Latent Fingermark Aging Patterns (Part IV): Ridge Width as One Indicator of Degradation. Issue 4 (8th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Alcaraz‐Fossoul, Josep; Barrot Feixat, Carme; C. Zapico, Sara; McGarr, Luke; Carreras‐Marin, Clara; Tasker, Jack; Gené Badia, Manel
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 64:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 1057
• Page End: 1066
• Publication Date: 2019-02-08
• Subjects: forensic science -- latent fingermarks -- degradation -- aging -- ridge widths -- titanium dioxide; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.14018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

Abstract: This fourth article of the series is taking an in‐depth analysis at the visible aging of latent fingermarks regarding changes in ridge widths over time. The objective is to quantify and statistically describe significant ridge size variations under controlled indoor conditions. The effect of three environmental variables are examined: type of secretion (sebaceous‐ and eccrine‐rich) and type of substrate (glass and polystyrene) when aged in three light conditions (direct natural light, shade, and dark). Prior to width measurements, fresh and aged fingermarks were powdered with titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) and sequentially photographed at predetermined times over 6 months. Three independent observers measured the ridges from thirty predetermined locations using strategically placed intersecting lines on the print. Results indicate that fingermarks deposited on glass are more resilient to degradation compared with those deposited on plastic. The presence of direct natural light plays a negligible role on degradation compared to secretion and substrate types.