NCJ Number
233772
Journal
Identification Canada Volume: 29 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 121-156
Date Published
December 2006
Length
36 pages
Annotation
This issue's three featured articles address the persistence of foot creases and their value for forensic identification; the development of a muriatic acid vapor chamber; and the capturing of the image of a footwear impression on ice.
Abstract
The first article reports on a study that concluded foot creases remain persistent over time; and when sufficient in number and significance, they constitute a valuable tool for identifying individuals from barefoot impressions. Barefoot impressions are rarely found at crime scenes and even then rarely have friction-ridge and crease details; however, when an impression displays sufficient detail for creases to be noted, even if the friction ridges are insufficient for analysis, the impressions should be collected and considered for potential forensic identification. In the current study, volunteers' footprints were collected over a 12-year period in order to determine their consistency over time. A case study that used barefoot creases for identification is presented. A second article describes the material and methods for developing a muriatic acid vapor chamber (MAVC). In Canada, the MAVC was developed and is used by the Missing Women Task Force in treating thermal paper for latent friction-ridge fingerprint development. The challenge was to develop an effective, safe, and consistent method for latent print recovery with muriatic acid. The initial process consisted of suspending the thermal paper over a glass tray that contained muriatic acid; however, this produced uneven results due to a lack of fume circulation. The process evolved to include a portable fan placed inside the closed container in order to distribute that vapor more evenly. Eventually a new design with the fan motor mounted outside of the container was developed. The article on recording footwear impressions on ice stemmed from a case in which the suspect walked on ice after walking through white Gyproc dust.