Imaging of Latent Fingerprints through the Detection of Drugs and Metabolites

Imaging of Latent Fingerprints through the Detection of Drugs and Metabolites

Pompi Hazarika, Sue M. Jickells, Kim Wolff, and David A. Russell*

Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 10167 –10170

Antibody–magnetic-particle

These conjugates are attractive as not only can they provide evidence of drug use but they also enable identification of an individual with the ease of application and removal of magnetic fingerprint powder.

Detection of drugs

drug metabolite

marijuana D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

methadone2-ethylidene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3,-diph

enylpyrrolidine (EDDP)

cocaine benzoylecgonine

Detection of THC in a fingerprint

Detection of THC in a fingerprint

Detection of methadone and EDDP in a fingerprint

Detection of methadone in a fingerprint

Detection of EDDP in a fingerprint

Detection of benzoylecgonine in a fingerprint

Detection of benzoylecgonine in a fingerprint

Conclusions It has been shown for the first time that various drugs and drug metabolites,

such as THC, methadone and its metabolite EDDP, and benzoylecgonine can be readily detected in latent fingerprints of drug users through the use of antibody–magnetic-particle conjugates imaged by using either brightfield and/or fluorescence microscopy.

The fluorescence imaging capability of latent fingerprints provides a method that is potentially more sensitive for trace residue detection.

A key advantage of the magnetic-particle conjugates is that excess reagents can be removed using a magnet in a process similar to that currently used by fingerprint examiners at the scene of a crime.