ASE 2022 Annual Conference Online

Fingerprinting still remains one of the most powerful means of biometric identification. However it has been underplayed in terms of the additional value and information they contain.  
Pioneering work at Sheffield Hallam University, UK has demonstrated the capabilities of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI MSI) to yield both physical and chemical information by providing multiple images of the same fingermark, simultaneous with additional intelligence1. Physical information could complement the ridge pattern retrieved by CSI or even provide the only ridge pattern image for database comparison1, as well as enabling separation of overlapping impressions2. The opportunity to detect chemical information (aminoacids, fatty acids, peptides, proteins, drugs, toiletry products, condom lubricants and blood as a few examples) could provide investigative leads on physiological, pathological and lifestyle information as well as being useful to prove/disproof the suspect's statements.  Consumption of drugs and alcohol can also be proved6-7 and this is useful to inform on the suspect's state of mind while committing the crime. Here, the pioneering use and rapid developments of MALDI MS and MSI for the analysis of latent and blood marks are presented together with insights into Police casework undertaken, in collaboration with West Yorkshire Police, DSTL and the Home Office in UK.