CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

As the use of water stream is the easier way for disposing purposes, many

people tend to use the water stream to disposing unusable things. This may

include the disposing of a big ships and aircraft into the sea. This kind of practice

was increased from time to time. Unfortunately, the incidents of criminals also

using water stream to dispose the evidence. Drains or natural water stream such as

river will almost be are placed where the weapons or materials used in the crime

be disposed (Bronwyn, 2009).

The reason of this situation happened was, they do believe that, even the

items is recovered back from the underwater, it will never have any forensic value

(Bronwyn, 2009). So, in this research, it will proves that the identifiable

fingerprints may still be recovered from the water stream. An experiment will be

conducted to recover the valuable latent fingerprint evidence after it had been

submerged in a aquatic environment.

1
 The factor that affect the quality of latent fingerprints which is length of time

submerged was analyzed in this study. To evaluate this factor, latent fingerprints

was deposited onto two kind of surfaces, stainless steel surface and polyvinyl

chloride(PVC) surface, stimulating the substrate of a weapon or material used in

crime. These sample then will be submerged in a water at locations subjected

for certain time allocated. After recovery, the items were subjected to

Cyanoacrylate fuming followed by Black powder, Physical developer, DFO and

Ninhydrin processing. The fingerprints were lifted with tape to be examine. Each

print was evaluated for its individualizing power based on the specific scoring

system.

For early stage, the latent fingerprints subjected to longer time of submerge

assumed to be significantly more deteriorated than prints subjected to shorter time

of submerged. The periods of submersion effect on the quality of latent

fingerprint visualization were observed. The results of this research were

highlight the importance of understanding the relation between period exposed to

the aquatic environment and the ability of recovering the latent fingerprints to

better aid in forensic investigations on criminal and potentially linking evidence

to the responsible perpetrator.

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1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Water areas are usually used as places to dispose materials. Many types of

water areas such as lake, drain, river and sea had been chosen to be the disposed

area. The materials disposed also to varies. It include the smallest logistic waste

from houses until the largest unusable builds such as air plane and ship. In

criminal forensic scope, the incidents of criminals also using water stream to

dispose the evidences (Bronwyn, 2009). In New York for example, lots of dead

bodies were recovered from the waterways (Lucas et al., 2002). This shows that

watery areas are the most popular places of disposing forensic evidences

(Bronwyn, 2009).

However, there is less recent studies to establish the enhancement of the

latent fingerprint recover from the watery condition. Much of the presence study

only introduced the methods of fingerprint enhancement on surfaces exposed to

elevated temperature. Only small number of study exist in experimenting the

recoverable fingerprint from watery condition but involving the non-pores surface

samples. As there are no new research done, it will limit the ability of

investigation and searching the evidences.

The major problem is most likely how to enhanced the evidences especially

fingerprints from the watery area in an optimum quality. When there are no

suitable techniques introduced, this will limit the effectiveness of forensic

criminals investigation. Longer time will needed for the analysis or the analysis

itself will only destruct the little sample have without any confirmation for the

result. Peoples will always questioning on the quality of the investigation

especially when involving high profile cases. When there are no proof able to be
3
extracted from the samples, the investigations are consider failed (Liu et al.,

2009).

When a fingerprint deposited on a surface, it will compose of emulsion that

consist water soluble and non-water-soluble component (Sodhi., 2016).

Non-porous surfaces will still remain the non-water-soluble component on the top

it surface even thou it being thrown into the water (Sodhi., 2016). For several

significant time, the latent fingerprint should be able to be recovered as the

insoluble component does not effected by the water (Smily., 2015). But, the sample

must be handle with highly care as the deposition of the fingerprints might be too

fragile due to reaction with several organic component and removed of the water

soluble component (Christophe et al., 2004). Some insoluble component left on the

surfaces are protein and lipid (Brian and Mike., 2010). Therefor special research

are needed to find the specific techniques on enhancing watery latent fingerprint on

non-porous surface based on this deposition of chemicals.

4
1.3 Significance of study

Blades, fire arms and tools are the type of weapon that mostly recovered from

the criminal scene (Swann and Patwardhan., 2010). This kind of weapons are

commonly used in the crimes as they are solid and durable (Swann and

Patwardhan., 2010). They will provide a big impact although with a small

pressure (Swann and Patwardhan., 2010). In forensic scope, this kind of weapons

commonly covered with the non-porous materials (Swann and Patwardhan.,

2010). Non porous surfaces will not absorb any component deposited on it

(Christope, et al., 2004). Means that, this surfaces will stay remain any substances

deposited on its (Christope, et al., 2004). When discovered, there usually have

several potential evidences that related to the crime (Christope, et al., 2004). Most

probably evidence found on the surfaces are the fingerprints of the responsible

perpetrator (Christope, et al., 2004). This kind of evidences usually had been tried

to be disposed in many ways. One of it is by throwing them into the watery

condition (Bronwyn, 2009). Criminals often seek waterways as an ideal place of

disposal for weapons and other evidence of wrongdoing (Bronwyn, 2009).

