University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Poster Gallery
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Creation Date
Spring 2018
Major
Forensic Science
Department
Chemistry
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Lori J. Wilson
Mentor Department
Chemistry
Abstract
Our goal was to determine if X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy, XRF, could distinguish the elemental composition of glass fragments submitted as evidence. The first step was to verify the accuracy of the XRF instrument. The accuracy itself was called into question from a lack of a common result when a single NIST standard was ran amongst a Fall 2017 instrumental analysis lab section. After inspection by the Xenemetrix, it was determined that the detector had low sensitivity and only the low throughput setting gave accurate response. Also, the instrument was calibrated to elemental standards that were pre-installed under the sample tray. Now, rerunning the same NIST standard produces an accurate and consistent result. Additionally, an XRF spectra of two pieces of glass from different sources was obtained. The two spectra will be compared and the elements leading to the green color of the second piece of glass will be determined.
