Forensics: Aging Fingerprints

In quadrants 1 and 2 how the amount and constituents of the fingerprint residue on the substrate affects the fingerprint image, is determined. In quadrant 1, excess sebum and moisture is first removed from the finger tips with the help of a clean cloth. In quadrant 2, fingertip is first wiped around the nose or forehead to create excess sebum. Quadrant 3 and 4 were used to compare the details between untreated and dusted fingerprint residues.

For over a century fingerprints have been one of the most used tools of forensic science. Fingerprints have been used to identify criminals of small crimes

In our current state, there are many classifications of fingerprints. A fingerprint is an individual characteristic because each finger has its own pattern. You will not find any fingers with the same pattern on them. During

That is a good question, one worth answering. Forensics is a scientific tool that has come to its own starting about the 80’s. Fingerprinting was one of the first techniques used to help in identifying the criminals that committed the heinous acts. Fingerprinting uses a brush and powder to enhance the ridge details on the fingertips adhering to the oils left behind. Another awesome way they have been able to pull prints off soft surfaces like bed sheets is by using superglue and heat. Fascinating isn’t it? Since then Forensics has become even more evolved. Fingerprints now go into a database known as AFIS or Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which has the prints of everyone

In this phase a variable light source was used to excite the fingerprint residue. This was done to obtain fluorescence from the fingerprint residue. Various spectral filters and a range of camera settings accompanied with different light sources were tested to see if any fluorescence existed. The images were compared with each other to figure out if any sample shows florescence under any specific range of wavelengths. Since, we were unaware of the fact whether the fingerprints were contaminated during any experiment we used various wavelengths for the substances that might show fluorescence under different wavelengths. The level of detail in the images remained the same as the previous phase of research and

Lastly, reliable print lifting and identifying are necessary because fingerprints are often the only way to tie a perpetrator to the crime itself.

As well as the process of DNA hair analysis, all people are affected by fingerprinting. Some negative effects of this ongoing problem include the use of planting fingerprints at a crime scene. There has been cases where DNA evidence of fingerprints were planted on objects or the evidence and so they would be wrongfully accused of crimes. Another flaw of fingerprinting is that jobs and people can be used to profile and discriminate before meeting. When children are born, their feet are inked and marked on paper to secure the identity. Fingerprinting is a flaw because it is a mandatory piece of evidence and analysis. When you are born, a DNA sample is collected at the hospital right after being born, therefore giving no option to the matter. The only way the process of fingerprinting would change is if the government decides to change how labs run and laws about fingerprinting. The reason why fingerprinting analysis is not being changed is because it is different in every state. With fingerprinting, there is no rule of how many comparison, or minutiae points forensic scientists must have in order to compare a known fingerprint to a question. The relation between this issue above to the overall flaws of the forensic science field is that it can be argued in court that although these comparison points were found on both fingerprints, it doesn’t mean that it could be that person who could be convicted

The first step in processing fingerprint evidence at a crime scene begins with documentation through the use of photography, sketches and detailed notes on the condition and disposition of the evidence. Often, latent prints can be used to establish the identity of a suspect or victim at a crime scene and can be considered as one of the most valuable forms of physical evidence. Processing evidence at a crime scene is a long, tedious process to ensure that delicate evidence, such as fingerprints can be preserved. When processing fingerprints, the location and condition of the print should be identified to determine the most appropriate technique for processing. There are two primary types of surfaces: porous and non-porous. Porous surfaces absorb fingerprint residue like paper, cardboard or unfinished wood. Conventional chemical techniques used on these types of surfaces include Silver Nitrate, Iodine Fuming, Ninhydrin and SuperGlue Fuming. Non-porous surfaces consist of plastics, glass, and metal. These prints are usually lifted with the powder dusting technique; however, caution should be used while processing latent print residue on non-porous surfaces as they can easily smear. Powdered latent prints are then lifted with tape. (Lee, & Gaesslen, 2001)

While other areas of forensic science may be called into question, the science of fingerprinting is safe. It’s an inviolable science with a long history. We all know that no two people in the world share the same fingerprints. And the FBI Crime Lab is the grand master when it comes to analyzing fingerprint evidence, right?

Though Hershel, Faulds, Galton and others set the stage in methods to indicate fingerprints should have been used for identification there was still controversy around the science. With the advances of technology, we now have a better understanding of why fingerprints have only been identified to a single individual. They are unique and permanent. Embryology finds six weeks in utero formations of early notching for what will become fingers starts. By week seven, webbing of the finger is almost gone and volar pads start to form. During week ten through twelve, initial formation of epidermal ridges begin. Primary ridges begin at the apex of the volar pads, tip of the finger and just above the first joint. Secondary ridges start to form by week sixteen and stop the formation of primary ridges. By twenty-four weeks ridge formation has completely finished. For over one hundred years friction ridge impressions have been only known to relate back to only one source thus resulting its broad usage in law enforcement, banking, government buildings for identification purposes and etc.

When it comes to fingerprints, no two individuals are the same. This is just one of the many reasons to as why fingerprints are so important when it comes to evidence. In addition, fingerprints are used to assist in capturing the individual, who was at the crime scene when the crime was perpetrated. Fingerprints are found on surfaces due to the friction ridges that are on each one of our hands (Nolo, 2015). Sweat, body oils, and dirt are just a few of the things that

One of the most common evidence an investigator deals with on a daily basis is fingerprints. Everyone has them, and they are unique to every single person. There are no two alike. Fingerprints, unless altered by scarring or other means, are

“Fingerprint recognition is one of the divorce inference using the impressions made by the minute ridge formations or patterns found on the fingertips. No two people have exactly the same arrangement of the ridge patterns, and the remaining patterns of any one individual unchanged. Fingerprints infallible provide a means of personal identification. Other personal characteristics may change, but not fingerprints”. (1)

Fingerprints are formed during the first, third to fourth months of fetal development. While growing (in the womb) the fingerprint and the ridges will expand. A fingerprint stays the same from when

Every time somebody touches something, they leave behind a unique signature that forever links them to that object. This link is their fingerprints, which are unique to every person, for no two people have the same set, not even family members or identical twins. Palms and toes also leave prints behind, but these are far less commonly found during crime scene investigations. Therefore, fingerprints provide an identification process that is applicable to background checks, biometric security, mass disaster identification, and most importantly, crime scene investigations. Fingerprints are so differentiated because they are made up of distinct patterns of ridges and furrows on the fingers. The ridges are the “raised” portions of the prints, and the furrows are the “recessed” portions. This perceived uniqueness has led some people to falsely accept fingerprint analysis as absolute scientific fact. Although overall fingerprints are reliable, there are definitely situations where their accuracy can come into question.