CHEMISTRY PROJECT

NAME :SONAL.V.PUJAR
CLASS : XI 'A'
ROLL NO : 11A 28
YEAR : 2018-19
PROJECT : FINGERPRINT
ANALYSIS USING
SILVER NITRATE
SCHOOL : KENDRIYA
VIDYALAYA DGQA

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that SONAL.V.PUJAR of class XI 'A' Roll No: 11A28 has
satisfactorily completed her chemistry project prescribed by AISSCE course
during the academic year 2018-19.

TEACHER INCHARGE INTERNAL EXAMINER

EXTERNAL EXAMINER

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to sincerely and profusely thank our chemistry teacher

Dr.S.Vasudhevan PGT (CHEMISTRY) and our lab attendant for their able
guidance and support in completing our project.

We would also like to extend our gratitude to our Principal Mrs.T.Mirnalini

for providing us with the facilities that were required.

SIGNATURE OF THE CANDIDATE

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 INDEX

S.NO CONTENT PAGE NO.

1 INTRODUCTION
2 AIM
3 APPARATUS
4 THEORY
5 PROCEDURE
6 OBSERVATION

7 CONCLUSION
8 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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 INTRODUCTION

Silver nitrate has been an established agent for the detection of latent
fingerprints for some 120 years, and it was one of the few reagents suitable for
use on porous surfaces until ninhydrin was introduced in forensics. The method
is based on the reaction of silver ions with chlorides in the fingerprints, which
are visualized in brown, violet or black. The literature describes many variations
of the procedure, but the information provided is often vague and imprecise. The
purpose of this study was to show whether this method can also be used on
modern types of paper and how it should be applied. The results of the tests
showed that silver nitrate solutions do work also on modern papers, but that they
cannot be recommended as a standard, because the appearance of the prints and
the paper background can strongly change in the course of time. The findings
also do not justify the use of methanol-containing silver nitrate solutions in
contrast to the variations based on water. For reasons of occupational safety,
methanol, which is classified as poisonous, should not be used. The silver nitrate
method may be taken into consideration, however, e.g. after the application of
ninhydin, if there are hints that the potential fingerprints are not too old, have not
been affected by moisture and if there are clues that the perpetrator perspired
strongly while causing the prints.

Latent fingerprint development may be achieved with a wide array of

optical, physical, and chemical processes, most having evolved during the past
century. Because some techniques are often intricately related and continuously

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changing, it is imperative that those involved in laboratory and crime scene
processing are well trained and well practiced.
Fingerprints found at crime scenes or developed in the laboratory are categorized
by some examiners as patent, latent, or plastic impressions, although all three
types are routinely associated with the term latent print.

Aqueous metal deposition methods:

Those involving silver nitrate reagents, silver physical developers, multimetal

deposition processes, and gun blueing reagents. Each of these methods involves
reagents with metal salts dissolved in an aqueous carrier (or an alcohol, as in the
case of some silver nitrate reagents). These reagents reveal water-resistant latent
prints such as sebaceous prints (except for the silver nitrate reagents used on
porous surfaces that target salt). Here, the metal ions are reduced to metal
particles on the latent print residue (except for the case of latent prints on metal,
where the print residue resists the deposition).

A fingerprint in its narrow sense is an impression left by the friction ridges of a

human finger. The recovery of fingerprints from a crime scene is an important
method of forensic science. Fingerprints are easily deposited on suitable surfaces
(such as glass or metal or polished stone) by the natural secretions of sweat from
the eccrine glands that are present in epidermal ridges. These are sometimes
referred to as "Chanced Impressions".

In a wider use of the term, fingerprints are the traces of an impression from the
friction ridges of any part of a human or other primate hand. A print from the
sole of the foot can also leave an impression of friction ridges.

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Deliberate impressions of fingerprints may be formed by ink or other substances
transferred from the peaks of friction ridges on the skin to a relatively smooth
surface such as a fingerprint card. Fingerprint records normally contain
impressions from the pad on the last joint of fingers and thumbs, although
fingerprint cards also typically record portions of lower joint areas of the fingers.

Human fingerprints are detailed, nearly unique, difficult to alter, and durable
over the life of an individual, making them suitable as long-term markers of
human identity. They may be employed by police or other authorities to identify
individuals who wish to conceal their identity, or to identify people who are
incapacitated or deceased and thus unable to identify themselves, as in the
aftermath of a natural disaster. Fingerprint analysis, in use since the early 20th
century, has led to many crimes being solved. This means that many criminals
consider gloves essential. In 2015, the identification of sex by use of a
fingerprint test has been reported.

