Elemental Analysis of Glass and Ink by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Forensic application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for the discrimination of questioned documents

“…In-house matrix matched standards were created according to methods previously published in the literature in order to calibrate the laser parameters before sample analyses [5,23]. Single element solutions of Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, La, Rh, Sr, Pb and Ti at 1000 mg/mL and Al, Mg, and Na at 10,000 mg/mL (High Purity Standards, Choice Analytical, Australia) were used to prepare stock solutions.…”

Analysis of White Latex Paints using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for Forensic Applications

“…The most common method is by microscopic observation in an effort to find scratches or other surface markings that will match the sample with a known sample. glass, and gel ink [5]. The low cost of instrumentation and operation also make it an attractive addition to forensic laboratories, which need to analyze samples quickly.…”

“…[5] Paints and coatings are common samples in forensic cases, which makes the ability to identify and differentiate paint origins an important tool. For example, architectural paint, or latex paint, can be presented in cases of forced entry (such as paint smears on a tool.)…”

“…Utilizing the elemental concentrations, discrimination using LIBS were as follows: >99% for glass [5], >97% for cotton by US region [32], 97.7% for printing papers [4], and 96.4% for black gel inks [4].…”

“…Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy has successfully been used to determine elemental concentrations in a wide variety of samples, including glass [5,27], cotton [32], automobile paints [27], paper [4], and ink [4], among others. Utilizing the elemental concentrations, discrimination using LIBS were as follows: >99% for glass [5], >97% for cotton by US region [32], 97.7% for printing papers [4], and 96.4% for black gel inks [4].…”