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US 6,640,132 B1Granted
Forensic hyperspectral apparatus and method
AssigneeHyperMed, Inc.
InventorsJenny Freeman, Michael J. Hopmeier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention relates to portable imaging devices, such as hyperspectral imaging devices, useful for forensic and other analysis, and methods for using these devices. Devices of the present invention provide images and patterned data arrays representing images in multiple discrete spectra that can then be summed or processed to allow for detection of patterns or anomalies in the data collected.
Claims26
A portable apparatus for analyzing a target comprising:
- means for obtaining a data set from a target, and
- means for providing images and patterned data arrays representing images in multiple discrete spectra that can be summed or processed, singly or in multiples wherein said apparatus is adaptable to an application selected from the group consisting of:
- determining time of death based on a change in cellular chemistry of said target;
- evaluating a proximity of a gunshot based on residue left on said target;
- determining a severity of blunt trauma;
- determining whether oxygen deprivation occurred pre-mortem;
- evaluating drug status;
- identifying a location of body fluids on a body or other surface;
- determining if an injury is old or new;
- field assessment;
- location of evidence and evaluation in situ;
- determining the location of man made objects;
- evaluating machined surfaces, which have varying polarization and spectral responses, often differing from those, as a class, found on natural objects;
- studying bodily fluids over a large area;
- identifying a point of impact;
- evaluating an entire scene, rather than sample point by point;
- identifying different hairs for DNA analysis;
- locating and separating out hairs in a carpet;
- and analyzing chemical residues on a suspect.
16 more elements
A portable hyperspectral imaging apparatus comprising:
- an optical acquisition system;
- and
- a diagnostic processor, wherein said diagnostic processor comprises one or more diagnostic modules adapted for forensic analysis wherein said diagnostic protocol module is adaptable to an application selected from the group consisting of:
- determining time of death based on a change in cellular chemistry of said target;
- evaluating a proximity of a gunshot based on residue left on said target;
- determining a severity of blunt trauma;
- determining whether oxygen deprivation occurred pre-mortem;
- evaluating drug status;
- identifying a location of body fluids on a body or other surface;
- determining if an injury is old or new;
- field assessment;
- location of evidence and evaluation in situ;
- determining the location of man made objects;
- evaluating machined surfaces, which have varying polarization and spectral responses, often differing from those, as a class, found on natural objects;
- studying bodily fluids over a large area;
- identifying a point of impact;
- evaluating an entire scene, rather than sample point by point;
- identifying different hairs for DNA analysis;
- locating and separating out hairs in a carpet;
- and analyzing chemical residues on a suspect.
17 more elements
A portable apparatus for analyzing a target comprising:
- means for obtaining a data set from a target, and
- means for providing images and patterned data arrays representing images in multiple discrete spectra that can be summed or processed, singly or in multiples wherein said apparatus is adaptable to an application selected from the group consisting of:
- determining timing of event by assessing change of sample over time;
- assessment of drying out, integrating over time;
- determination of moisture content;
- determining velocity of impact based on analysis of tissue and chemical damage;
- certain species may be separated due to the centrifuge-like environment;
- analyzing tissue damage/cellular disruption;
- determining velocity or terminal velocity, or speed of disruption as a result of separation of components due to variations in mass or density;
- analyzing minute particles;
- identifying the presence of algae feeding on a body in water;
- concentrations or alterations in the local environment may indicate presence of particular chemicals;
- locating a fluid or other substance by looking for the effect of the particular fluid or substance on grass, concrete or any surface;
- determining status of structures and near surface phenomena;
- and evaluating effects of chemical attacks/processes on materials.
12 more elements
A portable hyperspectral imaging apparatus comprising:
- an optical acquisition system;
- and
- a diagnostic processor, wherein said diagnostic processor comprises one or more diagnostic modules adapted for forensic analysis wherein said diagnostic protocol module is adaptable to an application selected from the group consisting of:
- determining timing of event by assessing change of sample over time;
- assessment of drying out, integrating over time;
- determination of moisture content;
- determining velocity of impact based on analysis of tissue and chemical damage;
- certain species may be separated due to the centrifuge-like environment;
- analyzing tissue damage/cellular disruption;
- determining velocity or terminal velocity, or speed of disruption as a result of separation of components due to variations in mass or density;
- analyzing minute particles;
- identifying the presence of algae feeding on a body in water;
- concentrations or alterations in the local environment may indicate presence of particular chemicals;
- locating a fluid or other substance by looking for the effect of the particular fluid or substance on grass, concrete or any surface;
- determining status of structures and near surface phenomena;
- and evaluating effects of chemical attacks/processes on materials.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.