Best of the Week: Previewing AAFS 2026, Influential Articles in Biomedical Applications

This week, Spectroscopy published a variety of articles highlighting recent studies in several application areas. Key techniques and application areas highlighted in these articles include micro-Fourier transform infrared (micro-FTIR), inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and Raman spectroscopy. Happy reading!

The State of Forensic Science: An Interview with James Cizdziel

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ (AAFS) 2026 annual meeting, which will be held from February 9 to 14 in New Orleans, Louisiana, will feature a presentation by James Cizdziel of the University of Mississippi on advances in chemical imaging microspectroscopy for forensic analysis. In an interview with Spectroscopy, Cizdziel outlined how micro-FTIR and related techniques help enable non-destructive analysis of trace evidence such as paint chips, fingerprints, and inks.¹ He also reflects on broader trends shaping forensic science, including portable analytical tools, multidimensional chromatography, artificial intelligence (AI), green chemistry, and persistent challenges around funding, sample backlogs, and workforce development.¹

Tom Spudich Discusses the State of Forensic Analysis

In a preview of the 2026 AAFS Conference in New Orleans, Spectroscopy interviewed Tom Spudich of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville about the state of modern forensic science. Our discussion with Spudich aligns with the conference theme, “Back to Basics: The Fundamentals of Forensic Science,” emphasizing scientific rigor, standards development, and practitioner expertise.² In our discussion, Spudich discussed the current challenges facing forensic analysts and highlights his research on cost-effective analytical methods, including Raman spectroscopy, separation science for blood alcohol analysis, and fiber-optic sensors.² His perspective underscores the field’s renewed focus on fundamentals to strengthen forensic science and the justice system.

Polymer Identification via Raman Spectroscopy

In Part III of its interview series with David Clases, Spectroscopy explores how optical trapping enhances single-particle analysis by improving polymer identification with Raman spectroscopy and reducing background in ICP-MS measurements.³ Speaking at the 2026 Winter Conference on Plasma Spectrochemistry in Tucson, Clases explains how using light as an extraction mechanism allows particles to be trapped, characterized, and cleaned of dissolved matrix components.³ This approach lowers ionic and carbon background, improves detection limits, and enables analysis of smaller microplastic particles that are otherwise difficult to detect. The discussion also points toward future directions for ICP-MS research built on multimodal, single-particle strategies.

Top 10 Most Influential Articles on FT-IR Spectroscopy in Biomedical Applications (2021–2025)

This article reviews the rapid expansion of FT-IR spectroscopy in biomedical research, highlighting ten influential studies published between 2022 and early 2025. It shows how advances in attenuated total reflectance (ATR) sampling, live-cell analysis, chemometrics, and machine learning (ML) have shifted FT-IR from descriptive biochemical profiling toward predictive diagnostics and clinical relevance.⁴ Applications span tissues, cells, hair, blood, saliva, urine, and exercise physiology, demonstrating FT-IR’s versatility across disease detection, metabolic monitoring, and forensic analysis.⁴ Collectively, the reviewed studies position FT-IR as a maturing analytical platform with growing translational potential, while underscoring the need for standardization and clinical validation.

Top 10 Most Influential Articles on Raman Spectroscopy in Biomedical Applications (2021–2025)

This article reviews how Raman spectroscopy and its advanced variants have evolved into impactful tools for biomedical research and clinical translation. Drawing on ten influential review papers published between 2021 and 2025, it highlights progress in surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, coherent Raman imaging, near-infrared probes, chemical biology tags, and multimodal platforms.⁵ These developments have expanded Raman’s role in diagnostics, drug distribution studies, deep-tissue imaging, and precision medicine.⁵ The analysis also underscores the growing importance of chemometrics and machine learning while identifying remaining challenges, including sensitivity, standardization, and validation needed for routine clinical adoption.⁵

References

1. 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 2026-02-06).
2. 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 2026-02-06).
3. Wetzel, W. Polymer Identification via Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/polymer-identification-via-raman-spectroscopy (accessed 2026-02-06).
4. Workman, Jr., J. Top 10 Most Influential Articles on FT-IR Spectroscopy in Biomedical Applications (2021–2025). Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/top-10-most-influential-articles-on-ft-ir-spectroscopy-in-biomedical-applications-2021-2025- (accessed 2026-02-06).
5. Workman, Jr., J. Top 10 Most Influential Articles on Raman Spectroscopy in Biomedical Applications (2021–2025). Spectroscopy. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/top-10-most-influential-articles-on-raman-spectroscopy-in-biomedical-applications-2021-2025- (accessed 2026-02-06).