Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/5634
Title: Effect of substrate surface topography on forensic development of latent fingerprints with iron oxide powder suspension
Authors: Jones, BJ
Downham, R
Sears, VG
Keywords: Fingerprints;Powder suspension;Surface structure;Microscopy;Forensic;Latent
Issue Date: 2010
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Citation: Surface and Interface Analysis 42(5): 438 - 442, May 2010
Abstract: Latent fingerprint deposition and effectiveness of detection are strongly affected by the surface on which prints are deposited. Material properties, surface roughness, morphology, chemistry and hydrophobicity can affect the usefulness or efficacy of forensic print development techniques. Established protocols outline appropriate techniques and sequences of processes for broad categories of operational surfaces. This study uses atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to investigate a series of surfaces classified as smooth, non-porous plastic. Latent prints developed with iron oxide powder suspension are analysed on a range of scales from macro to nano to help elucidate the interaction mechanisms between the latent fingerprint, development agent and underlying surface. Differences between surfaces have a strong effect, even within this single category. We show that both average roughness and topographical feature shape, characterised by skew, kurtosis and lay, are important factors to consider for the processing of latent fingerprints. Copyright (C) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Description: This is a pre-print version of the article. The official published version can be accessed from the link below - Copyright @ 2010 Wiley-Blackwell
URI: http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/5634
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/sia.3311
ISSN: 0142-2421
Appears in Collections:Materials Engineering
Publications
The Experimental Techniques Centre

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