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AIM:

FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS USING LIGHT SENSITIVE

SILVER BROMIDE

APPARATUS:

1. Silver Bromide/Nitrate/Iodide
2. Stamp Pad/Ink
3. Plain Sheets Of Paper
4. Finger print of different people
5. Watch Glass

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 THEORY

SILVER BROMIDE:

Silver bromide(AgBr), a soft, pale-yellow, water-insoluble salt well

known (along with other silver halides) for its unusual sensitivity to light. This
property has allowed silver halides to become the basis of modern photographic
materials. AgBr is widely used in photographic films and is believed by some to
have been used for making the Shroud of Turin. The salt can be found naturally
as the mineral bromargyrite (bromyrite).

PREPARATION:

Although the compound can be found in mineral form, AgBr is typically

prepared by the reaction of silver nitrate with an alkali bromide, typically
potassium bromide:
AgNO3 (aq) + KBr (aq) → AgBr(s)+ KNO3(aq)
Although less convenient, the salt can also be prepared directly from its
elements.
Modern preparation of a simple, light-sensitive surface involves forming an
emulsion of silver halide crystals in a gelatin, which is then coated onto a film or
other support. The crystals are formed by precipitation in a controlled
environment to produce small, uniform crystals (typically < 1 μm in diameter
and containing ~1012 Ag atoms) called grains.

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PHYSICAL PROPERTIES:

SOLUBILITY:

The silver halides have a wide range of solubilities. The solubility of AgF is
about 6 × 107 times that of AgI. These differences are attributed to the relative
solvation enthalpies of the halide ions; the enthalpy of solvation of fluoride is
anomalously large.

SILVER HALIDE SOLUBILITIES

Solubility (g / 100 g
Compound
H2O)
AgF 172
AgCl 0.00019
AgBr 0.000014
AgI 0.000003

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 PHOTOSENSITIVITY:

Although photographic processes have been in development since the mid-

1800s, there were no suitable theoretical explanations until 1938 with the
publication of a paper by R.W. Gurney and N.F. Mott. This paper triggered a
large amount of research in fields of solid-state chemistry and physics, as well
more specifically in silver halide photosensitivity phenomena.
Further research into this mechanism revealed that the photographic properties
of silver halides (in particular AgBr) were a result of deviations from an ideal
crystal structure. Factors such as crystal growth, impurities, and surface defects
all affect concentrations of point ionic defects and electronic traps, which affect
the sensitivity to light and allow for the formation of a latent image.

SEMICONDUCTOR PROPERTIES:

As silver bromide is heated within 100°C of its melting point, an

Arrhenius plot of the ionic conductivity shows the value increasing and
"upward-turning." Other physical properties such as elastic moduli, specific
heat, and the electronic energy gap also increase, suggesting the crystal is
approaching instability. This behavior, typical of a semi-conductor, is attributed
to a temperature-dependence of Frenkel defect formation, and, when normalized
against the concentration of Frenkel defects, the Arrhenius plot linearizes.

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 OVERVIEW OF LATENT FINGERPRINT
DEVELOPMENT METHODS AND TECHNIQUES:

POWDERS:

Powders adhere to both water and fatty deposits. These are generally useful on
newer prints only. Choose a powder to contrast with the background. They are
useful on any dry, relatively smooth, non-adhesive surfaces. Use after laser
fluorescence. Powders may be used before ninhydrin and after cyanoacrylate.
Results may vary with skill of technician. Lift developed prints by photography
or conventional methods.

SILVER NITRATE:

Silver nitrate reacts with the chlorides in skin secretions to form silver chloride,
a material which turns gray when exposed to light. Developed prints must be
photographed immediately because the reaction will eventually (and
permanently) fill the background. It is useful on paper, cardboard, plastics and
unvarnished, light-colored woods. Use it after ninhydrin and iodine. It is not
useful on items which have been exposed to water.

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NINHYDRIN:

Ninhydrin reacts with amino acids to produce a purple reaction product called
“Rhuemann’s Purple”. It is useful on porous surfaces—especially paper.
Development time is up to 10 days, but may be accelerated through the
application of heat and humidity. Use ninhydrin after iodine and before silver
nitrate. Ninhydrin is not useful on items which have been exposed to water.

