Loop Impression. 

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Developed with Cyanoacrylate Fuming, followed by Rhodamine 6G dye stain, and visualized under Forensic Light Source. 

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Then digitally enhanced with Adobe Photoshop 

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Tented Arch Impression​

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Developed with Cyanoacrylate Fuming, followed by Brilliant Yellow dye stain, and visualized under Forensic Light Source. 

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Then digitally enhanced with Adobe Photoshop 

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Arch Impression

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Developed with Cyanoacrylate Fuming, followed by Rhodamine 6G dye stain, and visualized under Forensic Light Source. 

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Then digitally enhanced with Adobe Photoshop 

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Whorl Impression​

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Developed with Cyanoacrylate Fuming, followed by Ardrox dye stain, and visualized under Forensic Light Source. 

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Then digitally enhanced with Adobe Photoshop 

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How Do You Find Fingerprints (Friction Ridge Impressions)?

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Fingerprints can be found on a wide variety of surfaces, many of which may surprise you, using a wide variety of methods during a forensic investigation. 

However, the key factors to determine how they may be found depend on two main things. 

1. What is the substrate (surface the impression is on); and

2. What is the matrix (what is the fingerprint made up of). 

These two factors will help determine what development process may provide the best chance of developing the impression. At the end of the day it is all about creating a contrast between the substrate and the matrix, to allows the impression to visualized. 

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To begin, the best type of examination to begin with is the use of light.  Both white light at varying angles (oblique lighting), and the use of forensic light source and filters.

What Is A Fingerprint

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A fingerprint is made up of sweat pores aligned in a row.  Each row containing multiple individual pores, referred to as ridge units.  The believed purpose of such skin, is to increase the friction between the skin and whatever it is in contact with.  As such, what fingerprints are made up of, is friction ridges, and so they are often referred to as friction ridge impressions.  

The organization of these ridges are influenced by both genetics, and the environment in which they grow. The random nature of the development process itself, is why they are all unique, and it is a practical impossibility for two to ever be the same! 

Fingerprint Enhancement​

To make the small details in a friction ridge impression clear.  We often use digital enhancement tools, to aid our ability to observe all the details in the impression.  

Impression Analysis

As we examine an impression, before any comparisons are made.  We must first conduct a thorough analysis of all aspects of the impression, and understand what we observe. 

Fingerprint Comparison

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After the discovery, documentation, enhancement, and analysis of a friction ridge impression.  The next step, is to compare it to other known sources, as we try to make an identification.  Although computers can help us narrow the possible sources.  It must be a properly trained examiner to make the comparison. 

During the comparison we select a starting point and move from ridge to ridge, as we conduct the comparison. The only way an individualization can be made, is if it is the same throughout, and any slight differences can be explained!