Chemical differences are observed in children's versus adults' laten fingerprints as a function of time

Journal Article · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 2010 · Forensic Sciences

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01262.x· OSTI ID:1040363

Antoine, K M; Miller, L; Mortazavi, S; Miller, A D

The identification of aged latent fingerprints is often difficult, especially for those of children. To understand this phenomenon, the chemical composition of children's versus adults latent fingerprints was examined over time using Fourier transform infrared microscopy. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that children's and adults prints were distinguishable for up to 4 weeks after deposition, based on differences in sebum composition. Specifically, adults had a higher lipid content than children, but both decreased over time, attributable to the volatility of free fatty acids. The aliphatic CH{sub 3}, aliphatic CH{sub 2}, and carbonyl ester compositions changed differently in adults versus children over time, consistent with higher cholesterol and cholesteryl esters in children's prints and wax esters and glycerides in adults prints. Thus, fingerprint composition changes with time differently in children versus adults, making it a sensitive metric to estimate the age of an individual, especially when the age of the print is known.

• Research Organization: BROOKHAVEN NATIONAL LABORATORY (BNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE SC OFFICE OF SCIENCE (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-98CH10886
• OSTI ID: 1040363
• Report Number(s): BNL--91170-2010-JA; KC0401030
• Journal Information: Forensic Sciences, Journal Name: Forensic Sciences Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 55; ISSN 0022-1198
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ADULTS
CARBONYLS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHILDREN
CHOLESTEROL
CRIME DETECTION
DEPOSITION
ESTERS
LIPIDS
METRICS
MICROSCOPY
SQUALENE
VOLATILITY