DFO:

DFO, 1,8 Diazafluoren-9-one, is a fluorescing ninhydrin analog found to

develop up to two and a half more prints than ninhydrin itself. It is useful on
porous surfaces, especially paper. Development may be accelerated through the
application of controlled heat. Use it before ninhydrin. DFO also is useful to
develop weak blood stains. It requires a specialized light source, such as the
BLUEMAXX™.

IODINE:

Iodine fumes react with oils and fatty deposits to produce a temporary yellow-
brown reaction product. Iodine is useful on fresh prints on porous and non-
porous, non-metallic surfaces. Developed prints must be fixed or photographed
immediately because reaction will rapidly fade. Use iodine before ninhydrin and
silver nitrate.

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FLUORESCENT POEDERS:

Powders made of fluorescent materials offer the advantages to the limitations of

conventional powders. Apply as with conventional powders. Lifts can be made
photographically or by conventional means. Fluorescent powders are especially
useful on confused backgrounds. An ultraviolet or forensic light source is
required.

LOOP ARCH

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 WHORL TENTED ARCH

IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF

INDIVIDUAL FINGERPRINTS:

Fingerprint identification, known as dactyloscopy, or hand print

identification, is the process of comparing two instances of friction ridge skin
impressions (see Minutiae), from human fingers or toes, or even the palm of the
hand or sole of the foot, to determine whether these impressions could have
come from the same individual. The flexibility of friction ridge skin means that
no two finger or palm prints are ever exactly alike in every detail; even two

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impressions recorded immediately after each other from the same hand may be
slightly different. Fingerprint identification, also referred to as individualization,
involves an expert, or an expert computer system operating under threshold
scoring rules, determining whether two friction ridge impressions are likely to
have originated from the same finger or palm (or toe or sole).

An intentional recording of friction ridges is usually made with black

printer's ink rolled across a contrasting white background, typically a white card.
Friction ridges can also be recorded digitally, usually on a glass plate, using a
technique called Live Scan. A "latent print" is the chance recording of friction
ridges deposited on the surface of an object or a wall. Latent prints are invisible
to the naked eye, whereas "patent prints" or "plastic prints" are viewable with the
unaided eye. Latent prints are often fragmentary and require the use of chemical
methods, powder, or alternative light sources in order to be made clear.
Sometimes an ordinary bright flashlight will make a latent print visible.

When friction ridges come into contact with a surface that will take a
print, material that is on the friction ridges such as perspiration, oil, grease, ink
or blood, will be transferred to the surface. Factors which affect the quality of
friction ridge impressions are numerous. Pliability of the skin, deposition
pressure, slippage, the material from which the surface is made, the roughness of
the surface and the substance deposited are just some of the various factors
which can cause a latent print to appear differently from any known recording of
the same friction ridges. Indeed, the conditions surrounding every instance of
friction ridge deposition are unique and never duplicated. For these reasons,
fingerprint examiners are required to undergo extensive training. The scientific
study of fingerprints is called dermatoglyphics.
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 FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION:

Fingerprint recognition or fingerprint authentication refers to

the automated method of verifying a match between two human fingerprints.
Fingerprints are one of many forms of biometrics used to identify individuals
and verify their identity.

The analysis of fingerprints for matching purposes generally requires the

comparison of several features of the print pattern. These include patterns, which
are aggregate characteristics of ridges, and minutia points, which are unique
features found within the patterns. It is also necessary to know the structure and
properties of human skin in order to successfully employ some of the imaging
technologies.

The three basic patterns of fingerprint ridges are the arch, loop, and
whorl:
 Arch:
The ridges enter from one side of the finger, rise in the center forming an arc,
and then exit the other side of the loop
 Loop:
The ridges enter from one side of a finger, form a curve, and then exit on that
same side.
 Whorl:

Ridges form circularly around a central point on the finger.

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Scientists have found that family members often share the same general
fingerprint patterns, leading to the belief that these patterns are inherited.

Fingerprint processing has three primary functions: enrollment, searching

and verification. Among these functions, enrollment which captures fingerprint
image from the sensor plays an important role. A reason is that the way people
put their fingerprints on a mirror to scan can affect to the result in the searching
and verifying process. Regarding to verification function, there are several
techniques to match fingerprints such as correlation-based matching, minutiae-
based matching, ridge feature-based matching and minutiae-based algorithm.
However, the most popular algorithm was minutiae based matching algorithm
due to its efficiency and accuracy

The major minutia features of fingerprint ridges are ridge ending,

bifurcation, and short ridge (or dot).

