FORENSIC 2

(Personal Identification)

MODULE ON

SEARCHING, DEVELOPING, LIFTING & PRESERVING

LATENT FINGERPRINTS FROM SMOOTH SURFACES

Developed by:

BEN JOHN I. LAQUINON, MSCJ

Instructor

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 1

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------- 3

II. OBJECTIVES --------------------------------------------------- 3

III. DEFINITION OF TERMS -------------------------------------- 3

IV. WHERE FINGERPRINTS MAYBE FOUND? ---------------- 4

V. CONDITIONS AFFECTING LATENT PRINTS --------------- 4

Collecting Patent Prints --------------------------------------- 5
Collecting Latent Prints --------------------------------------- 5
Alternate Light Source ---------------------------------------- 5

VI. THINGS NEEDED ---------------------------------------------- 6

VII. STEPS ON HOW TO TAKE LATENT FINGERPRINTS:

Actual Exercise Procedure) ----------------------------------- 6

VIII. LIFTING DEVELOPED FINGERPRINTS --------------------- 8

IX. PROCEDURE AFTER DEVELOPING PRINTS --------------- 9

X. STUDENT ACTIVITY ------------------------------------------- 10

XI. ASSESSMENT --------------------------------------------------- 10

XII. REFERENCE ----------------------------------------------------- 10

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 2

I. INTRODUCTION

The goal of latent print examiners and technicians is to discover

and collect latent prints in the crime scene by various means. The
ultimate goal is to identify those latent prints to the person living
such print and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.

Fingerprints left on a surface are known as latent fingerprints.

These prints contain mostly water, fatty acids and triglycerides,
with some amino acids and chlorides. In order to detect the print,
we have to be able to detect one of these groups of chemicals. The
general idea is to make the fingerprint easily visible and then
photograph it as a means of preservation.

II. OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the learners shall be able to:

1. Identify the difference of Latent and Patent prints.

2. Understand the importance of detection, development and
preservation of fingerprints as evidence.
3. Display excellence in searching, developing, lifting and
preserving fingerprints in crime scenes.

III. DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Apocrine glands - secrete cytoplasm and nuclear materials, including

inorganic compounds such as ionic iron, and organic compounds
such as proteins, carbohydrates and cholesterol.

2. Developing – the process of applying techniques to make latent prints

visible. This is usually realized by the use of appropriate fingerprint
powder and brush.

3. Eccrine Glands - secrete largely water with inorganic and organic

contaminants. Inorganic components of this type of sweat include
chlorides, metal ions, ammonia, sulfates, and phosphates. Organic
components are metabolic by-products such as amino acids, urea,
lactic acid, choline, uric acid, creatinine and sugars.

4. Latent Prints - In a general sense, latent prints may be thought of as

those prints left at the crime scene. Such prints may or may not be
visible: Visible latents are those showing recognizable ridge detail
made by fingers contaminated with substances such as blood, ink,
grease or dirt, and which naturally display a contrast with their
background; or are made when fingerprints are pressed into plastic
(deformable) surfaces such as putty, tar, adhesive-coated surfaces,
wax and cheese. Truly latent (“hidden”) prints are not visible to the
naked eye, and substantially consist of only the natural secretions of

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 3

 human skin. Such prints require treatment to cause them to become
visible. This treatment is called “latent print development.”

5. Lifting – the process of taking the developed prints from its original
location. It is usually done by the use of a fingerprint lifting tape.

6. Preserving – the act of securing the prints from being contaminated

and/or disturbed. This is done by using contrasting background
where the lifted prints is placed.

7. Searching – the act of locating latent prints usually left in the crime
scene. This technique is commonly achieved by careful and timely
examining the scene with the aid of searching devices such as lighting
and magnifying gadgets.

8. Sebaceous Glands - are secretors of fatty or greasy substances. These

include organic compounds such as fatty acids and glycerides, as well
as alcohols and hydrocarbons.

IV. WHERE FINGERPRINTS MAYBE FOUND?

Fingerprints can be found practically on any solid surface, including

the human body. Analysts classify fingerprints into three categories
according to the type of surface on which they are found and whether
they are visible or not: Fingerprints on soft surfaces (such as soap,
wax, wet paint, fresh caulk, etc…) are likely to be three-dimensional
plastic prints; those on hard surfaces are either patent (visible) or
latent (invisible) prints. Visible prints are formed when blood, dirt,
ink, paint, etc…, is transferred from a finger or thumb to a surface.
Patent prints can be found on a wide variety of surfaces: smooth or
rough, porous or non-porous.

Latent prints formed by the body’s natural oils and sweat on the skin
are deposited onto another surface. Latent prints can be found on a
variety of surfaces, however, they are not readily visible and detection
often requires the use of fingerprint powders, chemical reagents or
alternate light sources.

Generally speaking, the smoother and less porous the surface is, the
greater the potential that any latent prints present can be found and
developed.

