title: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy: A deeper and quantitative insight into the fingermarks physical modifications over time.
abstract: The present work is focused on a novel approach for the study and quantification of some of the physical changes to which a fingermark deposited on non-porous substrates is subjected as its ageing proceeds. Particularly, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique has been applied for the first time in order to monitor the electrochemical behaviour of the system constituted by the fingermark residue and the underlying substrate. The impedance spectra proved to be significantly affected by the presence of the mark residue as well as by its ageing process. Opportune fitting operations performed on the experimental data allowed obtaining quantitative electrochemical parameters used to reach useful information on the fingermarks ageing mechanism as well as to calculate the fingermark ageing curves from which fundamental information could be potentially extrapolated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Pietro Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy. Electronic address: robbyrosa@libero.it.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Pietro Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giovanardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Pietro Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozza
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Pietro Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering "Enzo Ferrari", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Pietro Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leonelli
keywords: Ageing curves; EIS; Electrochemistry; Fingerprint ageing; Metallic substrates