Thesis
Effects of Aquatic Environments on the Detection of Latent Fingermarks on Paper
Masters by Research, Murdoch University
2023
Abstract
In this pilot study, the effects of submerging fingermarks on porous substrates in different controlled aquatic environments were investigated. The aquatic environments investigated involved 4 laboratory setups: moving tap water, still tap water, moving saltwater, and still saltwater. Charged fingermarks deposited on paper were submerged in these environments for a period of 1, 12, 20, and 40 days at which samples were removed to be developed at these 4 time points. Oil red o (ORO) and physical developer (PD) were used to develop the fingermarks. Each sample was then evaluated based on the clarity of the overall fingermark, defined edges of the fingermark, and contrast between the fingermark and the substrate background. Results showed that high quality of development can still be achieved from fingermarks submerged underwater over a period of time. Fingermarks submerged in saltwater were scored on average lower than tap water fingermarks. In addition, ORO was unexpectedly the better development method than PD for fingermarks submerged in water over a period of time. Based on this new information, it is recommended that investigators consider using ORO on submerged paper or similar porous substrates for fingermark development even after being collected from water bodies after a month.
Details
- Title
- Effects of Aquatic Environments on the Detection of Latent Fingermarks on Paper
- Authors/Creators
- Ian Y Lim
- Contributors
- Paola Magni (Supervisor)A. Frick (Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Research
- Identifiers
- 991005592370107891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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