CSI fan or not, collecting fingerprints is still an important part of forensic science. As a matter of fact, it is a great help to almost all CSI or Crime Scene Investigators throughout the world.
Crime scene investigators are trained with different ways to collect fingerprints. Aside from latent prints, they are also trained to take known prints. Latent prints are fingerprints left behind by people in crime scenes and other environments. They are left accidentally. Known prints, on the other hand, are submitted willingly. They are taken through the use of black ink. The process would be to put the person's thumb in the ink and then press it on a white card. Most of us are familiar with this because this is usually done whenever traveling documents and the like are processed.
How to Lift Latent Prints
Method 1: Dusting
This is the most common technique in collecting fingerprints. This is done with the use of a brush and a special type of black powder. Once the crime scene investigator arrives in the crime scene, the one in charge of latent prints or the latent print technician will start looking for fingerprints. He or she will use the brush and powder. These work because it can stick to the oil in the fingerprint. Afterwards, he will use sticky tape to lift the prints. It works because it can lift both the dust and the oil. Then the prints will be stored in an evidence card.
Once the prints reach the crime lab, the latent print examiner will analyze it. They will try to match it with another print stored in IAFIS or Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System of the FBI.
Though dusting may not be very effective in most instances, especially if the material is "compromised" or it has been touched already which can lead to "inconclusive" results, crime scene investigators can try other methods of collecting fingerprints.
Method 2: Electric Pen
This is another way of collecting fingerprints. With this method, a metal filing brush and electric pen is used. The "brush" is an electromagnet that can take iron filings. Similar to ordinary brushes, it does not affect the prints. The print just sticks to the oil. You can then lift the print using sticky tape or other types of adhesives.
Method 3: Special Chemical Bonding Agents
When using special chemical bonding agents, crime scene investigators will set the object in a specially heated area. They will make use of superglue fumes to warm up the environment. Through this process, a white substance will appear on the print. This is actually the method used for colleting prints for years now.
Method 4: Gray Scale, Livescan and Biometric Gadgets
This method of collecting fingerprints is used by police operatives. 256 shades or gray are used by the gray scale in taking prints. Though this method features different varieties, the most common is "livescan".
With "livescan", different types of laser technology are used in assessing fingerprints. To get clear prints, a glass pad is often used. Then the results are sent to a database to find a match. Police officers now also make use of fingerprint cards and images which can verify matches. They also use cameras for collecting prints.
Another gadget you can use for taking prints is called the "biometric handheld gadget". Aside from taking prints right on the spot, it can link to the main database system directly. After taking the prints, they can be matched and searched for using a database so you don't even need to take your suspect to the police station.
There are different other ways to collect fingerprints. With these advances in technology, security and even justice for the victim can be achieved right away.
Author Resource:
Through different ways to collect fingerprints , crime scene investigators and police operatives can bring the victim justice. There are also other fingerprint identification methods used for different instances.hostgator promo codes hostgator promo code
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