CHAPTER 12: Future Challenges and Point-of-view

This book has shown several forensic analytical methods applied to all kinds of forensic samples. Ten different topics were addressed in this book: forensic sampling and sample preparation, Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS), Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), electrochemical devices, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Infrared (FTIR and NIRS), paper spray ionization mass spectroscopy, point-of-need and portable miniaturized devices and epigenetics. All of these topics were presented with different applications giving the reader a broad notion on how these analytical techniques are applied to forensic analysis. Nevertheless, there are still challenges in this area that can be overcome by the development of new methods, as will be addressed in this chapter.