuing to advance through technological innovation.

Below are five of the top articles and interviews from part 1 of the series, according to our readers and subscribers. Happy reading!

How the New Jersey State Police Are Using FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopy

Portable spectroscopy technologies like Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy are increasingly being used by first responders to detect hazardous materials. The New Jersey State Police's Hazardous Materials Response Unit is training officers to identify illicit substances like fentanyl, aiming to reduce drug overdoses and protect both the public and law enforcement from exposure (1). In 2022, nearly 108,000 drug overdose deaths occurred, with 81,806 involving opioids (1). Detective Sergeant Pakorn Patimetha of the New Jersey State Police discussed the vital role of portable spectroscopy in their operations to enhance public safety.

Applying Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Analysis

In this Q&A interview, executive editor Jerome Workman, Jr. interviewed Barry Lavine, regents professor from The Department of Chemistry at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to discuss his most recent work in applying Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopy in forensic paint analysis (2) for investigating vehicles involved at crime scenes.

The Vital Role of Spectroscopy in Modern Emergency Response

Portable spectroscopy technology is essential in emergency response, aiding in crime scene investigations and detecting hazardous substances during incidents like structural fires (3). Despite its importance, most first responders lack formal training in forensic and analytical chemistry (3). Brandon Gayle, president of Gayle Training Solutions, has been training emergency responders on using portable Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers since 2006. He offers training and consulting for instrument manufacturers and works with responders in the military, police, and firefighting sectors (3). Gayle discusses the growing role of portable spectroscopy in enhancing field operations and responder safety.

The Role of LIBS in Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology: An Interview with Matthieu Baudelet, Kristen Livingston, and Katie Zejdlik

Matthieu Baudelet, an associate professor of Chemistry at the National Center for Forensic Science at the University of Central Florida, and his team are currently exploring how laser-based spectroscopic techniques can be used in forensic anthropology (4). In this Q&A interview, Spectroscopy sat down with Matthieu Baudelet, Kristen Livingston, and Katie Zejdlik to discuss their research, which includes multimodal analysis of forensic evidence and the development of standards for LIBS and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) (4).

Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to Probe Artificial Dye Degradation on Hair Buried in Multiple Soils for Up to Eight Weeks

Researchers at Texas A&M University (College Station, Texas) presented a novel approach to forensic hair analysis that is based on high-throughput, nondestructive, and non-invasive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and machine learning (ML) (5). Using this approach, Dmitry Kurouski and his team investigated the reliability of the detection and identification of artificial dyes on hair buried in three distinct soil types for up to eight weeks (5).

References

1. Hroncich, C. How the New Jersey State Police Are Using FT-IR and Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/new-jersey-state-police-are-using-ft-ir-and-raman-spectroscopy (accessed 2024-09-17).
2. Workman, Jr., J. Applying Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy in Forensic Paint Analysis. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/applying-raman-and-infrared-spectroscopy-in-forensic-paint-analysis (accessed 2024-09-17).
3. Hroncich, C. The Vital Role of Spectroscopy in Modern Emergency Response. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/spectroscopy-in-modern-emergency-response (accessed 2024-09-17).
4. Wetzel, W. The Role of LIBS in Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology: An Interview with Matthieu Baudelet, Kristen Livingston, and Katie Zejdlik. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-role-of-libs-in-forensic-anthropology-and-bioarchaeology-an-interview-with-matthieu-baudelet-kristen-livingston-and-katie-zejdlik (accessed 2024-09-17).
5. Chasse, J. Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to Probe Artificial Dye Degradation on Hair Buried in Multiple Soils for Up to Eight Weeks. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/using-surface-enhanced-raman-spectroscopy-to-probe-artificial-dye-degradation-on-hair-buried-in-multiple-soils-for-up-to-eight-weeks (accessed 2024-09-17).