NCJ Number
138908
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 42 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1992) Pages: 396-400
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examined factors in the production of laterally reversed fingerprints (impressions that are reversed side-to-side from the arrangement they would have if placed directly on a surface) on the adhesive and nonadhesive sides of various types of tape.
Abstract
This experiment was occasioned by an auto theft case submitted to the Illinois State Police laboratory for latent print examination. The item tested for prints was a piece of cardboard with its edges covered by black vinyl electrical tape, which had apparently been used by the thieves to cover a small back window of the car after it had been broken to gain entry. The suspects were thought to have made the cover and it was possible that their prints would be on the tape. Upon separation, ridge detail appeared on the nonadhesive side of the tape, and following Rhodamine 6G processing and laser examination, a suitable latent print was revealed on the adhesive side of the tape. Upon closer examination, the two prints were determined to be of the same area of friction skin, although mirror images of each other. The transferred print was not suitable for identification; however, the print on the adhesive side of the tape was identified as a suspect's. This made it possible to determine that the print was originally deposited on the adhesive side of the tape and transferred to the nonadhesive side of the tape underneath. Subsequent research was conducted on various types of tape under various conditions to determine whether or not it was possible to duplicate this event and whether the transfer was unidirectional or bidirectional. A test was devised to include 3M Scotch tape and vinyl electrical tape as two types of smooth surface tapes. Test prints were placed on either the adhesive or nonadhesive side of the tape surfaces. Additionally, various degrees of pressure (light, heavy, and contact with no pressure) were allowed between the adhesive and nonadhesive sides of the tapes. The only instance when transfers were not observed occurred when test prints were placed on the adhesive side of the tape and no pressure was applied. The test concluded that the transfer of prints on smooth-surface tapes can be duplicated and that the transfer is indeed bidirectional. 8 references and 1 table