Beyond the Ridge Pattern - Multi-Informative Analysis of Latent Fingermarks by MALDI Mass Spectrometry

摘要

MALDI MS can offer a plethora of information from latent fingermarks both in the chemical information they contain and through image reconstruction by MS imaging. Developments over the past five years include; the dry-wet method of fingermark preparation3, the identification and imaging of condom lubricants contaminating latent fingermark residue separation of overlapping marks, detection and imaging of semi-exogenous ingested substances excreted through sweat4 and the determination of sex. In collaboration with the UK Home Office, the Fingermark Research Group are now working towards the integration of this technology into current fingermark examination workflows. SHU investigators regularly attend volume crime scenes with West Yorkshire Police and collect fingermarks to establish the feasibility of using this technology in the field. Initial results are promising, indicating that MALDI MSI could be extremely beneficial in offering additional intelligence from fingermarks in a forensic investigation.