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Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
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https://doi.org/10.26434/chemr...
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
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Article . 2026
License: CC BY
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ZENODO
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
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Automated separation of overlapping fingermarks by nonnegative matrix factorization of DESI mass spectrometry imaging data

Authors: Villesen, Palle; Nielsen, Kirstine Lykke; Frisch, Kim;

Automated separation of overlapping fingermarks by nonnegative matrix factorization of DESI mass spectrometry imaging data

Abstract

Overlapping fingermarks present a significant challenge in forensic investigations, as traditional optical methods cannot separate superimposed ridge patterns from multiple donors. We present an automated and unsupervised approach using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to separate overlapping fingermarks from desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) data by exploiting the distinct chemical signatures of individual donors. DESI-MSI datasets containing 100-300,000 pixels with intensity measurements across 4-5,000 mass-to-charge channels were decomposed using NMF to identify spatially coherent molecular signatures. Using PCA as a baseline, NMF produced superior results with sharper spatial boundaries between fingermark regions, directly interpretable non-negative molecular signatures, and parts-based decomposition that naturally represents the additive nature of overlapping chemical deposits. The completely unsupervised analysis successfully identified distinct fingermark donors and their associated molecular profiles without requiring prior knowledge of donor number or chemical characteristics. We recommend NMF as the preferred method for detailed forensic fingermark analysis, since it offers forensic practitioners an automated, interpretable tool for analyzing complex fingermark evidence where multiple deposits overlap and is likely to extend to other MS imaging areas.

Related Organizations
Keywords

Mass spectrometry imaging, Overlapping fingermarks, DESI MS imaging, fingermarks, unsupervised analysis, Forensic fingermarks, Non-negative matrix factorization, mass spectrometry imaging, Chemometrics, nmf, forensic imaging, DESI-MSI, spatial autocorrelation

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green
hybrid
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