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Fingerprint powders are fine powders used, in conjunction with fingerprint brushes, by crime scene investigators and other law enforcement personnel to search for and enhance latent/invisible fingerprints that can be used to determine identification.[1][2] This method of fingerprint development commonly referred to as dusting for fingerprints, involves the adherence of the powder particles to the moisture and sweat secretions deposited on to surfaces by the raised ridges on fingers, palms, or soles of feet designed for grip, called friction ridges.[1][2][3] Furrows, representing the recessed areas, which lack fingerprint residue, do not retain the powder.[4]
Physical development of fingerprints using powders is one of many methods that can be employed to enhance fingerprints. It is typically used to search for fingerprints on large non-porous surfaces that cannot be submitted for chemical development within a laboratory.[3] This particular method is best suited for the enhancement of freshly deposited fingerprints, because the adherence of the powder is diminished when the impression residue has dried.[3]
Fingerprint powders are commonly used because of the versatility associated with this technique. There is a large selection of fingerprint powder compositions that have evolved, over time, to enable the safe and effective use of fingerprint powders on a wide range of backgrounds.[3][5][6]
- ^ a b Zhang, Yang; Xia, Peng; Luo, Junzhou; Ling, Zhen; Liu, Benyuan; Fu, Xinwen (2012). "Fingerprint attack against touch-enabled devices". Proceedings of the second ACM workshop on Security and privacy in smartphones and mobile devices. New York, New York, USA: ACM Press. p. 57. doi:10.1145/2381934.2381947. ISBN 978-1-4503-1666-8. S2CID 13841585.
- ^ a b Lennard, Chris (December 2007). "Fingerprint detection: current capabilities". Australian Journal of Forensic Science. 39 (2): 55–71. doi:10.1080/00450610701650021. ISSN 0045-0618. S2CID 109844518.
- ^ a b c d Daluz, Hillary Moses (2019). Fundamentals of Fingerprint Analysis. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. pp. 137–149. ISBN 978-1-138-48745-1.
- ^ Sodhi, G.S.; Kaur, J. (2000). "Powder method for detecting latent fingerprints: a review". Forensic Science International. 120 (3): 172–176. doi:10.1016/s0379-0738(00)00465-5. ISSN 0379-0738.
- ^ Bandey, Helen L.; Bleay, Stephen M.; Gibson, Andrew P. (2013). Ramotowski, Robert S (ed.). Advances in Fingerprint Technology (3rd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. pp. 191–215.
- ^ Sodhi, G.S; Kaur, J (2001). "Powder method for detecting fingerprints: A review". Forensic Science International. 120 (3): 172–176. doi:10.1016/S0379-0738(00)00465-5. PMID 11473799 – via Elsevier Science Direct.