Chemical characterization of fingerprints from adults and children

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:443195

Buchanan, M V; Asano, K ^[1]; Bohanon, A ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Knoxville Police Dept., TN (United States)

Observation that children`s fingerprints disappear from surfaces more quickly than adults`, initiated a study to characterize the chemical components in fingerprints. Samples were obtained from about 50 individuals ranging in age from 3 to 64 by extracting chemicals from the fingertips using rubbing alcohol. Using combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, a wide range of compounds were identified. Samples from children contained higher levels of relatively volatile free fatty acids, while those from adults had higher levels of less volatile long chain esters of fatty acids. These esters are thought to originate from sebaceous glands located on the face and levels of these compounds increase substantially after puberty. Also, other compounds were observed that could be used to develop improved methods for fingerprint detection at a crime scene. Further, observation of specific compounds raises the possibility of being able to identify personal traits (gender, habits, diseases, etc. ) via analysis of components in fingerprints and/or skin.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-96OR22464
• OSTI ID: 443195
• Report Number(s): CONF-961113--14; ON: DE97001369
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
40 CHEMISTRY
55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
BASIC STUDIES
ADULTS
AGE GROUPS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHILDREN
CRIME DETECTION
OILS
SKIN