Abstract
Further developments in fingermark detection rely heavily on improving our knowledge of latent fingermark composition. Investigations into the factors responsible for compositional variation , such as traits including age, gender and lifestyle habits , as well as a better understanding of fingermark degradation processes, are vital to overcome the limitations of current development methods. In recent years, there has been much interest in employing mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) for these purposes due to its ability to simultaneously identify and map the substances present on surfaces [1] . A number of investigations have applied SIMS, MALDI and DESI MSI techniques to the examination of both endogenous and exogenous fingermark components. Results so far indicate the potential of MSI to be applied to in - depth studies into the factors that influence finger mark composition. This presentation gives an overview of current developments in the field and reports on our progress so far in applying it to the study of latent fingermark chemistry