Effect That the Relative Abundance of Copper Oxide and Zinc Oxide Corrosion Has On the Visualization of Fingerprints Formed From Fingerprint Sweat Corrosion of Brass

• NCJ Number: 235803
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2011 Pages: 999-1002
• Author(s): John W. Bond, D.Phil
• Date Published: July 2011
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined latent fingerprints on metal surfaces.

Abstract

From an examination of the fingerprint sweat corrosion of 40 different individuals on phase brass, the study shows that an increase in visualization can be achieved by applying a negative potential to the brass followed by the introduction of a conducting powder. Previously, this technique has been demonstrated only for a positive applied potential and a corrosion product that was dominated by p-type copper (I) oxide. X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopic analyses of the surface of the corroded brass show that an increase in visualization with a negative applied potential corresponds with an increase in the concentration of n-type zinc oxide relative to p-type copper (I) oxide with the Cu:Zn ratio less than 0.8:1. Work function conditions for the formation of an n-type zinc oxide/brass rectifying Schottky barrier are fulfilled. (Published Abstract)