Speaker: Per Ola Andersson, Research Director at FOI and Adjunct Professor at Uppsala University
In a proof-of-concept study performed by Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI, in a collaboration with Swedish National Forensic Centre, NFC, the potential of applying optical spectroscopic techniques in fingermark analyses have been examined. In common they are non-destructive and do not need any sample preparation or to be in contact with the sample. By letting photons strike the fingermark and by collecting the re-emitted ones in form of Raman scattering and fluorescence unique fingerprint pattern is imaged, useful for identification of individuals.
Simultaneously, the hyperspectral data provide information about the chemical composition (including trace chemicals) of the fingermark, giving valuable inputs when it comes to profiling the person.
Furthermore, attained data is also analysed in purpose to estimate the age of the fingermark (when it was deposited on the material). Due to the non-destructively character of these analyses the fingermarks can further be analysed with other destructive sample consuming techniques, e.g. DNA analysis.