New laser technology which can identify unknown white powder developed by scientists

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new laser technology which can identify unknown white powders has been developed by scientists. Now, scientists at Heriot-Watt University have proved that white powders have a unique "fingerprint" which allows them to be identified instantly, using portable laser technology. Professor Derryck Reid said: "The instant, accurate identification of white powders could be useful in a range of scenarios, such as detecting counterfeit pharmaceuticals, conducting foodstuff analysis or identifying hazardous material like explosive residue. "This has an obvious application for narcotics detection.” The team at the university were able to identify 11 white powder samples using their infrared laser system.