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Visualization of Latent Blood Stains Using Visible Reflectance Hyperspectral Imaging and Chemometrics
Author(s) -
Edelman Gerda J.,
Leeuwen Ton G.,
Aalders Maurice C.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/1556-4029.12591
Subject(s) - hyperspectral imaging , contrast (vision) , chemometrics , computer science , artificial intelligence , visualization , photography , crime scene , principal component analysis , computer vision , remote sensing , materials science , geology , archaeology , art , machine learning , visual arts , history
The detection of latent traces is an important aspect of crime scene investigation. Blood stains on black backgrounds can be visualized using chemiluminescence, which is invasive and requires a darkened room, or near‐infrared photography, for which investigators need to change filters manually to optimize contrast. We demonstrated the performance of visible reflectance hyperspectral imaging (400–720 nm) for this purpose. Several processing methods were evaluated: single wavelength bands, ratio images, principal component analysis ( PCA ), and “ SIMPL e‐to‐use Interactive S elf‐modeling M ixture A nalysis” ( SIMPLISMA ). Using these methods, we were able to enhance the contrast between blood stains and 12 different fabrics. On black cotton, blood dilutions were visible with a minimal concentration of 25% of whole blood. The hyperspectral camera system used in this study is portable and wireless, which makes it suitable for crime scene use. The described technique is noncontact and nondestructive, so all traces are preserved for further analysis.