Nanomechanical mapping of latent fingermarks: A preliminary investigation into the changes in surface interactions and topography over time

Dorakumbura, Buddhika N.; Becker, Thomas; Lewis, Simon W.

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.07.024

Cited by 36 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 52 publications

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“…"Natural" fingermarks contain a mixture of sebaceous and eccrine material, whereas "eccrine" fingermarks are those deposited from freshly washed hands with a typical time interval of approximately 15-30 min prior to deposition. 13,21 There are no known sebaceous (lipid-secreting) glands on the hand. 33 Therefore, fingermarks deposited following handwashing contain a lower lipid content, and are enriched in eccrine material relative to natural fingermarks.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lastly, our confirmation of the presence of lipids within eccrine droplets at the micron and sub-micron scale has validated the results of fingermark surface adhesion studies. 21 We previously investigated the surface adhesion of eccrine fingermark droplets using AFM with hydrophilic silicon cantilever tips and detected very low values (even negative values) for adhesion in some eccrine droplets. 21 Similarly, low values were observed on natural and sebaceous droplets which contained high amounts of lipids.…”

Section: Significance and Impact Of The Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We have recently reported varying surface adhesion within fingermark droplets using atomic force microscopy (AFM), which suggested possible chemical heterogeneity within individual droplets. 21 An alternative technique to ATR-FTIR to image fingermarks at micron-spatial resolution is Raman microscopy, which typically provides improved spatial resolutions compared to those achieved using FTIR techniques, due to the use of shorter laser excitation wavelengths. Raman spectroscopy, including surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, has been successfully applied to chemical imaging of latent fingermark ridge patterns and to detect exogenous substances such as illicit drugs and explosive residues.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy

Dorakumbura

Boseley

Becker

et al. 2018

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Latent fingermarks are an important form of crime-scene trace evidence and their usefulness may be increased by a greater understanding of the effect of chemical distribution within fingermarks on the sensitivity and robustness of fingermark detection methods. Specifically, the relative abundance and micro-distribution of sebaceous (lipophilic) and eccrine (hydrophilic) material in fingermarks have long been debated in the field, yet direct visualisation of relative abundance and micro-distribution was rarely achieved. Such a visualisation is nonetheless essential to provide explanations for the variation in reproducibility or robustness of latent fingermark detection with existing methods, and to identify new strategies to increase detection capabilities. In this investigation, we have used SR-ATR-FTIR and confocal Raman microscopy to probe the spatial micro-distribution of the sebaceous and eccrine chemical components within latent fingermarks, deposited on non-porous surfaces. It was determined that fingermarks exhibit a complex spatial distribution, influenced by the ratio of lipophilic to aqueous components, and to a first approximation resemble a water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion. Detection of a substantial lipid component in "eccrine enriched fingermarks" (wherein hands are washed to remove lipids) is noteworthy, as it provides a potential explanation for several scenarios of unexpected fingermark detection using methods previously thought unsuitable for "eccrine deposits". Furthermore, the pronounced distribution of lipids observed in natural fingermark deposits was intriguing and agrees with recent discussion in this research field that natural fingermarks contain a much higher lipid content than previously thought.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Significance and Impact Of The Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy

Dorakumbura

Boseley

Becker

et al. 2018

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“…KEYWORDS: forensic science, latent fingermarks, degradation, aging, ridge widths, titanium dioxide The vision of estimating the age of a fingermark would allow forensic scientists to determine when a person deposited their latent fingermark/s on a particular surface (1)(2)(3). A robust and reliable method of accurately dating a fingermark would further legitimize evidence for or against any defendant facing trial and, in turn, improve the reliability of forensic science and the criminal justice system altogether.…”

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confidence: 99%

Latent Fingermark Aging Patterns (Part IV): Ridge Width as One Indicator of Degradation

Alcaraz‐Fossoul

Feixat

Zapico

et al. 2019

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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This fourth article of the series is taking an in‐depth analysis at the visible aging of latent fingermarks regarding changes in ridge widths over time. The objective is to quantify and statistically describe significant ridge size variations under controlled indoor conditions. The effect of three environmental variables are examined: type of secretion (sebaceous‐ and eccrine‐rich) and type of substrate (glass and polystyrene) when aged in three light conditions (direct natural light, shade, and dark). Prior to width measurements, fresh and aged fingermarks were powdered with titanium dioxide (TiO2) and sequentially photographed at predetermined times over 6 months. Three independent observers measured the ridges from thirty predetermined locations using strategically placed intersecting lines on the print. Results indicate that fingermarks deposited on glass are more resilient to degradation compared with those deposited on plastic. The presence of direct natural light plays a negligible role on degradation compared to secretion and substrate types.

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“…According to previous research, as latent fingermark ages, substantial visual and chemical changes occur (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13) that affect, in different ways, the morphology of the friction ridges (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). The technique known as morphometrics incorporates the analysis of shape and size of the ridges and could be a useful technique to assess the aging process of latent fingermarks, particularly to identify variations in ridge widths that occur over time (10,14).…”

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confidence: 99%

A Small Population Study on Friction Skin Ridges: Differences in Ridge Widths Between Latent and Inked Fingerprints

Alcaraz‐Fossoul

Tully‐Doyle

Weber

et al. 2019

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Morphological changes in the width of latent fingermark ridges occur naturally over time. This could be used to examine the aging process of latents and eventually estimate time of deposition. In a crime context, it is common practice to compare a questioned (aged) fingermark with a database of known (inked) prints. Therefore, in the absence of fresh fingermarks for aging purposes, it is of interest to reveal correlations between these two categories of fingerprints with regard to the widths of their ridges. The present study explores correlations of ridge widths between flat and rolled inked prints with latent fingermarks visualized with carbon black (CB) and titanium dioxide (TiO2)‐based powders among a small population of ten donors. Results revealed consistent differences between the ridge widths of latent and inked prints as well as flat and rolled impressions. Latent fingermarks visualized with CB and TiO2 powders showed ridges with comparable widths.

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Nanomechanical mapping of latent fingermarks: A preliminary investigation into the changes in surface interactions and topography over time

Cited by 36 publications

References 52 publications

Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy

Revealing the spatial distribution of chemical species within latent fingermarks using vibrational spectroscopy

Latent Fingermark Aging Patterns (Part IV): Ridge Width as One Indicator of Degradation

A Small Population Study on Friction Skin Ridges: Differences in Ridge Widths Between Latent and Inked Fingerprints

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