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How to Develop, Lift and Document Fingerprints
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.
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