Main Compounds and Major Methods in Latent Fingermark Aging Analysis: a Short Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22456/2527-2616.133299Keywords:
forensic sciences, forensic identification, aging fingerprints, prints residueAbstract
Fingermarks are a complex biological matrix with variability factors that change in the same donor, depending on the moment of collection, and in different donors, according to age, sex and routine. Thus, they can still undergo alterations related to the deposition surface, the environment, and the variable that connects all those mentioned: the action of time. In Forensic Science, time is a important variable to situate the crime events. This review proposes a classification in the temporal estimation research of fingermarks, dividing them into Temporal Preservation Analysis (TPA) and Temporal Aging Analysis (TAA). In TPA studies, the components in fingermark residues undergo a few changes over time, tending to stability after a certain period. Those are interesting targets to identify possible exogenous components, such as firearm residues, illegal substances and contaminants related to particularity of forensic cases. In TAA studies, a time estimation related to the fingermarks age can be established. In this case, the time elapsed from its deposition until the forensic processing will vary according to the component classes degradation. Endogenous and exogenous substances that are demonstrably present in one donor and that undergo changes over time will, resulting be demonstrated by a decrease in intensity and/or formation of other substances, and those are good targets for this type of study. The same analysis can have both proposals and the instrumental method available will enable the extraction of information relevant to the sample. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate how important is to identify fingermarks components as evidence beyond the ridge pattern and to list the main instrumental methods used in the analysis of fingermark degradation.
Downloads
References
De Alcaraz-Fossoul J, Mestres PC, Balaciart MA et al (2013) Determination of latent fingerprint degradation patterns - a real fieldwork study. Int J Legal Med 127(4):857-870
Cohen Y, Rozen E, Azoury M et al (2012) Survivability of latent fingerprints part 1: Adhesion of latent fingerprints to smooth surfaces. J For Ident 62(1):47-53
Frick AA, Girod-Frais A, Moraleda A, Weyermann C. Autores: Frick AA, Girod-Frais A, Moraleda A, Weyermann C. Latent Fingermark Aging: Chemical Degradation Over Time. Technologies for Fingermark Age Estimations: A Step Forward. Springer International Publishing 2021.
Charlton, D.; Costa, C.; Trindade, G.F.; Hinder, S.; Watts, J.F.; Bailey, M.J. Improving the technological readiness of time of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry for enhancing fingermark recovery - towards operational deployment. Science & Justice. 2023;63(1):9-18.
Bradshaw, R.; Wilson, G.; Denison, N.; Francese, S. Application of MALDI MS imaging after sequential processing of latent fingermarks. Forensic Science International. 2021;319:110643.
Fowble, K.L.; Musah, R.A. Simultaneous imaging of latent fingermarks and detection of analytes of forensic relevance by laser ablation direct analysis in real time imaging-mass spectrometry (LADI-MS). Forensic Chemistry. 2019;15.
Skriba A, Havlicek V. Mass spectrometry imaging of illicit drugs in latent fingerprints by matrix-free and matrix-assisted desorption/ionization techniques. Eur J Mass Spectrom (Chichester). 2018 Feb;24(1):124-128. Scotcher & Bradshaw, 2018
O'Neill KC, Lee YJ. Effect of Aging and Surface Interactions on the Diffusion of Endogenous Compounds in Latent Fingerprints Studied by Mass Spectrometry Imaging. J Forensic Sci. 2018 May;63(3):708-713.Lauzon 2018
Barros, R.M.; Clemente, M.C.H.; Martins, G.A.V.; Silva, L.P. Application of mesocellular siliceous foams (MCF) for surface-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) Analysis of fingermarks. Science & Justice. 2018;58(4):264-270.
Amin, M.O.; Madkour, M.; Al-Hetlani, E. Metal oxide nanoparticles for latent fingerprint visualization and analysis of small drug molecules using surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. Anal Bioanal Chem. 2018 Aug;410(20):4815-4827.
Hinners, P., O’Neill, K.C., Lee, Y.J. Revealing Individual Lifestyles through Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Chemical Compounds in Fingerprints. Sci Rep 8, 5149 (2018).
Zhou Z, Zare RN. Personal Information from Latent Fingerprints Using Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry and Machine Learning. Anal Chem. 2017 Jan 17;89(2):1369-1372.
Costa C, Webb R, Palitsin V, Ismail M, de Puit M, Atkinson S, Bailey MJ. Rapid, Secure Drug Testing Using Fingerprint Development and Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry. Clin Chem. 2017 Nov;63(11):1745- 1752.
Bradshaw, R.; Denison, N.; Francese, S. Implementation of MALDI MS profiling and imaging methods for the analysis of real crime scene fingermarks. Analyst. 2017;142:1581-1590.
Cai L, Xia MC, Wang Z, Zhao YB, Li Z, Zhang S, Zhang X. Chemical Visualization of Sweat Pores in Fingerprints Using GO-Enhanced TOF-SIMS. Anal Chem. 2017 Aug 15;89(16):8372-8376.
