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Forensic Use Of Light

Forensic Science

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Forensic Use of Light

Forensic Use of Light an


understanding of light energy, its
properties, its uses, and its
technological applications is
fundamental in the study of
forensics
Location/Collection of Evidence with
Light
Observation of Evidence with Light
Analysis of Evidence with Light

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Wave Theory of Light:


Light Waves vs. Sound Waves

Both travel in the


form of waves
Both are
frequencies
Our eyes and ears
cannot detect all
of the frequencies

Light waves are


much faster than
sounds waves
Sound waves
require a medium
to travel through,
but light waves
can travel through
a vacuum

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Wave Theory of Light:


Wave Definitions

Wave when some form of energy (light,


sound, water) is transferred by a
disturbance in a medium (light waves do
not require a medium)
Longitudinal (or compressional) waves
travel like a flexible helical spring toy
that somersaults down steps (i.e. sound
waves)
Transverse waves like ripples in a
puddle (i.e. light waves)

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Wave Theory of Light:


Wave Definitions (continued)

Wavelength () the distance from the top of


one wave to the top of the next
Larger waves have a longer wavelength
Smaller waves have a shorter wavelength
The unit used for light wavelength is the
meter (m)
Wave Speed (c) different wave mediums
travel at different speeds
The speed of light is 3.0 x 1010 cm/s or 3.0 x
108 m/s (speed is considered as though in a
vacuum)
The unit of speed of a wave is meters/second
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Wave Theory of Light:


Wave Definitions (continued)

Frequency (v) the number of waves that


pass per unit of time; wavelength and
frequency are inversely related
Longer wavelength means shorter
frequency and vice versa
The unit for frequency showing cycles
per second is the Hertz (Hz)
Frequency and wave energy are
synonymous

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Wave Theory of Light:


Wave Definitions (continued)

Wave Formula (c = )
Wave formula in words speed equals
wavelength times frequency
So the speed of a wave is a product of
frequency and wavelength
Symbols
c = speed of the type of wave (can be
the speed of light)
= wavelength (meters)
v = frequency (Hz)

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Wave Theory of Light:


Wave Definitions (continued)

Amplitude the height of the wave from the


bottom (trough) to the top (crest)
Amplitude is also thought of as the energy
the wave carries
Wavelength, speed, and frequency do not
change just because the height (amplitude)
of the
changes
Highwave
Frequency,
Short Wavelength

Amplitude*

Amplitude*

Low Frequency, Long Wavelength


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Wave Theory of Light:


Electromagnetic Spectrum

The entire range of known light waves is


called the electromagnetic spectrum
Increasing Wavelength

Increasing Frequency
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Wave Theory of Light:


Electromagnetic Spectrum

(continued)

There is an array of different light waves


(electromagnetic radiation or radiation)
with characteristic colors, invisibilities,
wavelengths, and frequencies
Radio waves and microwaves
Infrared light
Visible Spectrum
Ultraviolet light (black light)
X-rays and gamma rays

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Wave Theory of Light:


Visible Spectrum

Light (sunlight/electric light bulb) or white


light
Allows us to see
Is actually a combination of all known colors
Can be any color we see
An object absorbs most of the visible
wavelengths and reflects some of the
wavelengths this is what we see as color (i.e.
plants absorb all wavelengths (colors) except
for green)
Any object will absorb and reflect different
light wavelengths depending on its
composition
The chemical compounds the object is made
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of

Wave Theory of Light:


Forensic Use of the Electromagnetic
Spectrum

Investigators should use all


forms of light possible
when gathering evidence
Regular white light
Ultraviolet (UV) light
Infrared (IR) light

A good forensic light


source is made up of a
powerful lamp containing
all of the light wavelengths

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Particle Theory of Light

Light (electromagnetic spectrum)


behaves like a wave in the way it
travels; however, light also acts like
a particle in the way it transfers
energy to electrons
This is called the Dual-Theory of
Light

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Particle Theory of Light:


