Trace

Goal: To develop measurement characterization tools, methods, and algorithms to improve the accurate identification and analysis of small fragments or microscopic quantities of chemical or physical evidence.  

What is NIST doing? 

Glass  

• Evaluation of sources of variability in the µXRF analysis of small glass fragments (in collaboration with Dr. Tatiana Trejos at WVU)  

• Validation of Novel Statistical Approaches for the Interpretation of Trace Evidence 

•  Glass Analysis using LA-ICP-MS  

Hair  

• Develop a more comprehensive hair peptide spectral library for human identification  

Fire Debris  

• Develop a portable headspace sampling unit and testing/optimization of adsorbent materials for forensic vapor sampling  

• Develop rapid screening methods and sampling procedures for Ignitable Liquid Residues (ILR) analysis using QuickProbe  

Polymeric Material  

• Trace Elemental Characterization of Polymeric Source Material used in 3D Printing by ICP-MS, LA-ICP-MS, LIBS, and µXRF  

Associated Links

• Materials Measurement Science Division
• Glass Analysis
• Fire Debris and Explosives

• Vapor Sampling to Support Public Safety and Forensics

• A Solution to a Hairy Problem in Forensic Science (News Story) 
• OSAC
• Center of Excellence (CSAFE)