NCJ Number
209479
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 55 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2005 Pages: 214-238
Date Published
March 2005
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated several techniques and methods in the detection of latent fingermarks on black electrical tape.
Abstract
Electrical tape is frequently used as a wrapping for drug packages, as reinforcement for the stocks of sawed-off firearms, for electrical wiring applications, and as a means to bind a victim. This tape may bear latent fingermarks on the adhesive side or on the backing. The purpose of this study was to investigate a selection of methods to detect latent fingermarks on black electrical tape to determine the most appropriate sequence to be used in routine casework. Five brands of black electrical tape were selected for analysis. Each tape underwent treatment from eight techniques (i.e. white powder suspension, cyanoacrylate and fluorescent stain, silver powder suspension, Ardox, sticky-side powder (plus transfer), black powder suspension (plus transfer), gentian violet (plus transfer), and small particle reagent (SPR) (plus transfer), for both aged and fresh latent marks. Results indicate that cyanoacrylate followed by a combined stain and the white powder suspensions perform to a higher standard for both fresh and aged marks on the adhesive side. These two methods were found to be superior to the silver powder suspension and Ardrox formulation. References and figures