Gustafsson OJR, Guinan TM, Rudd D, Kobus H, Benkendorff K, Voelcker NH. Metabolite mapping by consecutive nanostructure and silver-assisted mass spectrometry imaging on tissue sections. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2017 Jun 30;31(12):991- 1000.
Lauzon N, Dufresne M, Beaudoin A, Chaurand P. Forensic analysis of latent fingermarks by silverassisted LDI imaging MS on nonconductive surfaces. J Mass Spectrom. 2017 Jun;52(6):397-404.
Kamanna S, Henry J, Voelcker NH, Linacre A, Paul Kirkbride K. A mass spectrometry-based forensic toolbox for imaging and detecting biological fluid evidence in finger marks and fingernail scrapings. Int J Legal Med. 2017 Sep;131(5):1413-1422.
Pleik S, Spengler B, Schäfer T, et al. Fatty Acid Structure and Degradation Analysis in Fingerprint Residues. J Am Soc Mass Spec. 2016;27(9):1565- 1574.
Comi TJ, Ryu SW, Perry RH. Synchronized Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging. Anal Chem. 2016 Jan 19;88(2):1169-1175.
Cheng YH, Zhang Y, Chau SL, Lai SK, Tang HW, Ng KM. Enhancement of Image Contrast, Stability, and SALDI-MS Detection Sensitivity for Latent Fingerprint Analysis by Tuning the Composition of Silver-Gold Nanoalloys. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2016 Nov 2;8(43):29668-29675.
Bailey M, Randall EC, Costa C, Salter TL, Race AM, de Puit M, Koeberg M, Baumert M, Bunch J. Analysis of Urine, Oral fluid and Fingerprints by Liquid Extraction Surface Analysis Coupled to High Resolution MS and MS/MS - Opportunities for Forensic and Biomedical Science. Anal Methods. 2016 Apr 28;2016(16):3373-3382.
Tang X, Huang L, Zhang W, Zhong H. Chemical imaging of latent fingerprints by mass spectrometry based on laser activated electron tunneling. Anal Chem. 2015 Mar 3;87(5):2693-2701.
Sundar L, Rowell F. Drug cross-contamination of latent fingermarks during routine powder dusting detected by SALDI TOF MS. Anal Methods. 2015;7(9):3757- 3763.
Lauzon N, Dufresne M, Chauhan V, Chaurand P. Development of laser desorption imaging mass spectrometry methods to investigate the molecular composition of latent fingermarks. J Am Soc Mass Spectrom. 2015 Jun;26(6):878-886. doi: 10.1007/s13361-015-1123-0. PMID: 25846823.
Elsner C, Abel B. Ultrafast High-Resolution Mass Spectrometric Finger Pore Imaging in Latent Finger Prints. Sci Rep. 2014;4:6905.
Walton BL, Verbeck GF. Soft-landing ion mobility of silver clusters for small-molecule matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and imaging of latent fingerprints. Anal Chem. 2014 Aug 19;86(16):8114-8120.
Sundar L, Rowell F. Detection of drugs in lifted cyanoacrylate-developed latent fingermarks using two laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometric methods. Analyst. 2014;139(3):633-642.
Bradshaw R, Bleay S, Clench MR, Francese S. Direct detection of blood in fingermarks by MALDI MS profiling and imaging. Sci Justice. 2014 Mar;54(2):110-117.
Yagnik GB, Korte AR, Lee YJ. Multiplex mass spectrometry imaging for latent fingerprints. J Mass Spectrom. 2013 Jan;48(1):100-104.
Lim AY, Rowell F, Elumbaring-Salazar CG, Loke J, Ma J. Detection of drugs in latent fingermarks by mass spectrometric methods. Analyst. 2013;5(17):4378- 4385.
Ferguson LS, Creasey S, Wolstenholme R, Clench MR, Francese S. Efficiency of the dry-wet method for the MALDI-MSI analysis of latent fingermarks. J Mass Spectrom. 2013 Jun;48(6):677-684.
Clemons K, Dake J, Sisco E, Verbeck GF. Trace analysis of energetic materials via direct analyteprobed nanoextraction coupled to direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry. Forensic Science International. 2013;231(1–3):98-101.
Poletti T, Berneira LM, Passos LF, da Rosa BN, de Pereira CMP, Mariotti KC. Preliminary efficiency evaluation of development methods applied to aged sebaceous latent fingermarks. Sci Justice. 2021;61(4):378-383.
Dorakumbura B, Busetti F, Lewis SW. Analysis of Squalene and Its Transformation By-Products in Latent Fingermarks by Ultrahigh-Pressure Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Accurate Mass Orbitrap™ Mass Spectrometry. ChemRxiv. Cambridge: Cambridge Open Engage; 2019.
Girod A, Spyratou A, Holmes D, Weyermann C. Aging of target lipid parameters in fingermark residue using GC/MS: Effects of influence factors and perspectives for dating purposes. Sci Justice. 2016 May;56(3):165- 180.
