CHAPTER 13: Raman Spectroscopy as a Cultural Heritage Forensic Tool

The use of Raman spectroscopy as a tool to provide answers placed by forensic researchers has become increasingly recurrent. As an easy-to-use and non-invasive technique on a micro-analysis scale, Raman spectroscopy has been used in fields ranging from trace compounds' identification in criminal contexts to the authenticity evaluation of artworks intercepted in trade markets by the authorities. In this chapter, the use of Raman spectroscopy to provide answers placed by forensic researchers to our laboratory will be presented, focusing on both approaches followed for samples in a criminal context and for authenticity requests.