Fingerprint Detection & Preservation

Define a "latent" fingerprint.

A latent fingerprint is a fingerprint that's __ or __ & can't be __ without the use of __ or __ __ techniques.

hidden, unseen, detected, physical, chemical development

List the 3 main types of fingerprint impressions found at crime scenes.

1. __: Hidden or __ fingerprints that can't be __ without the use of __ or __ __ techniques.

2. __: __ fingerprints formed by __ on the skin, such as __, grease, or __.

3. __/Indented: __ left when friction ridge skin is pushed into a __, forming a __ of the __, such as __ or putty.

Latent, unseen, detected, physical, chemical development, Patent, Visible, contaminants, blood, ink, Plastic, Impressions, substrate, mould, ridges, paint

Outline the minimum PPE required when conducting laboratory fingerprint examinations.

Minimum lab PPE includes a __ __ & __ & when working with specific __ or __ then further PPE like __ __ &/or __ __.

lab coat, gloves, chemicals, equipment, safety glasses, respiratory protection

List the 3 categories of deposition factors.

1. Pre-transfer conditions: Conditions & __ of the __ skin & type of __ on the skin.

2. Transfer conditions: Condition of the __ being touched, __ __, & __.

3. Post-transfer conditions: __ factors that affect the __ of latent prints after __ & the __ used to __ latent prints.

health, donor's, residue, surface, deposition pressure, movement, Environmental, quality, deposition, methods, develop

Define "porous", "semi-porous", & "non-porous" surfaces.

- Porous surfaces __ latent fingerprint __ __, such as __ & cardboard.

- Semi-porous surfaces __ latent fingerprint __ __ & share __ of both __ & __-__ materials, such as __ pages, __ __ notes, & __ paper.

- Non-porous surfaces don't __ latent fingerprint __, leaving the __ on the __ instead, such as __, __, & shiny __.

absorb, residue quickly, paper, absorb, residue slowly, characteristics, porous, non-porous, magazine, polymer bank, waxed, absorb, residue, residue, surface, glass, plastic, metal

Explain why lighting angle matters during visual detection of fingerprints.

Lighting angle matters during visual detection of fingerprints as it affects the __ between the __ & the __. __ lighting can __ the __ of ridges due to __ & __ patterns. The __ bounces off the __ ridges & creates __, helping examiners __ & assess fingerprints before applying __ __.

contrast, fingerprint, surface, Oblique, enhance, visibility, refraction, reflection, light, raised, shadows, locate, development techniques

Describe how powder adheres to a latent print.

Fingerprint powder adheres to the __ & __ __ left by __ prints. The two main __ of powder are __ & __, pigment provides the __ & __ against the background __ & binder provides the maximum __ to the latent print __.

eccrine, sebaceous residues, latent, components, pigment, binder, contrast, definition, surface, adhesion, residues

Explain why indandione & ninhydrin are suitable for porous surfaces.

Indandione & ninhydrin are suitable for porous surfaces because they __ with __ __ present in the latent print __. On porous surfaces, the __ __ within __ is __ into the __, leaving __ __ trapped within the __ material. Indandione & ninhydrin __ with the __ __ to reveal __ fingerprints that may otherwise be __.

react, amino acids, deposit, water component, sweat, absorbed, substrate, amino acids, porous, react, amino acids, latent, invisible

Describe the purpose of using gel listers vs lifting tape.

Gel lifters consist of an __ __ sheet with a __ __ __ layer & have low __ & __. The low tack picks up the __ print without __ a __ background. They're also useful for __ & __ surfaces.

Lifting tape has __ __ & will __ all __ from the __. Sometimes it'll lift loose __ & __ due to the strong __. Lifting tape is a great __ to use on __, __-__ surfaces, such as a __ __ handle.

elastic rubberised, low adhesive gelatine, elasticity, tack, developed, removing, fragile, uneven, painted, strong adhesion, remove, powder, surface, paint, dust, adhesion, method, smooth, non-porous, car door

You must examine a glossy magazine page. What type of surface is this, & which development methods are most appropriate.

