Contents
Fingerprint Evidence
"...the majority of all crime is committed by habitual criminals who have been arrested or imprisoned before...their fingerprints are on file, and...a single fingerprint left anywhere about the scene of a crime may enable the experts to tell just who committed the crime."
-T. Dickerson Cooke, The Blue Book of Crime, 1953.
Fingerprints are one of the best forms of physical evidence. A fingerprint can conclusively identify both offenders and victims. Databases are available for rapid computerized searching, on national, state and local levels. There are a number of methods of processing for fingerprints, some of best can be found below.
Background
"On the Skin-Furrows of the Hand"Henry Faulds
"Skin Furrows of the Hand"
W.J. Herschel (Nov. 25, 1880)
A Brief Description of Fingerprinting
History of Fingerprints
A Brief History of Fingerprinting in the U.S.
Is Fingerprint Identification a Science?
(Um....Yes).
General Processing
Processing Guide for Developing Latent PrintsFrom the FBI
Latent Print Powders (How, When and with What?)
From Lightning Powder Co.
Developing Prints on Adhesive Surfaces
Amido Black
Useful for enhancing fingerprints or footwear imprints in blood.
Black Powder Processing By Pat A. Wertheim
Black Powder Processing Video
A short video on using black powder to develop latent fingerprints. Right click the link and choose "save target as" to download.
Basic Crime Scene Processing Techniques Using Fluorescent Powders
Enhancement of Latent Prints in Blood
by Pat Wertheim
Iodine and Silver Nitrate Processes
From Lightning Powder Co.
Magnetic Powder By Pat A. Wertheim
Ninhydrin Processing By Pat A. Wertheim
Physical Developer Processing
From Lightning Powder Co.
Using Rubber Gelatin Lifters for Latent Prints
Sequential Processing of Latent Prints
Small Particle Reagent by Pat A. Wertheim
Superglue/Cyanoacrylate Processing
Atmospheric Superglue Method By Pat A. WertheimThe Cyanoacrylate Fuming Method by Eric W. Brown
Superglue Fuming Tips
From Ed German. Scroll down to the bottom and you will find some interesting historical info. on this technique.
Editor's note: Excessive heating of superglue can cause the formation of cyanide gas. Some authors recommend against the use of lightbulbs as a heat source due to this possibility. A coffee mug warmer is a good alternative heat source. Use caution and work in a well ventilated area.
Special Topics
Latent Prints in Dustby Curtis C. Frame
Hidden Evidence: Latent Prints on Human Skin by Ivan Ross Futrell
Latent Prints on Skin
From Law and Order Magazine
Case Study: Conviction Through Enhanced Fingerprint Identification