The Primary Applications of Using Forensic Light Sources

Forensic light source is a vital requirement of any forensic laboratory or at a crime scene where with the help of these solutions, experts can detect the evidence that may not be generally visible to the eyes. At BCL, you can explore a range of advanced forensic light sources that are specific to the lab needs.

Generally, a forensic light source is composed of a powerful lamp consisting of the visible ultraviolet and infrared components of light. It then filters the light down into separate colour bands (wavelengths) that aids in improving the display of evidence with light interaction techniques such as absorption (darkening of evidence), fluorescence (glowing of evidence) and oblique lighting (revealing of small particle evidence).

Keep reading till the end to learn more about forensic light sources and the main applications for which they are used.

Detection of Latent Fingerprints

This is the most popular application for which forensic light source is used. The high-performance light source enables in improving the detection of latent fingerprints. Fingerprints that are made of oil and sweat on the skin’s surface are known as latent fingerprints and are invisible to the naked eye.

The light source uses fluorescent enhanced technique that compliments a light source greatly and therefore, increases the surface types from which latent fingerprints can be identified. Latent fingerprints over tough-to-detect surfaces such as paper products, concrete wall, heavily grained wood, rigid duct tape, etc. can be difficult to identify and collect.

The traditional methods may not suffice to reveal the latent fingerprint evidence on these surfaces or any other type of surfaces. They may go unidentified or even dismissed as they could not be detected with ample details.

The use of a forensic light source has been successfully implied for revealing such fingerprints. The wavelength of the forensic light source is required to be considered for processing the fingerprint evidence on different types of surfaces.

Body Fluids

Forensic Light Sources are also used for locating varied body fluids such as saliva, genital fluids, etc that are naturally fluorescent. The right forensic source light delivers a unique method to identify them at a crime scene.

With the help of powerful forensic laboratory light sources, the investigators are able to narrow down the area of evidence from where they can get such evidence and collect them. Experts don’t have to cover a large area such as the entire mattress or a carpet to pinpoint the evidence.

The dried-out body fluids will glow under the light source illumination; however, it is mostly preferred to choose light sources with longer wavelengths as they are able to eliminate the background interference and make the detection results more prominent.

Other than these, forensic light source is also used for detection of hair and fibres, bruises, gunshot residues, human bone fragments, shoe prints and other applications. Most crime investigators rely on high-performance light sources that are of extreme importance to get better results in evidence identification at a crime scene or event.