Techniques that acquire donor profiling information from fingermarks — A review

An alternative approach to the detection of latent fingermarks using [Eu2(BDC)3(H2O)2], a luminescent non-toxic MOF powder

Fingermarks are important forensic evidence for identifying people. In this work, luminescent MOF [Eu2(BDC)3(H2O)2] (herein referred as EuBDC) was tested as a potential latent fingermark (LF) luminescent developer powder and its acute toxicity evaluated following OECD protocol 423. The results showed that the powder can develop groomed LF on materials such as leather, plastic, metal, glass, cardboard, and aluminum. LFs aged up to 30 days, left on glass slides were developed and classified as level-3. The images presented high quality, enabling correct donor identification as well as through an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) search. EuBDC also showed useful results as secondary technique for fixed cyanoacrylate LFs, especially on a reflective, multicolored and non-flat surfaces. Additionally, the EuBDC was tested on ungroomed fingermarks, developed on a split depletion series of successive deposits and compared to a commercially available luminescent powder. Development also occurred on ungroomed aged fingermarks; as a secondary technique for cyanoacrylate fuming; and on transparent adhesive tape when used as a suspension for the latter. Considering that development powders are frequently handled by Papilloscopists and that this may pose a health risk, the acute toxicity and of EuBDC and histopathological analysis were evaluated. The tests showed no signs of toxicity. Therefore, the EuBDC was classified in category 5 in the Globally Harmonized System classification, the least toxic category, with an LD50 >5000 mg/Kg. The set of results shows that EuBDC powder has the potential use as a fingermark developer, as well as being suitable for applications for non-toxic material.

Conjugation of visual enhancers in lateral flow immunoassay for rapid forensic analysis: A critical review

During crime scene investigations, numerous traces are secured and may be used as evidence for the evaluation of source and/or activity level propositions. The rapid chemical analysis of a biological trace enables the identification of body fluids and can provide significant donor profiling information, including age, sex, drug abuse, and lifestyle. Such information can be used to provide new leads, exclude from, or restrict the list of possible suspects during the investigative phase. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art labelling techniques to identify the most suitable visual enhancer to be implemented in a lateral flow immunoassay setup for the purpose of trace identification and/or donor profiling. Upon comparison, and with reference to the strengths and limitations of each label, the simplistic one-step analysis of noncompetitive lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) together with the implementation of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as visual enhancers is proposed for a sensitive, accurate, and reproducible in situ trace analysis. This approach is versatile and stable over different environmental conditions and external stimuli. The findings of the present comparative analysis may have important implications for future forensic practice. The selection of an appropriate enhancer is crucial for a well-designed LFA that can be implemented at the crime scene for a time- and cost-efficient investigation.

Application of Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) in forensic science - A review

The paper presents the possibilities of using the ToF-SIMS technique in the examination of a range of samples as forensic evidence. These include the analysis of documents, the examination of writing media, the analysis of crossing lines, the analysis of cosmetics, hair analysis, the examination of automobile paints, and the analysis of fingerprints and their contamination with exogenous substances. The advantages and disadvantages of this method were analysed with reference to the information that any forensic investigator would wish to obtain when examining highly significant evidence.

Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Powder-Treated Fingermarks on Forensic Gelatin Lifters and its Application for Separating Overlapping Fingermarks

Fingermarks are frequently collected at crime scenes by using gelatin lifters for preservation and transport of the marks to a forensic laboratory for inspection. The gelatin lifters preserve both the imprint of the fingermark pattern necessary for identification purposes and the chemical residue of the mark potentially useful for profiling the person who left the fingermark. The fingermark patterns are traditionally recorded using photography/optical imaging, but methods for chemical analysis of fingermark residues on gelatin lifters are scarce. Here we report the first method for the chemical analysis of fingermarks on gelatin lifters using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) imaging. The imaging can be done directly on the gelatin support without any sample preparation, supporting immediate operational use of the method for fingermarks collected at crime scenes. Operational use of the method is further supported by successful chemical imaging of fingermarks enhanced by traditional dusting with forensic powders and lifted off different surfaces (glass, stainless steel, painted aluminum, polystyrene, cardboard, and plastic) as well as fingermarks lifted multiple times. We also demonstrate that the present method can be used to visually separate natural overlapping powder-treated fingermarks, and the chemical composition of the fingermarks can be analyzed on the gelatin support by DESI-MS/MS. The presented method has potential for integration into the traditional workflow for fingermark analysis, and will allow more fingermarks collected at crime scenes to be evaluated both visually and chemically.

