NCJ Number
191411
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 363-370
Date Published
2001
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This research sought to determine whether the longevity of the latent fingerprints of children differed from that of adults.
Abstract
The research arose from recognition that it is generally believed that a person’s age does not affect the evaporation rates of fingerprints. However, a recent criminal investigation of child abduction led to the hypothesis that children’s latent fingerprints do not last as long as those of adults. This study involved voluntary participation and informed consent. Ninety-seven participants pressed their fingers on glass slides. Their latent fingerprints were lifted 1, 3, 5, and 7 days later. A comparison of the longevity of the prints of children and adults revealed that almost all the adult prints were still present on Day 7. In contrast, 20 percent of the children’s prints were unclear on Day 3, 54 percent were unclear on Day 5, and 76 percent were unclear on Day 7. The analysis concluded that the findings have implications for law enforcement and forensic science in that time may become a crucial variable in criminal investigations requiring the lifting of latent fingerprints of children. Figures and 7 references (Author abstract modified)