Structural Fire Forensics: Using Optically Active Nanoparticles to Determine a Fire's Thermal Impulse

• NCJ Number: 308313
• Author(s): Benjamin R. Anderson; Ray Gunawidjaja; Natalie Gese; Gediminas Markevicius; Helena Diez-y-Riega; Hergen EilersH. Eilers
• Date Published: 2016
• Grant Number(s): 2015-DN-BX-K073
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Publication
• Award: Temperature Sensors Embedded in Paint for Fire Debris Analysis and Arson Scene Investigations

Annotation

This paper presents the details of the development of optically active nanoparticles to determine a fire’s thermal impulse.

Abstract

One difficulty in structural fire forensics is accurately determining a fire’s thermal impulse. To address this difficulty, the authors report on their development of optically active nanoparticles whose spectral properties irreversibly change when heated.