V. CONDITIONS AFFECTING LATENT PRINTS

1. Type of surface: The best surface is smooth, clean, and glossy or

nonporous. Coarse cloth, grained leather, unfinished wood, and stippled
surfaces generally are poor candidates.

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 4

 2. Manner in which the object was touched: If the finger moves
slightly while in contact with the object, ridge detail may be lost or distorted
beyond usability. Many times, the pattern area may be smudged but other
areas may be clear.

3. Weather: May dry out or wash away the print, especially if the
print is on an exterior surface.

4. Humidity: May cause print to be absorbed into a surface or to

dissipate.

5. Perspiration: May obliterate print if both ridges and valleys are

covered. The more oil deposited with perspiration, the longer the latent will
last. Oil is transferred to the fingers from the hairy area of the body.
Frequently there is no oil in the perspiration of the finger.

6. Use of the object: Was the object simply handled and set down?
Was the object used as a weapon? Was the object used as a pry tool?

7. Care of the suspect: Most suspects are not concerned about the
way in which they handle items. Suspects are usually in a hurry in a
burglary or other crime, and as such, they are not careful about what they
do and how they do it.

Collecting Patent Prints

Patent prints are collected using a fairly straightforward method:

photography. These prints are photographed in high resolution with a
forensic measurement scale beside the image for reference. Quality of
the image can be improved by using a low-angle or alternate light
sources and/or certain chemicals or dyes during photography.

Collecting Latent Prints

One of the most common methods for discovering and collecting latent
fingerprints is by dusting a smooth or non-porous surface with a
fingerprint powder. If any prints appear, they are photographed and
lifted from the surface with a fingerprint lifting tape. The lifting tape is
then placed on an index card/bond paper to preserve the print.

Alternate Light Source (ALS)

Alternate light source is becoming more popular for technicians to

examine any likely surfaces. These are laser or LED devices that emit
a particular wavelength or spectrum of light. Some devices have
different filters to provide a variety of spectra that can be
photographed or further processed with powders or dye stains. For

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 5

 example, technicians may use a blue light with an orange filter to find
latent prints on desks, chairs, computer equipment or other objects.

VI. THINGS NEEDED

In order to effectively perform the task, you need to have at least

the basic necessities in searching, developing, lifting and preserving
the fingerprints which are possibly present in the crime scene. You
need to prepare the following:

1. Powder brush
2. Fingerprint powder (black, grey, white, magnetic, etc…)
3. Fingerprint lifter or Lifting tape
4. Index Card/Bond Paper
5. A pair of scissors
6. A pair of rubber gloves (laundry, surgical, etc...)
7. Magnifying lens
8. Alternative light source

VII. STEPS ON HOW TO TAKE LATENT FINGERPRINTS: (Actual

Exercise Procedure)

We’ll begin with the oldest fingerprint development method,

dusting. With the exception of using magnetic powers to treat
recently-touched paper, dusting is used almost exclusively on
nonporous surfaces, and can provide excellent results if it’s done
skillfully. If not done skillfully, dusting can easily damage or destroy
any latent fingerprints present, as we found out and you probably will,
too. In this lab session, we’ll dust various specimens, using dark or
light dusting powder as appropriate for the color of the surface. We’ll
then do a tape lift to preserve the fingerprints we’ve developed.

Before you get started, you need to create some specimens to be

tested. Choose several nonporous items, such as a drinking glass,
beverage can, and so on. Use a soft cloth to polish the item clean,
removing any contamination. For your first attempts at dusting, you
may find it difficult enough to get usable prints even under perfect
conditions. You can increase the likelihood of having usable prints on
your specimens by rubbing your forefinger against your nose or
forehead and then carefully pressing your finger into contact with the
surface, making sure not to smear the prints. Once you’re comfortable
with this training-wheels version of developing prints by dusting, you
can try dusting random objects from around the house to get a better
idea of the highly variable quality of real latent fingerprint specimens.

In addition to creating latent fingerprints on several non-porous objects,

create at least one set of latent fingerprints on an ordinary sheet of paper.
You’ll use that specimen to determine how suitable dusting is for developing
prints on non-porous surfaces.

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 6

1. Wearing gloves and handling the questioned object by the edges or
otherwise as required to avoid damaging any latent prints, observe the
object by oblique lighting from the desk lamp or other directional light
source. Record your observations in your lab notebook, and note the
approximate location of any latent prints that are made visible by the
oblique lighting.

2. If you have a black light or other UV light source, repeat step 1 using
that light source.

3. Place the object on a clean, flat surface with the suspected location of
the latent prints accessible. (Don’t forget to wear gloves.)
4. Choose the dark or light fingerprint dusting powder, according to
which will provide better contrast with the color of the surface.

5. Transfer a small amount of the dusting powder into the lid or work
directly from the jar that contains the powder. Dip just the tips of the
bristles of the brush into the powder so that a small amount of
powder is retained by the bristles. Tap the brush gently to return
excess powder to the container.

