An update on MALDI mass spectrometry based technology for the analysis of fingermarks – stepping into operational deployment

Francese, Simona; Bradshaw, Robert; Denison, Neil

doi:10.1039/c7an00569e

Cited by 46 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 69 publications

(98 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Initially conceived for the ionisation of large non volatile and labile molecules, MALDI MS capabilities have steadily developed to enable the ionisation of a vast range of molecular classes ranging from 100 Da to beyond 500 kDa in molecular weight thus enabling a wide range of molecular intelligence to be recovered from fingermarks. The technical description of the principles of MALDI MS have been recently summarised by Francese et al 8 but in brief, within this technique, ions are formed due to the transfer of energy of a laser firing in the UV region mediated by an UV absorbing chemical that has been co-crystallised with the analyte/s, called "matrix". The desorption and ionisation of the molecules produces at large singly charged ions, from the mass to charge of which, the molecular weight of the corresponding molecule can be easily inferred and this will be the first step to identify the molecule itself (and the type of intelligence inherently carried).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Criminal profiling through MALDI MS based technologies – breaking barriers towards border-free forensic science

Francese

2019

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Criminal profiling through MALDI MS based technologies – breaking barriers towards border-free forensic science

Francese

2019

Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Given the environment in which these decisions are made and the potential for snowball effect and cascade bias within decisionmaking later in the forensic reconstruction process [66], it is important that empirical studies are extended to cover a wider remit of forensic reconstruction decisions, encompassing the whole forensic reconstruction process [21]. Equally, the impact of the presentation of findings of the forensic science process on the judgements, decisions, and interpretations of the investigative team, key stakeholders within the legal domain, and judges and juries should be comprehensively explored, both in terms of the existing mechanisms of reporting forensic outcomes and also in relation to the application of new techniques and technology (for example the use of 3D technology [99] or virtual reality reconstruction within the courtroom [100,101], or the application of novel approaches to data collection [102], analysis [103], or interpretation [104,105]). The breadth of knowledge within the jury studies literature [62,106,107,108,109] should be considered in application to the context specific nature of forensic science evidence, acknowledging that the specific nature of the evidence presented in each case will be different.…”

Section: B) Empirical Examination Of Decision-making Has Lacked a Joimentioning

confidence: 99%

A cultural change to enable improved decision-making in forensic science: A six phased approach

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There has been an increased engagement by researchers in understanding the decision-making processes that occur within forensic science. There is a rapidly growing evidence base underpinning our understanding of decision-making and human factors and this body of work is the foundation for achieving truly improved decision-making in forensic science. Such an endeavour is necessary to minimise the misinterpretation of scientific evidence and maximise the effectiveness of crime reconstruction approaches and their application within the criminal justice system. This paper proposes and outlines a novel six phased approach for how a broadening and deepening knowledge of decision-making in forensic science can be articulated and incorporated into the spheres of research, practice, education, and policy making within forensic science specifically, and the criminal justice system more generally. Phases 1 and 2 set out the importance of systematic examination of the decisions which play a role throughout forensic reconstruction and legal processes. Phase 3 focuses on how these decisions can, and should, be studied to understand the underlying mechanisms and contribute to reducing the occurrence of misleading decisions. Phase 4 highlights the ways in which the results and implications of this research should be communicated to the forensic community and wider criminal justice system. Lastly, the way in which the forensic science domain can move forwards in managing the challenges of human decision-making and create and embed a culture of acceptance and transparency in research, practice and education (learning and training) are presented in phases 5 and 6. A consideration of all 6 connected phases offers a pathway for a holistic approach to improving the transparency and reproducibility of decision making within forensic science. 1 CJS decision map 2 Empirical study of decision mechanisms 3 Communicating the outcomes of decision making research 4 Managing risk 5 Education and training 6

show abstract

“…Fingermarks likely contain low amounts of endogenous proteins, compared to abundantly present lipids, salts and free amino acids 3 , and have only attracted limited attention from a proteomics point of view. In contrast, contaminant proteins on fingers have been proved to be highly relevant in studying donor contact with bodily fluids, such as blood 8 , 10 and vaginal fluid 14 by means of mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. From previous studies on fingermarks and epidermal skin layers it can be deduced that fingermark residue holds a wide variety of slowly degradable keratins alongside more typical proteins originating from sweat 15 – 20 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proteomics as a new tool to study fingermark ageing in forensics

Oonk

Schuurmans

Pabst

et al. 2018

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Fingermarks are trace evidence of great forensic importance, and their omnipresence makes them pivotal in crime investigation. Police and law enforcement authorities have exploited fingermarks primarily for personal identification, but crucial knowledge on when fingermarks were deposited is often lacking, thereby hindering crime reconstruction. Biomolecular constituents of fingermark residue, such as amino acids, lipids and proteins, may provide excellent means for fingermark age determination, however robust methodologies or detailed knowledge on molecular mechanisms in time are currently not available. Here, we address fingermark age assessment by: (i) drafting a first protein map of fingermark residue, (ii) differential studies of fresh and aged fingermarks and (iii), to mimic real-world scenarios, estimating the effects of donor contact with bodily fluids on the identification of potential age biomarkers. Using a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach, we drafted a characteristic fingermark proteome, of which five proteins were identified as promising candidates for fingermark age estimation. This study additionally demonstrates successful identification of both endogenous and contaminant proteins from donors that have been in contact with various bodily fluids. In summary, we introduce state-of-the-art proteomics as a sensitive tool to monitor fingermark aging on the protein level with sufficient selectivity to differentiate potential age markers from body fluid contaminants.

show abstract

An update on MALDI mass spectrometry based technology for the analysis of fingermarks – stepping into operational deployment

Abstract: Expanded range of retrievable intelligence from fingermarks via MALDI MS based methods and increased operational capabilities of the technology.

Cited by 46 publications

References 69 publications

Criminal profiling through MALDI MS based technologies – breaking barriers towards border-free forensic science

Criminal profiling through MALDI MS based technologies – breaking barriers towards border-free forensic science

A cultural change to enable improved decision-making in forensic science: A six phased approach

Proteomics as a new tool to study fingermark ageing in forensics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About