The ridge ending is the point at which a ridge terminates.

Bifurcations are points at which a single ridge splits into two ridges.

Short ridges (or dots) are ridges which are significantly shorter than the
average ridge length on the fingerprint.

Minutiae and patterns are very important in the analysis of fingerprints since no
two fingers have been shown to be identical.

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RIDGE ENDING BIFURCATION

SHORT RIDGE

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 Why Fingerprint Identification?

Fingerprints offer a reliable means of personal identification. That is the

essential explanation for fingerprints having replaced other methods of
establishing the identities of persons reluctant to admit previous arrests.

The science of fingerprint identification stands out among all other forensic
sciences for many reasons, including the following:

 Has served governments worldwide for over 100 years to provide accurate
identification of criminals. No two fingerprints have ever been found alike
in many billions of human and automated computer comparisons.
Fingerprints are the basis for criminal history foundation at every police
agency on earth.

Established the first forensic professional organization, the International

Association for Identification (IAI), in 1915.

 Established the first professional certification program for forensic

scientists, the IAI's Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE) program (in
1977), issuing certification to those meeting stringent criteria and revoking
certification for serious errors such as erroneous identifications.

 Continues to expand as the premier method for identifying persons, with

hundreds of thousands of persons daily added to fingerprint repositories
worldwide.

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  For more than a century, has remained the most commonly used forensic
evidence worldwide - in most jurisdictions fingerprint examination cases
match or outnumber all other forensic examination casework combined.
Fingerprints harvested from crime "scenes lead to more suspects and
generate more evidence in court than all other forensic laboratory
techniques combined.

 Is relatively inexpensive for solving crime. Expense is an important factor

because all agencies must balance cost, timeliness and thoroughness for
various types of investigations. For example, DNA is as ubiquitous as
fingerprints at most crime scenes, but costs typically 100 to 400 times
more than fingerprint analysis for each specimen, and can require
additional months or years before analysis is complete. Thus, fingerprints
and DNA are harvested from serious crimes such as murder, but often
fingerprints are the primary evidence harvested from burglaries, vehicle
break-ins, etc.

Other visible human characteristics, such as facial features, tend to

change with age, but fingerprints are relatively persistent. Barring injuries or
surgery causing deep scarring, or diseases such as leprosy damaging the
formative layers of friction ridge skin, finger and palm print features have never
been shown to move about or change their unit relationship throughout the life
of a person (and injuries, scarring and diseases tend to exhibit telltale indicators
of unnatural change).

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 In earlier civilizations, branding or maiming were used to mark persons as
criminals. The thief was deprived of the hand which committed the thievery.
Ancient Romans employed the tattoo needle to identify and prevent desertion of
mercenary soldiers from their ranks.

Before the mid-1800s, law enforcement officers with extraordinary visual

memories, so-called "camera eyes," identified previously arrested offenders by
sight alone. Photography lessened the burden on memory, but was not the
answer to the criminal identification problem. Personal appearances change.

Around 1870, French anthropologist Alphonse Bertillon devised a

system to measure and record the dimensions of certain bony parts of the body.
These measurements were reduced to a formula which, theoretically, would
apply only to one person and would not change during his/her adult life.

Silver Nitrate Reagents:

History and Background:

One of the first reagents used for developing latent prints on porous
surfaces was a 1–3% aqueous solution of silver nitrate, AgNO3. It was used as
early as 1891 for this purpose (Forgeot, 1891; Rhodes, 1940, p 10). Most
formulations now include an alcohol to hasten drying and to increase the
wetness (reduce the surface tension) (Lee and Gaensslen, 2001, pp 105–175).
The silver ions in silver nitrate react with the chloride ions in salt (sodium
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chloride, NaCl) contained in the latent print residue to form silver chloride
(AgCl), a highly insoluble salt (Ksp = 1.8x10-10) (Dean, 1985).

