Microscopic, spatially resolved composition (e.g. elemental, isotopic, molecular, and crystallographic), morphology, color, and other characteristics of potential evidentiary materials are analyzed quantitatively. Methods and reference materials are developed and tested to understand the reliability and uncertainty of the methods and interpretation of measurement results. Example application areas include analysis of explosives, drugs of abuse (controlled substances), glass, gunshot residue, coatings, single particles, particle populations ,and questioned document components.

 

key words

Forensic; Microscopy; Microanalysis; Trace evidence; Explosives; Controlled substance; Particles; Fibers;

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral applicants