Three different Raman microspectroscopic imaging methodologies using a single experimental configuration are compared; namely, point and line mapping, as representatives of serial imaging approaches, and direct or wide-field Raman imaging employing liquid-crystalline tunable filters are surveyed. Raman imaging data acquired with equivalent low-power 514.5-nm laser excitation and a cooled CCD camera are analyzed with respect to acquisition times, image quality, spatial resolution, intensity profiles along spatial coordinates, and spectral signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). Point and line mapping techniques provide similar SNRs and reconstructed Raman images at spatial resolutions of approximately 1.1 microm. In contrast, higher spatial resolution is obtained by direct, global imaging (approximately 313 nm), allowing subtle morphological features on test samples to be resolved.

The capability of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging to provide detailed images of unprocessed latent fingerprints while also preserving important trace evidence is demonstrated. Unprocessed fingerprints were developed on various porous and nonporous substrates. Data-processing methods used to extract the latent fingerprint ridge pattern from the background material included basic infrared spectroscopic band intensities, addition and subtraction of band intensity measurements, principal components analysis (PCA) and calculation of second derivative band intensities, as well as combinations of these various techniques. Additionally, trace evidence within the fingerprints was recovered and identified.

We describe a novel, generalized data acquisition sequence to allow rapid-scan Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging using focal plane array (FPA) detectors. This technique derives its applicability from the reproducible performance of modern FT-IR instrumentation and the availability of FPAs with simultaneous, full array acquisition, or snapshot electronics. Instead of sampling the entire interferogram in one mirror sweep over a predetermined retardation, as in traditional continuous-scanning techniques, the modulated light from the interferometer is recorded over several mirror sweeps. The FPA detector is synchronized for data acquisition after a specified delay with respect to the initiation of the mirror motion to provide a highly under-sampled interferogram. By incorporating appropriate delays in subsequent interferometer mirror scans, the entire interferogram is sampled and reconstructed. The signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of the resulting interferograms are analyzed and are compared with step-scan spectroscopic imaging data.