Validation of Raman and FTIR Spectroscopy Methods in Forensic Analysis of Questioned Documents

Abstract

Paper is of great interest to the examiner of questioned documents and forensic chemists because its examination can often answer questions concerning the identity of paper, its source or origin, and its date of manufacture. This information is often used to determine whether a document is authentic or fraudulent. Raman and infrared spectroscopy are two complementary spectroscopic techniques that can produce fast and efficient analysis of the paper of questioned documents. Considering the applicability of quantitative methods of analysis and the importance of the fields in which they are used, method validation is fundamental to the quality of the final results. In this study, a validation of infrared and Raman spectroscopy methods used to differentiate paper samples is described.