Instruments Used in Forensic Analysis

With current research in the application of FTIR and Raman to forensic science, many new technologies have been produced that enhance the effectiveness of each method.  The first of these enhancements was the addition of the Fourier Transform method to both techniques.  Additional advances led to the ATR or attenuated total reflectance which intensifies the IR signal, SERS or surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy which intensifies the Raman signal and coupling a microscope to the spectrometers to decrease the necessary sample size.

Additional new technologies are outlined below including links to the companies that sell or use them:

EIC Laboratories
This lab is doing research for Homeland Defense.  They developed a fiber optic probe to optimize the collection of data from a particular analyte in a sample.

InPhotonics
This company developed a combined FTIR and Raman instrument called the RamIRTM.  The FTIR data extends above 3000 cm-1 while the Raman extends below 300 cm-1.  It is used for monitoring real-time reactions for kinetic and other types of studies.

Renishaw
This company uses a modular approach so various components may be combined.  They have various lab and field Raman spectrometers, FTIR spectrometers, and microscopes that can be combined.  In one instrument, the user can switch between IR and Raman acquisition and video view so data can be captured from the same sample without any switching.


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