Photons

Photon an energized packet of light


energy
In the late 1800s/early 1900s, scientists
noticed light behaving sometimes like a
wave and sometimes like particles
This idea of particles was combined with
the Atomic Theory to create new light
theories (Quantum Physics)
Photons of light are absorbed (energy
gained) and emitted (light is given off)

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Categories of Light Reactions:


Two Sources of Light

In general, light refers to the portion of the


electromagnetic spectrum that we see
Incandescence (hot) (i.e. light bulb)
Luminescence (cold) (i.e. fluorescent lights)
Chemiluminescence
Thermoluminescence
Photoluminescence
Two Types that Absorb Ultraviolet Energy
Fluorescence
Phosphorescence

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Categories of Light Reactions:


Phosphors

Phosphors any substance that causes an object to


show photoluminescence
Causes certain objects to glow in the dark, or
light up under UV radiation
Used in radar detection and plasma screen TVs
Examples: rare earth minerals, transition metals,
nucleic acids found in DNA, and biomolecules
Because many different types of phosphors found
in the human body and other types of forensic
evidence, UV lights are irreplaceable in evidence
collection

Semen
under UV
light

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Light Properties

Emission
Absorption
Transmission
Reflection
Refraction
Dispersion
Intensity
Diffraction
Interference
Polarization
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Light Properties Forensic Uses:

Magnification Purposes

Macro-View
(magnifiers and
stereomicroscopes)
Micro-View (compound
microscope)
Microscopic Refractive
Index
Micro Colorimetry
Chromaticity Diagram

Types and Techniques of


Microscopy

Bright Field Microscope

Dark Field Microscope


Phase Contrast
Differential Interference
Contrast (DIC) or Nomarski
Microscopes
Polarized Light Microscope
Fluorescence
Infrared/Ultraviolet Light
Digital Microscopes
Electron Microscopes
Other Microscopes

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Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Types of Spectroscopy

A spectroscope uses prism or diffusion grating to


break apart incoming wavelengths; the specific
emission/absorption of wavelengths can be used
to identify the unknown element in the
composition of evidence

Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy


Ultraviolet (UV) Spectroscopy
Reflectance Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (RUVIS)
Raman Spectroscopy
Microspectroscopy
X-ray Diffraction/Absorption
Atomic Emission/Absorption Spectroscopy
Microwave Spectroscopy
Types of Spectrometry that Dont Use Light
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Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) radio waves


and magnetic fields are used to penetrate unknowns and
collect information from hydrocarbons
Valuable because it is nondestructive evidence can
still be analyzed again later
Can be used to analyze DNA and/or dangerous samples
such as explosives
A form of NMR is used to determine time of death by
finding brain metabolite levels
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance uses microwave (not

radio) waves for similar purposes


X-ray Fluorescence, Neutron Activation Analysis (with
infrared spectra), Inductive Couples Plasma other
examples of the many technological advances that use
various forms of the EM spectrum to analyze and identify
forensic evidence samples
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Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation
(continued)

Immersion Test a transparent object (glass) is


immersed in several liquids with known refractive
indexes to compare the refractive indexes
Glass appears to be invisible or disappear in
liquid that has the same refractive index
If the liquid has a lower or higher refractive index
than the glass, the glass can still be seen (with a
halo around it)
Examples

Methanol RI = 1.33
Glycerin RI = 1.47
Clove Oil RI = 1.54
Pyrex Glass RI = 1.47 (would disappear in glycerin)
Lead Glass RI = 1.56 (would disappear in clove oil)
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Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation
(continued)

Immersion Test a transparent object (glass) is


immersed
Other Large Scale Uses of Refractive Index
Refractometer determines the refractive
index of various solids and liquids
Used to determine the identity of
unknowns in forensics
Can be handheld for fieldwork or larger
for a laboratory counter
Also used to determine the density of
liquids and the concentrations of various
components in the liquids (sugar in urine,
drugs in the blood, etc.)
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Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation
(continued)

