Instruments, Detectors, and Light Sources in Forensic Science

Published on July 21, 2025

Instrument Name	Detector Used	Light Source
Gas Chromatograph (GC)	Flame Ionization Detector (FID)	UV Light Source
Liquid Chromatograph (LC)	UV-Vis Detector	UV Light Source
Mass Spectrometer (MS)	Mass Spectrometer Detector	Laser Light Source
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)	Fluorescence Detector	UV Light Source
Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)	UV-Vis Detector	UV Light Source
Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR)	Infrared Detector	Infrared Light Source
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer	UV-Vis Detector	UV Light Source
Stereomicroscope	Optical Detector	White Light Source
Compound Microscope	Optical Detector	White Light Source
DNA Sequencer	Fluorescence Detector	Laser Light Source
Centrifuge	None (Sample Preparation)	Visible Light Source
Gel Electrophoresis System	Fluorescence Detector	UV Light Source
Environmental Monitoring Device	Optical Detector	White Light Source
Caliper	None (Manual Measurement)	Visible Light Source
Osteometric Board	None (Manual Measurement)	Visible Light Source
3D Scanner	Laser Detector	Laser Light Source
X-ray Machine	Radiographic Detector	X-ray Source
CT Scanner	Radiographic Detector	X-ray Source
Comparison Microscope	Optical Detector	White Light Source
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)	Backscatter Electron Detector	Electron Beam Source
Laser Measuring Device	Laser Detector	Laser Light Source
Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)	UV-Vis Detector	Multi-Spectral Light Source
Electrostatic Detection Apparatus (ESDA)	Electrostatic Charge Detector	Visible Light Source
Raman Spectrometer	Raman Detector	Laser Light Source
Cyanoacrylate Fuming Chamber	Fluorescence Detector	Alternative Light Source (ALS)
Laser Scanner (Fingerprinting)	Fluorescence Detector	Laser Light Source
Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS)	Mass Spectrometer Detector	Laser Light Source
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Machine	Fluorescence Detector	Laser Light Source
Automated Liquid Handling Workstation	Fluorescence Detector	UV Light Source
Autopsy Dissection Kit	None (Manual Tool)	Visible Light Source
Histology Equipment	Optical Detector	White Light Source
Polygraph Machine	Galvanic Skin Response Detector	Visible Light Source
Electroencephalogram (EEG) Device	EEG Detector	Visible Light Source
X-ray Diffraction (XRD)	X-ray Detector	X-ray Source
Digital Camera	CMOS/CCD Sensor	Alternative Light Source (ALS)
Video Forensic Workstation	CMOS/CCD Sensor	UV Light Source
Computer Forensic Workstation	Digital Signal Detector	Visible Light Source
Mobile Device Extraction Tool	Pattern Recognition Algorithm	Visible Light Source
Material Testing Machine	Strain Gauge Detector	Visible Light Source
Finite Element Analysis Software	Pattern Recognition Algorithm	Visible Light Source
Financial Analysis Software	Pattern Recognition Algorithm	Visible Light Source
Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS)	Ion Detector	Laser Light Source
Metal Detector	Magnetic Field Detector	Visible Light Source
Evidence Drying Cabinet	None (Sample Preservation)	Visible Light Source
Electrostatic Dust Lifter	Electrostatic Charge Detector	Visible Light Source
Laser Trajectory Kit	Laser Detector	Laser Light Source