Perkash, Kavisha T Siva (2026) Detection of drug traces in post-developed fingermarks using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Project Report. Universiti Sains Malaysia. (Submitted)
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Abstract
Fingermarks are commonly employed for human identification in forensic investigations; however, they can also serve as chemical reservoirs, retaining residues of foreign chemicals such as narcotics. Fingermarks are frequently subjected to development techniques before to examination in genuine forensic cases, but the impact of these activities on later chemical detection has received scant attention. This work assesses the feasibility of Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy as a non-destructive analytical method for detecting drug residues in post-developed fingermarks. Sebaceous fingermarks contaminated with paracetamol and caffeine were deposited on selected non-porous substrates namely glass, plastic, and aluminum foil surfaces. Fingermarks were developed using magnetic and non-magnetic fingerprint powders for visualisation and then analysed using ATRFTIR spectroscopy. A limit of detection (LOD) investigation was carried out to establish the lowest detectable levels of both medications, and several sampling procedures were investigated to optimise drug recovery from contaminated fingermarks. A persistence study was also conducted to determine the detectability of drug residues in contaminated fingermarks after one week of deposition. The findings showed that typical ATR-FTIR absorption bands of paracetamol and caffeine could still be successfully detected and recognised in post-developed fingermarks with minimal interference from fingerprint powders or lifting materials. Furthermore, drug residues were detectable during 7 days of intervals, demonstrating reasonable persistence within the fingermark matrix. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to preserve ridge detail while also providing chemical information from post-developed drug-contaminated fingermarks. The findings justify the incorporation of ATR-FTIR analysis into standard forensic fingermark examination, which increases the evidential value of fingermarks by allowing for simultaneous biometric and chemical intelligence.
| Item Type: | Monograph (Project Report) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Fingermarks |
| Subjects: | R Medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine |
| Divisions: | Kampus Kesihatan (Health Campus) > Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan (School of Health Sciences) > Monograph |
| Depositing User: | MUHAMMAD AKIF AIMAN AB SHUKOR |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Sep 2026 07:36 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Oct 2026 03:51 |
| URI: | http://eprints.usm.my/id/eprint/64862 |
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