6. Under a strong light, use a circular, twirling motion to sweep the

brush gently over the area to be treated, allowing the bristles to just
barely contact the surface. Continue depositing powder lightly until
the latent fingerprint begins to develop, concentrating on that area as
it becomes clearer where the latent prints are on the surface. If
necessary, add more powder to the brush using the procedure in step
5. When the ridges begin to appear, change the direction of motion to
follow the direction of the ridges. Once the fingerprint is developed
clearly, stop dusting immediately. Beginners tend to overdevelop
prints, which almost invariably causes loss of detail if not loss of the
entire print.

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 7

7. Use the brush or a puffer bulb gently to remove any excess powder.
(Okay, we admit it; we used our mouths to puff off excess powder, but
that’s a horrible practice.) You can also use canned air if you do so
extremely carefully, keeping the canned air nozzle far enough away
from the dusted print to avoid blowing away everything, including the
print. If you have a camera, shoot an image of the revealed print.

8. Repeat steps 1 through 7 for each of your other specimens, including

at least one set of latent fingerprints on a sheet of paper.

(You’ll probably find that your first efforts are poor but you improve
rapidly with practice. Of course, getting really good at dusting prints
requires lots of practice. Professional fingerprint technicians can work
wonders when dusting latent prints, but then they have years of
experience in doing it.)

VIII. LIFTING DEVELOPED FINGERPRINTS

1. Choose one of your better developed prints. (If possible, shoot an

image of a print before attempting to lift it. Accidents happen.)

2. Wearing gloves, lift the free end from the roll of lifting tape and
smoothly pull out about 6 cm to 7.5 cm (2.5 to 3 inches) of tape from
the roll. Don’t touch the sticky surface of the tape, and do not cut the
tape from the roll.

3. Press the free end of the tape into contact with the surface, starting 5
to 6 cm from the nearest part of the dusted print. Make sure the tape
adheres firmly to the surface.

4. Beginning at the free end, use your fingers to carefully press the tape
down onto the surface, making sure that no air bubbles or “fisheye”
are trapped.

5. Continue pressing tape onto the surface, unrolling more as necessary,

until you have covered the entire print with tape and continued for a
couple of centimeters past the print.

6. Using the roll as a handle, peel the tape from the surface using one
smooth motion. It helps to put one finger on the free end of the tape to
make sure the tape doesn’t curl back on itself.

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 8

 Lifting a dusted fingerprint from a specimen

7. Stick the free end of the tape near one edge of a transfer card of a
color that contrasts with powder you used to dust the print. Make
sure the free end adheres tightly to the transfer card, and then
carefully press the tape into contact with the transfer card, making
sure to avoid air bubbles.

8. Cut the used tape from the roll and press the free end into contact
with the transfer card. Label the transfer card with your initials, the
date and time, and the object from which the print was lifted.

9. Repeat steps 2 through 8 for your other specimens.

IX. PROCEDURE AFTER DEVELOPING PRINTS

1. Photograph where appropriate. The photos should be done with

and without a scale. The best type of scale is the ABFO, L type
of scale. Overalls of the item where the print was developed
should be taken, as well as close-ups showing the print itself. If
possible, a one-to-one photo should be taken.

2. Upon completion of the photography, the decision must be

made whether the entire item will be taken or whether the print
will be lifted from the item. When appropriate, the entire item or
object should be retained for use in court.

Note: Remember, the print is the evidence, not necessarily the

surface that the print was developed from.

3. Where a lift is made and placed onto a latent fingerprint lift

card, the following information should be present:

a. Case/report number
b. Date/time
c. Scene address

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 9

 d. Person making the lift
e. Type of object
f. Place of lift (Note: A sketch should be made on the card
near the lift)

4. Take elimination prints from victims and witnesses

where appropriate.

5. Care and transportation of the evidence:

a. Ensure the chain of custody is recorded to provide

accountability.
b. If items need to be secured, ensure proper securing of
the item’s by top and bottom, or in a place least likely to
damage the item or fingerprints.

X. STUDENT ACTIVITY

Review any local incidence involving crime that could have been
solved should there is timely detection, developing, lifting and
preserving of fingerprints as evidence.

XI. ASSESSMENT

We will have scheduled visitation per barangay for an actual

demonstration on searching, developing, lifting and preserving
latent prints.

XII. REFERENCES:

Lecture notes from FISPhil Scientific Conference, Dec. 3-5, 2013, Cebu
City, by:

Camillus L. Allego, Sr.

Fingerprint Examiner II
National Bureau of Investigation
CEVRO7, Cebu City

Fingerprint Society of the Philippines (FISPhil)

c/o NBI CEVRO VII
Escario Street, Capitol Site, Cebu City
Philippines 6000

Training manuals from FISPhil Scientific Conference, Dec. 3-5, 2013,

Cebu City, by:

Stephen P. Cutler, PhD

FBI (ret)

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 10

President/Director
FSC Holdings
Makati, Philippines

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Department of Justice
United States of America

MODULE ON FORENSIC 2 NORSU-BSC, CCJE Page 11