Searching, Enhancing and Recovering Fingerprints

Question 1

Why do we have fingerprints?

Answer 1

provide grip/friction for picking objects up

Question 2

What is the order of evidence collection at a crime scene?

Answer 2

• Visual
• Photography
• Fibre
• Other trace
• DNA
• Items
• Footwear
• Fingerprints

Question 3

How do you collect fingerprints in soft, impressed material e.g. chewing gum?

Answer 3

Cast

Question 4

When do we use GRANULAR powders e.g. black/white, what type of brush do we use and can we lift fingerprints enhanced with this powder?

Answer 4

• Flaky, textured surfaces
• Animal hair brush (makeup)
• NO, photograph ONLY

Question 5

When do we use FLAKE powders e.g. aluminium, what type of brush do we use and can we lift fingerprints enhanced with this powder?

Answer 5

• Smooth, dry surfaces
• Zephyr / wand if magnetic
• Yes

Question 6

When do we use MAGNETIC powders e.g. magna flake, what type of brush do we use and can we lift fingerprint enhanced with this powder?

Answer 6

• UVPC, plastics, paper, cardboard, textured surfaces too
• Magnetic wand
• Depends if flake or granular

Question 7

When do we use FLUORESCENT powders, what type of brush do we use and can we lift fingerprint enhanced with this powder?

Answer 7

• When surface is multicoloured or contaminated
• Animal hair brush
• NO, photograph ONLY

Question 8

Why do we take elimination fingerprints?

Answer 8

Separates prints of people known to have access to property/vehicle from potential suspects so investigators can focus on unknown prints