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SCOTT'S FINGERPRINT MECHANICS

NCJ Number
50098
Author(s)
R D OLSEN
Date Published
1978
Length
480 pages
Annotation
COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON METHODS OF RECOVERING AND REPRODUCING LATENT FINGER IMPRESSIONS AND IDENTIFYING PERSONS BY THEIR FINGERPRINTS IS PRESENTED IN A TEXT FOR STUDENTS AND PRACTICING INVESTIGATORS.
Abstract
THE PURPOSE OF THE TEXT IS TO PROVIDE THE BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION AND LATENT FINGERPRINT TECHNIQUES NEEDED TO RECOVER LATENT PRINTS AT CRIME SCENES. THE TEXT MAY BE USED IN THE CLASSROOM, AS AN AID TO SELF-STUDY, OR AS A REFERENCE TOOL. AN INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER ON GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS IN FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION IS FOLLOWED BY DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE INKED IMPRESSIONS OF FINGERS, PALMS, AND SOLES. INFORMATION ON PROBLEM FINGERPRINTS, POSTMORTEM FINGERPRINTING, AND INKLESS FINGERPRINTING IS ALSO PROVIDED. A CHAPTER ON LATENT FINGERPRINTS AND CRIME SCENE PROCEDURES FOCUSES ON THE VALUE OF FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE, FACTORS AFFECTING LATENT PRINTS, FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE PRESERVATION, LABORATORY CONSIDERATIONS, AND PHOTOGRAPHY. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF FINGERPRINT EQUIPMENT ARE FOLLOWED BY CHAPTERS ON SPECIFIC POWDER, PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND ELECTRONIC METHODS FOR OBTAINING LATENT PRINTS. LATENT FINGERPRINT LIFTING TECHNIQUES AND DEVICES ARE DESCRIBED, AS ARE METHODS OF HANDLING FINGERPRINTS ON CLOTH, TAPE, DUST, GLASS, METAL, WOOD, PLASTIC, PAPER, AND SKIN. INFORMATION ON IMAGE ENHANCEMENT OF BLOODY PRINTS, THE USE OF NEW TECHNIQUES, AND FINGERPRINT COURT EXHIBITS IS INCLUDED. EACH CHAPTER CONCLUDES WITH A SERIES OF STUDY AND REVIEW QUESTIONS. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)