Fixing Transient Iodine on Developed Latent Fingermarks |
| |
Authors: | Kirti Kumari Sharma M.Sc. Gavash Harsha Kannikanti M.Sc. Tulsidas Ramachandra Rao Baggi Ph.D. Jayathirtha Rao Vaidya Ph.D. |
| |
Affiliation: | 1. Fluoro and Agrochemicals Division, CSIR‐Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007 India;2. AcSIR‐IICT, CSIR‐Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007 India;3. Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Ramanthapur, Hyderabad, 500013 India;4. AcSIR‐IICT, CSIR‐Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Uppal Road Tarnaka, Hyderabad, 500007 IndiaCorresponding author: Vaidya Jayathirtha Rao, Ph.D. E‐mail: |
| |
Abstract: | In the present study, a simple and novel fume–mist technique is described which can be used efficiently to fix the latent fingermarks developed using iodine. It is well known that the residues left over in the fingermarks interact with iodine to give transient brown impressions which disappear in a short time. Also, iodine forms colored complexes with various organic solvents. Based on iodine–fingermark interaction and iodine–solvent complex formation, latent fingermarks were developed on paper surface using iodine fumes which were subsequently fixed by spraying polar and nonpolar solvents. The fingermarks developed with this technique were not only clear but also permanent in nature. The interaction of fingermark residue, iodine, and solvent forming a ternary structure is believed to be a possible reason for the stability of iodine‐developed fingermarks. Ease of method, availability of chemicals, and minimum training make the method adaptable in routine development of forensic fingermarks present on paper surface. |
| |
Keywords: | forensic science dactyloscopy latent fingermarks iodine fuming fume– mist technique split fingermarks |
|
|