A glossy magazine page is a __-__ surface. Appropriate development methods include __ __ as it can be used to __ latent prints on __-__ surfaces, __ as it's used to __ latent prints on __ & __-__ surfaces & is a __ __ treatment that works with __ amino __ than __, & __ following Indandione as Ninhydrin __ with more __ __ than Indandione. Using Indandione & Ninhydrin __ allows for prints to be __ by __ that may not have been __ by __.

The __ of development method will depend on the __ of exhibit & examination __, if the glossy magazine page had been __ in __ then __ & __ wouldn't be __ for examination as __ __ are __-__ & would wash away if the item got __. __ __ would be a __ method if the page was allowed to __ out as the __ oils would be more likely to __ than __ sweat.

semi-porous, superglue fuming, develop, semi-porous, Indandione, develop, porous, semi-porous, sensitive chemical, fewer, acids, Ninhydrin, Ninhydrin, reacts, amino acids, sequentially, revealed, Ninhydrin, developed, Indandione, choice, condition, sequence, immersed, water, Indandione, Ninhydrin, suitable, amino acids, water-soluble, wet, Superglue fuming, suitable, dry, sebaceous, persist, eccrine

A knife is found outdoors after overnight rain. What factors affect your choice of detection method.

__ type is a factor that affects my choice of a detection method. A knife is generally a __-__ metal but the __ could be made of __, which is __. The knife has been __ to the __ & __ where rain may have removed or __ fingerprint __. The __-transfer conditions of environmental __, temperature, length of __ outdoors, & possible __ from physical handling are all __ that need to be considered as post-transfer __ factors can affect the __ of latent prints after __.

For a __ or previously wet __-__ surface, __ (small __ reagent) may be considered as its an __ technique that can develop latent fingerprints on __ __-__ surfaces. We can __ for the knife to __, then __ __ it, then examine it under __ __, then __ it, & examine it with __nm __. If there's a __ handle then there's also the option to use __ & __ after __ __.

Surface, non-porous, handle, wood, porous, exposed, environment, elements, degraded, residue, post, moisture, exposure, contamination, factors, environmental, quality, deposition, wet, non-porous, SPR, particle, effective, wet non-porous, wait, dry, superglue fume, reflective UV, panacryl, 415, PoliLight, wooden, Indandione, Ninhydrin, superglue fuming

You need to treat an item with suspected DNA & latent fingerprints on a dry, porous surface. What's the correct order or examination & why?

The correct order of examination in __ is as follows:

1. Determine if DNA __ is required by contacting the _/_ of the case or __ Science.

2. Remember that __ must be taken to prevent __ of __ by wearing __ __ & using __ equipment.

3. Conduct a __ examination.

4. Since the surface is dry & porous, consider using __ prior to __ __ , don't __ the item, & ensure that the __ is __ for __ __ after being treated with __, otherwise the __ may start to __.

5. Following __ & __ __, the item can be treated with __ to potentially __ any __ latent prints.

This order of examination is used because __ may be __ on __ surfaces using __ while preserving DNA __. Items can be treated with __ prior to __ __ because Indandione is a __-__ __ that doesn't __ the __ __ of DNA.

theory, sampling, O/C, PHF, precautions, contamination, DNA, disposable PPE, clean, visual, Indandione, DNA sampling, heat, item, examined, DNA, soon, Indandione, DNA, degrade, Indandione, DNA sampling, Ninhydrin, reveal, additional, fingerprints, developed, porous, Indandione, opportunities, Indandione, DNA sampling, non-destructive reagent, damage, chemical structure

You powder a surface but ridge clarity stops improving & begins to look clumped. What should you do next?

