title: Fingermark visualisation on uncirculated £5 (Bank of England) polymer notes: Initial process comparison studies.
abstract: Experiments were conducted to investigate the effectiveness of a range of fingermark visualisation processes on brand new, uncirculated, £5 polymer banknotes (and their test note predecessors), as produced by the Bank of England (BoE). In the main study of this paper, a total of 14 individual processes were investigated on BoE £5 polymer banknotes, which included both 'Category A' processes (as recommended in the Home Office Fingermark Visualisation Manual) as well as recently developed processes, including fpNatural®2 powder (cuprorivaite) from Foster+Freeman and a vacuum metal deposition sequence that evaporates silver followed by zinc. Results from this preliminary investigation indicate that fpNatural®2, multimetal deposition, Wet Powder™Black, iron oxide powder suspension and black magnetic powder are the most effective processes on these uncirculated £5 BoE polymer banknotes, when viewed under "primary viewing" conditions (white light or fluorescence). Additional fingermarks were visualised on the polymer banknotes following the subsequent use of reflected infrared imaging and lifting techniques, and with the benefit of these techniques taken into consideration, the aforementioned processes remained amongst the most effective overall. This work provides initial insight into fingermark visualisation strategies for BoE £5 polymer banknotes, and the need for further studies in order to generate mature operational guidance is emphasised.
authors.affiliation: CAST, Woodcock Hill, Sandridge, St. Albans, Herts, AL4 9HQ, UK. Electronic address: Rory.downham5@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Rory P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Downham
authors.affiliation: West Technology Systems Ltd, Dalton House, Grest Western Business Park, Armstrong Way, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5NG, UK. Electronic address: EBrewer@West-Technology.co.uk.
authors.forename: Eleigh R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.affiliation: Foster + Freeman, Vale Park, Evesham, Worcestershire, WR11 1TD, UK. Electronic address: roberto.king@fosterfreeman.com.
authors.forename: Roberto S P
authors.initials: RSP
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
authors.forename: Aoife M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Luscombe
authors.affiliation: CAST, Woodcock Hill, Sandridge, St. Albans, Herts, AL4 9HQ, UK. Electronic address: Vaughn.Sears@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.
authors.forename: Vaughn G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Sears
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003300:Copper; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007259:Infrared Rays; D008297:Male; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D008875:Middle Aged; D009555:Ninhydrin; D010209:Paper; D011208:Powders; D017640:Silicates; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011208:Powders; D017640:Silicates; C542550:cuprorivaite; D003300:Copper; D009555:Ninhydrin
keywords: Cuprorivaite; Fingermark; Gelatine lifting; Infrared; Polymer banknote