Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy: A Review of Recent Applications in Forensic Science

• NCJ Number: 253212
• Journal: Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy Volume: 197 Dated: May 2018 Pages: 255-260
• Author(s): Marisia A. Fikiet; Shelby R. Khandasammy; Ewelina Mistek; Yasmine Ahmed; Lenka Halámková; Justin Bueno; Igor K. Lednev
• Date Published: May 2018
• Length: 6 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-DN-BX-K016; 2016-DN-BX-0166
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Raman spectroscopy for analyzing body fluid traces: Moving towards a practical forensic application; Vibrational Spectroscopy of Gunshot Residue
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This article reviews emerging surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technologies recently developed for forensic applications.

Abstract

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy has many advantages over its parent technique of Raman spectroscopy. Some of these advantages, such as increased sensitivity and selectivity, and therefore the possibility of small sample sizes and detection of small concentrations are invaluable in the field of forensics. A variety of new SERS surfaces and novel approaches are presented here on a wide range of forensically relevant topics. (publisher abstract modified)