Back to Basics: Analyzing the State of Forensic Science in 2026

Forensic science is currently evolving through the integration of advanced spectroscopic techniques and portable instrumentation.¹ Although mass spectrometry remains the most trusted method for identifying substances like seized drugs and ignitable liquids, the field is expanding rapidly into on-site analysis.² Innovations such as handheld Raman analyzers and portable LIBS sensors allow first responders to conduct rapid, non-destructive evaluations of evidence at the scene, potentially reducing laboratory backlogs and judicial costs.^1–3

In addition, we are also seeing new methods come out that help automate and simplify data interpretation, such as multivariate analysis and chemometric methods. However, despite these advancements, the field faces challenges regarding legal admissibility and the requirement for rigorous scientific foundations to meet Daubert standards in court.²

In this feature on the state of forensic analysis following the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Conference, we explore how forensic scientists are using spectroscopy in their work, and what trends they are seeing play out in the industry.

How are spectroscopic techniques being applied in forensics?

Over the past decade, there’s been a focused push to see what spectroscopic techniques can help aid forensic investigations. The good news is that researchers have not only discovered how to best use a wide variety of techniques, but what techniques are specifically tailored to the analysis that they are conducting.

For example, James Cizdziel, at the University of Mississippi, and his group uses micro-Fourier transform infrared (micro-FTIR) spectroscopy.

“Our [micro-FTIR] instrument has three modes of analysis: (1) transmission mode, which is the gold standard, in part, because many databases are based on transmission spectra, (2) reflection or transreflection mode, in which a thin sample is placed onto a reflective surface, such as a gold-coated slide, and the FT-encoded light is passed through the sample and reflected back to the detector (with some light being absorbed by the sample generating a spectrum that is characteristic of the sample), and (3) micro-attenuated total reflectance (ATR) where a crystal comes in contact with the sample and IR light penetrates the surface of the sample,” Cizdziel said to Spectroscopy.⁴

In some cases, forensic laboratories are exploring more than one method or technique.

“We are also using chemical imaging microspectroscopy for fingerprint analysis,” Cizdziel said.⁴ “Microspectroscopy examines a fingerprint nondestructively and can tie it directly to a particular compound, explosive, or drug. We are currently exploring the advantages and limitations of chemical imaging microspectroscopy in forensic fingerprint analysis using each of the three modes of analyses discussed earlier.”

Apart from analyzing explosives and drugs, forensics also entails analyzing body fluids and residues on clothing and cosmetics. Jaden Force, a graduate student at Towson University, and Kelly Elkins, a professor at Towson University, explain how they have used FT-IR spectroscopy in cosmetics and analyzing body fluids, respectively.

“We're interested in this question from a forensic perspective, because cosmetics are relatively frequently worn and they can be transferred,” Force said.⁵ “So if you have someone who's wearing a shirt takes it off, it's possible that you know the cause of discoloration that could transfer to that shirt. So then, if we have that shirt as a piece of evidence, we are able to use FT-IR spectroscopy to analyze that discoloration and possibly say we believe this is foundation or no, we believe this has been caused by something else.”

“In our research studies, we've used attenuated total reflectance FT-IR (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy for the differentiation of body fluid stains, including venous versus menstrual blood on various substrates you,” Elkins said to Spectroscopy.⁵

The question that most forensic researchers have to answer is which technique is best to use. Raman spectroscopy, for example, is often used to analyze inks, dyes, and trace evidence non-destructively.⁶ Another spectroscopic technique, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, is often used to analyze tape and metal fragments without damaging the evidence.⁷

The key, though, is that many forensic laboratories have limited funds, and this could dictate what types of instruments they can use. Tom Spudich, the Director of the Forensic Sciences Master’s Program and Professor of Analytical Chemistry at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, explains that this factors heavily into how scientific research is conducted.

“I focus on trying to lower the overall cost of the analysis by either reducing the time to complete the analysis or reduce the cost of equipment or reagents that are used,” Spudich said to Spectroscopy.⁸ “I do this in all areas of chemistry, which includes areas of forensics.”

What are some of the challenges forensic scientists are currently facing across the industry?

Currently, forensic scientists are dealing with numerous obstacles across the industry. One of these challenges is that there is a backlog of samples that need to be analyzed, but not enough forensic scientists to analyze them.

“A perennial challenge the backlog of samples to be analyzed,” Cizdziel said.⁴ “There is also the issue of compensation. Forensic scientists and practitioners are not paid enough and as a result many promising students interested in forensics end up in other fields. Funding is key to address sample backlogs and to retain the best forensic scientists. I know that many forensic leaders recognize these challenges and are working with their legislatures to help address funding gaps.”

