Improving the quality of dermatoglyphics in accordance with DVI-INTERPOL standards

Abstract

The article outlines prospects for using the latest approaches to identification of victims of major disasters and the involvement of specialists in international and state analytical information programs and identification courses in accordance with the recommendations of DVI-Interpol. The basic principles on which the forensic medical identification of an unknown person is based, namely, the multidisciplinary approach to identification, as well as the use of all possible lines of evidence to reinforce the identity between human remains and the missing person. These principles enhance the competence of forensic doctors in the context of adaptation of applied methodology and theoretical concepts of identification of persons in accordance with international standards and recommendations of coordinating structures in the event of emergencies of national and international scales. Current and discussed issues today among the forensic medical community are the search for new identification systems and algorithms that could give a very reliable result within short time limits. Important principles that ensure high authenticity of an unknown person is the multidisciplinary approach to identification, as well as the use of all possible evidence lines to maximize the identity of the human remains and the missing person.The method of obtaining dermatoglyphs of hands and feet, with the use of a printing ink causes a number of inconveniences with the receipt and further elaboration of received papillary prints. It is also worth noting that dermatoglyphs, obtained by the classical method of using printing ink, in modern conditions for the creation of computer databases and further quantitative and qualitative study, require digitization. However, when scanned, there are some difficulties associated with the quality of the scans received. The image may be distorted due to background effects caused by uneven application of the coloring agent, uneven illumination of the object, the structure of the surface of the paper, the noise of the recording equipment, the noise of the scanning equipment, quantization noise when digitizing the image. The subsequent use of computer image processing entails the need for dermatological fingerprints in high quality in order to avoid further mistakes during calculations. To facilitate the task that rests with the researcher, and to improve the quality of the images received, we are invited to use the Futronic’s FS80 USB 2.0 scanner.The Futronic’s FS80 USB 2.0 scanner uses advanced technology, namely the CMOS sensor and precision optical system for removing high-quality fingerprint images, and is compatible with all modern operating systems (Windows, Linux, MAC OS, Android), it connects via standard USB port The scanner software can be installed using the CD-ROM or by downloading from the manufacturer’s website. The software that comes with the scanner allows you to invert scan colors. The scanner is capable of capturing fingerprints and creating images of 480x320 pixels (500 DPI). The size of the scanning window is 16x24mm, with a 14mm glass thickness, which confirms its reliability and gives it advantages over any other sensors for fingerprint removal of the semiconductor type. The indicated scanner can be used to remove fingerprints not only distal phalanges, but also the middle and proximal. In our work, we used the Fingerprint Identification Algorithm (FIA) to improve the images. The main task of this software is to convert a rasterimage into a vector. When using this procedure, there is a potential misinterpretation of the pixel matrix data, so choosing an algorithm (or software) that is appropriate for the processing of photos with a papillary pattern is extremely important.The modern approach to the identification process is characterized by the integration interaction of the segmental components and provides the complexity of the data comparison process. In addition, the global experience of DVI’s operation suggests the feasibility of using the dermatological method as one of the basic methods for identifying an unknown person. Therefore, it does not lose its relevance, the search for possibilities to improve and modernize the provision of dermatological identification expertise, by improving the technique of obtaining fingerprint fingerprints (when using the Futronic’s FS80 scanner), and digitizing these data using the digital method (VeriFinger 6.6 / MegaMatcher 4.4 algorithm Identification Technology Algorithm), and improving the quality of the scans received (by converting raster prints into vector graphic objects) will increase the objectivity and evidentiary forensic medical examination in order to identify a person.