IDENTIFICATION AND COMPARISON OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES BY NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS

A feasibility study was conducted on the application of activation analysis to forensic chemistry. Test portions of automobile paint finish, soot, and soil samples were irradiated in the ORNL Graphite Reactor and the induced gamma radioactivity of each specimen measured with a gamma scintillation spectrometer. Spectral decay curves of the radionuclides in the various specimens classified the materials as to origin. This nondestructive technique is particularly suitable for the analysis of evidence samples that must be maintained in its as-is'' state. (auth