Spudich concurred with the funding and staffing issues, but he admitted that he doesn’t see that changing anytime soon.

“What we need to do is we need to position ourselves, both in the academics as well as in the crime labs, to maximize performance,” Spudich said.⁸ “There's going to be some threshold point where you can't necessarily reduce any more based on what technology is available, and so we have to be able to address that moving forward and just say that realistically, this is the amount of money that we have, or we'll have to say realistically that this is the amount of funding that we have available, and this is the output that we can get from this funding.”

What does the future hold for forensic science?

There are currently a lot of changes occurring in forensics. Although there has been an increase of portable spectrometers and advanced analytical instrumentation, forensic scientists do not always adopt these new technologies. Part of it is that forensic laboratories don’t have the financial resources to purchase these tools, but there’s another deeper issue at play here.

For forensic scientists to help aid forensic investigations and help solve more crimes, the tools they use need to be accepted by the judicial system. The problem, of course, is that the court system doesn’t always recognize the technologies that would be most effective at solving a particular crime.

“Generally speaking, forensic science is relatively slow to adopt new technologies, and there's good reason for that,” Cizdziel said.⁴ “Courts need well-validated techniques [to be used as evidence in a criminal trial].”

Most of these new technologies are being heavily shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). The rise of AI, which has impacted nearly every industry in the global economy, is changing how forensic investigations are being conducted, especially when it comes to data analysis.

“Forensic chemists, in particular, generate lots of data, but being human are unable to see all the patterns in it,” Cizdziel said.⁴ “There are now advanced statistical techniques that are becoming simpler to use, as long as the analyst knows their limitations. Importantly, these techniques can help reduce bias which in forensics is very important.”

Another important focus in forensics is education. Over the past decade, there has been a disconnect between what is being taught at the university level and what employers are looking for in their future employees. Elkins explained that this disconnect is actively being remedied at the university level.

“Time and time again, I heard that employers are looking for hands-on laboratory skills,” Elkins said.⁹ “They want students to come with that experience from their college or university education. They want to see experience with analytical techniques and also statistical skills. And they want people who can think about the analysis and the results, and think about the problem with a forensic eye, and plan experiments and use the results to determine what they learned and what they can do next.”

Given all the ongoing changes occurring in scientific research and forensics, it is expected that these issues will continue to be talked about and addressed as best as possible. In the meantime, forensic scientists are faced with the prospect of adapting to these changes as quickly as possible. What that means for forensic analysis in the future will largely depend on how forensic scientists adopt new technologies and whether those currently working in the industry remain optimistic despite funding and personnel gaps.

References

1. Wetzel, W. The Future of Forensic Analysis: An Interview with Brooke Kammrath. Spectrosc. Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10), 13–17. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-future-of-forensic-analysis-an-interview-with-brooke-kammrath
2. Wetzel, W. Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Analysis: An Interview with Glen Jackson. Spectrosc. Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10), 8–12. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/mass-spectrometry-for-forensic-analysis-an-interview-with-glen-jackson
3. Workman, Jr., J. Compact LIBS Sensor Crime Scene Forensics. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10), 19–20. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/compact-libs-sensor-modernizes-crime-scene-forensics
4. Cizdziel, J.; Wetzel, W. The State of Forensic Science: An Interview with James Cizdziel. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-state-of-forensic-science-an-interview-with-james-cizdziel (accessed 2026-03-19).
5. Elkins, K.; Force, J.; Wetzel, W. Kelly Elkins and Jaden Force Discuss the State of Forensics. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/kelly-elkins-and-jaden-force-discuss-the-state-of-forensics (accessed 2026-03-19).
6. Guo, C.; Ge, Y.; Chu, L. et al. A Raman Spectral Area Scanning Method to Identify the Sequences of Crossed Writings and Seal Stamps. Spectrosc. Suppl. 2023, 38 (s6), 12–18. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.rn7976g7
7. Leatherland, L.; Chasse, Interlaboratory Assessment of Micro-XRF Silicon Drift Detector Systems for Forensic Elemental Analysis of Electrical Tape Evidence. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/interlaboratory-assessment-of-micro-xrf-silicon-drift-detector-systems-for-forensic-elemental-analysis-of-electrical-tape-evidence (accessed 2026-03-19).
8. Spudich, T.; Wetzel, W. Tom Spudich Discusses the State of Forensic Analysis. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/tom-spudich-discusses-the-state-of-forensic-analysis (accessed 2026-03-19).
9. Elkins, K.; Force, J.; Wetzel, W. et al. Career Advice for Aspiring Forensic Scientists: An Interview with Kelly Elkins and Jaden Force. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/career-advice-for-aspiring-forensic-scientists-an-interview-with-kelly-elkins-and-jaden-force (accessed 2026-03-19).