Navigating the Latest Trends and Advancements in Forensic Analysis

Forensic analysis is currently undergoing a massive shift. Given the new demands of forensic investigations, forensic scientists are increasingly moving from specialized laboratories directly into the field and utilizing sophisticated molecular technologies. From the rapid identification of street drugs to dating bloodstains at a crime scene, the latest developments in spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) are changing how forensic investigations are being detected both from a time and accuracy standpoint. To explore these trends, we examine insights from leading experts and several studies recently published. These sources illuminate the ongoing trends in forensic analysis, which will be explored more in depth at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) Conference, which will take place from February 9–14^th in New Orleans, Louisiana.

What is the most significant trend currently reshaping forensic analysis?

One of the most impactful trends is the decentralization of chemical analysis, shifting sophisticated tools from the laboratory to the scene of the crime. Portable and handheld instrumentation has played a major role in allowing first responders to identify unknown substances like white powder street drugs immediately and safely without transporting and potentially destroying the sample to an offsite laboratory.

Several spectroscopic techniques have been miniaturized, such as Raman spectroscopy, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). These techniques have also been used in several application areas that require forensic analysis. For example, portable NIR sensors have been used to detect food adulteration, and portable LIBS sensors have been used to analyze fingerprint, soil, and gunshot residue on scene without transporting samples back to the laboratory (1,2). This shift reduces laboratory caseloads and speeds up the enforcement of drug policies with increased precision.

How is mass spectrometry (MS) evolving to meet modern criminal justice needs?

Mass spectrometry (MS) remains the "gold standard" for confirming the identity of seized drugs and ignitable liquids (3). However, Glen Jackson of West Virginia University noted that the field is moving toward maximizing the evidential power of MS results (3). One exciting advancement is the use of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS-MS) to resolve isomers that are traditionally difficult to distinguish, such as various fentanyl analogs (3).

Furthermore, researchers are developing new algorithms to overcome "spectral variance," where substances analyzed on different days or different instruments might yield slightly different data (3). These expert algorithms aim to identify substances without needing a physical standard analyzed at the exact same time as the casework sample, potentially changing how digital libraries are used in forensic investigations.

What new spectroscopic techniques are helping investigators solve complex cases at the crime scene?

Beyond traditional tools, optical photothermal IR (O-PTIR) spectroscopy is emerging as a technology to watch. According to Brooke Kammrath of the University of New Haven, O-PTIR provides comprehensive, non-destructive analysis of materials like automotive paint layers that were previously too thin to analyze (under 10 micrometers) (4).

Another major advancement is the application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Although standard Raman can be limited by weak signals in biological samples, SERS uses metallic nanoparticles (such as silver or gold) to significantly amplify vibrational signals (4,5). Recent research has demonstrated that when combined with multivariate analysis, SERS is able to successfully discriminate different types of illicit drugs like MDMA and THC in complex blood samples, even at low concentrations (5).

Can forensic technology now determine the "age" of evidence found at a scene?

Yes, and this has been witnessed in numerous studies. For example, a team of researchers used forensic technology to determine the time since deposition (TSD) of bloodstains, which is vital for establishing timelines in a crime (6). Recent studies also demonstrated that attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy, combined with chemometrics, can predict the age of a bloodstain for up to 212 days with high accuracy (6). Researchers at the University of Genova compared near-infrared (NIR) and ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy for this purpose, finding that NIR is particularly robust for practical forensic applications because it is relatively independent of environmental factors and sample preprocessing steps (5,6).

How are these advancements impacting specific types of criminal investigations, such as child abuse or arson?

Technological precision is now providing evidence where morphological diagnosis once failed. In a recent child abuse case, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX) spectrometry was used to analyze suspicious skin lesions (7). By comparing the chemical distribution patterns in the lesions to a cigarette butt found at the scene, investigators were able to confirm the injuries were intentional cigarette burns, leading to additional charges of child abuse against the perpetrator (7). Similarly, portable LIBS sensors are being refined to perform "depth profiling" of car paint at scenes, which can identify the make, model, and year of a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident (1).

What are the primary challenges to implementing these new technologies?

Despite the scientific rigor of methods like MS, which is based on the fundamental physics of matter, the legal system requires that techniques be "fit for purpose" and generally accepted (3). Jackson highlights a historical challenge where courts have been "helpless" when experts from opposing sides read different conclusions into the same MS data (3). Additionally, the high cost of upfront maintenance for portable GC–MS instruments can be a hurdle, even though the potential savings in jail costs could save the criminal justice system a fortune.

Conclusion

The latest trends in forensic analysis emphasize speed, non-destructivity, and portability (1–8). By integrating advanced chemometric strategies, such as data fusion and expert algorithms, with powerful spectroscopic tools, forensic scientists are providing more meaningful probabilities and error rates for their findings (3,5). As these technologies move from academic research into standardized practice, they promise to strengthen the reliability of evidence and the overall efficiency of the justice system.

References

1. 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 (accessed 2026-01-22).
2. Ying, L. L.; Saleena, L. A. K.; Solihin, M. I.; Phing, P. L. Physicochemical Analysis and Detection of Rice Syrup Adulteration in Kelulut Honey Using Portable Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10),29–37. Available at:https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/physicochemical-analysis-and-detection-of-rice-syrup-adulteration-in-kelulut-honey-using-portable-near-infrared-spectroscopy (accessed 2026-01-22).
3. Wetzel, W. Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Analysis: An Interview with Glen Jackson. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10),8–12. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/mass-spectrometry-for-forensic-analysis-an-interview-with-glen-jackson (accessed 2026-01-22).
4. Wetzel, W. The Future of Forensic Analysis: An Interview with Brooke Kammrath. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10),13–17. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-future-of-forensic-analysis-an-interview-with-brooke-kammrath (accessed 2026-01-22).
5. Workman, Jr., J. The Scene of the Crime: Using NIR and UV-Vis Spectroscopy in Bloodstain Dating. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10),21–22. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/the-scene-of-the-crime-using-nir-and-uv-vis-spectroscopy-in-bloodstain-dating (accessed 2026-01-22).
6. Wetzel, W. Determining the Age of Bloodstains at Crime Scenes Using ATR FT-IR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10),18–19. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/determining-the-age-of-bloodstains-at-crime-scenes-using-atr-ft-ir-spectroscopy-and-chemometrics (accessed 2026-01-22).
7. Chasse, J. SEM/EDX Analysis on Suspected Cigarette Burns in a Forensic Autopsy Case of Child Abuse. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2024, 39 (s10),20–21. Available at: https://www.spectroscopyonline.com/view/sem-edx-analysis-on-suspected-cigarette-burns-in-a-forensic-autopsy-case-of-child-abuse (accessed 2026-01-22).
8. Açıkgöz, G.; Çolak, A. Illicit Drug Analysis in Blood Samples with Multivariate Analysis Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Spectroscopy Suppl. 2023, 38 (s6), 20–27. DOI: 10.56530/spectroscopy.er6076l5