Therefor, a comprehensive study to highlighted the best technique in enhancing

lantern fingerprint from watery condition must be done. It has become the

responsibility of law enforcement agencies to provide resources that can retrieve

evidence from diverse types of aquatic environments (Wertheim et al., 2006). This

study will make use of several chemical enhancement techniques in order to

identify the best way in retrieving lantern fingerprint from the water stream. By

figured out the best technique of enhancement, quality in forensic crime

5
investigation can be improve. In others word, the best quality of fingerprints

could be enhanced from the surfaces without destructing the evidences.

1.4 Objectives

The objectives of this study are:

a. To investigate the effect of watery condition on the quality of lantern

fingerprints

b. To determine the suitable method for recovering fingerprints on watery

stainless steel and PVC surfaces.

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 CHAPTER 2

2.1 Literature review

2.1.1 Latent Fingerprint

Latent fingerprints is formed by the deposition of eccrine glands

through the pores in the papillary ridges that is lifted on the contact

surface (Sodhi et al., 2004). Eccrine glands are the major sweat glands of

the human body (Champod et al., 2004). It may be found in almost all skin

with the highest density in palms and soles (Bronwyn, 2009). They secrete

a host of chemicals due to the body metabolism process (Champod et al.,

2004).

Fingerprints did not change over time (Bronwyn, 2009). This

make them able to be classified for identification (Kaushal et al., 2011).

Fingerprints are truly unique to an individual, thus providing the

cornerstone of criminal investigations and law enforcement (Kaushal,

2011).

In forensic crime investigation, fingerprints found at crime

scenes or developed in the laboratory are categorized by some examiners

as patent, latent, or plastic impressions (Gaennslen, 2009). Commonly,

7
conditions of surrounding the factors that influence the quality of latent
prints formed (Romotowski, 2013). This include the type of contact

surface. There was several case studies have been published on the success

of recovering latent prints from diverse surfaces exposed to aquatic

environments for various periods of time (Bradford, 2010)

Although the previous case studies are helpful references, it is

always important for forensic scientists to have data of greater scientific

origin to reference when testifying in the court of law about the lifetime of a

submerged friction ridge impression instead of relying on possibly biased

personal experiences (Bronwyn, 2009).

2.1.2 Identification of latent fingerprint.

Identification of latent fingerprint was based on its pattern

(Bronwyn, 2009). There are several patterns of fingerprint was identified.

All the patterns were shown below:

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Figure 2.1.1 Fingerprint ridges pattern

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 Figure 2.1.2 Fingerprint ridges characteristic

2.1.3 Quality of developed fingerprint

The quality of latent fingerprint was dependent on the clarity,

contrast from background and many factors as shown in table below:

Table 2.1 Table of Fingerprint grading

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2.1.4 Nonporous surfaces

Non-porous surfaces does not have any absorbing ability. These

surfaces highly repel moisture and often appear polished (Smily, 2015).

Glass, metal, plastics, lacquered or painted wood, and rubber are examples

of non-porous surfaces. Non-porous surface such as stainless steel and

polyvinyl chloride(PVC) was usually found to be used as a weapon in any

kind of criminal (Bronwyn, 2009). Stainless steel and PVC is widely used

as the main materials in firearm and blades (Smily, 2015). In many

criminal cases, lantern finger prints are found on the surface of the

weapon used (Yan et al., 2013). Latent prints on these substrates are more

susceptible to damage because the fingerprint residue resides on the

outermost surface (Brian and Mike, 2010). Cyanoacrylate (CA), dye stains,

powders, and vacuum metal deposition are usually the the most suitable to

be use for enhancing the lantern fingerprint on these kind surfaces (Yan et

al., 2013). But in some cases, there was a problem faced by the

investigator and chemist when the weapons used was thrown into a water

stream such as lake, drain and river. Therefor a research must be done to

overcome this problem. A very suitable techniques should be identified in

order to enhanced the most quality lantern finger print from this kind of

situation. Fingerprint reagents and development techniques are generally

intended to be used in combination and sequential order (Brian and Mike,

2010). There methods are often specific (Gaensslen, 2009). The effect of

the water towards the quality of the fingerprint also should be aware

(Bronwyn, 2009).

