NCJ Number
224060
Journal
Forensic Magazine Volume: 4 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2007/January 2008 Pages: 31-33
Date Published
December 2007
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article briefly describes the useful and effective technique for the development of latent fingerprints on difficult or “busy” visual backgrounds- traditional iodine fuming followed by digital subtraction.
Abstract
Advantages of the iodine fuming followed by digital subtraction include: (1) a relatively easy to learn and utilize technique; (2) costs are minimal if Adobe Photoshop is already being utilized; and (3) the latent image remains undamaged by this process so other development processes can subsequently be utilized. However, disadvantages associated with this method include: (1) time-consuming as the visual image can take some time to dissipate; (2) the visual image must completely disappear from the “loud” background prior to taking the second photograph; and (3) lighting and positioning of the evidence item must be strictly maintained and controlled for both the photo with the visible print on the “loud” background and the subsequent photo of just the “loud” background. The use of iodine fumes to locate latent fingerprints has been available to criminalist for years. With the advent of Adobe Photoshop, the use of the “older” fuming techniques of iodine vapors when combined with the “newer” Photoshop techniques of digital subtraction can offer another effective tool to develop and enhance latent images on visually difficult or distracting backgrounds. This method offers an easy, cost effective mechanism for developing and visualizing images on difficult background, while maintaining the integrity of the fingerprint. Figures