Document Detail


Enhancing the quality of aged latent fingerprints developed by superglue fuming: loss and replenishment of initiator.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18643866     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The recovery and identification of latent fingerprints from a crime scene are crucial to many investigations. The cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming method (CFM), which develops fingerprints by growing a polymer coating over the print residue, is a powerful method but encounters severe limitations when prints are aged or exposed to harsh environmental conditions. We examine the aging process and how the changes that occur to a fingerprint residue over time influence the growth of polymer during development. We identify loss of initiator by erosion and degradation that, when coupled with a loss of water from the print residue, result in a decreased ability to polymerize ethylcyanoacrylate. Then, we present a methodology by which the ability of aged latent fingerprints to polymerize ethylcyanoacrylate is recovered. Two print enhancement agents, acetic acid and ammonia, are demonstrated to improve the growth of polymer from the print ridges by over an order of magnitude, while retaining the integrity of the print structure. Comparison between the two enhancement agents indicate that the enhancement occurs due to ridge coating by the ammonia or acetic acid and pH control of the latent print.
Authors:
Stephen P Wargacki; Linda A Lewis; Mark D Dadmun
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2008-07-17
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of forensic sciences     Volume:  53     ISSN:  1556-4029     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Forensic Sci.     Publication Date:  2008 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-10-21     Completed Date:  2009-03-03     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0375370     Medline TA:  J Forensic Sci     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1138-44     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acetic Acid
Ammonia
Cyanoacrylates*
Dermatoglyphics*
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Indicators and Reagents
Time Factors
Volatilization
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Cyanoacrylates; 0/Indicators and Reagents; 64-19-7/Acetic Acid; 7664-41-7/Ammonia

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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