Applied Spectroscopy for Mineralogy and Crime Forensics

Mark Krekeler, Miami University of Ohio

Recorded at Spectral Sessions 2021

ABSTRACT:
Selected topics relating to building and using reflective spectral libraries will be discussed in the context of documenting and preventing violence at a variety of scales. A brief review of some fundamental causes of spectral variation will be reviewed. Selected analytical tools used to support material characterization will be presented, including transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction and X-ray tomography. Topics to be presented include examples of human materials (skin, hair clothing, blood, cosmetics), geologic materials (minerals, glacial materials, mine waste) and fuels. Examples of age estimation with liquid materials such as fuels and human blood are possible given constraints. Approaches and future direction for building libraries involving geological materials are discussed.

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