Chapter 5 - Atomic absorption and emission spectrometry in forensic analysis

Abstract

In forensic science, it is of utmost importance to obtain information regarding the elemental composition of any forensic evidence, as this provides a confirmatory analysis of the same. In any forensic investigation, the evidence is often found in trace amounts. Therefore, it is imperative that a technique capable of analyzing even micro- or nanograms of elements be used. Atomic spectroscopy is one such technique that fulfills these conditions with relative ease. Atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy techniques allow highly sensitive, accurate, and rapid analysis of elements in such samples. In this chapter, a brief overview of the principle and theory of the atomic absorption and emission spectroscopy technique, their instrumental setup, and their applications in the analysis of various forensic evidence is discussed.