Abstract
Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy can be used for the chemical characterization of glass to provide evidence of an association between a fragment found at a crime scene to a source of glass of known origin. Two different laser irradiances, and , were used to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of glass standards. Single-pulse and double-pulse configurations and lens-to-sample-distance settings were optimized to yield the best laser–glass coupling. Laser energy and acquisition timing delays were also optimized to result in the highest signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the highest precision and accuracy. The crater morphology was examined and the mass removed was calculated for both the and irradiations. The analytical figures of merit suggest that the and wavelengths are capable of good performance for the forensic chemical characterization of glass. The results presented here suggest that the laser produces a better laser–glass matrix coupling, resulting in a better stoichiometric representation of the glass sample. The irradiance is therefore recommended for the forensic analysis and comparison of glass samples.
© 2010 Optical Society of America
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