Forensics Light Source: CrimeScope® CS-16-500W

The CrimeScope^® CS-16-500W, the pinnacle of the SPEX Forensics Product Line, was created for departments that choose the power and IR capabilities of 500W Xenon lamps.

Image Credit: HORIBA Scientific

Image Credit: HORIBA Scientific

Features

Use and benefits

The CrimeScope^® CS-16-500W, developed for the laboratory to handle every application of a forensic light source but robust and rugged enough to be brought to the crime scene, generates an output in the UV and VIS and is available with optional IR. It is continuously tunable, enabling entire spectrum coverage.

CrimeScope CS 16 500Play

Video Credit: HORIBA Scientific

Ease of use

On the front of the CS-16-500W-15F is an automatic filter wheel with an LED readout. To manage wavelength selection, a remote control is built into the working end of the liquid light guide. There is no need to install a separate wire, connection, or control because the remote is integrated. For "hands-free" operation, an optional foot switch is offered.

Operate easily with one hand

With one hand, users can both direct the light and choose the wavelength, relieving the other hand for evidence collection. This design, which places the wavelength selector at the end of the light guide, is unique to SPEX Forensics’ Light Sources.

Infrared capability

Infrared output is an option perfect for forged documents and ink-ink differentiation. A light guide with four filters has been added to the device and can be plugged into the port on the side of the instrument. This feature adds four infrared wavelengths: LP630, LP715, LP780, and LP830.

Specifications

Technical specifications

Lifetime: 1,500 hours

Type of lamp: Xenon

Electrical power: 500WAC

Electrical specifications: 100-220 VOLT +/10%, 50/60 Hz, 7 AMP

Warranty: One year on parts and labor

Features

New high-throughput filters

Most complete—15 wavelengths on internal motorized wheel

High-intensity 500 W Xenon bulb for superior wavelength coverage

Wavelength fine-tuning

UV (300–400 nm), 415 nm, 445 nm, 455 nm, 475 nm, 495 nm, CSS (Crime Scene Search short pass filter SP540 nm), 515 nm, 535 nm, 555 nm, SP575 nm, 600 nm, 630 nm, 670 nm, white light.

Uniform and adjustable illumination spot

Remote control for one-hand operation

Optional computer control software

Optional infrared capability; LP 630 nm, LP715 nm, LP780 nm, LP830 nm

For added convenience, the CrimeScope may be configured with 12 wavelengths.

CrimeScope CS-16-400 and CrimeScope CS-16-10

The original CrimeScope CS-16-10 was launched in 1993, and its sequel, the CrimeScope CS-16-400, are no longer functional. They have been substituted by the CS-16-500W mentioned above.

SPEX Forensics continues to support both earlier CrimeScopes.

Applications

Bruises, bite marks, and pattern wounds

Image Credit: HORIBA Scientific

A tunable or multiple wavelength forensic light source may disclose bruising and patterned wound characteristics unseen under conventional white light illumination on some individuals.

Detection of body fluids with an alternate light source

Image Credit: HORIBA Scientific

Since body fluids, such as semen, saliva, and vaginal fluids, are naturally fluorescent, using a light source provides a novel approach to locating them. Instead of evaluating complete, huge items of evidence, such as a mattress, carpet, sheet, or article of clothing, a crime scene investigator can narrow down the particular regions of stains for collection. The dried body fluids will glow when illuminated by the light source.

Detection of gun shot and explosive residues

Image Credit: HORIBA Scientific

Many kinds of residues are observed in ammunition and explosives, which fluoresce. Observations of items can be made without touching the surface using a tunable forensic light source to detect if fluorescent residues are present.

Detection of trace evidence

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Forensic and other light sources can identify both fluorescent and non-fluorescent trace evidence.

Questioned documents

Image Credit: HORIBA Scientific

The primary applications regarding questioned documents and alternative light sources focus on “ink differentiation”. Even within the same apparent color type, many inks have various formulas. By observing ink responses as the hue of the light is tuned across the visible and infrared areas, a tunable forensic light source can be utilized to determine tiny differences in ink type.