NCJ Number
150468
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 44 Issue: 4 Dated: (July- August 1994) Pages: 379-386
Date Published
1994
Length
8 pages
Annotation
As a consequence of a murder trial, in which the suspect was charged largely due to a latent palm print found on a ceramic floor tile, this investigator studied how long latent prints would remain on any smooth, nonporous surface, particularly on a tile floor.
Abstract
The suspect, a handyman, claimed he had not been in the house for 6 months: According to the victim's friends, she mopped the floor frequently. Eight tiles were cleaned and numbered, and a latent palm print was placed on each tile. At random intervals over a period of one year, a tile was selected and examined with reflective lighting, with any observations of latent print residue recorded. One side of the tile was then wiped using tap water, allowed to air dry, and processed using a fiberglass fingerprint brush and black powder. Findings were consistent throughout the course of the study. Latent print evidence remained constant and viable for one year; in fact, the longer a print remained on the tile under controlled temperature and humidity conditions, the more durable it appeared to become.