Application of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy to Forensic Science: Analysis of Glass Samples

The goal of this project is to evaluate laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) as a tool for elemental analysis of glass samples. The work will take advantage of recent developments in affordable turn-key LIBS devices. The discriminating power of LIBS will be tested on various types of glass that have forensic relevance, including headlight glass. This effort will include collaboration with forensic scientists at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Department and will lead to the development of optimized and validated methods for laboratory analysis. In addition, the utility of LIBS for elemental analysis in the field will be investigated.

ca/ncf