title: Application of acid-modified Imperata cylindrica powder for latent fingerprint development.
abstract: A novel powdering material that utilizes acid-modified Imperata cylindrica (IC) powder for the development of fingermarks was studied. Experiments were carried out to determine the suitability, adherence quality and sensitivity of the acid-modified IC powder. Fingermarks of different constituents (eccrine, sebaceous and natural fingermarks) on different types of surfaces were used. Acid-modified IC powder was also used to develop fingermarks of different ages as well as aged fingermarks recovered from the water. From the visual inspection, acid-modified IC powder was able to interact with different fingermark constituents and produced distinct ridge details on the examined surfaces. It was also able to develop aged fingermarks and fingermarks that were submerged in water. A statistical comparison was made against the Sirchie® Hi-Fi black powder in terms of the powders' sensitivity and quality of the developed natural fingermarks. The image quality was analyzed using MITRE's Image Quality of Fingerprint (IQF) software. From the experiments, acid-modified IC powder has the potential as a fingermark development powder, although natural fingermarks developed by Sirchie® black powder showed better quality and sensitivity based on the results of the statistical comparison.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wei Zeng
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia. Electronic address: beekhoo@usm.my.
authors.forename: Bee Ee
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Zalina Binti Abdul
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Aziz
authors.affiliation: School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ling Wei
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Tjoon Tow
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.affiliation: Forensic Science Programme, School of Health Science, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ahmad Fahmi Lim
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: bin Abdullah
mesh_terms: D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D010209:Paper; D010969:Plastics; D006109:Poaceae; D011208:Powders; D012984:Software; D013464:Sulfuric Acids
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D011208:Powders; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C033158:sulfuric acid
keywords: Forensic science; Imperata cylindrica; Latent fingerprint; Latent fingerprint powder; Powdering material