NCJ Number
210842
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 7 Dated: July 2005 Pages: 126,128,131
Date Published
July 2005
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A new robotic device, the Robot Accessory for Fuming Fingerprint Evidence (RAFFE), developed by Canadian engineers, may offer a solution to the risky task of obtaining fingerprint evidence from suspicious packages that may contain explosives.
Abstract
The RAFFE is mounted on a RMI 9WT bomb disposal robot, which is typically used for the remote handling of explosive devices or other hazardous materials. The robot performs cyanoacrylate (CA) fingerprint fuming without touching the package. This is done with a "fume gun" that the robot uses to direct a concentrated spray of fumes at the package. A sufficiently high volume of CA fumes is emitted so that the operation can be done outdoors in a moderate breeze without an enclosure. The robot can be remotely controlled safely from up to 100 yards from the package. The fingerprints are then photographed before the package is destroyed by remote control. Remote robotic CA spraying of a suspicious package not only reduces human risk from the possible detonation of sensitive explosives, it also reduces the risk to humans from heavy spraying of CA, which can impede the respiratory system and produce violent reactions by mucous membranes; and chronic exposure to CA vapors may cause giant papillary conjunctivitis. Thus, RAFFE increases the safety of obtaining fingerprints from suspicious packages by heavy CA fuming.