A mass spectrometry-based forensic toolbox for imaging and detecting biological fluid evidence in finger marks and fingernail scrapings

What is it about?

This article describes an initial investigation of the application of mass spectral techniques for the examination of fingernail scrapings and latent finger marks that have been treated with aluminium-containing magnetic powder and lifted using adhesive tape.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Here, we describe preliminary work towards a ‘toolbox’ of techniques based on mass spectrometry (MS) for the identification of biological fluid traces under fingernails or the imaging of them in finger marks. Liquid chromatographymultidimensional MS was effective for the detection of protein biomarkers characteristic of vaginal fluid and blood trapped under fingernails, even after hands had been washed. In regard to examination of finger marks for the presence of biological fluids, the most practical implementation of any technique is to integrate it with, but after, routine crime scene finger mark enhancement has been applied.