In Situ Detection and Identification of Trace Explosives by Raman Microscopy

• NCJ Number: 153152
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 40 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1995) Pages: 31-37
• Author(s): C Cheng; T E Kirkbride; D N Batchelder; R J Lacey; T G Sheldon
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes the Renisaw Raman microscope system design and reports on experimental work vis-a-vis the detection of plastic explosives, particularly their traces in fingerprint samples.

Abstract

SEMTEX-H was used as the source of explosive material for this study. Techniques other than Raman microscopy are available for analyzing explosive materials, but they involve removing samples from the fingerprints. In contrast, the Raman technique is nondestructive because the study is made in situ. Samples are placed onto the microscope sample stage for either visible light observation or for full spectral measurements. The fingerprints can be re-examined later by Raman or other methods. The results of this study show that the Raman microscopic technique is highly specific and capable of identifying explosive samples 1 um3 in volume or 1 picogram in mass quantity. The imaging analysis has a high confidence rating with further spectral analysis capable of providing confirmation. 8 figures and 14 references