Latent fingerprint deposition and effectiveness of detection are strongly affected by the surface on which prints are deposited. Material properties, surface roughness, morphology, chemistry and hydrophobicity can affect the usefulness or efficacy of forensic print development techniques. Established protocols outline appropriate techniques and sequences of processes for broad categories of operational surfaces. This work uses atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to investigate a series of surfaces classified as smooth, non-porous plastic. Latent prints developed with iron oxide powder suspension are analysed on a range of scales from macro to nano to help elucidate the interaction mechanisms between the latent fingerprint, development agent and underlying surface. Differences between surfaces have a strong effect, even within this single category. We show that both average roughness and topographical feature shape, characterized by skew, kurtosis and lay, are important factors to consider for the processing of latent fingerprints.The pre-peer review version of this article is included in the following pages. Please access the publisher's website for the definitive version Effect of Substrate Surface Topography on Forensic Development of Latent Fingerprints AbstractLatent fingerprint deposition and effectiveness of detection are strongly affected by the surface on which prints are deposited. Material properties, surface roughness, morphology, chemistry and hydrophobicity affect the usefulness or efficacy of forensic print development techniques such as dry powder, powder suspension, cyanoacrylate fuming or vacuum vapour deposition, and lack of development agent adhering to deposited print as well as excess background staining are both problematic. The deposited fingerprint is further affected by the contact conditions and the individual donor. Additional factors affect the detection algorithm such as pre-and post-deposition environment of the surface, humidity, contamination and cleaning agent or solvent spray.This work uses atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to investigate a series of surfaces and the interaction between latent fingerprint, surface and development agent. Latent prints developed with various techniques are analysed on a range of scales from macro-to nano-to help to elucidate the mechanisms of fingerprint development and aims to aid detection technique enhancement and algorithm improvement.

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Latent fingerprint deposition and effectiveness of detection are strongly affected by the surface on which prints are deposited. Material properties, surface roughness, morphology, chemistry and hydrophobicity can affect the usefulness or efficacy of forensic print development techniques. Established protocols outline appropriate techniques and sequences of processes for broad categories of operational surfaces. This work uses atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to investigate a series of surfaces classified as smooth, non-porous plastic. Latent prints developed with iron oxide powder suspension are analysed on a range of scales from macro to nano to help elucidate the interaction mechanisms between the latent fingerprint, development agent and underlying surface. Differences between surfaces have a strong effect, even within this single category. We show that both average roughness and topographical feature shape, characterized by skew, kurtosis and lay, are important factors to consider for the processing of latent fingerprints.

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