Metal Evidence Examination and Its Application in Forensic Science

Metal evidence has been used in the field of forensic science for a long time, where it is commonly categorized as trace evidence and subject to rigorous testing. This type of evidence is frequently encountered in a diverse range of cases, including murder, theft, shootings and electrical fires. It can manifest as metal particles, attachments, or even in a molten state. The methods commonly employed in the analysis of metal evidence include scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, metallography examination, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, among others. The examination of metal evidence serves multiple purposes, such as unraveling the nature of the case, offering valuable investigative leads, and enhancing the integrity of the evidence chain. In this study, we focus on extracting and analyzing the recent literature pertaining to metal evidence examination in the field of forensic science in China. By using the knowledge graph analysis tool VOSviewer, various metal evidence examination methods are summarized to understand their application status in the field of forensic science, aiming to provide reference for the extraction and examination of metal evidence involved in the cases.