NCJ Number
150471
Journal
Journal of the Canadian Society of Forensic Science Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1994) Pages: 69-80
Date Published
1994
Length
12 pages
Annotation
A simple coaxial lighting system has proven to be useful in photographing evidence in a fingerprint case and in a documents case where more conventional methods failed.
Abstract
Episcopic or coaxial lighting is a nondestructive method that can sometimes be used to visualize fingerprints on nonporous surfaces. The apparatus uses a half-silvered mirror set at 45 degrees to redirect light from a source at the side downward to the surface being examined. The observer, positioned to view the surface from above, sees the fingerprint through the half-silvered mirror. To test the ability of the Royal Canazdian Mounted Police coaxial lighting tube to visualize fingerprints, a series of experiments was conducted on a number of surfaces. The use of the simple coaxial lighting device described in this article would seem to have limited application to conventional fingerprints on flat surfaces; however, in certain circumstances, such as where there is some relief or on a good reflective surface, the technique may produce useful results where normal photography could not. In the two cases described in this article, the coaxial lighting tube was instrumental in providing a photographic recording of evidence not possible through routine techniques. 3 figures and 10 references