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Identification of a Buried Cadaver Based on Finger Ridge Characteristics of a Hand Protected by a Latex Glove |
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| Authors: | Krzysztof Klemczak MA Tomasz M Szczepański MSc Urszula Więckiewicz MSc Tomasz Kulczyk MA |
| Institution: | 1. Fingerprint Examination Department, Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police, Aleje Ujazdowskie 7, 00-583 Warsaw, Poland;2. Fingerprint Examination Department, Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police, Aleje Ujazdowskie 7, 00-583 Warsaw, Poland
Additional information and reprint requests: Tomasz M. Szczepański, M.Sc. Central Forensic Laboratory of the Police Fingerprint Examination Department Aleje Ujazdowskie 7 00-583 Warsaw Poland E-mail: tomasz.szczepanski@policja.gov.pl;3. Department of State Records and ICT, Ministry of Interior, ul. Pawińskiego 17/21, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland |
| Abstract: | This paper presents the case of a cadaver buried in a pine grove, in loamy soil at a depth of about 1.8 m. The case is quite interesting due to the fact that one hand of the victim was bare and the other one was clad in a latex glove. In the laboratory, the severed hands were gently washed with water. The left palm exhibited signs of advanced decomposition. The ridges were visible only on the thumb. The gloved hand was found to be in much better condition. There were signs of saponification on the palm. Ridges on both the palm and all fingers were visible. The fingers of the right hand, palm prints, and the thumb of the left hand were successfully matched against a ten-print card. The match provided the police with a positive identification of the missing person. |
| Keywords: | forensic science buried cadaver fingerprint decomposition latex glove adipocere |