Polarimetric imaging for the detection of synthetic models of SARS-CoV-2: A proof of concept

•Mueller reflected polarimetric imaging detects SARS-CoV-2 models in dry droplets.•Initial proof-of-concept, two synthetic viral models in artificial saliva.•Polarization features quantified at per-pixel and per-droplet levels.•Potential to improve fast, non-contact analysis of multiple samples simultaneously.