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                            Library & Multimedia
 Revealing chemical evidence from fingerprints through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - mass spectrometry imaging
NCJ Number
              306215

Author(s)
          Paige Hinners
Date Published

2020
Length
              124 pages
Annotation
              This dissertation presents the author’s efforts to advance the application of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to the chemical analysis of latent fingerprints.
Abstract
              The first chapter contains a general introduction to MALDI-MSI, with a focus on the application to fingerprint analysis. The final chapter summarizes the presented work and future directions for the research. The second chapter presents the feasibility of using carbon fingerprint development powder (CFP) as an existing MALDI matrix. This study compared the ionization efficiency of CFP and other commonly used MALDI matrices. The data revealed that CFP is comparable or better than the currently utilized MALDI matrices for latent fingerprint analysis. MALDI-MSI was performed on fingerprints dusted with CFP and lifted with forensic lifting tape, demonstrating that more realistic samples can also be analyzed using MALDI-MSI. (Most importantly, it was shown that MALDI-MSI does not destroy the fingerprint during analysis and the fingerprint can be preserved as forensic evidence. The third chapter investigated the use of titanium oxide development powder (TiO2) as a MALDI matrix and elaborates on the impact of adding additional matrices to the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of fingerprint compounds. It was demonstrated that TiO2 worked efficiently as an existing MALDI matrix and did not require the use of a high-resolution mass spectrometer. Additional matrices on top of the TiO2 showed limited success and caused a decrease in intensity for some compounds. However, additional matrix did allow the analysis of TiO2 developed fingerprints in negative mode. Importantly this work emphasized the need for knowledge of traditional matrix applicability in fingerprint analysis. (Published abstract provided)
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2016-DN-BX-0190


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Thesis/Dissertation


  
  
        
  Award
        Chemical Imaging of Latent Fingerprint for Forensic Evidence
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2020
    
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      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Research and Development in Forensic Science for Criminal Justice Purposes
        Fingerprint analysis
        Forensic sciences
        Fingerprints
        Latent fingerprints



  
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