Obliteration of Latent Fingerprints
James, JD
Research fellow and professor, respectively, Department of Materials Enginccring. University College, Swansea, United Kingdom.

Pounds, CA
Research scientist. Central Research and St, pport Establishment. The Forensic Scicncc Service. Aldermaston. Reading. United Kingdom.

Wilshire, B
Research fellow and professor, respectively, Department of Materials Enginccring. University College, Swansea, United Kingdom.


Abstract
Comprehensive trials have established that latent fingerprints can be rendered partially or totally unidentifiable during print development by the following:
(a) ridge smearing, which depends on the type and age of the latent print and also on the type of brush and brushing procedures used, and
(b) overpowdering and/or overbrushing of the print.
These causes of pattern obscuration are discussed in terms of their implications for fingerprint development procedures, since up to 10% of prints developed at crime scenes can be difficult or even impossible to identify.

Keywords:
criminalistics, fingerprints, forensic science, latent fingerprints, obliteration of fingerprints

Paper ID: JFS365911376

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Author James JD, Pounds CA, Wilshire B Title Obliteration of Latent Fingerprints Symposium , Committee on