title: The enhancement of friction ridge detail on brass ammunition casings using cold patination fluid.
abstract: Brass ammunition is commonly found at firearms related crime scenes. For this reason, many studies have focused on evidence that can be obtained from brass ammunition such as DNA, gunshot residue and fingerprints. Latent fingerprints on ammunition can provide good forensic evidence, however; fingerprint development on ammunition casings has proven to be difficult. A method using cold patination fluid is described as a potential tool to enhance friction ridge detail on brass ammunition casings. Current latent fingerprint development methods for brass ammunition have either failed to provide the necessary quality of friction ridge detail or can be very time consuming and require expensive equipment. In this study, the enhancement of fingerprints on live ammunition has been achieved with a good level of detail whilst the development on spent casings has to an extent also been possible. Development with cold patination fluid has proven to be a quick, simple and cost-effective method for fingerprint development on brass ammunition that can be easily implemented for routine police work.
authors.affiliation: Metropolitan Police Service, Firearms Trace Evidence Recovery Unit, 109 Lambeth Road, London SE1 7LP, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Richard.James@met.pnn.police.uk.
authors.forename: Richard Michael
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: James
authors.affiliation: Kings College London, Department of Forensic and Analytical Science, London SE1 9NH, United Kingdom; Dubai Police HQ, General Department of Forensic Sciences and Criminology, Dubai Police General Head Quarters, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Electronic address: Mohd_jmt@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohamad Jamal
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Altamimi
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005389:Firearms; D044707:Forensic Sciences / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017942:Nitric Acid; D012629:Sebum; D064588:Selenium Oxides; D013542:Sweat; D014835:Volatilization; D015032:Zinc
chemical_list: D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D064588:Selenium Oxides; C048399:brass; D017942:Nitric Acid; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Brass ammunition; Enhancement; Fingerprint; Firearm; Forensic science; Friction ridge; Patination fluid