Latent fingermark development on fired and unfired brass ammunition under controlled and blind conditions. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lam, Rolanda; Hockey, Daniel; Williamson, Julie; Hearns, Nigel G.R.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 337(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Fingermark visualization -- Disulfur dinitride -- Cyanoacrylate/Brilliant Yellow 40 -- Vacuum metal deposition -- Optimization/comparison study -- Pseudo-operational study; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111369
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Abstract: There has been growing interest in the Foster+Freeman RECOVER® Latent Fingerprint Technology system to develop fingermarks from fired ammunition. Over a six-month period, 1540 fingermarks were deposited on brass.223 ammunition, the majority of which were then fired after different time intervals. Samples were subjected to a cleaning protocol and/or processed with disulfur dinitride, cyanoacrylate/Brilliant Yellow 40, and/or vacuum metal deposition. Overall, 121 out of 1304 (9.3%) of natural fingermarks deposited were deemed identifiable post-firing and processing. This translated to 102 out of 652 (15.6%) of fired cartridges having identifiable fingermarks. A pseudo-operational study, which involved processing 1000 fired brass ammunition of various caliber using disulfur dinitride with and without a cleaning protocol, was conducted; only 18 (1.8%) comparable fingermarks were developed. This study demonstrates the need for more robust research involving this challenging substrate and novel technology, with which several issues were identified. Highlights: Fingermark recovery from fired ammunition remains challenging regardless of method. Disulfur dinitride able to develop additional fingermarks post-conventional methods. Difficult to reproduce laboratory study results in pseudo-operational scenario. Multiple issues encountered with Foster+Freeman RECOVER® LFT system and precursor.