NCJ Number
191464
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 46 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2001 Pages: 871-877
Editor(s)
Michael A. Peat Ph.D.
Date Published
July 2001
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study carried out a preliminary voltammetric characterization of monomers on some metals, particularly pieces of finished Ergal, provided by some Italian weapon manufacturers (a material widely used in the production of weapons) identifying the electropolymerization process as a new method in the development of latent prints on unfired weapons, in addition to other metal surfaces.
Abstract
Fingerprint detection is an essential way to identify individuals. Because of the increasing interest in DNA PCR-based techniques, most of the scientific efforts have concentrated on genetic analyses rather than fingermark strategies. This study proposed a new method for developing latent fingerprints on metal items. This method would be applicable to unfired weapons made of Ergal (an alloy used widely to produce modern weapons in Italy). It provided useful results on both Ergal alloy and pure metal. Using morphology studies, the data confirmed the close relationship between polymer characteristic and hindrance of anion, acting as a counterion for cationic species formed during the electropolymerization process. Fingerprint legibility depended on other morphological properties of the film, such as sharpness and roughness, and these properties were determined by the polymerization conditions. Additional experimentation would be extended to fired weapons and ammunitions, as well as other types of metallic evidence found at the crime scene and/or during investigations. Graphs and references