NCJ Number
221354
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 58 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2008 Pages: 46-53
Date Published
January 2008
Length
8 pages
Annotation
Utilizing three case studies, this paper presents results from the examination of latent fingerprints on foldable and porous surfaces.
Abstract
These three cases illustrate specific issues that should be considered during the friction ridge analysis and comparison process. Cases one and two illustrate the importance of not underestimating the usefulness of some marks that are incomplete because they are at the edge or fold of a surface, locating the remainder of that mark could add value to the initial mark. Case three illustrates the importance of a complete and thorough analysis of a friction ridge impression, specifically, the importance of examining impressions as possible transferred, or mirrored impressions. The results point to the extreme usefulness of a careful analysis of the developed friction ridge skin impression with respect to the surface of the item in question. Latent print examiners frequently encounter interesting or unusual prints. In this paper, three unusual cases of latent prints on paper items were described where the nature of the surface and the deposition dynamic could have prevented a latent print examiner from correctly analyzing the fingerprint. Figures and references