Visualization of Latent Fingermarks by Enhanced Chemiluminescence Immunoassay and Pattern Recognition

Anal Chem. 2019 Oct 15;91(20):12859-12865. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b02631. Epub 2019 Sep 24.

Abstract

Herein we report the combination of enzyme-linked immunoassay and pattern recognition analysis for extracting both chemical and spatial information from latent fingermarks (LFMs). The development approach basically involves two steps, namely, specific recognition of protein and polypeptide secretions present in the ridge residues of LFMs by horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled antibodies and the HRP-catalyzed chemiluminescent (CL) reaction between luminol and H2O2. The emitted light can spatially resolve the ridges, generating a bright image against the dark object surface for visualization of an LFM. Meanwhile, thanks to the molecular specificity of the immunoassay step, the emission also provides us additional information on the existence of specific substances in LFMs. The developed LFMs are further processed by a set of digital image processing procedures. Quantitative analysis based on minutia features shows that even poorly developed fingermarks can be matched successfully. This work offers the promise of facilitating cross-disciplinary studies between data-processing approaches and fingermark development techniques, such as the extraction of more information from LFM evidence, as well as the establishment of evaluation criteria for an enhancement technique.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Dermatoglyphics / classification*
  • Horseradish Peroxidase / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / analysis*
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques / methods*
  • Luminescence*
  • Luminol / chemistry*
  • Pattern Recognition, Automated*

Substances

  • Luminol
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Horseradish Peroxidase