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The Use of Ultraviolet Imaging in Forensic Investigation
High Resolution Lenses for machine vision, instrumentation, inspection and vibration-sensitive applications. Standard and custom hi-res lens assemblies.
Ultraviolet Imaging
Ultraviolet imaging has become better known to the general public in most part because of TV shows such as CSI. In these crime scenes TV shows we are exposed to many of the various methods forensic scientists use to catch the ‘bad guys’. Although some things on these shows seem to be a little farfetched (to say the least), we do get a good look at some that have become amazing tools to criminal investigators and forensic scientists.
One of these tools is Ultraviolet (UV) Imaging. If you’ve ever watched an episode of CSI then you’ve probably seen this tool used in at least one of the investigations. Former CSI favorite Gil Grissom snaps a couple photographs of a dark crime scene then later review the photos to discover a previously invisible fingerprint or bruise on a victim’s body. Voila, crime solved! This might seem like something out of a science fiction movie but in reality ultraviolet imaging is an amazing tool that lets us see things invisible to the naked eye.
Ultraviolet imaging is the process of taking a photograph using only the light from the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. In normal photography we are exposed to only the radiation spectrum which is visible to the human eye. This spectrum covers the spectral region from about 400-750 nanometers while the ultraviolet spectrum covers the spectral region from 1-400 nanometers. The ultraviolet spectrum is actually made up of colors we can’t see. It’s like the visual equivalent of the dog whistle we are unable to hear. With the help of an ultraviolet quartz lens however we are able to detect these otherwise invisible colors.
Universe Kogaku America (Universe) Optics has an amazing line of these ultraviolet quartz lenses. Universe Optics has designed and manufactured these lenses as a reasonably priced solution to the growing need for imaging in the other than visible spectrum. Owing to the broad transmission range of the quartz elements this family of lenses can transmit well into the Infra-red spectrum as well, which are the spectral regions of 750 and above, also invisible to the human eye.
Our new line of Ultra Violet Quartz Lenses for imaging in the deep UV spectrum is available from stock in 25, 50, 78, and 105mm focal lengths, these lenses are well suited to forensic investigation and other UV and Infra-red imaging applications.