Innovative Solutions for Worn Fingerprints: A Comparative Analysis of Traditional Fingerprint Impression and 3D Printing

Fingerprint recognition systems have achieved widespread integration into various technological devices, including cell phones, computers, door locks, and time attendance machines. Nevertheless, individuals with worn fingerprints encounter challenges when attempting to unlock original fingerprint systems, which results in disruptions to their daily activities. This study explores two distinct methods for fingerprint backup: traditional fingerprint impression and 3D printing technologies. Unlocking tests were conducted on commonly available optical fingerprint lock-equipped cell phones to assess the efficacy of these methods, particularly in unlocking with worn fingerprints. The research findings indicated that the traditional fingerprint impression method exhibited high fidelity in reproducing fingerprint patterns, achieving an impressive unlocking success rate of 97.8% for imprinting unworn fingerprints. However, when dealing with worn fingerprints, the traditional fingerprint impression technique showed a reduced unlocking success rate, progressively decreasing with increasing degrees of finger wear. In contrast, 3D-printed backup fingerprints, with image processing and optimization of ridge height, mitigated the impact of fingerprint wear on the unlocking capability, resulting in an unlocking success rate of 84.4% or higher. Thus, the utilization of 3D printing technology proves advantageous for individuals with severely worn or incomplete fingerprints, providing a viable solution for unforeseen circumstances.

Toward multidimensional information: A derivatization-free UHPLC-QqQ MS/MS method for amino acid components of fingerprint

The analysis of fingerprint chemical composition is a meaningful way to excavate the multidimensional information of fingerprint, including the donor profiling information and the age of a fingerprint, which broadens the evidential values of fingerprint, especially for the partial and distorted fingerprint. But the research remains still in the pilot phases or is ongoing. Amino acids are the dominant organic substances in latent sweat fingerprint and influenced by many donor factors. Hence, their content reflects personal information of donors. Forensic science will be revolutionized if suspects can be individualized by their amino acid content. The diverse nature, distinct physicochemical properties, and ultra-micro levels of amino acids present in fingerprints make it hard to detect. A high sensitivity method for detecting and quantifying multiple amino acid components is required. UHPLC-QqQ MS/MS offers high sensitivity, high separation, simultaneous multicomponents detection, and no derivatization, making it an ideal method for detecting and analyzing amino acids in fingerprints. Therefore, in this study, we propose and validate an efficient UHPLC-QqQ MS/MS method for the extraction and analysis of 13 amino acids from fingerprint. We compared the results of amino acids of 10 different substrates and found that the inherent amino acids in most porous substrates would have been extracted along with the fingerprint amino acids, making them unsuitable for quantitative amino acid analysis. Instead, plastic sheets are ideal substrates for laboratory studies. Then, extensive experiments were conducted among 30 donors for multidimensional information analysis. The type of samples analyzed were eccrine-rich fingerprints. A Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) model was developed, and the female and male donors were successfully differentiated by amino acids in fingerprints. Two other mathematical models were also developed to verify the accuracy, and all three different mathematical models were able to identify donors of different genders with over 90% accuracy. This demonstrates that amino acids have the potential to provide more information for donors as metabolic markers. In the future, we will conduct a series of experiments to analyze more multidimensional information for individual identification by amino acid content in the fingerprint.

