Marcel de Puit

Marcel de Puit is an Associate Professor at the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Faculty of Applied Sciences, Department of Chemical Engineering. He holds this position part-time while serving as a Senior Scientist and Research Lead at the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI), where he has worked since 2007.

His academic background includes a BSc from the University of Glasgow and a PhD from the University of Leeds, both under the supervision of Prof. P. J. Kocienski.

Marcel de Puit's research focuses on forensic chemistry, particularly in fingerprint development, chemical imaging, and bio-analysis. His work involves synthesizing and engineering visualization reagents for forensic traces and applying new technologies such as proteomics and AI to analyze biological materials. He explores the chemical composition and aging of fingerprints, aiming to extract investigative leads such as time since deposition, lifestyle, or health information.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend in advanced forensic analytics, combining chemistry, biology, and data science. Key areas include protein degradation in fingerprints, the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for trace detection, and the integration of AI to interpret chemical data. These works contribute to both fundamental understanding and practical forensic applications.

He is an editor for Frontiers in Analytical Science and Forensic Sciences and regularly reviews for high-impact journals including Nature Scientific Reports, Analyst, Forensic Science International, and Science and Justice.

Marcel de Puit actively supervises BSc and MSc students and has supervised several PhD candidates. He has been involved in numerous national and international research projects, including the EU-funded RISEN consortium for on-site forensic analysis and the CReaNet project. He has also contributed to major publications, including the authoritative book Fingerprint Development Techniques: Theory and Application.

His research group, operating at the intersection of the NFI and TU Delft, focuses on innovation in forensic science, emphasizing collaboration across institutions and disciplines to develop next-generation forensic tools and methodologies.