NCJ Number
168881
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 47 Issue: 1 Dated: (January/February 1997) Pages: 38-41
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Fingerprints deposited in blood at crime scenes may be revealed or enhanced with three commonly used and effective reagents: leucocrystal violet (LCV), leucomalachite green (LMG), and diaminobezidine (DAB).
Abstract
According to standard practices with these reagents, all visible fingerprints are photographed. Additional surfaces suspected of containing fingerprints are processed with one of the reagents, and any resulting or enhanced impressions are then photographed for preservation. In some cases, however, bloody fingerprints are found in areas that make processing or photographing them difficult or impossible. The ability to transfer processed fingerprints effectively may be beneficial in preserving impressions without unduly affecting other areas. To determine if such a transfer could be accomplished, an experiment was conducted in which four fingerprints were deposited by the same individual using pig blood on each of three different but commonly encountered nonporous items (tile, linoleum, and glass). Items were selected according to substrate color (white, blue, and brown) so that developed impressions would provide the most contrast for observing details. Each deposited but untreated impression was then photographed in place as a reference. Normal working solutions of LCV, LMG, and DAB were prepared, and each item on which bloody impressions had been deposited was processed normally using one of the prepared reagents. The effectiveness of various materials as potential transfer media was tested. Results showed fixed, black and white photographic paper successfully transferred blood impressions revealed or enhanced by LCV and LMG treatment. Although laterally reversed, these transfers contained complete ridge features present on the original surface with full clarity. With LMG, the photographic paper tended to stick to the surface and thus required special care in removal. Each transfer, however, was completed without loss. Despite numerous attempts to transfer DAB enhanced impressions, no successful transfer could be accomplished.