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FINGERPRINT RECOVERY (hand's on)

Length of Seminar: 3 Days
Instructor: Joseph E. Fyffe

Course Overview:
Introduction To Fingerprints: During this period the student will learn the importance of “reading” the crime scene in an attempt to locate evidence fingerprints. He/She will learn the three major types of evidence prints as well as the importance of collecting elimination prints from victims. Training will include the “what is it and how is it put on the surface?”

The instructor will explain various factors affecting the quality of the fingerprint being left upon the surface of the item touched.

Developing and Recovering Fingerprints: During this period the student will understand the value of the evidence fingerprint as well as various conditions affecting the development and recovery of these prints. He/She will learn preferred methods of processing of many of the most common items of evidence found in day to day crime scene investigations, including items which many times do not respond well to the common black powders.

He/She will be introduced to the principles of photographing both visible and processed fingerprints, both with and without alternate light sources, as well as reversal procedures used in processing mirrored prints.

The student will become familiar with various fingerprint patterns and the characteristics needed for identification.

The student will see photographs of developed fingerprints on several “Often Thought Unprintable” items such as bricks, rocks, rubber tire tread, rough textured vinyl, wet objects, etc., and will be instructed in the methods used for processing these items.

Practical Exercises / Hands-On: For the remainder of the day, the students will be developing and recovering prints from items which they have chosen to bring for practice. They will have the opportunity to use various types of equipment as well as various methods of lifting the developed prints. They will use standard black powder, black magnetic powder, silver black powder, silver black magnetic powder, as well as copper, silver, or gold metallic powders used on surfaces too slick to provide acceptable results with black powders. Students will complete a project of developing a latent print on vinyl upholstery material and preparing it for recovery. Recovery will be completed the following morning.

Super glue processing will be introduced and a simplified field project will be provided to the student for evening processing.

Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) Processing: The instructor will evaluate and offer suggestions on students super glue projects from the preceding evening.
Instruction will be given on laboratory methods of super glue fuming as well as accepted chemical enhancement methods for developed prints. Instructor will illustrate to students the methods of building various super glue fuming equipment, providing a substantial monetary saving over commercial equipment. Safety will be emphasized.

Fluorescent Fingerprint Development: During this “hands-on” period students will learn how to develop fingerprints, using fluorescent powders and alternate light sources, and will learn factors to be considered when choosing between fluorescent powder and black powder.

Alternate light sources ranging from 8 watts through 100 watts and barrier eyewear will be provided for student use. The student will have the opportunity to use various colors of powder, both standard and magnetic.

Fingerprint Photography: Students using both Polaroid Cameras and Digital Cameras will use alternate light sources to photograph fingerprints developed with fluorescent powder during the preceding period.

Photo Presentation: The students photographs saved to computer disk will be presented by the instructor, using Adobe Photoshop. Various digital enhancements will be demonstrated.

Chemical Processing: During this period the instructor will demonstrate several chemical procedures, providing the student with a diverse understanding of many procedures available beyond normal field techniques.