University adds to fingerprint technology

The research, which will cost £80,000, has been co-funded by the Home Office.

The technology uses matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to provide crime scene investigators with key extra details about suspects.

These details, such as any substances they might have touched, can provide crucial background information in a criminal investigation.

Conventionally, fingerprints found at the scene of a crime are lifted and compared with prints on a police database to identify a suspect.

However, the new technology produces multiple images of fingermarks that can provide extra information about a suspect.

These details can be especially vital when the suspect’s fingerprint is not on the police database and a positive ID cannot be made.

Dr Simona Francese, from Sheffield Hallam University’s biomedical research centre, said: “Our research has demonstrated our technology can definitely be applied at crime scenes.

“It makes full use of a fingermark left at a crime scene, giving investigators a whole new level of information on a suspect in addition to their identity.”

Dr Rosalind Wolstenholme, who has co-developed the technology, said: “Our goal is to get the technology included in police manuals on how to detect fingermarks at crime scenes.

“The funding from the Home Office will allow us to take steps towards this and to develop potential commercial applications for the technology.”