Imaging Fingerprints of an Ancient Egyptian Mummy by Propagation-Based Phase-Contrast X-Ray Tomography

Mapping of fingerprints has long been the method of choice for identification of individuals in forensic science, since the friction ridges of the skin of the fingers provide a unique pattern that can be replicated. However, in the case of old or mummified cadavers, post-mortem changes to the skin make imaging of the ridges difficult. To enable replication of the prints by classical fingerprinting methods, such as photography, inked impression or dusting tape, the fingers must first be rehydrated. This requires, e.g, immersion in boiling water, or bathing the sample in reagent solutions for several days Here, we suggest fingerprinting by phase-contrast x-ray tomography, a non-intrusive high-resolution imaging method with enough soft-tissue contrast to resolve both the friction ridges and the microanatomy of the mummified soft tissue The method is demonstrated on a mummified hand from ancient Egypt.