NCJ Number
66971
Journal
Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 1-8
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE WHETHER ONE OR MORE METHODS OF DEVELOPING FINGERPRINTS ARE DESTRUCTIVE TO LABILE BLOOD TYPING FACTORS.
Abstract
MANY ADVANCES HAVE BEEN MADE IN BOTH THE FIELDS OF FORENSIC SEROLOGY, IN REGARD TO BLOODSTAIN CHARACTERIZATION, AND FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION. WHEN A BLOODSTAIN IMPRESSIONED FINGERPRINT IS FOUND ON KEY EXHIBIT MATERIAL, THE TWO DISCIPLINES OVERLAP. THE FOLLOWING FINGERPRINT POWDERS WERE THEREFORE TESTED FOR POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS UPON TYPING HUMAN BLOOD FACTORS: SILK BLACK, ANALYTICAL GRAY, CHEMIST GRAY, ULTRAVIOLET FLUORESCENT YELLOW, HIFI VOLCANO BRILLIANT RED, MAGNA JET BLACK, MAGNA SILVER, MAGNA GRAY AND MAGNA BLACK. RESULTS SHOWED THAT NONE OF THE FINGERPRINT POWDERS USED IN THIS STUDY ADVERSELY AFFECTED THE HUMAN BLOOD IDENTIFICATION AND THE ABO, PGM, EAP, AND ADA BLOOD CHARACTERIZATION METHODS USED. IN ADDITION, IT WAS FOUND THAT IODINE FUMING, NINHYDRIN, AND SILVER NITRATE FINGERPRINT DEVELOPING TECHNIQUES REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BLOODSTAIN CHARACTERIZATION METHODS USED IN THE STUDY. HOWEVER, IN CASES WHERE THE ADVANTAGES OF USING CHEMICAL DEVELOPING METHODS OVER FINGERPRINT POWDERS OUTWEIGH THE RISK, THERE STILL EXISTS MUCH POTENTIAL FOR BLOODSTAIN IDENTIFICATION AND GROUPING METHODS AFTER THE EVIDENTIAL VALUE OF THE FINGERPRINT IS SECURED. GUIDELINES ARE PROVIDED FOR PRESERVING THE EVIDENTIAL VALUE OF CHARACTERIZING BLOODSTAINS WHEN DEVELOPING BLOODSTAINED FINGERPRINTS. REFERENCES AND TABLES ARE PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--DEG)