C.S.I. Optics – Forensic Science

Follow the Clues…

UV Analysis

Fiber Thickness

Spectral Analysis

Sodium Streetlights

Near IR camera

Microscopes

  • Detecting footprints with UV light
  • Measuring thicknesses of hair samples with a laser
  • Testing eyewitness recall with sodium lamp
  • Analyzing spectral signatures of samples
  • Determining if bills are counterfeit using an IR camera
  • Finding microscopic details in bills

UV Analysis

Luminescence

Ultraviolet light can make objects with a specific composition glow

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Measure Fiber Thickness

Very slender object thicknesses can be measured with light by using diffraction

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Spectral Analysis

Diffraction

What element are we looking at? What does it look like through diffraction glasses? What does it look like with a spectrometer?
What element are we looking at? What does it look like through diffraction glasses? What does it look like with a spectrometer?

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Sodium Streetlights

Monochromatic Light

Under the sodium lamp these shirts all look gray…
…but they are actually three different red shirts!

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Near IR Camera

Near IR Camera

Real money has features visible only under a near infrared camera

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Microscopes

Microscopes

Microscopes can reveal details that the human eye cannot detect on its own

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Downloads

Optical Forensics Worksheet

Learn More (External Links)