Infrared spectroscopic imaging of latent fingerprints and associated forensic evidence

Abstract

Fingerprints reflecting a specific chemical history, such as exposure to explosives, are clearly distinguished from overlapping, and interfering latent fingerprints using infrared spectroscopic imaging techniques and multivariate analysis.

Analysis of confiscated fireworks using Raman spectroscopy assisted with SEM‐EDS and FTIR

“…[10] Very interesting methodologies have been tested for establishing criminal evidence. Ng et al [11] and Chen et al [12] have proposed the infrared spectral imaging detection of illicit substances (such as explosives). It has also been possible to determine residues of explosives after explosion events.…”

Development of Laser Desorption Imaging Mass Spectrometry Methods to Investigate the Molecular Composition of Latent Fingermarks

“…There are a variety of techniques for the visualization of latent fingerprints on porous (paper, cotton, wood), semi-porous (plastic, waxy surfaces), and nonporous (glass, metal, paint) surfaces, including powder methods [1], chemical methods (ninhydrin, DFO) [2], spectroscopic imaging approaches (IR, Raman) [3,4], and nanotechnology-based technologies [5]. Interestingly, the molecular composition of a latent fingermark can lead to additional forensic evidence and may assist law enforcers in the case of fingerprint matching process failure.…”

Latent Fingermarks Enhancement in Deep Eutectic Solvent by Co-electrodepositing Silver and Copper Particles on Metallic Substrates

“…This method is suitable for the dry fingermark sample, especially the aged LFMs, while the images produced from this method are of limited quality compared with many other techniques [5]. The infrared spectroscopic imaging is a technique not only for the effective visualization of LFMs basing on the strong C-H stretching mode vibrations of triglycerides and fatty acids which are rich in LFMs [14], but also for the identification of some endogenous metabolites and exogenously doped substances like prohibited drugs and explosive. The drawback of infrared spectroscopic imaging is the high technical requirements for the operator.…”

“…These approaches contain destructive developments (aqueous electrolyte immersion [8] and fluorescence [9]) and non-destructive developments (optical reflection [10], metal sputtering [11], scanning Kelvin probe [12,13], infrared spectroscopic imaging [14], electrochemistry [6,[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]). The destructive developments are helpful for high contrast visualization of LFMs but not recommended because they would disturb the subsequent DNA analysis by decomposing DNA under the circumstance of UV light or highly acidic/alkaline electrolyte.…”