Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Photoelectric UV Fluorescence Investigation of the Turin Shroud Revisited

Received: 4 April 2025     Accepted: 16 April 2025     Published: 22 May 2025
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Abstract

Photoelectric spectroscopic fluorimetry (PEF) was a set of analytical data collected during the 1978 scientific investigation of the Turin Shroud (TS). Simultaneously with PEF, UV-induced fluorescence photography and visual microscopy were recorded. This study uses data from the three optical disciplines to interpret the PE measurements with the objective of identifying those features on the TS that emit fluorescence when stimulated by UV. Fluorescence as recorded by PEF has been interpreted as emitted by the body image. That conclusion contradicts visual observation and UV florescence photographic imagery. The PEF-reported body fluorescence is found to be the result of the higher signal contributed to the total by fluorescing background cloth included in the measurement areas. A secondary objective of the study was to provide input relevant for exploring the chemical-physical properties and their differences of the body image, faintly scorched, and blood areas. Application of non-destructive updated spectroscopic, fluorometric and imagery analytical technology can benefit forensic, conservative, and preservation investigations of objects of historical value.

Published in International Journal of Archaeology (Volume 13, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16
Page(s) 63-68
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Fluorescence Imaging, Turin Shroud, Ultraviolet, Optical Analytical Techniques, Preservation Monitoring

References
[1] Jumper, Eric J., Alan D. Adler, John P. Jackson, Samuel F. Pellicori, John H. Heller, James R. Druzik, “A Comprehensive Examination of the Various Stains and Images on the Shroud of Turin”, ACS Advances in Chemistry No. 205. Archaeological Chem. III, American Chemical Society 22, 447-476 (1984).
[2] Roger Gilbert, Jr., and Marion M. Gilbert, “Ultraviolet-visible reflectance and fluorescence spectra of the Shroud of Turin”, APPLIED OPTICS Vol. 19, No. 12 I 15 June 1980.
[3] Miller, V. D. and Pellicori, S. F.: “Ultraviolet Fluorescence Photography of the Shroud of Turin”, J. Biological Photographers Assoc. 49, No. 3, 71 (1981).
[4] Samuel Pellicori, “UV Fluorescence Imagery of the Turin Shroud – Digitally Revisited”, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2020, pp. 32-36.
[5] Larry Schwalbe and Samuel Pellicori, “Analysis of Photoelectric Colorimetry and Fluorimetry of the Turin Shroud”, International Journal of Archaeology. Vol. 11, No. 1, 2023, pp. 1-8.
[6] Thomas McAvoy, “Information in the Shroud of Turin About Its Variable Molecular Properties”, International Journal of Archaeology. Vol. 12, No. 2, 2024, pp. 58-67.
[7] Pellicori, S. F. & Mark Evans: “The Shroud of Turin Through the Microscope”, Archaeology 34, 34 (1981).
[8] Kelly P. Kearse, “Ultraviolet 365 as an Alternative Light Source for Detection of Blood Serum”, J Forensic Sci, September 2020, Vol. 65, No. 5.
[9] Kelly P Kearse. “Environmental influence on blood serum detection using ultraviolet 365”, J Forensic Sci Res. 2021; 5: 030-036.
[10] Enza Fazio, Carmelo Corsaro, Domenico Mallamace, “Paper aging and degradation monitoring by the non-destructive two-dimensional micro-Raman mapping”, Spectrochemicaacta, Part 1 A, Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 228 117660 (2020).
[11] J. Łojewska, I. Rabin, D. Pawcenis, J. Bagniuk, M. A. Aksamit-Koperska, M. Sitarz, M. Missori & M. Krutzsch, “Recognizing ancient papyri by a combination of spectroscopic, diffractional and chromatographic analytical tools”, Scientific Reports | 7: 46236 |
[12] Pellicori, S. F., “Spectral Properties of the Shroud,” Applied Optics 19 (12), pp. 1913-1920 (1980).
[13] Kearse KP. “Evaluation of the potential role of skin contact and transfer in the Maillard hypothesis of image formation on the Shroud of Turin”. J His Arch & Anthropol Sci. 2023; 8(2): 73‒81.
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  • APA Style

    Pellicori, S. (2025). Photoelectric UV Fluorescence Investigation of the Turin Shroud Revisited. International Journal of Archaeology, 13(1), 63-68. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16

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    ACS Style

    Pellicori, S. Photoelectric UV Fluorescence Investigation of the Turin Shroud Revisited. Int. J. Archaeol. 2025, 13(1), 63-68. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16

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    AMA Style

    Pellicori S. Photoelectric UV Fluorescence Investigation of the Turin Shroud Revisited. Int J Archaeol. 2025;13(1):63-68. doi: 10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16,
      author = {Samuel Pellicori},
      title = {Photoelectric UV Fluorescence Investigation of the Turin Shroud Revisited
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Archaeology},
      volume = {13},
      number = {1},
      pages = {63-68},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ija.20251301.16},
      abstract = {Photoelectric spectroscopic fluorimetry (PEF) was a set of analytical data collected during the 1978 scientific investigation of the Turin Shroud (TS). Simultaneously with PEF, UV-induced fluorescence photography and visual microscopy were recorded. This study uses data from the three optical disciplines to interpret the PE measurements with the objective of identifying those features on the TS that emit fluorescence when stimulated by UV. Fluorescence as recorded by PEF has been interpreted as emitted by the body image. That conclusion contradicts visual observation and UV florescence photographic imagery. The PEF-reported body fluorescence is found to be the result of the higher signal contributed to the total by fluorescing background cloth included in the measurement areas. A secondary objective of the study was to provide input relevant for exploring the chemical-physical properties and their differences of the body image, faintly scorched, and blood areas. Application of non-destructive updated spectroscopic, fluorometric and imagery analytical technology can benefit forensic, conservative, and preservation investigations of objects of historical value.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Photoelectric UV Fluorescence Investigation of the Turin Shroud Revisited
    
    AU  - Samuel Pellicori
    Y1  - 2025/05/22
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16
    T2  - International Journal of Archaeology
    JF  - International Journal of Archaeology
    JO  - International Journal of Archaeology
    SP  - 63
    EP  - 68
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-7595
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ija.20251301.16
    AB  - Photoelectric spectroscopic fluorimetry (PEF) was a set of analytical data collected during the 1978 scientific investigation of the Turin Shroud (TS). Simultaneously with PEF, UV-induced fluorescence photography and visual microscopy were recorded. This study uses data from the three optical disciplines to interpret the PE measurements with the objective of identifying those features on the TS that emit fluorescence when stimulated by UV. Fluorescence as recorded by PEF has been interpreted as emitted by the body image. That conclusion contradicts visual observation and UV florescence photographic imagery. The PEF-reported body fluorescence is found to be the result of the higher signal contributed to the total by fluorescing background cloth included in the measurement areas. A secondary objective of the study was to provide input relevant for exploring the chemical-physical properties and their differences of the body image, faintly scorched, and blood areas. Application of non-destructive updated spectroscopic, fluorometric and imagery analytical technology can benefit forensic, conservative, and preservation investigations of objects of historical value.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 1
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