If I powder a surface but ridge clarity stops improving & begins to look clumped then I should __ powder __ & __ the print. This is because if __ no longer increases __, then the __ may no longer be __ to fingerprint __. Also, continuing to apply powder may __ __ ridge detail so the print should be __ by __ &/or __ before further __ occurs.

stop, application, assess, powder, contrast, powder, adhering, residue, damage delicate, preserved, photography, lifting, deterioration

Why is visual examination always the first step in fingerprint detection?

Visual examination is always performed first in fingerprint examination because it's __-__ & doesn't __ the __. It allows the examiner to __ & __ any __ prints prior to __ & also __ the best course of action for __ methods without __ evidence. During visual examination, the __ lighting technique (__ & __ angle) is most __ for __ ridge __ due to __ & __ patterns. The light __ off the __ ridges & creates __, allowing examiners to __ latent prints before applying __ __.

non-destructive, alter, fingerprint, locate, capture, treatment, assess, development, damaging, oblique, low, sideways, effective, enhancing, detail, refraction, reflection, bounces, raised, shadows, locate, development techniques

Compare advantages & disadvantages of powdering vs cyanoacrylate fuming for non-porous surfaces.

Powdering advantages:

- Relatively __ in comparison to __.

- Useful at crime __.

- __ results.

- Simple __ required.

- __.

Powdering disadvantages:

- __ may __ ridge detail or introduce __.

- Can damage __ prints.

- Less __ on __ surfaces.

- Requires physical __ through brushing.

Cyanoacrylate advantages:

- __ on most __-__ surfaces.

- Better for __ surfaces.

- Produces __ developed prints.

- Developed prints can be __ with fluorescent __ & forensic __ sources.

Cyanoacrylate disadvantages:

- Requires __ equipment to conduct the __.

- Items of __ have to be __ to a lab for __.

- Cyanoacrylate fumes are __ & can __ eyes & airways, requiring __ & health & __ considerations.

fast, CNA, scenes, Immediate, equipment, Inexpensive, Overapplication, obscure, distortion, fragile, effective, textured, contact, Effective, non-porous, textured, durable, enhanced, dyes, light, specialised, treatment, interest, transport, analysis, toxic, irritate, PPE, safety

Why must prints be correctly labelled after lifting or photography?

Prints must be labelled correctly after lifting or photography because it ensures that prints can be __ to the correct __ & __, properly __ in __, & distinguished from other __ prints. All labels should include __ such as a job __ (FIMS#, __, Op name), a print __ (A, B, __, etc), & a measurement __. Correct labelling maintains continuity, __, & evidential __. Failing to correctly label prints may cause __ to become __ or unusable, evidence could be __ for __, & prints could be __ to the __ item or __.

linked, exhibit, location, presented, court, recovered, details, reference, Case#, reference, C, scale, accuracy, integrity, evidence, unreliable, challenge, inaccuracies, attributed, wrong, location

Reflect on why the sequence of chemical treatments matters in fingerprint development.

Because some __ can affect the __ of __ examinations. Different chemicals & __ target different __ of a fingerprint, & applying them in the __ order (if possible) __ fingerprint __.

For example: __ is used prior to __ on a __ surface because Indandione is more __ to certain __ __ & Ninhydrin follows Indandione because it __ with a __ range of __ __ & the combination of __ & __ can __ fingerprint __.

Additionally, the __ of __ & __ already applied can determine what __ options remain __. For example: If a __ treatment has already been carried out on a __ then no further __ can be conducted. However, if the cowling is received without __ treatment then several treatments can be conducted, such as __ __, followed by __, & then examined under __ to maximise the opportunity for fingerprint __.

processes, effectiveness, subsequent, treatments, compounds, correct, maximises, development, Indandione, Ninhydrin, porous, sensitive, amino acids, reacts, broader, amino acids, Indandione, Ninhydrin, enhance, development, type, exhibit, treatment, treatment, available, WETWOP, cowling, treatments, prior, superglue fuming, panacryl, PoliLight, development