Trace explosive detection in fingerprints with Raman chemical imaging

Abstract

Wide-field Raman chemical imaging (RCI) has been used to detect and identify the presence of trace explosives in contaminated fingerprints. A background subtraction routine was developed to minimize the Raman spectral features produced by surfaces on which the fingerprint was examined. The Raman image was analyzed with a spectral angle mapping routine to detect and identify the explosives. This study shows the potential capability to identify explosives non-destructively so that the fingerprint remains intact for further biometric analysis.