NCJ Number
169839
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 46 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1996) Pages: 556-569
Date Published
1996
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This series of three papers describes research into the methods of developing latent fingerprints from the glass surface of unignited incendiary bottles and an optimization of the technique; it further describes a method for recovering and developing fingerprints from the soot-covered glass surface of ignited incendiary bottles.
Abstract
To the authors' knowledge, no attempt has ever been made to develop latent fingerprints from the glass surfaces of unignited incendiary bottles. It has always been assumed that the accelerants used in the bottles would wash away latent prints. This precept was challenged at the Division of Identification and Forensic Science of the Israel National Police, and, using the Small Particle Reagent method, latent fingerprints were recovered from glass surfaces washed by accelerant fluids with a 65-percent success rate. In the second study, Small Particle Reagent (SPR) proved to be the best method for developing latent fingerprints from surfaces that had been washed by accelerant fluids, as often occurs with incendiary bottles. Considering the particular chemical peculiarities of the samples in question, different compositions of SPR suspensions were tested to optimize the method. A suspension of 0.4-0.6 ml Tergitol detergent and 10 g molybdenum disulfide particles in 50 ml water gave the best results with fresh and 10-day-old fingerprints. In the third study, a method was devised for delicately cleaning the soot layer off the surface of the burnt glass exhibit by ultra-high frequency sonication, thus exposing the underlying latent fingerprint for development. 7 tables