This paper discusses the visualization of partial bloody fingerprints on nonporous substrates using columnar thin films.
A partial bloody fingerprint has both a bloody part and a non-bloody part, each of which should be developed for visualization. Traditional techniques employ developmental cascades, whereby a sequence of development techniques is used to develop both parts of the fingerprint. As a one-step alternative, a columnar thin film (CTF) was deposited on each of several partial bloody prints from one finger of one donor on several nonporous substrates. A split-print methodology was adopted to compare the CTF technique to several traditional development techniques, using both objective computer-based grading and subjective grading by a lay examiner. CTF development was found to be superior to development with the traditional techniques employed in this study for partial bloody fingerprints on brass, anodized aluminum, hard plastics, and clear sandwich bags. Unlike the traditional techniques used, the CTF technique was able to develop the entire fingerprint on many of these substrates. (Published Abstract Provided)
Downloads
Similar Publications
- 'Buffers' Against Crime? Exploring the Roles and Limitations of Positive Relationships Among Women in Prison
- Media Contact and Posttraumatic Stress in Employees of New York City Area Businesses after the September 11 Attacks
- Student Violence Against Teachers in Large U.S. School Districts: Prevalence and Risk Factors, Final Report