Date of Award
Summer 8-29-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department/Program
Forensic Science
Language
English
First Advisor or Mentor
Thomas A. Kubic
Second Reader
Nicholas Petraco
Third Advisor
John Lombardi
Abstract
The goal of this study was to determine whether differentiation between 20 visually similar light brown synthetic wig fibers was possible with the use of a microspectrophotometer (MSP). Visually similar fibers were chosen to display the power of the instrument over the human eye. An MSP is an instrument that has the ability to aid in the analysis of certain microscopical samples. With this particular instrument one is able to collect the absorption and fluorescence spectra of microscopical colored samples without destroying the piece of evidence itself. Prior to any analysis with the MSP, the material of the fibers was verified through FT-IR ATR, as well as their optical properties. Using a lab-assembled MSP the absorbance measurements were obtained perpendicular and on a 45-degree angle to the polarizer. After the absorbance measurements were complete the fibers were then exposed to fluorescent light with UV, blue, and green excitation filter combinations. No single fiber displayed the exact same spectra to another, allowing differentiation. Especially when combining the information obtained through the absorbance measurements and the three excitation filter combinations, differentiation of all 20 visually similar light brown synthetic wig fibers was possible.
Recommended Citation
Beshlian, Jaclyn R., "A Microspectra Analysis of Synthetic Wig Fibers" (2019). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/jj_etds/124