These are the general applications covered by the products we manufacture. There are others that some researchers have only begun to explore. The use of the instruments on this website is limited only by the user’s imagination.
Since body fluids like semen, saliva, and vaginal fluids are naturally fluorescent, the use of a light source offers a unique method for locating them.
Historically, the primary application of a forensic light source is for enhancing the detection of latent fingerprints. The use of fluorescent enhancement processes that compliment a light source greatly increases the types of surfaces from which a latent fingerprint can be detected.
On some individuals, a tunable or multiple wavelength forensic light source may reveal bruise and patterned wound details that are invisible under normal white light illumination. Details of a bruise pattern in a suspects palm can link a suspect to a weapon.
Typically the material that will fluoresce is residue that will be ejected out of the barrel, as well as material ejected from the breach.
Trace is a general category that includes detection of hairs, fibers, dust impressions, and drug residues. Depending on the sample and the background it is found on either fluorescence or oblique lighting will be utilized.
The simplest and most important rule for photographing evidence with an Forensic Light Source is: What You See is What You Get. However you see the evidence is exactly as the camera should see it.
The main application regarding Questioned documents and the use of alternate light sources revolve around “ink differentiation”. That is the ability to separate inks from different pens, regardless of the skill of the forger.
SPEX Forensics is a Division of HORIBA Instruments Incorporated, A member of HORIBA Scientific.
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