Ag + Cl→ AgCl → K formation = 1/Kdissociation = 1/Ksp = 5.6 x 107

There are at least two reasons the silver nitrate treatment works well on
porous surfaces. One is that the precipitation process is much faster than the
dissolution process; that is, the reaction to form the insoluble AgCl is quicker
than the ability of the aqueous carrier to dissolve away the soluble NaCl salt.
The second reason is that the insoluble AgCl gets trapped within the structure or
“micro-roughness” (Kerr et al., 1981, pp 209–214) of the porous surface; that is,
the fresh latent print residue is in an aqueous or semi aqueous form that soaks
into the porous surface, carrying its constituents with it.

An ethanol-based 3% (w/v) silver nitrate reagent (90% ethanol and 10%

water) develops prints on water-repelling surfaces such as waxed paper,
cardboard with a wax finish, and Styrofoam (Trozzi et al., 2000). Here, the
ethanol is used to reduce the dissolution of the NaCl in the fingerprint residue, to
better wet the surface (because these surfaces are usually water-repellent), and to
give faster evaporation. As expected, because of the low porosity of such
surfaces, developed prints on these surfaces are more fragile than those on
porous surfaces like paper and wood.

Under ordinary room light, the silver chloride gradually converts by

photo-reduction to elemental silver; however, this is hastened with UV radiation.

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The most efficient development occurs with short-wavelength UV radiation (254
nm); however, the safer, long-wavelength UV radiation (366 nm) also develops
prints, but less efficiently (Goode and Morris, 1983).

AgCl + hν Ag + ½Cl2

The elemental silver formed is colored dark brown to black (not a silver
color). The reason for this is that the silver deposits as an aggregate of tiny
(colloidal-size) silver particles, which makes for a highly porous surface that
traps much of the light that strikes it. The formation of dark, light-trapping silver
happens because the silver ions are reduced very quickly.

Application (Porous and Water-Repelling Surfaces):

The silver nitrate reagent is usually applied to specimens by dipping

them in the solution or by spraying the solution on the specimens. The FBI
(Trozzi et al., 2000, pp 38–39) recommends the 3% AgNO3 water-based
formulation for porous surfaces and the 3% AgNO3 ethanol-based formulation
for water-repellent surfaces.

Champod et al. (2004, pp 153–154) recommend the 2% AgNO3

methanol-based reagent for porous surfaces. After drying, the specimens are
exposed to a high-intensity light source, UV light, or sunlight to develop the
prints. As soon as the prints develop, they are photographed and the specimens
are stored in the dark. Over time, the background darkens because of the gradual
reduction of any residual silver nitrate in the specimens (this reduction is
accelerated if exposed to light). Rinsing the specimens after development and

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then drying them in the dark does little to slow down the background
development.

Goode and Morris (1983) reported in 1983 that immersing specimens in

disodium ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (Na2EDTA) complexes excess silver
ions, which are then easily rinsed away with water. Their modified silver nitrate
(MSN) procedure uses a 1% aqueous silver nitrate solution that also contains 5%
Na2EDTA and 3% K2CO3. The MSN procedure involves (1) treating the
specimens with this modified reagent for just enough time to wet the surface, (2)
transferring them to a 1% (w/v) Na2EDTA solution and leaving them in for 1
minute, (3) removing and washing thoroughly with distilled water, and finally
(4) placing this in a 5% thiourea solution containing 1% KOH for about 30
seconds to 2 minutes. The first step creates the silver chloride from the chloride
ions in the latent print, and the last step converts this to black silver sulfide.
Later in 1998, Price and Stow (1998, pp 107–110) recommended dipping the
specimens in a “stopping solution” consisting of an aqueous solution of 40%
methanol, 20% acetic acid, and 2% glycerol to suppress the further development
of the background.

Enhancement:
According to Lennard and Margot (1988, pp 197–210), weakly
developed prints could be enhanced by treating the specimens with a diluted
silver physical developer solution. The dilution factor is 1:10. Goode and Morris
(1983) discuss a radioactive enhancing method that converts a silver print to a
radioactive, β-emitting silver sulfide print, which is then imaged using
radiographic film (this image-recording process is sometimes called

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autoradiography or β-radiography). If the original silver nitrate treatment did not
significantly stain the background with silver, then this method will bring out
only the developed prints with little or no interfering background. The process,
described by Goode and Morris (1983) and reviewed by Cantu (2001, pp 29–
64), involves converting the silver in the silver image to silver bromide (AgBr),
using brominating (bleaching) methods, and then treating this with either sodium
sulfide or thiourea (where the sulfur is radioactive 35S) to convert AgBr to
Ag235S. The process is called radioactive toning. If the MSN procedure is used,
which yields a silver sulfide print, then radioactive thiourea is used to form
Ag235S.

