Date of Award

Spring 5-2026

Language

English

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Chemistry

Advisor/Committee Chair

Igor Lednev

Committee Member

Paul J. Toscano

Abstract

Spectroscopic techniques offer rapid and non-destructive approaches for the detection of trace evidence. Among such evidence, blood-contaminated fingermarks provide both identification of individuals and valuable contextual information regarding the events of a crime. However, the co-deposition of blood and fingermark residue creates a complex biochemical environment that can complicate their detection. This challenge is further complicated by a depletion series, where successive impressions contain progressively reduced quantities of blood. In this study, Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the detection of blood in fingermarks across a depletion series of four impressions. Additional experiments were conducted to assess the ability of this approach to distinguish between blood-contaminated fingermarks and visually similar environmental interferents, as well as to evaluate performance on different substrates. Characteristic Raman bands associated with blood remained prominent up to the third impression, whereas in the fourth deposition, contributions from blood-related bands were minimal and bands associated with fingermarks became more evident. Environmental interferents demonstrated distinct spectral profiles, allowing differentiation from blood containing samples. Additionally, substrate interference was assessed, and our approach enabled the detection of blood-contaminated fingermarks on both paper and glass substrates. The findings of this study demonstrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a rapid, non-destructive, and selective technique for forensic analysis of blood in fingermarks under realistic conditions.

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