MALDI-MSI and Fingerprints

A fingerprint is made up of material from the surface of the skin and from gland secretions, which can be detected and analysed. Fingerprints found at a crime scene are often lifted using a powder, and compared with prints on a database to identify a suspect.

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MALDI-MSI) is usually used to map different molecules within tissue sections, but, scientists at Sheffield Hallam University have just used the technique to analyse and produce images of fingerprints. Fingerprints analysed this way provided a wider range of information, eg, the technique can detect the presence of drugs and medication, and can provide information about a person's diet.

Reference:
Rosalind Wolstenholme, Robert Bradshaw, Malcolm R. Clench, Simona Francese. Study of latent fingermarks by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry imaging of endogenous lipids. Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 2009; 23 (19): 3031 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.4218