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Detective Minds: How to Collect Fingerprints SOCO Way

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by: miguelcarlos
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Word Count: 503
Date: Thu, 12 May 2011 Time: 6:04 PM

Watching detective and police shows gives us an idea of how fingerprints are collected. It seems so easy to do if watch it on TV show. Yes, it is easy to do if the right tools are used for the collection of the fingerprints. Here are some basic ideas on how to collect fingerprints:

. The first thing to do is to prepare the tools. The appropriate dusting powder, a small dusting brush and some scotch tape is needed in order to lift a fingerprint sample from a given object. The type and color of the powder that will be used solely depends on what is the type and color of the surface of the object to be investigated. Just to give example, a black carbon powder is needed if the surface of the object is light in color. So, if the surface is black, a light aluminum powder is needed. After the dusting and brushing, be sure to have an index card, a pen and a ziplock bags to store the lifted specimen.

. Wearing latex gloves is really needed and important. It's crucial that the specimen should not be contaminated with the own fingerprint of the investigator.

. Start taking pictures of the crime scene using a camera. Take a picture of the site where the fingerprint sample is found. It is also important to take pictures of the object investigated, after it is being dusted, before you take the print sample. This will remind the original positions of the prints to possibly recreate a crime scene.

. The surface where the sample is lifted needs to be determined. The appropriate dusting powder color is needed. In often cases, a UV light and a fluorescent dusting powder are used to make the print stand out better. Taking a little bit of the powder is enough. Gently apply the powder on the surface of the object. After the dust settles down, a print sample should now be visible. Enabling you to make out the print, the dust will bind to the oils left on the surface.

. A clean cut out strip of tape is placed over the visible sample. After the tape has been lifted, the dusting powder will now adhere, making a print sample on the tape.

. The tape is now placed on the prepared index card. Identify the sample by writing on the card the time, date and place where the sample is obtained.

. If the surface is porous or soft, the powder technique would give a hard time for the investigator to get a sample immediately. Instead of dusting, use the Iodine fuming is used. The object that has the prints is brought to the lab and is placed in a clear cabinet where the iodine vapor makes the print visible.

. Bring now the sample on the lab to cross check the print, with a national federal database, to see if it has a match.