Finding the Diameter/Width of a Minute Object


Thomas Youngs Double Split Patterns
(interference/ diffraction of light): an experiment
that showed that specific light patterns are
dependent on the number of slits through which
light is shown
Using the known frequency of light and
measurements of interference patterns you can
determine the actual width of the solid that
caused the light to split
To find the diameter or width of an object: d = lL
10S
d = diameter of a minute object in micrometers
(m)
I = wavelength of the light (nm)
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L= distance
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light

Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation
(continued)

Uses of Infrared Light (Thermal Radiation)


many materials are sensitive to thermal
or infrared (IR) radiation (IR waves are
longer waves in the EM spectrum)
Used in night vision goggles/equipment
Many types of crime scene evidence are
located because they will absorb visible
light and show IR
IR luminescence is used for many types
of document analysis
Illegal Alteration
Erased Writing
IR absorption or glow from different
inks
Revelation
ofEducation
charred
document
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Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation
(continued)

Uses of Ultraviolet Light (Black Light)


Mostly used in evidence collection
Many bodily fluids (biomolecules) fluoresce
when illuminated by a source of UV light
Detection of crime scene stains such as saliva,
semen, vaginal fluids, urine, and perspiration
Many times latent fingerprints will fluoresce for
detection purposes
UV light analysis is recommended as a first
choice by the FBI for examining and identifying
biological evidence
Also used for authenticating signatures,
paintings, and ink stains
Used in the detection of trace evidence and
illegal substances
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see
the
light
ofwithluminol
in order to find
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Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation
(continued)

Forensic Light Source


A powerful lamp with ultraviolet, visible, and
infrared wavelengths of light that has many
components to enhance visualization
Direct lighting, such as a strong white light, is
very useful to reveal trace evidence
Oblique or parallel lighting will also reveal small
particles
Used with all types of magnifiers and
microscopes
A multiple color band can penetrate many skin
depths to reveal details of a bruise pattern
White light is normally used first, with other
wave lengths, chemicals, goggles, polarizers, and
colored Copyright
lenses
are used after the initial
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observation

Light Properties Forensic Uses:


Other Forensic Uses of EM
Radiation
(continued)

Cameras use refraction and polarization


properties (various lenses, including
colored lenses) to capture permanent
proof of evidence and its analysis
Used in evidence collection, observation,
and analysis to record results
Used with

Spectroscopy
Scanning electron microscopes
Fluoresce of IR or UV radiation
Luminol (to record the
chemicaluminescence of a reaction with
bloodCopyright
evidence)
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Forensics, Technology &


Evidence

Location and Collection of Evidence


with Light light, and all of its
sources, are used to locate evidence

Examples

Flashlight
Ultraviolet or black light
Light sources with all wavelengths
Colored goggles or filters
Many types of digital photography

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Forensics, Technology &


Evidence (continued)

Observation of Evidence
with Light once evidence
has been located and
collected, light is used to
observe it
Examples
Magnifying glass
Microscopes (stereomicroscopes,
polarizing microscopes, etc.)

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Forensics, Technology &


Evidence (continued)

Analysis of Evidence with Light science has made


many discoveries about light, and these are applied
to analyze forensic evidence
Some Examples
Microscopes of all types, including electron and
ion microscopes
Spectroscopes used to identify trace evidence
Emission spectroscopy
Gas and mass spectroscopy
Infrared and ultraviolet applications
Microwave, X-Ray, and nuclear forms also
Mass Spectrometry identification purposes
Gas and liquid chromatography specializations
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Resources

Saferstein, Richard. Forensic Science: An


Introduction. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice
Hall, 2008.
Bertino, Anthony J. Forensic Science:
Fundamentals & Investigations. Mason, OH:
South-Western Cengage Learning, 2009
Deslich, Barbara; Funkhouse, John. Forensic
Science for High School Dubuque, Iowa:
Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2006
Texas Education Agency, Forensic Certification
Training, Sam Houston State University
Do an Internet search for a video using the
following: Flame Test 07.
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