Rehydration of mummified fingertips

What is it about?

Postmortem decay causes fingertip decomposition, desiccation, shriveling, and rigidity, reducing the possibility of obtaining sufficiently clear fingerprints for identification. In this study, five rehydration solutions (ammonium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, urea, and warm water) followed by three fingerprint recording methods (photograph, inking roll, and dusting tape) were investigated to process mummified fingertips from an unidentified cadaver

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Why is it important?

According to postmortem rigidity and decaying levels, cadaveric conditions can be categorized as flexible, stiff, decomposed, desiccated or wrinkled, macerated after immersion, and mummified. Choosing an appropriate fingerprinting technique for different degrees of putrefaction is crucial.