Abstract
BackgroundFingerprints are useful evidence for establishing identities. Development and detection of fingerprints are of immense help in criminal investigation. However, forged fingerprints identical to the real ones are emerging as a worldwide problem. Existing methods for development of fingerprints (powder method/iodine fuming method/ninhydrin test/AgNO3) fail to distinguish between real and forged fingerprints when forged fingerprints are fortified with salts and amino acids. The present study was conducted with the objective to test applicability of C stain for real and forged fingerprint differentiation.MethodologyC stain was applied on real and forged fingerprints in combination with conventional methods and was evaluated on the basis of development and differentiation of real and forged fingerprints.ResultsThe proposed technique is successful in differentiating between real and forged fingerprints. Colour difference between real and forged fingerprints was observed by taking a combination of C stain with ninhydrin, black powder and iodine fuming, one at a time.ConclusionC stain method is an effective technique for distinguishing forged fingerprints from the real ones. It works as a distinction tool even when used in combination with existing development methods.
Highlights
Fingerprint technology has been used in forensic science and practiced for more than hundred years
C stain method is an effective technique for distinguishing forged fingerprints from the real ones
Amino acids and salts present in sweat start to decay with time, which makes it challenging to pick up Powder method followed by C stain
Summary
Fingerprint technology has been used in forensic science and practiced for more than hundred years now. According to a survey of 152 forensic professionals conducted by Geller et al (2001), 85% of them were aware of Powder method is the most commonly used approach for development of latent fingerprints with the help of glass fibre or camel hair brush (Sodhi and Kaur 2001). Several methods exist for preparation of forged fingerprints and are available online. This along with easy availability of raw material facilitates development of forged fingerprints to bypass biometric scanners or to implant on a crime scene with. Existing methods for development of fingerprints (powder method/iodine fuming method/ninhydrin test/AgNO3) fail to distinguish between real and forged fingerprints when forged fingerprints are fortified with salts and amino acids. The present study was conducted with the objective to test applicability of C stain for real and forged fingerprint differentiation
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