The new technique, under development by academics at the Biomedical Research Centre (BMRC) at Sheffield Hallam University, allows investigators to identify key details about suspects and can even be used to detect any substances they might have touched, such as traces of cocaine, medications, diet and the time at which they accidentally left print or mark. It is hoped the technique will compliment current fingermark detection techniques and assist in criminal investigations.

Fingermarks are made up of material from the surface of the skin and from gland secretions, which can be detected and analysed.  Sheffield Hallam researcher used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), a powerful technology normally used to map molecules within tissue sections. The technology was used, for the first time, to analyse and produce images of fingermarks.

Images obtained using the MALDI-MSI technique were found suitable for comparison by classical forensic approaches and provided a wider range of information. Fingermarks that had been tested could be re-used and accepted in court.

Simona Francese, (left) from the University's BMRC, said: "We can say thistechnology can help gain muchmore information from a fingermark than is currently available. Using it, we could link the suspect to criminal activity and potentially even gain details of their lifestyle by detecting the use of drugs, medication and even diet. This is valuable information to a criminal investigation, particularly if the suspect's print is not on the criminal database."

Rosalind Wolstenholme, (right) who co-authored the report, said: "Not only does the MALDI-MSI technique allow a greater range of information to be obtained from a fingermark, it also does not affect the fingermark so it can still be analysed by classic forensic approaches afterwards. We hope to further develop this technique and integrate it with another portable spectroscopic technique, Raman spectroscopy, making this technological approach complimentary to current forensic technology."

Speed  and sample preservation and analysis
In the Netherlands, the blood detection and identification at crime scenes are crucial for harvesting forensic evidence. Unfortunately, most tests for the identification of blood are destructive and time consuming.

The researchers have developed a fast and nondestructive identification test for blood, using non-contact reflectance spectroscopy. "We fitted reflectance spectra of 40 bloodstains and 35 non-bloodstains deposited on white cotton with spectroscopic features of the main compounds of blood. Each bloodstain was measured 30 times to account for ageing effects," writes researcher, Rolf H Bremmer.

The outcome of the blood measurements was compared with the reflectance of blood-mimicking stains and various body fluids. It was found that discrimination between blood and non-blood deposited on white cotton is possible with a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 98%, findings that could allow identification of blood at crime scenes by remote spectroscopy and the speed up of findings.

Professor David Bremner, forensic science researcher at Abertay University explained the new forensic approach on CNN video in February and will talk on Magic Markers – Recent Developments in Fingerprinting and Beyond at a Café Science event in Dundee on Halloween (31st October.)

"What's particularly exciting about this research is that revealing fingerprints and handprints on fabric can help criminal investigators to potentially identify a perpetrator and to corroborate testimony that a victim or witness has given.

"If someone claims they were grabbed by their collar or pushed in the back, we can use this technique to show where hand contact was made and help establish exactly what happened in a criminal incident." he says.

The technology has been developed through a joint project between Abertay and the Scottish Police Services Authority. It is also capable of uncovering traces of DNA left behind in finger and handprints.