title: Characterization of children's latent fingerprint residues by infrared microspectroscopy: forensic implications.
abstract: The chemistry of children's latent fingerprint residues was investigated as a function of time and temperature by non-destructive spectrochemical analysis. Latent fingerprints from children, ranging in age from 2 to 11 years, were deposited onto aluminum-coated glass slides and were analyzed by Fourier-Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy. The results revealed that there are three major classes of compounds present in children's latent fingerprints: carboxylic acid salts, proteins, and esters. By studying the changes in the fingerprint residues as a function of time and at elevated temperatures, we discovered that the salts in the fingerprint residues are stable relative to the esters. These findings have relevant forensic implications; by targeting the acid salts instead of the esters or proteins, children's latent fingerprints may be recovered after extended periods of time have elapsed.
authors.affiliation: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Laboratory Division, 2501 Investigation Parkway, Quantico, VA 22135, United States. diane.williams@ic.fbi.gov
authors.forename: Diane Keith
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Corrie J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000577:Amides; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D004952:Esters; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D015591:Microspectrophotometry; D010784:Photomicrography; D012492:Salts; D013048:Specimen Handling; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D002264:Carboxylic Acids; D004952:Esters; D012492:Salts; D019344:Lactic Acid