Identification of recently handled materials by analysis of latenthuman fingerprints using infrared spectromicroscopy

Journal Article · Wed Jun 08 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Applied Spectroscopy

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1366/0003702055012618· OSTI ID:886056

Grant, Ashleigh; Wilkinson, T J; Holman, Thomas; Martin, MichaelC

Analysis of fingerprints has predominantly focused on matching the pattern of ridges to a specific person as a form of identification. The present work focuses on identifying extrinsic materials that are left within a person's fingerprint after recent handling of such materials. Specifically, we employed infrared spectromicroscopy to locate and positively identify microscopic particles from a mixture of common materials in the latent human fingerprints of volunteer subjects. We were able to find and correctly identify all test substances based on their unique infrared spectral signatures. Spectral imaging is demonstrated as a method for automating recognition of specific substances in a fingerprint. We also demonstrate the use of Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and synchrotron-based infrared spectromicroscopy for obtaining high-quality spectra from particles that were too thick or too small, respectively, for reflection/absorption measurements. We believe the application of this rapid, non-destructive analytical technique to the forensic study of latent human finger prints has the potential to add a new layer of information available to investigators. Using fingerprints to not only identify who was present at a crime scene, but also to link who was handling key materials will be a powerful investigative tool.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley NationalLaboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Director. Office of Science. Office of Basic EnergySciences. Materials Science and Engineering Division
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 886056
• Report Number(s): LBNL--57818; BnR: KC0204016
• Journal Information: Applied Spectroscopy, Journal Name: Applied Spectroscopy Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 59; ISSN 0003-7028; ISSN APSPA4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CRIME
FINGERS
Forensics Fingerprints FTIR Microscopy SpectromicroscopySynchrotron ATR
MIXTURES
SPECTRA