- 期刊
The Development of X-Ray Fluorescence for Trace Evidence Detection and Documentation Analysis in Forensic Science
摘要
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive technology for quick multi-element analysis that requires minimal sample preparation. The spectra obtained by X-ray excitation can supply us with information complementary to those from other wavelengths. In recent years, the rapid advancement of XRF devices has led to an improvement in resolution, delivering better precision and accuracy. In addition, relevant XRF-based devices and methodologies have been developed for numerous applications. For example, portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) detectors make compositional information of evidence readily available by enabling on-site detection at crime scenes. There are several studies that use XRF in forensic science research, especially involving trace evidence and questioned documents. Common trace evidence includes glass, soil, fiber, hair, paint, gunshot residue, and explosives. Questioned document frequently involve coins, ink, and paper. The element compositional profile of the evidence helps to trace the source of the evidence. Furthermore, it can also be checked against standards to determine whether the analysis results are consistent. These studies are summarized to demonstrate the discriminating power of elemental analysis by XRF. XRF is likely to be increasingly explored and developed for forensic science applications in the future.