Abstract: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight imaging mass spectrometry （MALDI-TOF-IMS） has been a classical technique for studying proteomics in present and a tool for analyzing the distribution of proteins and small molecules within biological tissue sections. MALDI-TOF-IMS can analyze multiple unknown compounds in biological tissue sections simultaneously through a single measurement which can obtain molecule imaging of the tissue while maintaining the integrity of cellular and molecules in tissue. In recent years, imaging mass spectrometry technique develops relatively quickly in all biomedical domain. This paper based on the relevant data and reviews the present developing level of MALDI-TOF-IMS, the principle of imaging mass spectrometry, methology and the prospect in forensic pathology.

Key words: forensic pathology, proteomics, review [publication type], mass spectrometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption, biological tissue section