Fingerprinting in Forensic Studies

ToF-SIMS has been utihzed to obtain characteristic mass spectra and images from different smokeless gunpowders and black powder samples. In the mass spectra obtained, peaks indicative of both the organic and inorganic additive constituents in the gunpowder samples were observed. 

Consequently, ToF-SIMS enables a differentiation to be made between different gunpowder samples with the aid of principal component analysis (PCA).  

In spite of the high cost of secondary ion mass spectrometers and the technical expertise required, this sensitive microlocal and surface analytical technique can be applied successfully in forensic studies, e.g., for measurement of trace elements and inks on counterfeit banknotes.  

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