Application of Raman Spectroscopy for an Easy-to-Use, on-Field, Rapid, Nondestructive, Confirmatory Identification of Body Fluids

A novel method based on Raman spectroscopy will be developed for nondestructive, confirmatory identification of body fluids in biological stains discovered at a crime scene. Specific objectives include: 1) obtain statistically confident Raman spectroscopic characteristics for various body fluids including blood, semen, vaginal fluid, saliva, and sweat, 2) develop a statistical program for automatic identification of body fluids in the dry mixtures, 3) extend the application of the developed method to body fluid stains on various substrates including human skin, fabrics, carpets, hard surfaces, etc., 4) extend the application of the developed method to the dry body fluid mixtures contaminated with non-biological components, 5) determine the optimum wavelength range for Raman spectroscopic measurements from the viewpoint of the method selectivity, sensitivity, and reduction of fluorescence interference.

ca/ncf