USE OF THE LASER MICROPROBE IN FORENSIC SCIENCE

• NCJ Number: 16715
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 486-495
• Author(s): R C SULLIVAN; C POMPA; L V SABATINO; J J HORAN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Testing and Materials
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 25TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, FEB 23, 1973

Annotation

THE LASER MICROPROBE'S ADVANTAGES OVER THE NORMAL SPECTROGRAPH INCLUDE RELATIVELY NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS, EASE, AND RAPIDITY OF TESTING REGARDLESS OF SAMPLE SIZE.

Abstract

THE APPLICABILITY OF THIS INSTRUMENT IS DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE ANALYSIS OF PAINT CHIPS AND GUNSHOT RESIDUES. THE AUTHORS CONCEDE THAT MUCH IMPROVEMENT NEEDS TO BE MADE IN THIS INSTRUMENT AND THEY SUGGEST SOME OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS. THE AUTHORS OPTIMISTICALLY CONCLUDE THAT THE LASER MICROPROBE WAS A USEFUL ADDITION TO THE TOOLS PRESENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST. THE PRESENT STATE OF THE ART CLEARLY INDICATES THAT THIS INSTRUMENTATION CANNOT BE CONSIDERED A PANACEA, DESPITE THE WIDE VARIETY OF APPLICATION DEMONSTRATED IN THIS STUDY. THIS TECHNIQUE DOES ENABLE INVESTIGATORS TO EXAMINE MINUTE OR REMOTE PIECES OF EVIDENCE, WHICH IN THE PAST WOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY DISREGARDED OR AT BEST EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ANALYZE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)