| Author | Message | ||
     Kendall (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 165.161.3.15 |
What powder do forensic scientists use to lift fingerprints? | ||
| Steve Fairchild |
Every case and every surface are different. Money, weapons, human skin, cloth, rocks, fruit/vegetables and many others surfaces are challenging... but sometimes forensic scientists are successful with each. Circumstances other than the composition of the substrate may make examination very difficult. | ||
| john hello |
what surfaces are the hardest to lift prints from? | ||
| Kasey Wertheim |
Sean, Regarding the lifting of an identifiable latent print from what you know will be a difficult (textured) surface: most latent print examiners would photograph the print first, apply a flexible lifting tape/device to the surface, and use plenty of pressure when applying the adhesive onto the surface to make sure the areas of depression are adhered to. There are different kinds of flexible tape and/or lifters of other sorts, but it all depends on what the examiner feels would be the best technique on that surface. -Kasey | ||
| Sean |
What is the best way, if possible to lift prints from a textured surface, namely plastic | ||
| Webmaster |
The salaries vary greatly, but you can get some idea by looking in the help wanted area on this web site. The short answer is that for non-supervisory Latent Print Examiners in the US, the salary varies from about $22,000 on the low end for a beginning position with a small city agency... to over $100,000 on the high end for journeyman experts at federal labs (typically with over 20 years experience). | ||
| bisognoj@aol,com |
My daughter has to write a paper on a career she may be interested in. she has chosen forensic science. One thing she needs for her paper but is unable to find is salary. What is the range of salary for a forensic scienctist? thank you. bisognoj | ||
| Tina Hofstrom |
I am doing a science project on latent finger printing. How would I go about setting up my experiments and results? | ||
| Kasey Wertheim |
Val, Much of what would make a wall or ceiling easy or difficult to obtain a latent lift from would be the kind of texture of the surface. This is true of any surface. It's kinda like saying can a bucket hold water? Well... show me the bucket and I could tell you! :) Generally, if the wall / ceiling is not too rough and is painted, there is a decent possibility of recovering identifiable latent prints. (if it has been touched, of course) However, it's not just the surface that counts, as you indicated by inquiring about how long latent prints can last. That also depends on many factors. What the print is composed of (water, sweat, oil), how the latent print was left (a smear versus a straight-down touch), environmental factors (rain, light, wind, dust, temperature, humidity, etc...) acting on the print after being deposited, can all affect how long a print will last on a surface and still be of value for comparison purposes. I know those are not direct answers, but unfortunately there are none in this area. At least we can always fall back on "Show me the bucket!" :) -Kasey | ||
| Val Taylor |
Can finger prints be easily lifted from wall and celing surfaces. And how long do they generally last. What amount of time can pass and still be able to lift prints? | ||
| Kasey Wertheim |
Jane, You might try finding a couple of different books at your local library. If they do not have them, their inter-library loan officer can probably get them for you within a week or so. They are "Fingerprint Mechanics" by Robert Olsen, and "Friction Ridge Skin" by James Cowger. -Kasey | ||
| jane |
where can I find more info on fingerprints and how to dust or lift them? | ||
| jane |
where can I find more info on fingerprints and how to dust or lift them? | ||
| Webmaster |
For the purposes of your daughter's science project, obtain a little bit of black toner powder from a copy machine (or laser printer) cartridge. Be careful though, because the powder is very dirty and you can permanently discolor clothing, carpeting, etc., if you accidentally spill the toner. This should be done under adult supervision. Sprinkle the toner or allow it to cascade over the area where you have deposited an impression and then shake off the excess powder. If the surface is glass or another smooth, hard surface you could try using a feather or soft brush to help remove excess powder. If you blow off the excess powder, I recommend doing it outdoors and wearing old clothes because it could permanently stain your clothing or items in your home. You will probably get some black powder on your hands no matter how you apply it, and you may end up with black powder on your face if you blow on it. You can lift the impression with clear plastic tape... or, you can expose the surface to heat (such as by putting it close to a light bulb) which will fuse the toner to the surface (the same way the heat in a copier or laser printer fuses the toner to paper). Be careful not to burn yourself or set the material on fire. | ||
| AJ |
My deughter is doing a science project and she needs to lift fingerprints from a glass. We have tried to use brush and power to develop an impresission of the fingerprint and used a clear tape to lift the impression, but it's so hard to see the impression with the baby power. Is there a special/professional power we can purchase? from where? | ||
| Webmaster |
Smooth, hard surfaces are easiest for "dusting and lifting," although if you have read the FAQ's you know that is not the best process in most instances. Uneven and rough surfaces are very difficult and often impossible. Examples are wire screens, the teeth of a small hair comb, loosely woven potato sacks, a straight pin, or a hair. | ||
| Caitlin |
Which surfaces are you able to lift the clearest prints off of? Which ones are the most difficult? |