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2.1.5 1,8-Diazafluoren-9-one (DFO)

DFO is a chemical used in enhancing fingerprints especially on

porous surfaces. Reagent forming highly fluorescent derivatives with

amino acids (excitation wavelength is usually around 470 nm and

emission wavelength is usually around 570 nm).It makes fingerprints

glow when lit with a blue-green light (Yan et al., 2013).

2.1.6 Ninhydrin

Ninhydrin was first synthesised by Ruhemann in 1910

(Kaushall et al., 2011). This reaction was further investigated by

Adberhalden and Schmidt. They tested a large number of compounds,

both singly and in combination, in terms of the reaction products formed

with ninhydrin. The purple reaction product was observed to form with

proteins and polypeptides.This use of ninhydrin was frequently

accompanied by warnings to avoid contact between bare skin and any

surfaces to come into contact with the reagent. Despite this warning,

ninhydrin rapidly became an in-dispensable tool in the detection of latent

fingerprints (Brian and Mike, 2010).

2.1.7 Silver physical developer (Ag-PD)

Physical developer is the standard reagent for developing latent

fingerprints on wet porous surfaces. Black silver precipitate usually will

appeared along the fingermark ridges due to the reaction of silver

12
deposition on the water insoluble residues contain of the latent fingerprints.

This process is based on an electroless deposition reaction. Fe2+ ions will

reduce the Ag+ ions into metallic silver. This process is catalyzed by the

fatty components of the fingermark material. But this process are

instability of the developing solution and therefore of poor reproducibility

may occurs. Multi-Metal-Deposition,(MMD) or colloidal gold techniques

are usedbefore followed by Ag-PD. Latent fingerprint enhancement by

gold nano-particles stabilized by citrate ions in aqueous medium. The gold

nano-particles tend to adhere on the fingermark residue and catalyze the

precipitation of metallic silver from the Ag-PD solution. The gold

adherence to the fingermark material is due to an ionic interaction between

the negatively charged gold colloids and the positively charged

components of the fingermark residue. This process must be done at low

pH (Brian and Mike, 2010).

2.1.8 Studies on enhancement of latent finger print

As for any fingerprint detection sequence, optical techniques

should be employed before applying any other treatment. For fixed

surfaces at the crime scene, powdering is still entrenched as the primary

fingerprint detection method despite its low sensitivity. For wet surfaces

at the crime scene, small particle reagent can be employed as a wet

powdering method applied with a spray. Items that can be transported

should be returned to the laboratory for processing. Cyanoacrylate

13
fuming has, since the late 1970ís, become a popular laboratory-based

technique for the routine treatment of non-porous surfaces (Brian and

Mike, 2010).

Developed prints can be subsequently enhanced by the

application of a luminescent stain. Alternatively, for laboratories where it

is available, vacuum metal deposition can be particularly effective for

older prints or for difficult surfaces (Yan et al., 2013).

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 CHAPTER 3

METHODOLOGY

3.1 Materials

3.1.1 Sample preparation

2 kind of surfaces, stainless steel and PVC was identified to be the

surface of study. Each surface was prepared in form of 18 plates with A5

size(148mmx210mm). The surfaces sample firstly been washed thoroughly with

alcohol to remove dust and any unwanted print existed. Then dried under the

shade at room temperature for several time. The whole palm prints or 6 thumb

prints been deposited on every each of the sample plates.

3.1.2 Collection of finger prints

Sebaceous fingerprints (sebum-rich) was collected from volunteers by

rubbed their fingertips over the forehead and stamped them on the prepared plates.

To ensure the quality of each deposited prints, all print was inspected with oblique
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lighting. If the print was smudged or appeared to contain inadequate amounts of oil,

the blade will be cleaned and the process was began anew.

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3.2 Apparatus

Stainless steel plates, PVC plates.

3.3 Instruments

Visual Spectral Comparator..

Figure 3.3 Visual Spectral Comparator

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3.4 Methods

3.4.1 Submersion of samples

2 kind of surfaces, stainless steel and PVC was identified to be the

surface of study. Each surface will prepared in form of 18 plates with A5

size(148mmx210mm). The surfaces sample firstly been washed thoroughly

with alcohol to remove dust and any unwanted print existed. Then dry under

the shade at room temperature for several time. The whole palm prints or 6

thumb prints was deposited on every each of the sample plates. Sebaceous

fingerprints (sebum-rich) was collected from volunteers by rubbed their

fingertips over the forehead and stamping them on the prepared plates. To

ensure the quality of each deposited prints, all print was inspected with oblique

lighting. If the print was smudged or appeared to contain inadequate amounts

of oil, the blade will be cleaned and the process will began anew. With the

readily print deposition on the blades, latex gloves have to be worn at all times

when handling the blades to avoid contamination or the deposition of

unintentional prints. All the samples was divided into a group of six. 3

successive trials was done. One group of sample for each trials. 2 out of six

samples was been reserved as a control.

