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Abstract:
Several methods have been suggested for the development of latent fingerprints on different surfaces. This paper presents a comparative assessment of a few different powdering methods (e.g., phloxine B dye, fluorescein dye, rhodamine B dye, and activated charcoal) for the development of latent fingerprints on different substrates.
Introduction
Fingerprints are often considered one of the most valuable types of physical evidence. Fingerprints are formed because of dermal ridges that are present on the fingers of the hand. The dermal ridges are formed between the third and fourth month of intrauterine life and remain unchanged throughout life. The dermal ridges are lined with numerous sweat pores (eccrine glands) that exude sweat, which moistens the ridges. The sebaceous glands (associated with hair follicles) produce oily exudes that the fingers often pick up from other portions of the body. If a person handles an object, he or she may leave a fingerprint deposit that is frequently invisible to the naked eye. These prints are known as latent prints. These latent prints, because of their moisture and constituents, can often be made visible using physical and chemical methods.
The use of fingerprint powders dates back to the early nineteenth century. Powder dusting is a method of physical enhancement that relies on the mechanical adherence of fingerprint powder to the moisture and oily components of skin ridge deposits. The application of powder to latent prints is a simple technique and yields instantly apparent prints. In the past, powder dusting, ninhydrin spraying, iodine fuming, and silver nitrate soaking were the four most commonly used techniques for latent print development [1 - 5]. These traditional techniques are quite effective in the recovery of latent prints from many surfaces. However, traditional methods of latent print detection are not always effective, and scientists have endeavored to find new methods or have attempted to improve the existing methods for the visualization of latent fingerprints.
Research has been conducted to develop new techniques that may be successfully applied to uncommon, difficult, and rarely encountered surfaces and that could offer more sensitivity than the conventional techniques. Some of the new procedures have been reviewed by others [3, 5 - 17]. These developments have significantly improved the efficiency of criminal investigation and personal identification. Almog...