Abstract
Latent fingermarks are important trace evidence found in crime scenes mainly used for identification purposes. Once deposited, the composition of samples changes over time influencing the efficacy of latent fingermark development methods. In this sense, the aims of this work were to characterize the fatty acid (FA) profile of sebaceous latent fingermarks by GC–FID and to preliminarily evaluate the development efficiency of enhancement methods (powder dusting, iodine fuming and silver nitrate method) in a 30-day period of aging under controlled parameters of temperature, photoperiod and humidity. Results showed that myristic (7.51 ± 0.76% − 13.39 ± 1.26%), palmitic (35.91 ± 1.07% − 40.81 ± 2.52%), stearic (6.67 ± 0.36% − 9.13 ± 0.36%) and oleic (18.08 ± 0.25% − 20.93 ± 0.26%) acid varied significantly (p < 0.05) over the 30-day period of analysis. Regarding development efficiency, fluorescent orange powder and the silver nitrate method also increased their efficacy to develop latent fingermarks over time while the iodine fuming method decreased its efficiency. Silver black powder had constant efficacy in the tested period. Changes in the constitution of sebaceous marks possibly influenced the development efficiency of enhancement techniques. This knowledge is important to better understand the kinetic of aging and its influence on the development method.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
