Optimization of the Superglue Fuming and Powder Technique for the Enhancement of Latent Fingerprints from Objects Submerged in Water: An Experimental Study in Ghana

Abstract

Introduction: Criminals' propensity to precautionary mask their tracks such as disposing of an item of evidence in an aquatic environment (including freshwater and seawater) warrants the ongoing quest for advanced reagents and techniques that are tailored to the substrate characteristics on which the print will be developed. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the synergic efficiency of the superglue fuming technique (using a homemade fuming chamber) and the powder technique in the development and visualization of latent fingerprints (LFPs) from different nonporous substrates submerged in an aquatic environment for up to 120 days. Materials and Methods: All selected nonporous substrates were cleaned thoroughly with a 70% alcohol swab. Natural latent prints were obtained from a single donor and the substrates were exposed to an aquatic environment. The superglue fuming (using a homemade fuming chamber) plus the powder technique was employed to develop and visualize the print. Results: Our findings disclose that the use of the superglue fuming technique together with the powder technique enhances the recovery rate of LFPs from substrates kept underwater for up to 90 days. The development of fingerprints was challenging from the substrates that were submerged in water for exactly 120 days. Conclusions: The resulting efficiency of the combined technique (superglue fuming technique using a homemade fuming chamber + powder technique) is substantially more sensitive, and selective, and performs better than the previously used stand-alone fingerprint enhancement technique. The improvised homemade fuming chamber proves to be a viable alternative to the standardized fuming cabinet in terms of functionality and sensitivity.