title: Visualization of sebaceous fingerprints on fired cartridge cases: a laboratory study.
abstract: The visualization and endurance of fingerprints on cartridge cases after the firing process have been examined. Cartridges of M16, AK-47 (Kalashnikov) and Parabellum have been tested. Despite difficulties in visualizing these fingerprints, it was found that in some cartridge cases under laboratory conditions--for instance, on M16 brass cartridges--substantial parts of the fingerprints remain intact after shooting. The careful use of illumination after metal vapor deposition enabled visualization. Different possible mechanisms responsible for the partial destruction of the fingerprints are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Migron
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hocherman
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Almog
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mandler
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D004439:Eccrine Glands; D005389:Firearms; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012627:Sebaceous Glands; D013499:Surface Properties; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: C048399:brass; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc