The effect of corrosive substances on fingermark recovery: a pilot study
Journal article
Bleay, S. and Masterson, A. (2021). The effect of corrosive substances on fingermark recovery: a pilot study. Science & Justice. 61 (5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2021.07.004
| Authors | Bleay, S. and Masterson, A. |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Corrosive substance attacks have become a growing issue within the UK. Although most commonly occurring in gang-related offences, there are high profile instances where this type of attack has been used to attack women to disfigure and destroy livelihoods. Despite the increase in such attacks, there has been very little published research into the recovery of forensic evidence from items used in these crimes. The effect of corrosive substances on the recovery of different types of forensic evidence is unknown, and there is no guidance for laboratories processing exhibits contaminated with corrosive substances regarding optimum treatments. This pilot study focused on establishing the effectiveness of a range of fingermark visualisation processes in recovering fingermarks on surfaces exposed to concentrated sulfuric acid (acid) and potassium hydroxide (alkali). Results indicate that on non-porous surfaces vacuum metal deposition and powder suspensions remain effective, and on porous surfaces fingermarks could still be visualised with physical developer. Alkalis were found to be more detrimental than acid environments in this limited study. The results demonstrate that fingermark recovery is still feasible on surfaces exposed to corrosive substances and provides encouragement that treatment protocols could be developed for this type of exhibit. |
| Keywords | Corrosive substances, fingermarks, alkali, acid, evidence recovery |
| Year | 2021 |
| Journal | Science & Justice |
| Journal citation | 61 (5) |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2021.07.004 |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135503062100099X |
| Publication dates | |
| 01 Sep 2021 | |
| Online | 21 Jul 2021 |
| Publication process dates | |
| Accepted | 19 Jul 2021 |
| Deposited | 10 Aug 2021 |
| Accepted author manuscript | License File description Accepted manuscript File Access Level Open |
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| Corrosive substances manuscript Revision 1.docx | ||
| License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | ||
| File access level: Open | ||
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