Girod A, Weyermann C. Lipid composition of fingermark residue and donor classification using GC/MS. Forensic Sci Int. 2014 May;238:68-82.
Frick AA, Chidlow G, Lewis SW, van Bronswijk W. Investigations into the initial composition of latent fingermark lipids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Forensic Sci Int. 2015 Sep;254:133-47.
Cadd SJ, Mota L, Werkman D, Islam M, Zuidberg M, de Puit M. Extraction of fatty compounds from fingerprints for GCMS analysis. Anal. Methods. 2015;7(3):1123-1132.
Girod A., Ramotowski R., Lambrechts S., Misrielal P., Aalders M. and Weyermann C. Fingermark age determinations: Legal considerations, review of the literature and practical propositions. Forensic Science International 262:212-226, 2016.
de Puit M, Ismail M, Xu X. LCMS analysis of fingerprints, the amino acid profile of 20 donors. J Forensic Sci. 2014 Mar;59(2):364-70.
Michalski S, Shaler R, Dorman FL. The evaluation of fatty acid ratios in latent fingermarks by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. J Forensic Sci. 2013 Jan;58 Suppl 1:S215-20.
King S, Benson S, Kelly T, Lennard C. Determining the effects of routine fingermark detection techniques on the subsequent recovery and analysis of explosive residues on various substrates. Forensic Sci Int. 2013 Dec 10;233(1-3):257-264.
Amin MO, Al-Hetlani E, Lednev IK. Trends in vibrational spectroscopy of fingermarks for forensic purposes. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 2021;143:116341.
González M, Mariotti KC, Gomes AA, Ferrão MF, Limberger RP. Fingermark Analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy Using Chemometric Tools. Brazilian Journal of Analytical Chemistry. 2021;8(32):141-154.
Kolhatkar G, Parisien C, Ruediger A, Muehlethaler C. Latent Fingermark Imaging by Single-Metal Deposition of Gold Nanoparticles and Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. Front Chem. 2019;7:440.
Johnston A, Rogers K. A study of the intermolecular interactions of lipid components from analogue fingerprint residues. Sci Justice. 2018;58(2):121-127.
Dorakumbura BN, Boseley RE, Becker T, Martin DE, Richter A, Tobin MJ, van Bronswjik W, Vongsvivut J, Hackett MJ, Lewis SW. Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy. Analyst. 2018;143(17):4027-4039.
Andersson PO, Lejon C, Mikaelsson T, Landström L. Towards Fingermark Dating: A Raman SpectroscopyProof-of-Concept Study. Chemistry Open. 2017;6(6):706-709.
Girod A, Xiao L, Reedy B, Roux C, Weyermann C. Fingermark initial composition and aging using Fourier transform infrared microscopy (μ-FTIR). Forensic Sci Int. 2015;254:185-196.
Fritz P, van Bronswjik W, Lepkova K, Lewis SW, Lim KF, Martin DE, Puskar L. Infrared microscopy studies of the chemical composition of latent fingermark residues. Microchem J. 2013;111:40-46.
Ferguson, L.S. (2013). Analysis of the composition of latent fingermarks by spectroscopic imaging techniques. Doctoral, Sheffield Hallam University (United Kingdom). (Thesis).
Andersson PO, Lejon C, Mikaelsson T et al (2017) Towards Fingermark Dating: A Raman Spectroscopy Proof-of-Concept Study. ChemistryOpen 6(6):706- 709.
Oonk S, Schuurmans T, Pabst M et al (2018) Proteomics as a new tool to study fingemark aging in forensics. Sci Rep 8:16425.
Pleik S, Spengler B, Bandan DR et al (2018) Ambientair ozonolysis of triglycerides in aged fingerprint residues. Analyst 143(5):1197-1209.
Kent T (2016) Water content of latent fingerprints – Dispelling the myth. For Sci Int 266:134-138.
Keisar O, Cohen Y, Finkelstein Y et al (2019) Measuring the water content in freshly deposited fingermarks. For Sci Int 294:204-210.
Hinners, P., Thomas, M., & Lee, Y. J. (2020). Determining Fingerprint Age with Mass Spectrometry Imaging via Ozonolysis of Triacylglycerols. Analytical Chemistry, 92(4), 3125-3132.
Bleay S, Fitzgerald L, Sears V et al (2019) Visualising the past – An evaluation of processes and sequences for fingermark recovery from old documents. Sci Justice, 2019. 59(2):125-137
Alcaraz-Fossoul J, Zapico SC, Dean ER, Mueller KE, Johnson C, Roberts KA. Evaluation of latent fingermark color contrast as aging parameter under different environmental conditions: a preliminary study. J Forensic Sci. 2021 Mar;66(2):719-736.
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
Versions
- 25-03-2026 (3)
- 25-03-2024 (2)
- 26-07-2023 (1)
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Drug Analytical Research
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The Copyright holder of manuscripts published is Drug Analytical Research. Authors who publish with this journal are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Licensing:
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author.
