NCJ Number
182493
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: May/June 2000 Pages: 264-271
Date Published
May 2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Studies conducted in a forensic laboratory revealed that using acetic acid solution coupled with ultrasonic waves improves the restoration of badly damaged fingers to enable their use for victim identification.
Abstract
Forensic technicians often need to obtain fingerprints from mummified, putrefied, or burnt bodies. However, it is not possible to ink eroded or burnt tegumentary surfaces to produce decadactylarian fingerprints. Therefore, forensic pathologists often use acetic acid for phalanx rehydration. Immersing the fingers in an ultrasonic container filled with a 20-percent acetic acid solution improves this method. The use of ultrasonic waves accelerates rehydration and provides both detachment of epidermis and cleaning of ridges and inter-ridges within hours. This method has produced excellent results despite the poor conservation status of samples. The next step planned by the authors’ laboratory will be to combine other chemical products with ultrasonic waves. Case example, photographs, and 5 references (Author abstract modified)