Pre-registration Required

Tuesday, July 22, 2008       Time: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

#10 The Applications of Raman Spectroscopy in Forensic Sciences

Faculty

Patrick Buzzini, PhD Forensic & Investigative Science Program West Virginia University 304 Oglebay Hall 1600 University Avenue Morgantown, WV 26506-6121

Genevieve Massonnet Ecole des Sciences Criminelles University of Lausanne Le Batochime, Quartier Sorge, CH-1015 Dorigny-Lausanne Switzerland

Raman spectroscopy has recently become more popular for the chemical analysis of several types of materials of forensic interest. The Raman technique allows for the measurement of the inelastic scattering of light due to the vibrational modes of a molecule when irradiated by an intense monochromatic source such as a laser. Thanks to important technological progress, modern Raman spectrometers have increased their sensitivity necessary to detect the weak signal called Raman scattering.

The workshop on the application of Raman spectroscopy is aimed to familiarize interested forensic scientists with this technique. The advantages and limitations of the Raman technique will be emphasized. Amongst the advantages, figures its non-destructive nature, short analysis time, and the possibility of performing microscopic in situ analyses.

Several distinguished guests will be present to share their experience and expertise in different area of forensic sciences. The first part of the workshop will present some theory on Raman spectroscopy and highlight the application of this technique on different types of forensic samples. A state-of-the-art concerning the use of Raman spectroscopy will be presented on drugs of abuse, questioned documents and ink analysis, explosives and trace evidence.

Practical training is also provided and will allow the participants to become familiar with the latest versions of commercially available instruments, their components, their functions, and their manipulations. Several instruments of different manufacturers will be presented. The second part of the workshop will allow the participants to do some practical work on Raman instruments. The advantages and disadvantages of the analysis for several types of materials and the problems linked to the interpretation of results will be shown and discussed.