Non-contact and non-destructive detection and identification of Bacillus anthracis inside paper envelopes. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kendler, Shai; Aharoni, Ran; Cohen, Shay; Raich, Raviv; Weiss, Shay; Levy, Haim; Mano, Ziv; Fishbain, Barak; Ron, Izhar
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 301(2019)
• Page Start: e55
• Page End: e58
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Bacillus anthracis -- Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) -- Short-wave infrared (SWIR) -- Algorithm -- Bio-terror; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.05.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Proof-of-concept for the identification of concealed BAS using SWIR-HSI is presented. Identification is based on removal of the envelope signal using an automatic algorithm. This technology may be used as a fast scanner prior to classical bioanalytical methods. Abstract: Efficient and safe detection of Bacillus anthracis spores (BAS) is a challenging task especially in bio-terror scenarios where the agent is concealed. We provide a proof-of-concept for the identification of concealed BAS inside mail envelopes using short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging (SWIR-HSI). The spores and two other benign materials are identified according to their typical absorption spectrum. The identification process is based on the removal of the envelope signal using a new automatic new algorithm. This method may serve as a fast screening tool prior to using classical bioanalytical techniques.