Which forensic technique is used to analyze the chemical composition of materials?

The correct answer is spectroscopy, which is a powerful forensic technique for analyzing the chemical composition of materials. Spectroscopy encompasses a variety of methods that involve measuring how light interacts with matter, enabling scientists to identify substances based on their characteristic absorption or emission of light at specific wavelengths. This means that different materials will produce unique spectral fingerprints that can be used to identify and differentiate them.

Spectroscopy can be very valuable in forensics for analyzing substances like paint, fibers, drugs, and other materials found at crime scenes. It allows forensic scientists to determine not just the presence of different chemicals, but also their concentrations and structures, thereby providing crucial evidence in investigations.

The other techniques mentioned, like chromatography and mass spectrometry, also serve important roles in forensic analysis but have different focuses. Chromatography is primarily used to separate mixtures into their individual components, while mass spectrometry measures the mass-to-charge ratio of ions to determine chemical compositions and molecular weights. Neuroimaging, on the other hand, is used primarily in psychological evaluations rather than analyzing chemical substances.