Since fingerprints are unique, they are often used to identify individuals in forensic investigations. The accuracy of using fingerprints is limited by the completeness of the fingerprint and its integrity. Other methods may be useful for distinguishing individuals, such as analyzing fingerprint residues for their chemical components. In this investigation, both qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses were used to look at the similarities and differences of chemical fingerprint components in the individuals that participated in this study. Subjects collected fingerprint residue by using their fingers to obtain oils from their forehead and nose. The oil residues were then transferred onto filter paper which was placed into a vial with dichloromethane to extract the chemical components. After evaporating the excess dichloromethane with flowing nitrogen, the components were re-dissolved in dichloromethane, transferred to a micro-insert, then placed in a sample vial to run on the Gas Chromatograph – Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). After the GC-MS separated the components, they were identified and their peak areas were determined using integration. Statistical techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis, were used to distinguish the fingerprints of different individuals and compare the fingerprints obtained on different days that when the samples were prepared. Ultimately, fingerprint components of individuals can be identified and, using PCA and hierarchical clustering, these components can be used to distinguish individuals.

Use of principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis to evaluate fingerprint residues

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.