Superglue fuming and the effects of fingerprint powder on the development of latent fingerprints on glass bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans
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Authors
Penman, Rachel E.
Issue Date
2005
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Forensic science
Alternative Title
Abstract
Fingerprints have been used for centuries as a way to individualize people. In the late 1970s, superglue fumes were discovered as a way to adhere fingerprints to the surfaces in which they were deposited. This process allows the print to be developed further without the possibility of damaging the print.
After superglue fuming the fingerprints, they are further developed with powders. Black powder and magna powder are two popular choices. The powder allows the analyst to see the ridge detail and make comparisons between two fingerprints. Each powder can be used on a variety of objects and surfaces. Black powder can be used with almost any surface, however it can be messy. Magna powder should not be used on computers or anything that a magnet would erase. Magna powder is applied with a magnetic wand and this could damage other forensic evidence if it is magnetized.
A comparison was done to see which powder, black or magnetic, would work the best on a variety of objects, glass bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. Fingerprints were placed on each item. The objects were superglue fumed by placing them in an airtight chamber and heating superglue. The fumes are then airborne and settle and adhere to the oils in fingerprints. After a certain time, the objects are removed from the chamber and allowed to dry. In addition to the comparison of powders, different time limits were compared. When an object is left in the chamber for too short or too long, not enough detail is seen or too much superglue has deposited onto the print. After each item is photographed, the fingerprints were dusted with either black powder or magna powder. The objects were photographed again, and them each print was lifted and placed on an index card to be analyzed.
The result that was concluded from the tape lifts of the thirty pieces of evidence was that black powder was the better powder. This conclusion was based on reliability, clarity of the prints that were lifted, and ease of use. Black powder consistently produced the better lifts.