NCJ Number
227714
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 54 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2009 Pages: 892-894
Date Published
July 2009
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The case study presented demonstrates latent fingerprint visualization on a discharged shell casing recovered 14 years earlier at a homicide scene.
Abstract
Previous cyanoacrylate fuming of the casing had failed to reveal any fingerprints. The procedure described in this paper used a visualization technique in which a conducting carbon powder adheres preferentially to latent fingerprint corrosion of the casing surface, following the application of a potential of 2.5 kV to the casing. Initially, a visual examination confirmed that no fingerprint ridge detail was apparent on the casings. Each casing was then heated to approximately 700 degrees C over an open flame. This was done to remove any fumed cyanoacrylate deposit that might have been adhering to the surface of the casing, as well as to induce a corrosive reaction between the brass surface of the casing and ionic salts present in any fingerprint deposit remaining on the surface of the casing. Previous work has shown that heating fingerprint deposits on brass to this order of temperature can provide a corroded image of the fingerprint. Despite the time elapsed since the crime was committed and the previous cyanoacrylate fuming of the shell casings, fingerprint ridge lines were visualized on one casing through this technique. After extensive interview with the family and friends of the victim, a strong suspect was identified. 2 figures and 10 references