The founder of laser idea
Theodore Maiman is the man responsible for the establishment of laser technologies in the early 1960s (Hitz, Ewing & Hecht, 2011).The laser was made of beam lights that were used to make tiny substances to be much visible through the naked eye. At first, researchers and scientist thought the technology was not real and would trigger huge problems in future. Nonetheless, after a while various types of lasers were identified and their spectacular uses recognized. For instance, the ruby laser is known for emitting short pulses of laser light. The ruby laser used a lot of energy and the light beam originating from the ruby laser was not that helpful since it was short and lasted a few seconds (Hitz, Ewing & Hecht, 2011). Over the years, technology was applied to ensure changes were made to the original laser to ensure effective and efficient results were established. In addition, scientist used the original idea to ensure desirable results were established. To date laser technology is used in various ways including in forensic science and in diverse crime scenes.
The use of laser in forensic science
Technological development has enabled criminals to carry out their criminal activities with much accuracy and knowledge. Nonetheless, the application of technology in crime scenes has enabled scientist and investigators to find new ways in which crimes can be determined with ease even when the criminals use advanced technology in their criminal activities. Technological advancement, thus led to the origin of laser technologies. Laser technologies are used for diverse applications. Forensic science is one of the places where a laser technology is applied. Diverse types of laser technologies are used in forensic science, for instance, “spectroscopy, laser scanning, bullet trajectory projections and laser photography” (Chalmers, Edwards & Hargreaves, 2012).
In forensic science laser is used to investigate crime scenes to ensure an individual is not accused falsely. Use of human eye in analyzing crime scenes may result to wrong conclusions. In addition, when assessing bullets trajectory measurements using the old method of tapes and other traditional methods longer periods will be used before required results are retrieved. This will especially take place in a complex crime scene where thorough investigation is expected. Application of laser rods in complex crime scenes enhances speed of the investigation and ensures accuracy is observed. In forensic science, technicians are able to tell diverse DNA samples apart when analyzing a crime scene (Chalmers, Edwards & Hargreaves, 2012). The technicians use the laser technology to ensure DNA samples of individuals are identified with ease, this has promoted accuracy and has ensure the right criminals are held responsible for crimes committed.
Forensic technicians also use laser technologies in assessing blood samples present at the crime scene. At the crime scene, the laser technology is applied to ensure presence of blood samples in objects is identified and the cause of murder case is determined (Elliott, 2005). Forensic scientist can determine the cause of death of an individual by evaluating the blood samples present at the crime scene. This has assisted investigators in getting the criminals with ease. Laser beam light have a strong power that ensure even the tiniest of substances not visible to the naked eye are brought to light. Even when the criminals wipe away any blood sample present at the crime scene the chemical substance applied at the crime scene is used to bring to light the substance that was erased from the crime scene (Elliott, 2005).
How to solve crime with laser
Laser technologies by the use of rods are used to determine the point of origin of the gun shot in addition, the rod also verifies the exact distance of the shooter (Elliott, 2005). In cases where several people were involved in the shootout, the laser rod is used to determine the distance of each gunshot. The process of laser rod involves putting a laser rod in bullet holes found and the crime scenes and the laser rod are stimulated to release light. Laser beams gushing from each bullet hole will duplicate a pattern of all bullets fired, assisting investigators to photograph the whole exchange scene (Webb & Jones, 2004). Thus, forensic technicians are able to trail the trajectory of every bullet from its point of origin. In addition, the technicians will be able to recognize bullets originating from different directions.
Laser technologies also assist in spectroscopy, which involves the assessing of materials by analyzing the reflection and assimilation of light for the recognition of traces of substance remains for instance, illegal drugs or poisons (Webb & Jones, 2004). The method is used to establish the molecular arrangement of materials and chemical compounds. Spectroscopy works with infrared where molecular arrangements of polymers on surfaces is applied to sense volatile components or rather illegal drugs. The spectroscopy that can be carried at the crime scene can assess evidence on the spot. The evidence may be present in plastic bags, glass bottles, water solutions and particles present on surfaces. Use of this technology ensures accuracy is maintained and no suspect is charged without proper evidence (Elliott, 2005).
Laser fluorescent can also be used in assessing evidence at crime scenes. For instance, a flashlight used in to scan surfaces of crime scenes to trace fingerprints of people associated with the crime scene. The beam light present in the flashlight is used to determine if there any traces of fingerprints at the surfaces of objects, furniture , walls and doors of the crime scenes. The beams are applied to ensure the fingerprints are visible to the naked eye making the investigation thorough and clear. In the past, locating fingerprints from hidden places could take days before investigators were able to retrieve concrete evidence (Elliott, 2005). Nonetheless, the use of fluorescent ensures tracing fingerprints to be an easy task even when the criminals try hard to wipe evidence after committing a crime.
The fluorescent is also used in DNA testing to ensure accuracy is maintained (Webb & Jones, 2004). The fluorescent allows investigators to determine the molecules present in the DNA sample and assessing the results in order to determine suspects of a crime scene. The method is considered accurate because of high sensitivity associated with the laser beam lights.
Advancement in technology can therefore be determined to be the most useful piece of development in human life. The use of laser technologies in crime scene and crime samples has assisted both the forensic technicians and investigators in determining the cause of death of an individual in crime scenes. In addition, laser has also assisted in determine the objects used in doing the criminal activity. In the past investigation, of a crime scene could take a number of days but through the application of laser technology investigation has been made easier and no false verdicts are made against innocent people. In addition, people have enough faith and confidence in investigators because of the accuracy present in the use of laser technology.
References
Chalmers, J, Edwards, H & Hargreaves, M. (2012). Infrared and Raman spectroscopy in forensic science. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley.
Elliott, D. (2005). Ultraviolet laser technology and applications. San Diego: Academic Press.
Hitz, C, Ewing, J & Hecht, J. (2011). Introduction to laser technology. New York: IEEE Press.
Webb, C & Jones, J. (2004). Handbook of laser technology and applications. Bristol: Institute of Physics.