Untargeted metabolomics for lifestyle biomarker discovery in human hair

There is a risk of crimes remaining unsolved when no matching DNA profiles or fingermarks are found. If this is the case, forensic investigations are faced with a significant shortage of evidence and information regarding the unknown perpetrator and/or victim as well as any missing persons. However, a rather commonly found biological trace encountered at crime scenes is human hair. As hair acts as a biochemical reservoir, it may contain valuable information regarding one's characteristics and habits. This study aimed to build an analytical method capable of determining a marker set of relevant metabolites in hair, eventually building up a profile of its donor. To find potential markers, an untargeted metabolomics approach was developed to select and identify statistically significant features. For that purpose, a total of 68 hair samples were collected at several hairdresser shops in varying neighbourhoods. Compound extraction was achieved via methanolic incubation overnight and analysis performed using a high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) Orbitrap Q Exactive Focus. The acquired data was uploaded and statistically evaluated using two free online software/libraries, where a total of eight compounds have given a match on both tools. Their presumptive identity was confirmed using reference standards and consequently added to a dynamic target donor profiling list. These results show the potential of using untargeted metabolomics for the search for lifestyle biomarkers capable of differentiating individuals. Such tools are of paramount importance in a forensic setting with little or no evidence available and no clear tactical leads.

Preparation of Novel Magnetic Nanomaterials Based on "Facile Coprecipitation" for Developing Latent Fingerprints (LFP) in Crime Scenes

Recently, the application of novel nanomaterials, especially magnetic nanomaterials in the development of latent fingerprints (LFP), has become the hot focus for forensic scientists and criminal investigators. As a type of recyclable, environment-friendly material, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles achieve a wonderful effect in visualization of LFP. We first report the synthesis and encapsulation of nano-Fe₃O₄ through "facile coprecipitation", (3-mercaptopropyl)triethoxysilane was covalently embedded into Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, and the Fe₃O₄ core was encapsulated by the nanosilver to prepare novel magnetic nanomaterials (P-MNP@Ag) with the core-shell configuration. For comparison, the magnetic nanomaterials (S-MNP@Ag) were prepared by surface modification. Their composition, structure, and properties were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, IR, XPS, and VSM. Compared with commercially available gold powder, silver powder, bare magnetic powder, and prepared S-MNP@Ag, the development effect of LFP on different objects by using P-MNP@Ag had better performance, which presented the advantages of low background interference, high sensitivity, and clear secondary details in LFP. In the crime scenes of some influential cases, P-MNP@Ag had been applied to the visualization of LFP. The biometric identification of criminal suspects was confirmed through fingerprint comparison, which was highly affirmed by the public security department.

Quantitative analysis of 17 hypoglycemic drugs in fingerprints using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

The objective of this study was to develop, optimize, and validate a method for the determination and quantification of 17 hypoglycemic drugs in fingerprints using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem hybrid triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTRAP-MS/MS). We also aimed to apply the present method to the fingerprints collected from patients with hyperglycemia.

METHODS

The scheduled multiple reaction monitoring information-dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion (SMRM-IDA-EPI) scanning mode was utilized. The chromatographic system consisted of an Acquity UHPLC® BEH C18 column (3.0 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) and a mobile phase of 0.01% (v/v) formic acid in water and methanol. Analytes were extracted via a precipitation protein procedure. The method was validated in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidance and applied to the analysis of fingerprint deposits from subjects who had taken the drugs.

RESULTS

The limits of detection (LODs) and the lower limits of quantification (LLOQs) of 17 hypoglycemic drugs were 0.001 to 0.020 and 0.002 to 0.050 ng/fingerprint, respectively. The correlation coefficients (r) for the calibration curves were > 0.99 in the range of 0.050-50.000 ng/fingerprint. The matrix effect and recovery of 17 hypoglycemic drugs at three concentrations ranged from 81.1 to 117.3% and 80.0 to 109.6%, respectively. The validation data (intra- and inter-day combined) for accuracy ranged from 85.5 to 117.2%, the CV (%) data were ≤19.7%. All analytes were found to be stable stored in the autosampler (4°C) for 24 h. This validated method was successfully applied to detect hypoglycemic drugs in fingerprints from patients with hyperglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

A quantification method for hypoglycemic drugs in fingerprints was developed, optimized, and validated. This sensitive method could be used for drug monitoring and providing reference information in forensic investigations.

