Chemical analysis of pharmaceuticals and explosives in fingermarks using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
Chemical analysis of latent fingermarks, "touch chemistry," has the potential of providing intelligence or forensically relevant information. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF MS) was used as an analytical platform for obtaining mass spectra and chemical images of target drugs and explosives in fingermark residues following conventional fingerprint development methods and MALDI matrix processing. There were two main purposes of this research: (1) develop effective laboratory methods for detecting drugs and explosives in fingermark residues and (2) determine the feasibility of detecting drugs and explosives after casual contact with pills, powders, and residues. Further, synthetic latent print reference pads were evaluated as mimics of natural fingermark residue to determine if the pads could be used for method development and quality control. The results suggest that artificial amino acid and sebaceous oil residue pads are not suitable to adequately simulate natural fingermark chemistry for MALDI/TOF MS analysis. However, the pads were useful for designing experiments and setting instrumental parameters. Based on the natural fingermark residue experiments, handling whole or broken pills did not transfer sufficient quantities of drugs to allow for definitive detection. Transferring drugs or explosives in the form of powders and residues was successful for preparing analytes for detection after contact with fingers and deposition of fingermark residue. One downfall to handling powders was that the analyte particles were easily spread beyond the original fingermark during development. Analyte particles were confined in the original fingermark when using transfer residues. The MALDI/TOF MS was able to detect procaine, pseudoephedrine, TNT, and RDX from contact residue under laboratory conditions with the integration of conventional fingerprint development methods and MALDI matrix. MALDI/TOF MS is a nondestructive technique which provides chemical information in both the mass spectra and chemical images.
Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit, Visiting Scientist Program, Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory Division, Quantico, VA, United States.
Kimberly
K
Kaplan-Sandquist
Scientific Analysis Section, Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory Division, Quantico, VA, United States.
Marc A
MA
LeBeau
Counterterrorism and Forensic Science Research Unit, Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory Division, Quantico, VA, United States. Electronic address: Mark.L.Miller@ic.fbi.gov.
Mark L
ML
Miller
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D053834:Explosive Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000032:analysis*; D011208:Powders; D012629:Sebum / Q000737:chemistry; D019032:Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; D014835:Volatilization
D000596:Amino Acids; D003373:Coumaric Acids; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D053834:Explosive Agents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D011208:Powders; C007175:alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate
Chemical imaging; Cyanoacrylate fuming; Drugs; Fingerprint powder; Latent fingerprint; Touch chemistry