Durability and Quality of Latent Fingerprints on Adhesive Tapes Exposed to Extremely low Temperatures of Liquid Nitrogen
Purpose:
Latent fingerprints can usually be found on adhesive side of adhesive tapes so for the purpose of latent fingerprint development adhesive tapes have to be removed from the surface first. This can be done simply by hands but results can vary significantly. Adhesive tapes can also be removed using liquid nitrogen. Since latent fingerprints are very fragile type of evidence the question is whether extremely low temperature of liquid nitrogen (–195.8 °C) could tamper latent fingerprints. Purpose of this article is to answer if liquid nitrogen is suitable for removing adhesive tapes and what is the influence of extremely low temperature on quantity and quality of developed fingerprints.
Design/Methods/Approach:
An empirical research was conducted by comparing fingerprint development results on adhesive tapes that were removed by hands and those removed by liquid nitrogen. Research was conducted on 80 samples and 240 latent fingerprints. For development of fingerprints Sticky-side powder was used and their quality was assessed by the number of clearly visible morphological characteristics measured by AFIS system.
Findings:
Research results have shown that liquid nitrogen is suitable for removing of adhesive tapes and that extremely low temperature does not temper latent fingerprints.
Research Limitations / Implications:
Strict laboratory conditions represent limitation of research results but despite this, the results indicate that methods from the research could be applied in everyday practice.
Originality/Value:
This article is the first in Slovenia that empirically studies influence of liquid nitrogen on latent fingerprints and it is intended for fingerprint experts and forensic experts in general.
UDC: 343.983
Keywords: latent fingerprints, adhesive tapes, liquid nitrogen, Sticky-side powder