Forensics in the media

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Revolutionary Fingerprint Technique of the Future

August 2009

University of Leicester (2009, July 15). New Advance in Revolutionary 'Bullet Fingerprinting' Technique.

The journal Science Daily, reported earlier this month on fascinating advances in 'Bullet fingerprinting technology,' developed at the University of Leicester in collaboration with Northamptonshire Police. 

Dr John Bond, from Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Leicester's Forensic Research Centre, has developed in collaboration with university scientists, a method to visualise fingerprints even after the print itself has been removed.

In a continuation of work exploring forensic techniques at the Department of Chemistry, University of Leicester, new ways of recovering fingerprints from metal surfaces have been found by researcher Alex Goddard, reports the journal. Previous recovery methods of prints on bullets for example, included applying powder to the material which can actually damage the evidence. The new technique discovered by Goddard, promotes a naturally occurring process which does not involve adding anything to, or damaging, the evidence. "Currently," Goddard told Science Daily, "fingerprint recovery from bullets is very low; less than 1 percent." A case of not being able to see the prints for the powder perhaps.

Yet the new method works by employing heat and humidity to surfaces affected by human contact, and the print is then enhanced to that of a much clearer image. The new technique has also proven that components of the sweat deposit survive washing and wiping of surfaces, Goddard explained to the journal: "Once a finger has touched the metal surface, a residue remains behind, (and) this starts to react with the metal so an image of the fingerprint can then be developed by the use of elevated temperature and humidity, with the resultant image becoming a permanent feature on the surface of the metal.

Goddard's system involves studying the chemical and physical interactions occurring between the metal and the fingerprint sweat deposit. Using advanced surface imaging techniques, such as an atomic force microscope, nanoscale observations of fingerprinted brass samples can identify optimum conditions to promote the natural enhancement of the fingerprint, vastly improving their recovery rate, states Science Daily. Forensic Resources Ltd offer fingerprint and foot print analysis, as well as forensic Firearm and Toolmark Examination, and our team of experts welcome this latest advance in fingerprint recovery.

"There are also indications that the new method could be used when other techniques have failed, perhaps as a last resort," continued Goddard.

Dr John Bond told Science Daily: "I am delighted that this research in the Chemistry Department is producing really interesting and useful results. This is an important area of forensic research and Northamptonshire Police is proud to be associated with the University. I look forward to further developments".