What is it about?
Few fingerprint development techniques enable investigators to identify whether a fingerprint was deposited on the paper before or after printing with text or an image. This work uses the highly surface sensitive technique - SIMS - to study the salt distribution in the surface of the fingermark, and enables the distinction of fingerprint before or after text 100% of the time on laser printed paper. The results also show the complexity of paper surfaces, and how the chemical elements in a fingerprint are unevenly distributed.
Featured Image
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Why is it important?
This work helps forensic investigations by gaining extra intelligence from the crime scene. Fingerprints can be put in context, allowing investigators to know if they were deposited before or after the printing on a document. For example, did someone read a letter or write it? Load the photocopier, or handle the faked certificate?
Perspectives
This work was the winner of the PW Allen Award from the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, and led to a follow up work, extending the study internationally. The links are available in 'related content'.
Dr Benjamin J Jones
University of Abertay Dundee
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry, Science & Justice, March 2013, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2012.05.007.
You can read the full text:
Resources
Huddersfield University's breakthrough could help catch note fakers - find out how here
Huddersfield Examiner article highlighting this work and other forensic science by Dr Jones group when awarded the PW Allen Prize
Determining the chronology of deposition of natural fingermarks and inks on paper using secondary ion mass spectrometry
Follow up paper extends this work and merges with projects in Surrey and The Netherlands
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
