Chemical characterization of fingerprints from adults and children

Michelle V. Buchanan; Keiji Asano; Arthur Bohanon

doi:10.1117/12.266300

10 February 1997 Chemical characterization of fingerprints from adults and children

Michelle V. Buchanan, Keiji Asano, Arthur Bohanon

Proceedings Volume 2941, Forensic Evidence Analysis and Crime Scene Investigation; (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.266300
Event: Enabling Technologies for Law Enforcement and Security, 1996, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

The observation that the fingerprints of children disappear from surfaces more quickly than those of adults initiated a study to characterize the chemical components in fingerprints. Samples were obtained from about 50 individuals ranging in age from three to 64 by extracting chemicals from the fintertips using rubbing alcohol. Using combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, a wide range of compounds were identified. It was found that the chemical compositions of fingerprints were quite different in children and adults. In general, the samples obtained from children contained higher levels of relatively volatile free fatty acids. Samples from adults were found to have higher concentrations of less volatile long chain esters of fatty acids. These esters are thought to originate from sebaceous glands located on the face and the levels of these compounds increase substantially after puberty. In addition to these compounds, a variety of other compounds were observed that could be used to develop improved methods for fingerprint detection at a crime scene. Further, the observation of specific compounds raises the possibility of being able to identify personal traits (gender, habits, diseases, etc.) via the analysis of components in fingerprints and/or skin.

Citation Download Citation

Michelle V. Buchanan, Keiji Asano, and Arthur Bohanon "Chemical characterization of fingerprints from adults and children", Proc. SPIE 2941, Forensic Evidence Analysis and Crime Scene Investigation, (10 February 1997); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.266300

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