4 others experimental samples was submerged in 4 different water

streams. Time elapse for each successive trials will be different. First trial was

3 weeks , 4 weeks submersion of sample for the second trial, and the sample

was submersed for 5 weeks for third trial and continuously for the next trial

until the finger print cannot be enhanced anymore. All the information of the
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water stream will be recorded as below:
 Table 3.4 Table of Data

3 Weeks 4 Weeks 5 Weeks

Depth of Submersion (cm) 30.9 30.9 30.9

Date And Time of

7 Mei 7 Mei 7 Mei
Submerge

Date And Time of

28 Mei 5 Jun 12 Jun
Collection

Based on the data above, area of study was keep fix. This step taken

to ensure there were only the same water condition was tested into every

sample. Different condition of water might be affecting the fingerprint quality.

Depth of submersion also was keep fixed. This step taken to ensure there

were only the same water flow was tested into every sample. Different depth

of water might be having different intentsity of water flow and different water

flow might giving the different effect on fingerprint quality. Only period of

submersion was varied. This to investigate the effect of exposion time on the

fingerprint quality. The duration was varied between 3 weeks, 4 weeks and 5

weeks.

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 CHAPTER 4

RESULT and DISCUSSION

Figure 4.1 was the control sample of fingerprint deposited on the

PVC surface. Based on the figure all the ridges on the fingerprint was clearly

seen.

Figure 4.1 Control sample on PVC

Figure 4.2,.figure 4.3 and figure 4.5 are showing fingerprint deposited on PVC

surface and submerged into the water. All the figure 4.2, figure 4.3 and figure 4.5 are

showing the differences between quality of fingerprints after submerged within 3

weeks, 4 weeks and 5 weeks respectively on PVC surface.

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Figure 4.2 Three weeks submersion Figure 4.3 Four weeks submersion
on PVC surface on PVC surface

Figure 4.4 Five weeks submersion

on PVC surface 21
 Comparison among this four figures (figure 4.1, figure 4.2, figure 4.3

and figure 4.4), it shows that figure 4.2 and figure 4.3 still having most of the

characteristic of the fingerprint ridges as the control sample (figure 4.1). The

fingerprint type and all it ridges are clearly identifiable. It shows that PVC

surfaces able to hold latent finger print in good condition for 14 days. The

watery condition does not give too much effect on fingerprint ridges on PVC

surfaces. The grade of fingerprint enhanced was between 9 to 7 because good

fluorescence, clear ridge able to obtained and only light background noise

occurred (Bradford, et al., 2010). Figure 4.4 shows the fingerprint result on

PVC surface after five weeks submersion in water. Result shows a few clear

ridges but with the frequent background noise. The number of enhanceble

fingerprint ridge characters also less than that required for identification.

Grade of fingerprint enhancement on PVC surace after 5 weeks submersion

in water was between 6 to 3 (Bradford, et al., 2010).

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 Figure 4.5 shows the control sample of fingerprint deposited on the

stainless steel surface. All the ridges on the fingerprint was clearly seen in the

figure.

Figure 4.5 Control sample on

stainless steel

Following figure 4.6,.figure 4.7 and figure 4.8 are showing

fingerprint deposited on stainless steel surface and submerged into the water

at different period. All the figures are showing the differences between

quality of fingerprints after submerged within 3 weeks, 4 weeks and 5 weeks

respectively on stainless steel surface.

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Figure 4.6 Three weeks Figure 4.7 Four weeks
submersion on stainless steel submersion on stainless steel
surface surface

Figure 4.8 Five weeks submersion

on stainless steel surface

24
 Comparison among this four figures (figure 4.5, figure 4.6, figure 4.7

and figure 4.8), it shows that figure 4.6 and figure 4.7 still having most of the

characteristic of the fingerprint ridges as the control sample (figure 4.5). The

fingerprint type and all it ridges are continuous and clearly identifiable. It

shows that stainless steel surfaces able to hold latent finger print in good

condition for 14 days just like the PVC surface. The watery condition does

not give too much effect on fingerprint ridges on the surface. The grade of

fingerprint enhanced was between 9 to 7 as a good fluorescence and clear

ridge able to be obtained. Only light background noise occurred (Bradford, et

al., 2010). Figure 4.8 shows the fingerprint result on stainless steel surface

after five weeks submersed in water. Result shows very few clear ridges but

with high frequent background noise. The number of enhance fingerprint

ridge characters also less than that required for identification. Most of the

valuable ridges characteristic was disappeared. According to the result, the

grade of enhancement fingerprint on stainless steel surface after 5 weeks

submersion in water was between 6 to 1(Bradford, et al., 2010). This shows

that ability of stainless steel to hold the latent fingerprint was lesser than PVC

surface.

