To analyze trace evidence found at crime scenes, non-destructive analysis techniques or analysis techniques requiring minute amounts of sample are preferred. One such technique is solid sampling electrothermal vaporization (ETV) coupled to inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICPOES), which requires only 0.1–5 mg of sample. As a result, it has been utilized in several applications of forensic research. This article discusses the capabilities of ETV-ICPOES among current analytical methods and introduces its value as a tool for the analysis of forensic evidence. The latest advancements of ETV-ICPOES demonstrate the diverse opportunities for the identification, determination, and discrimination of evidence. Methods of ETV-ICPOES for the direct analysis of various physical evidence, including trace evidence, are reviewed. Some methods involve quantification of multiple elements using, commonly, matrix-matched external calibration with certified reference materials. Other methods combine qualitative multi-element analysis, based on the area of each analyte peak produced during the vaporization step of the ETV temperature program, and multivariate analysis using principal component analysis or linear discriminant analysis. In all cases, internal standardization with an argon emission line first compensates for sample loading effects on the plasma. Perspectives for utilizing ETV-ICPOES in future forensic settings are also offered.

中文翻译：

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通过固体采样电热汽化耦合电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法进行法医分析

为了分析犯罪现场发现的痕迹证据，优选非破坏性分析技术或需要微量样品的分析技术。其中一种技术是固体采样电热汽化 (ETV) 与电感耦合等离子体发射光谱 (ICPOES) 相结合，仅需要 0.1–5 毫克样品。因此，它已被用于法医研究的多种应用中。本文讨论了 ETV-ICPOES 在当前分析方法中的功能，并介绍了其作为法医证据分析工具的价值。ETV-ICPOES 的最新进展证明了证据的识别、确定和辨别的多样化机会。对用于直接分析各种物证（包括痕量证据）的 ETV-ICPOES 方法进行了综述。一些方法涉及通常使用经过认证的参考材料进行基质匹配外部校准来量化多种元素。其他方法结合了定性多元素分析（基于 ETV 温度程序汽化步骤期间产生的每个分析物峰的面积）和使用主成分分析或线性判别分析的多变量分析。在所有情况下，使用氩气发射线进行内部标准化首先补偿样品加载对等离子体的影响。还提供了在未来法医环境中使用 ETV-ICPOES 的观点。基于 ETV 温度程序汽化步骤中产生的每个分析物峰的面积，以及使用主成分分析或线性判别分析的多变量分析。在所有情况下，使用氩发射线的内部标准化首先补偿样品加载对等离子体的影响。还提供了在未来法医环境中使用 ETV-ICPOES 的观点。基于 ETV 温度程序汽化步骤中产生的每个分析物峰的面积，以及使用主成分分析或线性判别分析的多变量分析。在所有情况下，使用氩发射线的内部标准化首先补偿样品加载对等离子体的影响。还提供了在未来法医环境中使用 ETV-ICPOES 的观点。