1Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours), Pharmacy Department, University of Malta
2Senior Lecturer, Pharmacy Department, University of Malta
3Professor, Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta
4Professor/Head of Department; Pharmacy Department; Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, University of Malta
*Corresponding author: Louise Magro, B.Pharm (Hons), University of Malta, Pharmacy Department Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, Pharmacy Building, University of Malta, E-mail: louiseabela@gmail.com
Online published on 5 January, 2015.
Latent fingerprints created by the transfer of perspiration from skin to a surface, require chemical enhancement to make ridge detail visible. This study contains two separate investigations, the first part investigates the chemical development of latent fingerprints on porous surfaces studying different paper types, using different chemical techniques. The second part of the study involves the analysis of fingerprints in which the transfer medium is blood. A side-by-side comparison of the available chemical techniques targeting a variety of porous and non-porous surfaces was carried out and the sensitivity of the chemicals was also tested through serial dilutions and concentration gradients of whole blood. Findings indicate that several conditions affect the quality of fingerprints. The degree of fingerprint ridge detail yielded during chemical development is influenced by factors such as the chemical technique used and the particular substrate from which the fingerprints are enhanced.
Latent, Ninhydrin, DFO, Blood