Simultaneous determination and quantitation of hypolipidemic drugs in fingerprints by UPLC-Q-TRAP/MS

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole compound linear ion trap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TRAP/MS) method was developed and validated for the detection of hypolipidemic drugs in fingerprints. 13 hypolipidemic drugs were well separated by the gradient elution of 0.01% formic acid in water and methanol at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min within 11 min. The analytes were detected in positive (ESI⁺) and negative (ESI^-) modes and scanned using scheduled multiple reaction monitoring-information dependent acquisition-enhanced product ion (SMRM-IDA-EPI) for best selectivity and sensitivity. The calibration curves showed good linearity in the range of 0.050-50.000 ng/patch with coefficients (r²) higher than 0.9904 for all analytes. Meantime, the LODs and LLOQs were in ranges of 0.001-0.034 and 0.003-0.050 ng/patch. The accuracies, intra-day and inter-day precision ranged from -13.3 to 0.3%, 1.1-10.4% and 3.7-14.5%, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 79.9 to 114.8%, while the absolute and relative matrix effects were in the range of 83.0-107.2% and 2.2-9.7%. By comparing the non-spiked fingerprints from healthy volunteers with the fingerprints obtained from patients, demonstrated that the method was competent for determination and quantitation of hypolipidemic drugs in fingerprints.

Forensic proteomics

Protein is a major component of all biological evidence, often the matrix that embeds other biomolecules such as polynucleotides, lipids, carbohydrates, and small molecules. The proteins in a sample reflect the transcriptional and translational program of the originating cell types. Because of this, proteins can be used to identify body fluids and tissues, as well as convey genetic information in the form of single amino acid polymorphisms, the result of non-synonymous SNPs. This review explores the application and potential of forensic proteomics. The historical role that protein analysis played in the development of forensic science is examined. This review details how innovations in proteomic mass spectrometry have addressed many of the historical limitations of forensic protein science, and how the application of forensic proteomics differs from proteomics in the life sciences. Two more developed applications of forensic proteomics are examined in detail: body fluid and tissue identification, and proteomic genotyping. The review then highlights developing areas of proteomics that have the potential to impact forensic science in the near future: fingermark analysis, species identification, peptide toxicology, proteomic sex estimation, and estimation of post-mortem intervals. Finally, the review highlights some of the newer innovations in proteomics that may drive further development of the field. In addition to potential impact, this review also attempts to evaluate the stage of each application in the development, validation and implementation process. This review is targeted at investigators who are interested in learning about proteomics in a forensic context and expanding the amount of information they can extract from biological evidence.

Improving the visualization of fingermarks using multi-target immunolabeling

The development of fingermarks is an important step in visualizing ridge patterns for individualization purposes. Immunolabeling can be applied to fingermarks to selectively and sensitively detect antigens in fingermarks, and can be used as a developing method to visualize fingermarks. In this study we investigated single (the detection of one antigen) and multiple targeting approaches (the detection of multiple antigens simultaneously) to improve fingermark development. The detection of dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide, was used as the gold standard to compare single and multi-target detection of keratins, albumin and/or dermcidin. Single detection of dermcidin and albumin mostly resulted in clear ridge details and/or pore detection, whereas the single keratin detection resulted in a poor visualization of the fingermarks. The multi-target approach in which both dermcidin and albumin were targeted, resulted in improved fingermark development compared to single dermcidin detection. Therefore, we recommend the use of multi-target detection consisting of anti-dermcidin and anti-albumin when using immunolabeling as fingermark development technique. Additionally, the optimized multi-target approach was tested as a pre- and post-development technique in combination with powder dusting and cyanoacrylate fuming. Immunolabeling has not been implemented yet in forensic case work, however we expect that immunolabeling can be used to redevelop poorly developed and/or smudged fingermarks in the nearby future. Currently, an ongoing pilot-study is being conducted in collaboration with the Dutch police.