Generally, latent fingerprints or in a simple word fingerprints left on

a surface are usually contain water, fatty acids, triglycerides and a small

amounts of amino acids and chlorides. In order to detect the fingerprint, one

of these groups of chemicals have to be detected (Romotowski, 2013) . First

25
of all, type of surface was one of the factor should be considered before

applying any chemical developing method.

For porous surfaces, plenty of chemical techniques able to be used

(Romotowski, 2013). Ninhydrin will makes the fingerprint turns blue or

purple after the react. It makes the fingerprints can be seen easily.

Diazafluorenone followed by blue light illumination will glow the fingerprint

in yellow (Kaushall, 2011). There are many other methods for dying and

staining fingerprints on the porous surfaces.

But, it is usually difficult to detect fingerprints via chemical

developing techniques on non porous surfaces (Romotowski, 2013). Except

for super glue (ethyl cyanoacrylate), dusting techniques work better in

developing latent fingerprint on non porous techniques. But, condition of the

surface might effect the enhanced latent fingerprint quality. The limitation is

wet condition. Ninhydrin, DFO, and silver nitrate are depending on the

presence of mineral salt and amino acid in the fingerprint ridges. So, there are

no significant in revealing the latent prints on wet or soaked surfaces as the

mineral salt and amino acid been dissolved during on contact with water.

Therefor no result observed when using these three techniques.

Based on this study, using magnetic powder suspension give better

result. as the powder formulation can assist the soot removal of mud and

other dust particles from the water or the wet fingerprint mark it self.

Magnetic powder consist of colorants wrapped around magnet filings. The

magnet fillings are applied over the print surface, the colorant is deposited as

it comes into contact with the oily residue of the finger print. This process
26
develops the image with little or no abrasive contact to the residue thus

making magnetic-based powders ideal for more delicate type evidence. They

are really suitable for non-porous surfaces especially PVC and stainless steel.

Magnetic powder are also useful in many situations, including wet condition.

That was the most reason this study was proceed with Magnetic powder

enhancement technique.

It is also important to know that, according to this study, the latent

finger prints will only survive for less then five weeks when exposed to

watery condition. Therefor the result for weeks five was not very clear and

absolutely cannot be used as a strong evidence in legal forces.

27
 CHAPTER 5

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The quality of the development of fingerprint on objects found in

water would depend on the time of exposure to water and the method used for

the development of finger marks. The time of exposure of finger print marks

to the water definitely influences the number and quality of developed

fingerprint. 4 weeks are the longest time that finger print marks could extend

on a non porous surface exposed to water. The quality of developed finger

print marks also depends on the method use. Enhancement using magnetic

powder a the most suitable and simple technique.

For recommendation, future study should be done in a longer period

as the fingerprint are still able to be detected on the fifth week of study. The

fingerprint might takes longer time to totally disappeared from the submerged

non porous surfaces. Beside that, study on the effect of depth, water stream

frequency, water temperature and water acidity should be done to identify the

variance of factor affecting the latent fingerprint on non porous surfaces. Last

but not least, study on different kind of surfaces also should be done in order

to investigate the ability of them in holding the latent fingerprint.

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 APPENDIXES

Surface sample Surface plates

identified Surface clean by Fingerprint ridge
sample alcohol to impression will be
prepared in remove deposited on the
plates form unwanted surface plates
-stainless steel
friction ridge
-PVC

3 successive trials Test done for Recover the

with 6 sample plates different time Water plates each
will be done of deposition temperature, after the
pH value, and allocated time
flow intensity end. Let the
-2 plates as control -3 weeks are recorded plate dry at
sample room
-4 weeks temperature
-4plates will be
Fingerprint Compare the Process are
Tape lifting
enhancement quality with continuous with
for record
process occurs the control different time
sample intervals

Process The quality of result on both

continuous with surface samples are compared
different type of according to the most better
surface sample enhancement techniques.

Appendix 1 Work steps

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