NCJ Number
132514
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1991) Pages: 1368-1375
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Improved flake products for forensic science applications were identified using laboratory produced aluminum, zinc, copper, and zinc flake powders.
Abstract
Milling of near-spherical powders using high-energy ball milling procedures yielded fine flake powders having flake diameters ranging from 50 to 1 micrometers (um) and stearic acid powder ratios varying from 0 to 50 weight percent. A comparison of the print qualities obtained when using these flake powders with those achieved using commercial aluminum, commercial, black, and commercial dark magnetic dusting powders suggests the commercial potential of superior dark powders for print detection on light backgrounds. In particular, iron powders when applied with a magnetic wad offer major development potential for fingerprint detection of light backgrounds, with the laboratory produced 10 and 25 um iron flake products being significantly superior to the black powders and magnetic black powders available commercially. However, excellent commercial aluminum powders are available for obtaining bright fingerprints. 3 figures, 2 tables, and 4 references (Author abstract modified)