Distinguishing between Contact and Administration of Heroin from a Single Fingerprint using High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Fingerprints have been proposed as a promising new matrix for drug testing. In previous work it has been shown that a fingerprint can be used to distinguish between drug users and nonusers. Herein, we look at the possibility of using a fingerprint to distinguish between dermal contact and administration of heroin. Fingerprint samples were collected from (i) 10 patients attending a drug rehabilitation clinic, (ii) 50 nondrug users and (iii) participants who touched 2 mg street heroin, before and after various hand cleaning procedures. Oral fluid was also taken from the patients. All samples were analyzed using a liquid chromatography—high resolution mass spectrometry method validated in previous work for heroin and 6-AM. The HRMS data were analyzed retrospectively for morphine, codeine, 6-acetylcodeine and noscapine. Heroin and 6-AM were detected in all fingerprint samples produced from contact with heroin, even after hand washing. In contrast, morphine, acetylcodeine and noscapine were successfully removed after hand washing. In patient samples, the detection of morphine, noscapine and acetylcodeine (alongside heroin and 6-AM) gave a closer agreement to patient testimony on whether they had recently used heroin than the detection of heroin and 6-AM alone. This research highlights the importance of washing hands prior to donating a fingerprint sample to distinguish recent contact with heroin from heroin use.

A subsequent procedure for further deciphering weapons after application of the Trace Metal Detection Test (TMDT): Proof of concept

The trace metal detection test (TMDT) is an effective and convenient technique to potentially link perpetrators and metallic weapons by comparing morphological information of developed imprints and suspected weapons. However, metallic items without characteristic patterns and incomplete contact with weapons often lead to inadequate morphological features in developed imprints on hands, resulting in difficulty in identifying suspected weapons and a failure to demonstrate potential relationships between perpetrators and weapons. This paper presents a subsequent procedure, after application of the TMDT, for inferring possible weapon-source of a specific imprint. As a proof of concept, all the experiments involved metallic items as an example and were carried out under controlled laboratory conditions. An analytical method was established by selecting elements of interest in developed imprints from seven metallic items (three groups), undertaking quantitative ICP-MS determination of the elements, and comparing the elements in these imprints (inter- and intra-group comparisons) and with those in their source items. Using the established method, possible groups and types of source metallic items could be inferred based on elemental characteristics in imprints, under the premise that no other metal sources exist before or after contacting specified metallic items. This method could be useful for providing investigative clues and evidence of association for developed imprints that lack unique morphological features and for verifying the results of color reactions in the TMDT. For this reason, it can serve as a standard supplementary procedure after the application of the TMDT, which could further strengthen the correlations between perpetrators and weapons even common metallic objects.

On the relevance of cocaine detection in a fingerprint

The finding that drugs and metabolites can be detected from fingerprints is of potential relevance to forensic science and as well as toxicology and clinical testing. However, discriminating between dermal contact and ingestion of drugs has never been verified experimentally. The inability to interpret the result of finding a drug or metabolite in a fingerprint has prevented widespread adoption of fingerprints in drug testing and limits the probative value of detecting drugs in fingermarks. A commonly held belief is that the detection of metabolites of drugs of abuse in fingerprints can be used to confirm a drug has been ingested. However, we show here that cocaine and its primary metabolite, benzoylecgonine, can be detected in fingerprints of non-drug users after contact with cocaine. Additionally, cocaine was found to persist above environmental levels for up to 48 hours after contact. Therefore the detection of cocaine and benzoylecgonine (BZE) in fingermarks can be forensically significant, but do not demonstrate that a person has ingested the substance. In contrast, the data here shows that a drug test from a fingerprint (where hands can be washed prior to donating a sample) CAN distinguish between contact and ingestion of cocaine. If hands were washed prior to giving a fingerprint, BZE was detected only after the administration of cocaine. Therefore BZE can be used to distinguish cocaine contact from cocaine ingestion, provided donors wash their hands prior to sampling. A test based on the detection of BZE in at least one of two donated fingerprint samples has accuracy 95%, sensitivity 90% and specificity of 100% (n = 86).

