What can Raman spectroscopy do for criminalistics?

Abstract

For decades Raman spectroscopy has been used as a specialized tool in a variety of fields. Forensic science is one discipline in particular that has greatly benefited from the application of Raman spectroscopic research. Here, studies using Raman spectroscopy for analyzing criminalistic evidence, including body fluids, human tissue, bones, gunshot residue, fibers, and hair, are reviewed. Many of these methods demonstrate the significance of incorporating chemometrics for data analysis to provide more reliable and quantitative results with associated errors. Currently, there are only a few branches of forensic science that use Raman spectroscopy in practice, despite its wide range of advantages. However, many more applications have been developed in the research setting and are presented here. These studies showcase the versatility and dependability of Raman spectroscopy, specifically for criminalistic purposes. The advantages of developing and transitioning these techniques to be used in practice are also discussed, including the tremendous benefits of portable instrumentation. Raman spectroscopy can easily become an established analytical technique for many criminalistics disciplines because it allows for obtaining real‐time, rapid, impartial, statistically confident results. Consequently, the improvements to forensic science as a whole will be revolutionary. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of the environment on bone mass: A human taphonomic study

“…According to Hedges, a large part of the mass loss (approximately 20%) of a bone can be attributed to the loss of collagen [4]. This early organic alteration is confirmed in our study by RS, which is a promising technology used in forensic science [25,33]. This early organic diagenesis can therefore also explain the rapid and continuous bone mass loss over time.…”

Comparative study of multivariative analysis methods of blood Raman spectra classification

“…For example, when assessing the state of wound healing by means of RS, multivariate factor analysis and non‐negative least squares fitting are able to provide quantitative assessment of the wound healing progress in terms of such key parameters as inflammation and granulation . When analyzing the spectral data of dry traces (blood, semen, and saliva), the discriminant analysis based on the method of soft independent modeling of class analogies ( SIMCAs ), linear discriminant analysis , and projection to latent structures discriminant analysis ( PLS‐DA ) method can be used in criminology for the classification of body fluids . For example, a combined analysis of Raman data by logistic regression provides an opportunity to identify microcalcifications and major breast damage in the biopsy of the stereotactic core .…”

Universal detection of body fluid traces in situ with Raman hyperspectroscopy for forensic purposes: Evaluation of a new detection algorithm (HAMAND) using semen samples

“…A breakthrough moment in serology was seen in 2008 when a silver bullet solution to the identification of body fluids was demonstrated with Raman spectroscopy . Raman spectroscopy is highly amenable to the forensic community as this methodology is nondestructive, noncontact, and identifications are generally considered confirmatory . Additionally, an automatic classification model that allows for confirmatory identification of all major body fluids when deposited on a noninterfering substrate (aluminum foil) has been developed .…”