Crime Scene: 3

Evidence Being Examined: Vodka Bottle

Forensic science used: Superglue Fuming
Summary of the Science:
Fingerprinting has been accepted as a reliable source of identification. The likelihood of two people
having the same fingerprint is nearly impossible. Fingerprinting is associative evidence, which is
evidence that can link an individual to a crime scene. Locard's Exchange Principle states that every
contact leaves some sort of trace behind. Every time someone comes into contact with something, they
leave something behind. The three different types of fingerprints are Latent, Impression, and Visible.
Latent prints aren't visible and are usually left behind because of oils on the hand. Impression prints
happen when someone touches something and leaves a 3D fingerprint. Visible prints happen when
someone gets something on their hands like ink and leave behind a print that is clearly seen.
Minutia are are small imperfections in a print and are unique to everyone, which means it can be linked
to someone. There are three types of fingerprints; loops, whorls, and arches. A person may have several
of these on one hand. Fingerprint analysis has been used for over a century to identify criminals. In
1915 the International Association for Identification was created, and in 1924 Congress allowed the
F.B.I to create an Identification Division. Fingerprinting is one of the most reliable and widely used
means of identification.
Superglue fuming (cyanoacrylate fuming) is a technique used to make latent prints visible. It is done in
a developing chamber using super glue and water. This allows the vapors to adhere to the print. When
removed from the chamber, the print will be a milky white color. Then it can be dusted with a fine
powder and lifted with tape. cyanoacrylate fuming is used because it has a strong attraction to amino
acids, fatty acids, and proteins in a fingerprint.
Steps:
1. superglue and water gets placed into the chamber on a warming plate
2. evidence is placed in chamber
3. allowed time to develop

Advancements have been made in fingerprinting technology such as enhanced imaging that can remove
backgrounds from the print. This can make the print easier to see and distinguish, as well as minimize
mistakes. This can make the print easier to identify, and faster identify minutia in the print.
Based on the prints from the vodka bottle, we can determine that the bottle belonged to the victim,
Terrance Bond. The fingerprints found on the plastic bag belong to John Peterson. The fingerprints
found on the bloody rock do not belong to anyone in the Peterson family, or to the victim.
Sources:
http://www.policeone.com/columnists/policemagazine/articles/77196-new-fingerprint-technology-idsthe-bad-guys-faster-than-ever/
http://ncforensics.wordpress.com/2013/06/20/techniques-for-collecting-and-analyzing-fingerprints/

http://theiai.org/history/
http://fingerprinting.com/history-of-fingerprinting.php
http://www.personal.psu.edu/msp5018/blogs/english_202c/the-development-of-fingerprints-withcyanoacrylate-super-glue-fuming.html