Triacetone triperoxide characterization by FT-ICR mass spectrometry: Uncovering multiple forensic evidence

Triacetone triperoxide is one of the most common used explosives by terrorist and criminal groups, being easily synthesized with over the counter reagents. Moreover, it's difficult to detect since it contains no nitrogen. Extreme resolution mass spectrometry, based on Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry provides a way to established its composition, being able to detect its presence in complex matrixes. In this work, we investigated the detailed chemical composition of triacetone triperoxide and analysed latent fingerprints for evidence of its handling. Our results allowed the characterization of the oligoperoxides formed in the synthesis of triacetone triperoxide: oligomers dihydroperoxy terminated [H(OOC(CH₃)₂)_nOOH] and the oligomeric acetone carbonyl oxides terminated as hydroperoxides [H(O₂C(CH₃)₂)_nOOC(O)CH₃]. The discrimination between the different synthetic routes using different acid catalysts is possible given the clear differences between the mass spectrum corresponding to each case. Moreover, we identified triacetone triperoxide in latent fingerprints following its manipulation. For criminal investigation, in addition to the unambiguous detection and identification of the explosive, it is of the highest interest to identify the reagents used, who produced it and who used it for criminal purposes.

Evaluation of Nile Red-Loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Developing Water-Soaked Fingerprints on Thermal Paper

Nile red has been an alternative reagent for detecting latent fingerprints on wetted substrates. However, the presence of methanol in nile red solution could make injury to handlers and destroy the traces on surfaces, such as texts on thermal papers. A novel small particle reagent formulation constituting of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) based on nile red was prepared to overcome the problem. Compared with the conventional reagents Oil Red O or nile red solution, the nile red-loaded MSNs are highly selective to lipid residues of fingerprints and showed a greater ability to develop clear, sharp, and detailed fingerprints on thermal papers after these were immersed in water. In addition, it can retain texts on the thermal papers well and use only water as a solvent. These suggested that nile red-loaded MSNs are a safe, efficient, and convenient method to develop latent fingerprints on wide range of substrates of forensic importance.

Proteomics as a new tool to study fingermark ageing in forensics

Fingermarks are trace evidence of great forensic importance, and their omnipresence makes them pivotal in crime investigation. Police and law enforcement authorities have exploited fingermarks primarily for personal identification, but crucial knowledge on when fingermarks were deposited is often lacking, thereby hindering crime reconstruction. Biomolecular constituents of fingermark residue, such as amino acids, lipids and proteins, may provide excellent means for fingermark age determination, however robust methodologies or detailed knowledge on molecular mechanisms in time are currently not available. Here, we address fingermark age assessment by: (i) drafting a first protein map of fingermark residue, (ii) differential studies of fresh and aged fingermarks and (iii), to mimic real-world scenarios, estimating the effects of donor contact with bodily fluids on the identification of potential age biomarkers. Using a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach, we drafted a characteristic fingermark proteome, of which five proteins were identified as promising candidates for fingermark age estimation. This study additionally demonstrates successful identification of both endogenous and contaminant proteins from donors that have been in contact with various bodily fluids. In summary, we introduce state-of-the-art proteomics as a sensitive tool to monitor fingermark aging on the protein level with sufficient selectivity to differentiate potential age markers from body fluid contaminants.

