Journal Published Online: 27 July 2005
Volume 50, Issue 5

Evaluation of Raman Spectroscopy for the Analysis of Colored Fibers: A Collaborative Study

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A collaborative study on Raman spectroscopy was carried out by members of the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) European Fibres Group (EFG) on three dyed fibers: two red acrylics and one red wool. Raman instruments from six different manufacturers were tested as well as nine different laser wavelengths ranging from blue (λ = 458 nm) to near infrared-NIR (λ = 1064 nm). This represents the largest comparison study of Raman analytical parameters carried out on identical fiber samples. For the chosen fiber and dye samples, red lasers (λ = 633 and 685 nm) gave the poorest spectral quality whereas blue (458 nm), green (514 nm) and near infrared lasers (785, 830 and 1064 nm) provided average results. Blue (488 nm) and green lasers (532 nm) globally gave the best quality spectra. Fluorescence problems were often encountered with some of the excitation wavelengths and therefore a flexible Raman instrument equipped with different lasers can be recommended to measure forensic fiber samples. The instrument should also be equipped with a Raman microscope in order to be able to focus on a single fiber. This study shows that Raman spectroscopy usually enables the identification of the main dye present in a colored fiber; however, minor dye components are much more difficult to detect. SERRS (Surface Enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering) techniques give an improvement of the dye's spectral intensity but no spectral improvement was observed for the two red acrylic and red wool fibers tested.

Author Information

Massonnet, G
Institut de Police Scientifique IPS, LAUSANNE-DORIGNY, Switzerland
Buzzini, P
Institut de Police Scientifique IPS, LAUSANNE-DORIGNY, Switzerland
Jochem, G
Kriminaltechnisches Institut, Landeskriminalamt Sachsen, Dresden, Germany Bundeskriminalamt, KT33, Wiesbaden, Germany
Stauber, M
Landeskriminalamt Nordrhein-Westfalen, KTI, Düsseldorf, Germany
Coyle, T
Forensic Alliance Ltd., Abingdon, UK
Roux, C
Centre for Forensic Science, UTS, NSW, Australia
Thomas, J
Centre for Forensic Science, UTS, NSW, Australia
Leijenhorst, H
Netherlands Forensic Institute, Den Haag, The Netherlands
Van Zanten, Z
Netherlands Forensic Institute, Den Haag, The Netherlands
Wiggins, K
London Laboratory, Forensic Science Service, London, England
Russell, C
London Laboratory, Forensic Science Service, London, England
Chabli, S
Laboratoire de Police Scientifique, Paris, France
Rosengarten, A
Fibers & Polymers Laboratory, Israel Police National HQ, Jerusalem, Israel
Pages: 11
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS2004532
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2004532