Detection of chemical substances adhered to latent fingerprints by using Microscope-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for forensic application
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Abstract
The objectives of this study are (1) to use microscope-Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in the analysis of fingermark traces, (2) to detect the exogenous substances deposited within the latent fingermarks by the FTIR spectral imaging, and (3) to investigate the persistence time of the substances on the latent fingermarks. Samples for the study were substances often encountered in forensic cases, namely, methamphetamine, caffeine, acetaminophen, kratom powder and bullet propellants. The latent fingermarks deposited on glass surface were collected from an individual immediately and at 1 hour, 3 hours, and 6 hours after handling the substances. The results were as follows;
1. The images of aged degradation of latent fingermarks on glass surfaces can be observed with the decrease in the number of minutiae counts over time.
2. The FT-IR technique can be used to analyze chemical contaminants on latent fingerprints.
3. The technique used in this work can detect the substances deposited on the finger of fingermark donors even at 6 hours after handling the substances.
The results from this study have demonstrated the potential of using the FTIR imaging technique in the detection of substances deposited within the fingermark for forensic purpose.
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