Recent advances in the chemical imaging of human fingermarks (a review)

This review highlights the considerable advances in the chemical imaging of human fingermarks that provide more chemical information, including numerous endogenous and exogenous constituents. Despite remarkable development in DNA analysis and recognition, human fingermark analysis remains one of the priority approaches available for obtaining reliable forensic evidence. Additional information about the donor can be obtained from the chemical composition of latent fingermarks in addition to the ridge pattern, such as the age, gender, medical history, and possible drug habits. The analytical approaches reviewed here include spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immuno-labelling and electrochemical methods. Each method has different capabilities with respect to sensitivity, reproducibility, selectivity, reliability and ultimately applicability, either for use in routine forensic practice or in academic research work. The advantages of spectroscopic techniques, including infrared, Raman and micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, are the capabilities of a rapid and non-destructive imaging of fingermarks by providing spectral information on chemical composition. In addition, mass spectrometry imaging can provide spatially specific information on fingermark chemical composition. Recently, the use of immuno-labelling in latent fingermark detection has attracted significant attention because it can overcome the sensitivity and selectivity problems experienced with other existing methods. The electrochemical method has also been employed to image latent fingermarks by measuring the electric current changes with the spatial chemical composition from the ridges and valleys at high resolution to provide a third level of detail, which is especially useful for multicoloured background surfaces or for surfaces contaminated with blood or other bodily fluids.

Application of mesocellular siliceous foams (MCF) for surface-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) Analysis of fingermarks

Recent advances in nanotechnology applied in forensic sciences have contributed to consider new approaches including chemical evaluation of latent fingermarks. Significant improvement to the detection of small organic molecules has been reached with matrix-free methods associated to laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The present study investigated the application of mesocellular siliceous foam (MCF) as an ionizing agent for laser desorption/ionization (LDI-MS) analysis of fingermarks as a proof of concept research. Fingermarks from three different donors were deposited directly onto a MALDI target plate and α-CHCA matrix solution, MCF ethanolic suspension or MCF/magnetic powder mixture were used for treatment. Microscopy characterization of MCF support showed particles with irregular morphology and variable sizes, and a unordered porous surface with pores diameter ranging from about 10 to 20 nm. Results showed less intense peaks in the spectra produced by the MCF support (control). Analysis of fingermarks showed ions related to endogenous and exogenous molecular components, including possible lipids from human sebum and quaternary ammonium cations commonly present in cosmetics. Promising and reproducible results were obtained for the fingermarks dusted with the MCF/magnetic powder mixture. Considering the forensic applications of nanomaterials for the analysis of small molecules in biological samples by matrix-free LDI techniques, the advantages of silica based materials should be further investigated.

Noninvasive Detection of Cocaine and Heroin Use with Single Fingerprints: Determination of an Environmental Cutoff

BACKGROUND

Recent publications have explored the possibility of using fingerprints to confirm drug use, but none has yet dealt with environmental contamination from fingertips. Here we explored the possibility of establishing an environmental cutoff for drug testing from a single fingerprint.

METHODS

Fingerprint samples (n = 100) were collected from the hands of 50 nondrug users before and after handwashing to establish separate environmental cutoff values and testing protocols for cocaine, benzoylecgonine, heroin, and 6-monoacetylmorphine. The cutoff was challenged by testing the fingerprints of drug-free volunteers after shaking hands with drug users. Fingerprints from patients who testified to taking cocaine (n = 32) and heroin (n = 24) were also collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

A different cutoff value needed to be applied, depending on whether the fingerprints were collected as presented or after handwashing. Applying these cutoffs gave a 0% false-positive rate from the drug-free volunteers. After application of the cutoff, the detection rate (compared to patient testimony) for washed hands of patients was 87.5% for cocaine use and 100% for heroin use.

CONCLUSIONS

Fingerprints show enhanced levels of cocaine, heroin, and their respective metabolites in patients who testified to taking the substances, compared with the population of naïve drug users surveyed, and a cutoff (decision level) can be established. The cutoff is robust enough to account for small increases in analyte observed after secondary transfer.

