Development of latent fingerprints on wet non-porous surfaces with SPR based on basic fuchsin dye

Abstract

Small particle reagent (SPR) is a technique performed to detect latent fingerprints left on wet and moist surfaces based upon the reaction between fatty acid residuals present in the traces and hydrophobic tails of the specific reagent. Those tails are linked to a hydrophilic head of zinc carbonate based formulation to give coloured precipitate. In the present study, we have prepared a novel SPR formulation constituting of zinc carbonate based on basic fuchsin dye for development of latent fingerprints on wet surfaces. It was shown to develop clear, sharp and detailed fingerprints on non-porous surfaces after these were immersed in water for up to 45 days. The ability of the present formulations to detect weak and chance prints not only enhances its utility, but also its potentiality in forensic case work investigations. The raw materials used to prepare the SPR are cost-effective and non-hazardous. ª 2015 Hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The International Association of Law and Forensic Sciences (IALFS).

Evaluation of fatty acids in groomed fingerprint by gas chromatographic analysis using various extraction solvents and treatment methods

“…Intrinsic components detected in latent fingerprints have already been identified through numerous forensic studies as an important index for the development of fingerprints (Gird et al 2012;Bailey et al 2016;Ramotowski et al 2001;Rohatgi and Kapoor 2016;Bohanan 1998;Asano et al 2002;Croxton et al 2010;Stewart et al 1989;Antoine et al 2010;Michalski et al 2013a;Archer et al 2005;Cadd et al 2015a;Cadd et al 2015b). These studies showed that the components of a fingerprint are 95-99% water and organic (protein, amino acids, urea, and lipids) and inorganic (sodium, potassium, chloride, and phosphate) compounds secreted from eccrine, apocrine, and sebaceous glands.…”

“…Among these components, lipids, included glycerides (33%), fatty acids (30%), wax esters (22%), cholesterol esters (2%), cholesterol (2%), and squalene (10%), make up a large portion of the latent fingerprint in organic compounds (Gird et al 2012;Bailey et al 2016;Ramotowski et al 2001). These compounds originate from the sebum secreted by the sebaceous glands and are very useful ingredients to visualize fingerprints (Rohatgi and Kapoor 2016). Fatty acids are used as a particular target ingredient, which is important for aging studies due to its oxidation over time and the fact that it can be used to identify donor gender, age, eating habits, and race (Bohanan 1998;Asano et al 2002;Croxton et al 2010;Stewart et al 1989;Antoine et al 2010;Michalski et al 2013a;Archer et al 2005;Cadd et al 2015a).…”

Material and Method Developments for Developing and Lifting Latent Finger Mark from Wet Polymer‐Coated Metal Surfaces

“…Commercially available SPR, labeled SPR 2001, purchased from Sirchie consisted of zinc carbonate (a white powder), Tergitol‐7 (a surfactant), and water. This formulation is very similar to that reported by Rohatgi and Kapoor . This SPR was spread using an aerosol container onto the suspected surfaces.…”

“…They concluded that a sequential treatment of the samples, which involves SPR and some lysochromes, was the most appropriate for best results. Rohatgi and Kapoor replaced molybdenum disulfide in the original SPR formulation suitable for white surfaces with white basic zinc carbonate, basic fuchsin, and a commercial liquid detergent suitable for black surfaces. Commercially available SPR, labeled SPR 2001, purchased from Sirchie consisted of zinc carbonate (a white powder), Tergitol‐7 (a surfactant), and water.…”

Relevant visualization technologies for latent fingerprints on wet objects and its challenges: a review

“…Physical visualization method: powder suspension techniques Small particle reagent SPR (wet powder suspension) was introduced to visualize latent fingerprints on non-porous objects that were accidentally or deliberately wetted (Trapecar 2012;Fish et al 2014;Houck and Siegel 2015;Kasper 2016;Rohatgi and Kapoor 2016). Researchers concurrently assumed that SPR adheres to the lipid-soluble constituents of fingerprints (Lennard 2007;Daluz 2015;Houck and Siegel 2015;Bumbrah 2016).…”