NCJ Number
158817
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 45 Issue: 6 Dated: (November/December 1995) Pages: 612-617
Date Published
1995
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Photographing a fingerprint that is wrapped around a cylindrical object, such as a cartridge case, presents several problems to the photographer; consequently, a device known as the Rotorgraph has been developed to assist in recording the entire surface of a cylindrical object onto one photographic negative.
Abstract
The Rotorgraph consists of five basic components: baseboard, turntable platform, turntable platform drive, turntable, and turntable drive string. A camera is placed on a tripod in front of the Rotorgraph and is not connected to the Rotorgraph in any way. The camera's aperture is adjusted so that the image will be recorded where the bright vertical line of light strikes the object. Actual use of the Rotorgraph demonstrates that it works best on shiny surfaces of small diameter. Once the object approaches the diameter of a small juice can, normal photography will do as well as or better than the Rotorgraph, especially if the surface is dull. 4 figures