Monodisperse silica nanoparticle suspension for developing latent blood fingermarks

Traditional fingermark developing methods are unsuitable for developing and extracting latent blood fingermarks on dark surfaces at crime scene because of their ineffectiveness or tedious operation procedures. In the present work, an effective and simple method was developed to serve this purpose using a suspension of monodisperse silica nanoparticles (MSNs). A suspension of 0.1 g/mL of MSNs was prepared by dispersing MSNs ultrasonically into an ethanol solution containing 1.0% Tween 80 and then uniformly sprayed onto the latent blood fingermarks on black plastic bags. Approximately 20 s later, ethanol was sprayed to clean the superfluous developing liquid. After the ethanol had evaporated, the latent fingermarks became visible as a result of the photonic crystal effect produced by the MSNs that had adsorbed to the fingermark ridges. The developed fingermarks were then photographed using a digital camera under a white or monospectral light source, revealing fine ridges and clear fingermark details. This novel, simple and effective method uses the photonic crystal effect of MSNs to develop latent blood fingermarks without the need for surface functionalization and conjugation to dye or fluorescently label molecules. The method can detect latent blood fingermarks that have been retained on a black plastic bag surface for at least 30 d. Given the simplicity and effectiveness of the developed method, MSNs may be a useful alternative material for use in developing latent fingermarks. Further research on the topic is warranted.

Infrared spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging in forensic science

Infrared spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging, are robust, label free and inherently non-destructive methods with a high chemical specificity and sensitivity that are frequently employed in forensic science research and practices. This review aims to discuss the applications and recent developments of these methodologies in this field. Furthermore, the use of recently emerged Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging in transmission, external reflection and Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) modes are summarised with relevance and potential for forensic science applications. This spectroscopic imaging approach provides the opportunity to obtain the chemical composition of fingermarks and information about possible contaminants deposited at a crime scene. Research that demonstrates the great potential of these techniques for analysis of fingerprint residues, explosive materials and counterfeit drugs will be reviewed. The implications of this research for the examination of different materials are considered, along with an outlook of possible future research avenues for the application of vibrational spectroscopic methods to the analysis of forensic samples.

Towards Fingermark Dating: A Raman Spectroscopy Proof-of-Concept Study

Fingermarks have, for a long time, been vital in the forensic community for the identification of individuals, and a possibility to non‐destructively date the fingermarks would of course be beneficial. Raman spectroscopy is, herein, evaluated for the purpose of estimating the age of fingermarks deposits. Well‐resolved spectra were non‐destructively acquired to reveal spectral uniqueness, resembling those of epidermis, and several molecular markers were identified that showed different decay kinetics: carotenoids > squalene > unsaturated fatty acids > proteins. The degradation rates were accelerated, less pronounced for proteins, when samples were stored under ambient light conditions, likely owing to photo‐oxidation. It is hypothesized that fibrous proteins are present and that oxidation of amino acid side chains can be observed both through Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. Clearly, Raman spectroscopy is a useful technique to non‐destructively study the aging processes of fingermarks.

Enhancement of Image Contrast, Stability, and SALDI-MS Detection Sensitivity for Latent Fingerprint Analysis by Tuning the Composition of Silver-Gold Nanoalloys

Metal alloy nanoparticles (NPs) offer a new combination of unique physicochemical properties based on their pure counterparts, which can facilitate the development of novel analytical methods. Here, we demonstrated that Ag-Au alloy NPs could be utilized for optical and mass spectrometric imaging of latent fingerprints (LFPs) with improved image contrast, stability, and detection sensitivity. Upon deposition of Ag-Au alloy NPs (Ag:Au = 60:40 wt %), ridge regions of the LFP became amber colored, while the groove regions appeared purple-blue. The presence of Au in the Ag-Au alloy NPs suppressed aggregation behavior compared to pure AgNPs, thus improving the stability of the developed LFP images. In addition, the Ag component in the Ag-Au alloy NPs enhanced optical absorption efficiency compared to pure AuNPs, resulting in higher contrast LFP images. Moreover, varying the Ag-Au ratio could enable the tuning of the resulting surface plasmonic resonance absorption and hence affect image contrast. Furthermore, the Ag-Au alloy NPs assisted the surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS analysis of chemical and biochemical compounds in LFPs, with better detection sensitivity than either pure AgNPs or AuNPs.