Solid-State Acquisition of Fingermark Topology Using Dense Columnar Thin Films

• NCJ Number: 234640
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 56 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 612-616
• Author(s): Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Ph.D., D.Sc.; Robert C. Shaler, Ph.D.; Raul J. Martin-Palma, Ph.D.; Michael A. Motyka, B.S.; Drew P. Pulsifer, B.S.
• Date Published: May 2011
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article examines various vacuum techniques employed to develop fingermarks on evidentiary items.

Abstract

Various vacuum techniques are employed to develop fingermarks on evidentiary items. In this work, a vacuum was used to deposit columnar thin films (CTFs) on untreated, cyanoacrylate-fumed or dusted fingermarks on a limited selection of nonporous surfaces (microscope glass slides and evidence tape). CTF deposition was not attempted on fingermarks deposited on porous surfaces. The fingermarks were placed in a vacuum chamber with the fingermark side facing an evaporating source boat containing either chalcogenide glass or MgF2. Thermal evaporation of chalcogenide glass or MgF2 under a 1 ìTorr vacuum for 30 min formed dense CTFs on fingermark ridges, capturing the topographical features. The results show that it is possible to capture fingermark topology using CTFs on selected untreated, vacuumed cyanoacrylate-fumed or black powder-dusted nonporous surfaces. Additionally, the results suggested this might be a mechanism to help elucidate the sequence of deposition. (Published Abstract)