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Comparision of Argon-Ion, Copper-Vapor, and Frequency-Doubled Neodymium - Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd-YAG) Lasers for Latent Fingerprint Development

NCJ Number
98835
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1985) Pages: 383-397
Author(s)
E R Menzel
Date Published
1985
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Argon-ion, copper-vapor, and frequency-doubled neodymiun:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers have been examined for efficiency in latent fingerprint detection. All three types of laser are found to be effective.
Abstract
Argon-ion lasers have the greatest power and range of useful wavelenths while frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers offer crime scene capability. On rare occasions latent prints observable under the argon-ion laser are not visually discernible under the Nd:YAG laser, but can be located with a sensitive televison camera. Once located, photography of such prints is straightforward. (Author abstract)