Examination of chemical substances adhered to latent fingerprints by Microscope -Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Microscope-FTIR)

Abstract

The objective of this research was to develop methods for analyzing chemical contaminants on latent fingerprints using techniques microscope-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Microscope-FTIR) techniques. Samples chosen for this study included methamphetamine, caffeine, and acetaminophen. The latent fingermarks deposited on glass surface after handling the samples were collected by using black powder and tape lifting techniques. Moreover, the effects of persistence time of these substances deposited within the latent fingerprints were also investigated. The results showed that the technique used in this experiment could detect all substances deposited on the finger of fingermark donors even at 6 hours after handling the substances. The results from this study demonstrated the potential of using the microscope-FTIR technique in the examination the traces of substances on the revealed fingermarks for forensic purpose.