Intelligent Fingerprinting specialises in the development of non-invasive diagnostic screening technology for fast and convenient point-of-care testing using fingerprints. The company has designed the world’s first handheld fingerprint drug-testing device, which is expected to be available from late 2015. Requiring only a single fingerprint sample to screen for commonly abused groups of drugs, this compact and portable device provides results in less than ten minutes. The company’s ground-breaking diagnostic technique detects drug use by analysing chemicals (known as metabolites) contained in the minute traces of sweat found in a fingerprint. Metabolites are chemicals produced by the body as a result of normal metabolic processes. They can be used to identify the substances a person has ingested, inhaled or injected. Future versions of the device will capture a detailed image of the fingerprint during analysis, enabling confirmation of personal identify if required. Intelligent Fingerprinting's technology has attracted worldwide interest for a range of drug-screening applications in criminal justice, drug rehabilitation, prisons and the workplace. The technique has potential for many other uses including healthcare diagnostics and homeland security applications. The company is based in Cambridge, UK.