Limitation:

The major drawback of the silver nitrate method is that the chloride ions
in the latent print residue diffuse over time, and humidity accelerates this
diffusion. This will affect the resolution (ridge detail) of the developed print.
Normally, prints no older than 1 week will develop well; however, one should
attempt to examine the evidence as soon as possible to avoid this diffusion.

According to Goode and Morris (1983), in an indoor environment in the

United Kingdom, prints on porous surfaces last longer (months) in the winter
than in the summer (days to weeks). However, they state that these effects
depend on factors such as the type of surface (prints last longer on paper than on
raw wood) and, of course, the relative humidity. For this reason, the silver nitrate
reagent is used now in special cases. The silver physical developer and
multimetal deposition methods are more commonly used for water insoluble
components but do not target chlorine ions.

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 Use of Silver Nitrate on Metal:.

The discussion so far has been on the use of silver nitrate on porous
and certain glossy (water-repellent) surfaces to develop chloride bearing prints.
Silver nitrate has also been used on certain metal surfaces, such as cartridge
cases, to develop prints by depositing silver everywhere (giving a gray to black
metallic appearance) except where the latent print sits (Olsen, 1978; Cantu et al.,
1998, pp 294–298).

That is, the silver nitrate brings out “lipid-bearing prints” because such
prints protect the metal surface on which they lie from reacting with the silver
nitrate. (If chloride ions are present in the latent print residue, silver chloride is
formed; however, the contrast of the print against the background remains and
may even be enhanced upon the reduction of silver chloride to dark silver.) The
usual reaction of the silver ions (Ag+) with the metal surface is:
nAg+ + M nAg + Mn+

Here, M represents the metal and Mn+ is a corresponding ion. Silver

is said to displace the metal M. By observing the placement of the silver in the
electromotive series (see Table 7–4), we see that silver can displace copper, iron,
nickel, zinc, lead, and aluminum.

2Ag+ + Cu redox = 458 mV 3Ag+ + Al redox = 2461.6 mV

Here, for example, Eoredox (Ag+/Ag; Cu/Cu2+) = Eored (Ag+ + e– ox (Cu 2Ag
+ Cu2+ Eo 3Ag + Al3+ Eo Ag) + Eo Cu2+ + 2e–) is computed from the
27
standard reduction potentials (Table 7–4) (Dean, 1985; Weast, 1986). A positive
value of Eoredox indicates that the redox reaction is thermodynamically
favorable but does not say anything about the rate or speed of the reaction.

Another consideration is that these metals oxidize, some more readily

than others, and this creates an oxide film on the metal surface. If a print was
placed before the metal oxidized, the print may naturally show up, given enough
time (some refer to this as the “print getting etched” on the metal). However, if it
was placed after the oxide film formed, it is often difficult for the silver nitrate
reagent to further oxidize the metal in this oxide film; thus, the deposition of
silver and subsequent development of the print may occur but not as readily. The
formation of a protective, impermeable oxide layer is called passivation (Atkins,
1990, p 927).

VARIOUS METHODS FOR IDENTIFYING OF

FINGERPRINTS:

Fingerprints are made up of tiny droplets ranging in size from 1-20μm,

which consist mainly of sweat and approximately one millionth of a gram of
chemical material in total. A ‘hidden’ fingerprint, for example, one left at the
scene of a crime, is called a ‘latent’ fingerprint (‘latent’ is the Latin word for
‘hidden’). One way of making these fingerprints visible is called the ‘powder
and brush’ technique. In this method, the surface is brushed with a very fine
powder that sticks to these droplets. Some surfaces, however, absorb this powder

28
and the fingerprints are not distinguishable. This problem can be overcome by
the use of electrostatics.
The article to be analysed is attached to a negatively charged electrode
connected to a high voltage. A very fine powder is placed on the adjacent
positive electrode, becomes charged and is attracted to the negatively charged
specimen. Due to the high voltage, the particles travel quickly and stick firmly to
the fingerprint. Particles hitting the electrode lose their positive charge and
return to the positive electrode where they are recharged. This process continues
until the fingerprint has been sufficiently built-up.

This technique is not appropriate for use on all surfaces, but there are several
other methods that can be applied:

 Laser luminescence: Involves the illumination of fingerprints due to

fluorescing particles picked up during everyday life from paints, inks and oil.
It can be used on painted walls, metals, plastic and rubber, cloth and wood.

