The Development of Latent Fingerprints on Human Skin: The Iodine-Silver Plate Transfer Method

Abstract

The successful development of latent prints on human skin would be of great use to the law enforcement officer in the investigation of crimes in which the subject has touched the victim. The iodine-silver plate transfer method has shown promising results in the development of such impressions from both live and cadaveric human skin. Numerous police agencies in the United States and Canada are presently experimenting with this process; it is still in the research stage and consequently has not been used in the investigation of an actual case.

Use of stains to detect fingermarks

“…A highly polished silver or tin plate is pressed firmly on the mark for 5 sec, then exposed to a strong white light source or UV lamp. This leads to the formation of a dark image on the plate (Adcock 1977, Arndt 1985. This technique can be applied to various porous and nonporous surfaces, especially on difficult ones like leather or human skin (Adcock 1977, Gray 1978.…”

“…This leads to the formation of a dark image on the plate (Adcock 1977, Arndt 1985. This technique can be applied to various porous and nonporous surfaces, especially on difficult ones like leather or human skin (Adcock 1977, Gray 1978. It should be emphasized that only fresh fingermarks can be observed by using this technique.…”

Recovery of Latent Fingerprints and DNA on Human Skin*

“…In postmortem casework, evidence of offender contact on the skin surface of the homicide victim has to date in Europe been regarded as almost impossible to detect, as indeed has forensic analysis of such evidence. The search for fingerprints left by the offender on the skin of the victim has repeatedly been discussed in relevant publications (1–17).…”