| Author | Message | ||
     Ernie Hamm |
Yes, post-cyanoacrylate fuming (super glue) staining with ardrox reagents and viewing under an ultra-violet light source can result in remarkable visualization of latent prints. The use of ardrox staining is well documented and is a routine procedure. | ||
| MGilmore |
Has anyone heard of or had success with Ardox reagents? | ||
| Terry A. Smith |
Michelle; Your question is a difficult one to answer without an entire case history. For example, in investigating a break and enter to a fence company - where galvanized pipe is as common as grains of sand in an hourglass - an analyst would need specific information that the item in question was actually, or at least likely, handled by the culprit. Without this information, I'd suggest your pipe is not likely to be examined. On the other hand, if the pipe was left at the scene of a beating and has blood and hair adhering to one end of it, fingerprint examination would be prudent. Other considerations may include the presence or lack of independent evidence which may serve to answer the same question that a fingerprint examination would. Say, for example, there was a crystal clear video tape of the beating, with the culprit- a notorious local- mugging for the camera with pipe in hand. A fingerprint examination wouldn't necessarily help the case - unless the video was deemed inadmissible. Such decisions usually lie in the hands of the investigators/managers rather than the analysts themselves. We love examining stuff ;-), even when the suspect IS known. As far sequence is concerned, I'd expect most examiners to have the trace evidence (hair, blood, fibre (fiber?), paint etc...secured from the exhibit BEFORE fingerprint examination - ensuring that the other analysts are cautious in their handling of the exhibit so as to not obliterate/contaminate areas of potential fingerprint recovery. | ||
| Michelle |
An addition to the question if someone could help. Is there any reason that you would not try to fingerprint an item like a pipe? Also would you fingerprint something first or would that come after other tests and then you would fingerprint? Thank you everybody. | ||
| Gary Jones |
Michelle: Yes, it is possible to develop and lift latent prints from galvanized pipe. One method (among several others) is to take a small piece of camphor (about the size of the end of your little finger) place it in a metal or glass dish and ignite it. It will emit a thick black smoke. Carefully hold and rotate the pipe near the apex of the flame (where the smoke is very thick). You will want to used cotton-type gloves (not rubber or latex) as, of course, the pipe will become warm. The black smoke will adhere to the surface. Then brush it as if you were using normal fingerprint powder. I suggest using "Diff-Lift" tape available from the Lynn Peavey Company to lift any latent print(s). This tape is specifically manufactured for lifting latent prints on uneven surfaces. The pipe may appear to be relatively smooth, but most galvanized surfaces have a bit of a texture to them that at times can inhibit lifting with regular transparent lifting tape. | ||
| Michelle |
Yes...plenty of variables. Thank you | ||
| Kasey Wertheim |
Yes, it is possible. However, just like prints on any other surface, it depends on four factors: 1) the sweat factor: how much and what type of residue is present on the skin that touches the pipe. 2) the touch factor - was the touch made in such a way that a useable latent print will be deposited. 3) the Surface factor: what was the condition of the galvanized pipe... rusty being much less likely to receive and hold a useable print than a new pipe... and 4) environmental factors after the fact, namely temperature and humidity. (and the amount of time between the touch and the processing / lift. Of course, it also depends on what type of techniques were used prior to the lift you mention. Lots of variables, huh! | ||
| Michelle |
Could anyone tell me if its possible to lift prints from galvanized pipe? Thank you for any help. |