 Metal evaporation: The fingerprint is developed by first evaporating a

thin layer of gold onto the specimen, followed by a layer of cadmium which
fills in the print and provides a contrast.

 Silver nitrate: Used for fingerprints on paper, silver nitrate is sprayed onto
the fingerprint where it reacts with the chlorides, to give the insoluble silver
salt, silver chloride. Not suitable for fabrics or rough surfaces such as wood.

 Ninhydrin test: Indantrione hydrate reacts with the amino acids in the
fingerprint, giving a visible deposit. Also not suitable for fabrics or rough
surfaces.

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 Iodine vapour: Can be used to develop fingerprints on fabrics and rough
surfaces. Iodine vapour alone is useful only for prints up to 24 hours old,
however a mixture of the vapour and steam allows this method to be effective
for up to two months.

 Bacteria: Certain bacteria, for example acinetobacter calciacatieus, can be

used to develop prints on valuable oil paintings, without harming the painting
in the process. The bacteria in a nutrient gel are pasted onto the surface of the
painting, making the print visible as they multiply. The gel can then simply
be wiped off, leaving the painting unaffected.

 Autoradiography: Radioactive atoms are incorporated into the

fingerprint by placing the piece of fabric into a container containing
radioactive gases, such as iodine or sulphur dioxide, at a humidity of less
than 50% The fabric is then put into contact with photographic film, and the
radioactive atoms cause a picture to become clear.

After the prints have been developed they can then be entered into a
computer, which allows them to be quickly and easily recalled and compared to
the fingerprint of a suspect. It should be noted that this method is as useful for
proving the innocence of a suspect as it is for convicting criminals.

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PROCEDURE:

1. In a plane sheet of paper collect the fingerprints of different people using

ink in a regular order and allow it to dry.

2. Take few more plane sheets of paper and also some quantity of Silver Nitrate
solution in a watch glass.

3. Make sure you don't place the watch glass in sunlight.

4. Now wet your thumb with the Silver nitrate present in the watch glass and
place the impressions on a plane sheet of paper in a random manner.

5. Place the sheet of paper in the sunlight and allow it to dry.

6. After drying the fingerprint that was obtained using Silver nitrate compare it
with the one that was initially obtained using ink.

7. Now try to identify the fingerprint of each individual from the fingerprints in
which were kept in random obtained using Silver nitrate.

8. Repeat the steps 4-7 until you get a clear picture of the fingerprints so as to
compare it with the original one.

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OBSERVATIONS:

The latent fingerprints become visible first as a pale yellow color. With
continued exposure, the prints gradually darken, eventually becoming dark
brown. Complete development may require from 1 minute to 3 minutes or more,
depending on the particular fingerprint, the type of surface, and the intensity of
the light. Exposing the specimen too long will eventually cause excess silver
nitrate to be reduced to metallic silver, staining the entire specimen.

The thumb imprints or the fingerprints which were initially colourless in

normal light has gradually turned into a dark brown colour on exposing it to
sunlight for some time.

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CONCLUSIONS:

Photographic properties of silver halides (in particular AgBr) were a

result of deviations from an ideal crystal structure. Factors such as crystal
growth, impurities, and surface defects all affect concentrations of point ionic
defects and electronic traps, which affect the sensitivity to light and allow for the
formation of a latent image.

Silver bromide (AgBr), a soft, pale-yellow, water-insoluble salt well known

(along with other silver halides) for its unusual sensitivity to light. This property
has allowed silver halides to become the basis of modern photographic
materials. AgBr is widely used in photographic films and is believed by some to
have been used for making the Shroud of Turin.

Silver nitrate, when exposed to latent prints, reacts with the chloride of the salt
molecules found in print residue, forming silver chloride. When exposed to
ultraviolet light, silver chloride turns black or brown, making the print visible.
This method works particularly well on impressions left in cardboard and paper-
like surfaces

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BIBLIOGRAPHY:

http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_bromide#Photosensitivity

http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/kjemi/MEF3000/h06/undervisningsmat
eriale/Kap %203_States_of_aggregation.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint_recognition

http://sciencefair.math.iit.edu/projects/fingerprints/

http://www.seminarsonly.com/Engineering-

Projects/Chemistry/Fingerprinting-the-Crime-Scene-Investigation.php

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