Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy can be used for the chemical characterization of glass to provide evidence of an association between a fragment found at a crime scene to a source of glass of known origin. Two different laser irradiances, $266\mathrm{nm}$ and $1064\mathrm{nm}$ , were used to conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis of glass standards. Single-pulse and double-pulse configurations and lens-to-sample-distance settings were optimized to yield the best laser–glass coupling. Laser energy and acquisition timing delays were also optimized to result in the highest signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the highest precision and accuracy. The crater morphology was examined and the mass removed was calculated for both the $266\mathrm{nm}$ and $1064\mathrm{nm}$ irradiations. The analytical figures of merit suggest that the $266\mathrm{nm}$ and $1064\mathrm{nm}$ wavelengths are capable of good performance for the forensic chemical characterization of glass. The results presented here suggest that the $266\mathrm{nm}$ laser produces a better laser–glass matrix coupling, resulting in a better stoichiometric representation of the glass sample. The $266\mathrm{nm}$ irradiance is therefore recommended for the forensic analysis and comparison of glass samples.

© 2010 Optical Society of America

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