HandScope LED

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The only LED unit that changes and selects wavelengths like a forensic light source.

Segment: Scientific

Division: Forensics

Manufacturing Company: HORIBA Scientific

Use & Benefits

Historically, LED-based Alternate Light Sources had a major advantage over the traditional battery-powered bulb-based light sources: intensity. You could pack a lot of LEDs into a small handheld unit and would be able to illuminate evidence over a longer period of battery charge. However, the LED units had a few failings, among them; multiple units needed to cover the spectrum, very wide diffuse spots (output), and they built up a lot of heat over time, enough to cause discomfort for the user.

The HandScope® LED was designed to overcome the failings of ordinary LED light sources.

And it does so in surprising ways. Most importantly, the unit contains 5 wavelengths, providing coverage across the spectrum the forensic community has come to expect from a forensic light source.

The HandScope® LED is shockingly intense. Packed with multiple LEDs per color, each wavelength produces exceptional power, causing fluorescence for the application associated with each wavelength.

Power

The HandScope LED is one of the most powerful LED units on the market. It includes a 25,000 hour rated Light Engine with 5 wavelengths. Each wavelength runs at 40W each. The HandScope LED contains a replaceable, rechargeable Lithium Ion battery with a total runtime of 3 hours. The HandScope LED allows the user to swap out the battery when depleted, or simply plug the unit in to AC power. The unit will run as normal and simultaneously charge the battery.

Versatile and Easy to Use

By far, the HandScope LED is the easiest LED light source to use. With all 5 wavelengths contained in a single unit, there is no need to change components or have multiple lights nearby. Selecting and changing wavelengths with the touch of a button, allows the user to easily identify and select the ideal wavelength for the evidence in question. The HandScope LED: One Unit, Five Wavelengths.

Simple Intuitive Controls, Backlit for use in Darkened Environments

Where the HandScope LED is different from every other LED Alternate Light Source is in its focused, coherent light spot.

This allows total control over where the light is placed. It also provides better results, as a focused “hot spot” free illumination provides more useable light on the evidence. The more light you can place on the evidence, the greater the fluorescence, the better the photography. Many LED Alternate Light Sources speak of high intensity, however, when a unit is very intense, but has a very diffuse, unfocused spot, much of that light is lost. It is not enough to be bright…a Forensic Light Source needs to be focused.

^{A Focused, Coherent Spot.}

Total Control over output and wavelength

The unit provides 3 power settings: “High”, “Medium”, and “Low”. This allows the user to select the ideal mode of use for the unit; the choice between intensity and runtime. The “High” power setting is used primarily for initial investigation, trying to determine what fluoresces, and at which wavelength. Even at its most intense, the unit will run continuously for one hour.The “Low” power setting is used once the documentation has begun. Supplying more than enough power for photography, the unit will run for 3 hours at this setting. “Medium” power is selected for when conditions allow less power for investigation and more runtime for photography. To shutter the unit, simply turn it off. The HandScope LED is instant on / instant off. The rechargeable, replaceable Lithium Ion battery provides even output throughout the power cycle. The HandScope LED will not dim as the battery reaches its discharged state. Additionally, the Lithium Ion battery includes an LCD Charge indicator, so you always know how much power you have left while using the unit, and you always know if a spare battery is charged.

Fuel Gauge visible through the battery compartment door, allows for real-time indication of battery charge remaining.

The HandScope LED produces a focused, coherent light for even illumination in order to maximize the amount of light onto a sample. The coherence of the illumination is maintained at any distance. The HandScope LED always remains cool to the touch, regardless of how long the unit has been on. Unlike many other LED light sources, the HandScope LED does not heat up or become hot to the touch. The efficient cooling system of the unit does not require a cool down period. The HandScope LED includes “True UV.” Many LED units on the market still use purple LEDs or wavelengths around 400nm. The HandScope LED offers 365nm, which produces the same UV wavelength of its bulb-based contemporaries.

Technical Specifications

Illuminator Type: High Efficiency Light Emitting Diodes
Lifetime: 25,000 Hours
Display: for Wavelength and Intensity, Backlit for operation in dark environments
Operating Temperature Range: 0° C to 35° C
Weight: < 3 lbs. / < 1.36 kg including battery

Main Unit

Input Voltage: 10-24 VDC
Total Power Consumption: 90 W

Power Supply

Input Voltage: 90 - 264 VAC
Input Frequency: 47-63 Hz
Total Power Output: 100 W

Features:

25,000-hour rated LED Engine
One Hand Operation
Electronic control of wavelength and intensity selection
5 wavelengths total: UV(365), 440, 460, CSS (Crime Scene Search), 520
110-220 VAC power supply for main unit and external charger
1 Lithium Ion Batteries
External charger for battery
4 pairs of goggles (White, Yellow, Orange, Red)
3 - 62mm dia. camera filters (Yellow, Orange, Red)
Manual
Rugged carrying case

Detection of Body Fluids with an Alternate Light Source

Since body fluids like semen, saliva, and vaginal fluids are naturally fluorescent, the use of a light source offers a unique method for locating them. A crime scene investigator can narrow down the specific locations of stains for collection instead of testing entire, large pieces of evidence such as a mattress, a carpet, a sheet, an article of clothing, etc. The dried body fluids will actually glow under the light source illumination.

On some individuals, a tunable or multiple wavelength forensic light source may reveal bruise and patterned wound details that are invisible under normal white light illumination.

Detection of Gun Shot and Explosive Residues

There are several different types of residues found both in ammunition and explosives, which fluoresce. By using a tunable Forensic Light Source, observations can be made on items without touching the surface, to see if fluorescent residues are present.

Forensic and Alternate light sources are useful tools to detect both fluorescent and non-fluorescent trace evidence.

The main application regarding Questioned documents and the use of alternate light sources revolve around “ink differentiation”. Many inks have different formulations, even within the same apparent color type. A tunable forensic light source can be used to identify slight variations in ink type by viewing ink responses as the color of the light is tuned through the visible and infrared regions.