Extraction of fatty compounds from fingerprints for GCMS analysis

Abstract

The composition of fingerprints can contain a wealth of information with regard to the donor of the fingerprint. Fatty acids and other related sebaceous materials can be used to classify donor groups, as previously reported. The extraction of these particular materials from the fingerprint entities has proven to be rather tedious and difficult to reproduce on standardised samples. We present a two step method to obtain a broad spectrum of sebaceous materials from fingerprints in high yields with good reproducibility. By dissolving the fingerprint material in MeOH in the presence of TMSCl the fatty acids are esterified to their corresponding fatty acid methyl esters. During this extraction some of the other sebaceous materials are extracted as well. Only in a consecutive extraction with CHCl 3 is an optimal extraction of the fatty content of a fingerprint achieved.

Carbon‐Based Fingerprint Powder as a One‐Step Development and Matrix Application for High‐Resolution Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Latent Fingerprints

“…Both endogenous (i.e., triacylglycerols (TGs), fatty acids (FAs), amino acids, and peptides) and exogenous compounds (drugs, explosives, bug sprays, sunscreens, food related, etc.) detected in latent fingerprints have been utilized to develop suspect profiles and differentiate individuals (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13).…”

Evaluation of fatty acids in groomed fingerprint by gas chromatographic analysis using various extraction solvents and treatment methods

“…Intrinsic components detected in latent fingerprints have already been identified through numerous forensic studies as an important index for the development of fingerprints (Gird et al 2012;Bailey et al 2016;Ramotowski et al 2001;Rohatgi and Kapoor 2016;Bohanan 1998;Asano et al 2002;Croxton et al 2010;Stewart et al 1989;Antoine et al 2010;Michalski et al 2013a;Archer et al 2005;Cadd et al 2015a;Cadd et al 2015b). These studies showed that the components of a fingerprint are 95-99% water and organic (protein, amino acids, urea, and lipids) and inorganic (sodium, potassium, chloride, and phosphate) compounds secreted from eccrine, apocrine, and sebaceous glands.…”

“…These compounds originate from the sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands and are very useful ingredients to visualize fingerprints (Rohatgi and Kapoor 2016). Fatty acids are used as a particular target ingredient, which is important for aging studies due to its oxidation over time and the fact that it can be used to identify donor gender, age, eating habits, and race (Bohanan 1998;Asano et al 2002;Croxton et al 2010;Stewart et al 1989;Antoine et al 2010;Michalski et al 2013a;Archer et al 2005;Cadd et al 2015a). A better understanding of the composition changes over time is required to improve detection and visualization of the latent fingerprint and can also be useful in providing clues to criminal investigations (Cadd et al 2015b;Girod et al 2016).…”

“…In previous studies, analysis of fatty acids in fingerprints varied depending on the researcher, including sampling protocol, type of fingerprint deposition substrate, extraction solvent, treatment methods, and derivatization. Furthermore, some methods showed unavoidable limitations due to their complexity, not using actual fingerprints, low recovery ratio, high loss, uneven samples, time-consuming methods, need for toxic solvents, and use of expensive materials (Bohanan 1998;Asano et al 2002;Cadd et al 2015a;Mong et al 1999;Weyermann et al 2011;Mink et al 2013;Croxton et al 2006;Koenig et al 2011;Girod and Weyermann 2014). Mong et al (1999) used micro filter paper extracted in a serological pipette with 1:1 hexane:chloroform (1 mL) followed by acetone (1 mL).…”

Amino acid profiling from fingerprints, a novel methodology using UPLC-MS

“…7 By extracting the fatty components from ngerprints using CHCl 3 , Girod et al succeeded in obtaining full proles of a substantial amount of ngerprints. Even though it appeared later that the extraction methods used may not have been the optimum conditions, 7,8 Girod et al have shown the great potential of chemical proling of ngerprints on the basis of exogenous and endogenous materials. And even though the fatty acids, squalene, cholesterol and triglycerides found in ngerprints may not be directly related to the nger or palm deposition, more information on what has been touched previous to the crime related deposition can be invaluable.…”