title: Development of latent fingerprints using preferential DC sputter deposition.
abstract: It was shown that a DC metal sputtering process with thermalised atoms, preferentially deposits metal onto fingerprint ridges. This method can be successfully used for the development of latent fingerprints. Four target metals were tested--copper, zinc, platinum, and gold--with platinum showing superior results for latent fingerprint development on clear polythene substrates. A comparison of platinum sputtering and cyanoacrylate fuming followed by rhodamine-6G staining, was conducted for 1-year-old fingerprint deposits. Platinum sputtering showed significantly higher sensitivity, and produced better overall results.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Services Division, Australian Federal Police, Canberra.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stoilovic
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006046:Gold; D006801:Humans; D008280:Magnetics; D010781:Photography; D010984:Platinum; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors; D014618:Vacuum; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: D003487:Cyanoacrylates; C016674:Plastipore; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; D010984:Platinum; D006046:Gold; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc