NCJ Number
224400
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 58 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2008 Pages: 524-539
Date Published
September 2008
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article reports on research conducted in order to determine whether an additional method could be developed for visualizing latent friction ridge fingerprint detail on porous surfaces.
Abstract
The procedure described in this article developed prints reliably on a number of porous surfaces. The procedure is fast, requires no special equipment, and can be easily mastered. The reagents used are as affordable as other current procedures, can be obtained from a number of sources, are nonflammable, and safe to use. The preliminary testing has also shown the procedure to be compatible with the majority of existing and accepted chemical friction ridge development methods. In addition, the fact that the developed friction ridge detail is easily preserved for later review (9 years to date) is another benefit. Additional work is required in a number of areas in order to determine the procedure’s potential for use in the field of friction ridge development, especially regarding fluorescent examination techniques. This research was motivated by a need to find more effective, reproducible, and safer methods of latent print development that would work in conjunction with existing techniques. The new method described targets albumin residue in sweat secretions and uses crossover technology from serology and the modified Western Blot method in developing ridge details. Samples of six porous materials were used: a white envelope, recycled paper, a manila envelope, a Post-It Note, and nitrocellulose. Each was touched with the finger of a single donor. The method and materials used are described in detail. 14 figures and 24 references