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A Small Population Study on Friction Skin Ridges: Differences in Ridge Widths Between Latent and Inked Fingerprints |
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| Authors: | Josep De Alcaraz-Fossoul PhD Ryan Tully-Doyle PhD Alexis R Weber MSc Carme Barrot Feixat PhD Sara C Zapico PhD Natalie Rivera Cardenas BSc Melissa J Sirard BSc Ryan P Graber BSc |
| Institution: | 1. Forensic Science Department, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT, 06516;2. Department of Mathematics and Physics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of New Haven, 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, CT, 06516;3. Faculty of Medicine, Forensic Genetics Laboratory, University of Barcelona, C/Casanova 143, Barcelona, 08036 Spain;4. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and International Forensic Research Institute, Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, OE 116A Miami, FL, 33199;5. School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University-West Campus, 4701 W. Thunderbird Rd., Glendale, AZ, 85306 |
| Abstract: | Morphological changes in the width of latent fingermark ridges occur naturally over time. This could be used to examine the aging process of latents and eventually estimate time of deposition. In a crime context, it is common practice to compare a questioned (aged) fingermark with a database of known (inked) prints. Therefore, in the absence of fresh fingermarks for aging purposes, it is of interest to reveal correlations between these two categories of fingerprints with regard to the widths of their ridges. The present study explores correlations of ridge widths between flat and rolled inked prints with latent fingermarks visualized with carbon black (CB) and titanium dioxide (TiO2)-based powders among a small population of ten donors. Results revealed consistent differences between the ridge widths of latent and inked prints as well as flat and rolled impressions. Latent fingermarks visualized with CB and TiO2 powders showed ridges with comparable widths. |
| Keywords: | forensic science ridge width color contrast titanium dioxide carbon black correlation age |