Forensics: Evidence Examination via Raman Spectroscopy

Forensic science can be broadly defined as the application of any of the scientific methods to solving a crime. Within forensic science, there are many different disciplines; however, for the majority of them, the following five main concepts shape the nature of forensic examination: transfer, identification, classification/individualization, association, and reconstruction. The concepts of identification, classification/individualization, and association rely greatly on analytical chemistry techniques; therefore, it is no stretch to see how one of the rising stars of analytical chemistry techniques, Raman spectroscopy, could be of use. Raman spectroscopy is known for needing a small amount of sample, being non-destructive, and very substance specific, all of which make it ideal for analyzing crime scene evidence. (publisher abstract modified)