Raman Spectroscopy for Forensic Purposes: Targeting Realistic Crime Scene Conditions

Description:
Raman spectroscopy combined with machine learning has a great potential for becoming a universal tool for variety of practical applications including forensic science. The technique is non-destructive, rapid and requires little or no sample preparation. Furthermore, portable Raman instruments are readily available allowing for crime scene accessibility. We have already reported that Raman spectroscopy has a great potential for the identification of biological stains and providing a variety of additional information including the time since deposition and phenotype profiling of the donor. This novel methodology has been demonstrated for high quality spectra obtained under pristine conditions. Adopting this technology for realistic, crime scene conditions is a significant step towards its commercialization. The latest development in this activity will be discussed including a novel universal approach for avoiding substrate interference and potential false positives due environmental contaminants.
Raman microspectroscopy has been shown to have a great potential for the detection and analysis of gunshot residue (GSR). Both the organic and inorganic GSR particles could be identified when transferred to the adhesive tape. The possibility to exclude the transfer step and analyze the original fabric substrate with embedded GSR particles will be discussed.

Speaker: Igor Lednev - University at Albany, SUNY
Igor K. Lednev is a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University at Albany, SUNY. His research is focused on the development of novel laser spectroscopy for forensic purposes and medical diagnostics. He is a founder of a startup company SupreMEtric LLC (www.supremetric.com) commercializing a universal method for the identification body fluid traces for forensic purposes, and Early Alzheimer’s Diagnostics LLC, developing saliva and blood tests for the disease. Lednev is on editorial boards of Journal Raman Spectroscopy, Forensic Chemistry and Spectroscopy magazine. He served as an advisory member on the White House Subcommittee for Forensic Science. Lednev is a Fellow of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy and the Royal Society of Chemistry. He received several prestigious awards including the 2022 Charles Mann Award for Applied Raman Spectroscopy.