Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience

Paola Petrosino; Duncan Pirrie; Licia Santoro; Roberto de Gennaro

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6_3

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience

Paola Petrosino, Duncan Pirrie, Licia Santoro, Roberto de Gennaro

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

This chapter offers an overview of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Microanalysis fundamentals using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS). The main technical features and steps necessary to acquire high-resolution images and obtain reliable chemical analytical results are here briefly summarized. The chapter also describes the main advantages of using this non-destructive technique for forensic geosciences applications, with a particular focus on Automated Mineralogy (AM). This analytical technique expands the potentiality of modern SEM systems, allowing a rapid achievement of mineral classification and modal composition of grain mixtures. Finally, we present real case studies on applying SEM-EDS, WDS, and AM techniques to several fields of forensic geology. Significant examples will include studies on prediction of soil provenance, fingerprinting of the air-borne asbestos, and comparison between soils and sediment samples to test an association between a soil residue found on the crime scene and relevant items for investigation.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Forensics
Subtitle of host publication	A Guidance on Mineralogical Techniques and Their Application to the Forensic Field
Editors	Mariano Mercurio, Alessio Langella, Rosa Maria Di Maggio, Piergiulio Cappelletti
Publisher	Springer
Pages	61-91
Number of pages	31
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-031-08834-6
ISBN (Print)	978-3-031-08833-9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6_3 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6
Publication status	Published - 23 Nov 2022

Publication series

Name	Soil Forensics
Publisher	Springer
ISSN (Print)	2214-4293
ISSN (Electronic)	2214-4315

Keywords

Electron microanalysis
Non-destructive techniques
Automated technology
Airborne asbestos
Soil provenancing

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Chapter 3_SEM Petrosino et al. 2022
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Petrosino, P., Pirrie, D., Santoro, L., & de Gennaro, R. (2022). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience. In M. Mercurio, A. Langella, R. M. Di Maggio, & P. Cappelletti (Eds.), Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Forensics: A Guidance on Mineralogical Techniques and Their Application to the Forensic Field (pp. 61-91). (Soil Forensics). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6_3, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6

Petrosino, Paola ; Pirrie, Duncan ; Santoro, Licia et al. / Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience. Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Forensics: A Guidance on Mineralogical Techniques and Their Application to the Forensic Field. editor / Mariano Mercurio ; Alessio Langella ; Rosa Maria Di Maggio ; Piergiulio Cappelletti. Springer, 2022. pp. 61-91 (Soil Forensics).

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title = "Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience",

abstract = "This chapter offers an overview of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Microanalysis fundamentals using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS). The main technical features and steps necessary to acquire high-resolution images and obtain reliable chemical analytical results are here briefly summarized. The chapter also describes the main advantages of using this non-destructive technique for forensic geosciences applications, with a particular focus on Automated Mineralogy (AM). This analytical technique expands the potentiality of modern SEM systems, allowing a rapid achievement of mineral classification and modal composition of grain mixtures. Finally, we present real case studies on applying SEM-EDS, WDS, and AM techniques to several fields of forensic geology. Significant examples will include studies on prediction of soil provenance, fingerprinting of the air-borne asbestos, and comparison between soils and sediment samples to test an association between a soil residue found on the crime scene and relevant items for investigation.",

keywords = "Electron microanalysis, Non-destructive techniques, Automated technology, Airborne asbestos, Soil provenancing",

author = "Paola Petrosino and Duncan Pirrie and Licia Santoro and {de Gennaro}, Roberto",

year = "2022",

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doi = "10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6_3",

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Petrosino, P, Pirrie, D, Santoro, L & de Gennaro, R 2022, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience. in M Mercurio, A Langella, RM Di Maggio & P Cappelletti (eds), Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Forensics: A Guidance on Mineralogical Techniques and Their Application to the Forensic Field. Soil Forensics, Springer, pp. 61-91. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6_3, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience. / Petrosino, Paola; Pirrie, Duncan; Santoro, Licia et al.
Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Forensics: A Guidance on Mineralogical Techniques and Their Application to the Forensic Field. ed. / Mariano Mercurio; Alessio Langella; Rosa Maria Di Maggio; Piergiulio Cappelletti. Springer, 2022. p. 61-91 (Soil Forensics).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

TY - CHAP

T1 - Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience

AU - Petrosino, Paola

AU - Pirrie, Duncan

AU - Santoro, Licia

AU - de Gennaro, Roberto

PY - 2022/11/23

Y1 - 2022/11/23

N2 - This chapter offers an overview of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Microanalysis fundamentals using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS). The main technical features and steps necessary to acquire high-resolution images and obtain reliable chemical analytical results are here briefly summarized. The chapter also describes the main advantages of using this non-destructive technique for forensic geosciences applications, with a particular focus on Automated Mineralogy (AM). This analytical technique expands the potentiality of modern SEM systems, allowing a rapid achievement of mineral classification and modal composition of grain mixtures. Finally, we present real case studies on applying SEM-EDS, WDS, and AM techniques to several fields of forensic geology. Significant examples will include studies on prediction of soil provenance, fingerprinting of the air-borne asbestos, and comparison between soils and sediment samples to test an association between a soil residue found on the crime scene and relevant items for investigation.

AB - This chapter offers an overview of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electron Microanalysis fundamentals using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and Wavelength Dispersive Spectroscopy (WDS). The main technical features and steps necessary to acquire high-resolution images and obtain reliable chemical analytical results are here briefly summarized. The chapter also describes the main advantages of using this non-destructive technique for forensic geosciences applications, with a particular focus on Automated Mineralogy (AM). This analytical technique expands the potentiality of modern SEM systems, allowing a rapid achievement of mineral classification and modal composition of grain mixtures. Finally, we present real case studies on applying SEM-EDS, WDS, and AM techniques to several fields of forensic geology. Significant examples will include studies on prediction of soil provenance, fingerprinting of the air-borne asbestos, and comparison between soils and sediment samples to test an association between a soil residue found on the crime scene and relevant items for investigation.

KW - Electron microanalysis

KW - Non-destructive techniques

KW - Automated technology

KW - Airborne asbestos

KW - Soil provenancing

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DO - 10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6_3

M3 - Chapter

SN - 978-3-031-08833-9

T3 - Soil Forensics

SP - 61

EP - 91

BT - Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Forensics

A2 - Mercurio, Mariano

A2 - Langella, Alessio

A2 - Di Maggio, Rosa Maria

A2 - Cappelletti, Piergiulio

PB - Springer

ER -

Petrosino P, Pirrie D, Santoro L, de Gennaro R. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience. In Mercurio M, Langella A, Di Maggio RM, Cappelletti P, editors, Mineralogical Analysis Applied to Forensics: A Guidance on Mineralogical Techniques and Their Application to the Forensic Field. Springer. 2022. p. 61-91. (Soil Forensics). doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6_3, 10.1007/978-3-031-08834-6

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in forensic geoscience

Abstract

Publication series

Keywords

UN SDGs

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