Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 105-114). Also available in electronic version.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 195 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 181-195).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 69 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-69).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2009. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

The use of cyanoacrylate (CA) as a fuming technique for the development of latent friction ridge skin impressions has been widespread for decades within the forensic lab as well as in the field at crime scenes. Important features of processing latent print impressions using this method include that it makes visible latent print impressions that for the most part cannot be seen with the unaided eye and it preserves latent print impressions for future processing/examination. The superglue fumes "fix" the latent print impression to the substrate making it difficult to wipe away, thereby decreasing the chances of destruction during packaging at the scene, transportation, and processing in the lab. One of the disadvantages to this technique is the lack of contrast between the white polymers that are formed on the latent print impression residue and light colored backgrounds on which the latent print impression may be present. Attempts were made to develop a one-step cyanoacrylate fuming method that would enhance visualization of latent print impressions on light colored backgrounds without the need for an alternative light source, dye staining, or powdering. Latent print impressions were applied to black and white ceramic tiles, white painted wood and white/translucent textured plastic. Protein and hemoglobin stains, commercial colorants, sublimation dyes, hair dye, and printer ink were added to ethyl-CA in an attempt to create a co-polymerization process of the vaporized cyanoacrylate monomers and colorant molecules on latent print residue. Fuming was also attempted using pre-colored commercial glues with the assumption that the attached CA polymers on the latent print impression residue would retain their original color properties. None of these methods proved successful. The practical use of a new fluorescent CA, Lumicyano^TM, was also examined. Following fuming, an ALS is utilized for the excitation of the developed latent print impressions using this technique. Strong fluorescence could not be observed on all substrates. In this particular study, fuming with traditional CA followed by the application of powder or dye stains to latent print impressions currently appears to be the most efficient technique for latent print enhancement on the white or light colored substrates used in this study.

M.Ing. (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

No description available.

Postmortem fingerprint collection is a common practice at medical examiners’ offices. Fingerprints are often collected with electronic scanners or ink pads and fingerprint cards. However, obstacles to obtaining clear impressions such as rigor mortis and decomposition can be difficult to overcome using the current methods. There is no clear best method for collecting these compromised fingerprints. The GelSight Mobile™ is a handheld three-dimensional contact imaging system that can measure the topography of any surface regardless of the lighting conditions of the environment. The resolution of the images created is extremely high and can be used to measure single micron features. The goal of this project was to determine if the GelSight Mobile™ was a suitable method for postmortem fingerprint exemplar collection, and to determine if it provides a higher quality fingerprint impression than current postmortem fingerprint collection methods. For this study, three methods – black ink, two-dimensional scanning, and the GelSight Mobile™ – were used on decedents with varying ranges of decomposition to determine the best method for postmortem fingerprint collection. The postmortem interval for the decedents ranged from one day to almost one year, with the latter being exposed to outdoor environments for approximately two weeks prior to discovery and then stored for over a year. Embalmed cadavers were also examined. The results revealed that the GelSight Mobile™ captured fingerprints of higher quality, specifically with higher percentages of prints with level three detail and higher counts of minutiae characteristics than the other methods. However, to be optimized for forensic fingerprint collection, it is recommended that the GelSight Mobile™ be adapted to incorporate a larger gel cartridge and software capabilities to include a mirrored image option and a filter to give images an ink-like appearance.

Concept and nature of dactyloscopy The aim of the thesis is to provide a comprehensive view on the issue of dactyloscopy. Especially, to introduce readers about dactyloscopy and institutes related to this method. The thesis is systematically divided into several chapters. The thesis is complemented by visual and textual appendices for the better and easier understanding of the various institutes. The introduction contains basic information about dactyloscopy and the outline of what the thesis will contain. Chapter One deals with the subject, concept and importance of the dactyloscopy. Chapter Two is divided into two parts. The first subchapter concerns the historical development of forensic dactyloscopy in the world. First of all, there are described the beginnings of knowledge of fingerprints and then personalities and their influence on the development of the dactyloscopy. As an example of these significant personalities, William James Herschel, Henry Faulds or Juan Vucetich can be cited. The second subchapter is focused on the development of the dactyloscopy in the territory of the Czech countries. In particular, the place is given for Jan Evangelista Purkyně well known as a pioneer in the area of papilary ridges. Because it was him who as the first described and classified the papilary ridges....

Blood is a common type of medium with which patent fingerprints are deposited at crime scenes. Chemical enhancements are generally used on bloody fingerprints when some type of pattern is visible but ridge characteristics are not sufficiently defined to make the print suitable for comparison. Motor vehicles, which may be associated with crimes scenes or forensic investigations, can be exposed to a variety of contaminants from the environment, including mud, salt, pollen, dust and motor oil, as well as from the application of chemicals to protect the paint such as car wax and car polish. It is unknown if these contaminants in combination with the chemicals used to enhance bloody impressions or in combination with the blood itself, could impact the enhancement of bloody impressions found on vehicles. This study seeks to assess the effectiveness of a selection of blood enhancement methods in the presence of such contaminants. Three of the four enhancement chemicals that were tested, Amido Black, Hungarian Red, and Leucocrystal Violet, were determined to be similarly effective for the enhancement of bloody friction ridge patterns applied to the surfaces of contaminated glass and metal substrates.