| The journal Science Daily, reported earlier this | | | | and humidity to surfaces affected by human |
| month on fascinating advances in 'Bullet | | | | contact, and the print is then enhanced to that of |
| fingerprinting technology,' developed at the | | | | a much clearer image. The new technique has also |
| University of Leicester in collaboration with | | | | proven that components of the sweat deposit |
| Northamptonshire Police. | | | | survive washing and wiping of surfaces, Goddard |
| Dr John Bond, from Northamptonshire Police | | | | explained to the journal: "Once a finger has |
| Scientific Support Unit and an Honorary Research | | | | touched the metal surface, a residue remains |
| Fellow at the University of Leicester's Forensic | | | | behind, (and) this starts to react with the metal |
| Research Centre, has developed in collaboration | | | | so an image of the fingerprint can then be |
| with university scientists, a method to visualise | | | | developed by the use of elevated temperature |
| fingerprints even after the print itself has been | | | | and humidity, with the resultant image becoming a |
| removed. | | | | permanent feature on the surface of the metal. |
| In a continuation of work exploring forensic | | | | Goddard's system involves studying the chemical |
| techniques at the Department of Chemistry, | | | | and physical interactions occurring between the |
| University of Leicester, new ways of recovering | | | | metal and the fingerprint sweat deposit. Using |
| fingerprints from metal surfaces have been found | | | | advanced surface imaging techniques, such as an |
| by researcher Alex Goddard, reports the journal. | | | | atomic force microscope, nanoscale observations |
| Previous recovery methods of prints on bullets | | | | of fingerprinted brass samples can identify |
| for example, included applying powder to the | | | | optimum conditions to promote the natural |
| material which can actually damage the evidence. | | | | enhancement of the fingerprint, vastly improving |
| The new technique discovered by Goddard, | | | | their recovery rate, states Science Daily. Forensic |
| promotes a naturally occurring process which | | | | Resources Ltd offer fingerprint and foot print |
| does not involve adding anything to, or damaging, | | | | analysis, as well as forensic Firearm and Toolmark |
| the evidence. "Currently," Goddard told Science | | | | Examination, and our team of experts welcome |
| Daily, "fingerprint recovery from bullets is very | | | | this latest advance in fingerprint recovery. |
| low; less than 1 percent." A case of not being able | | | | "There are also indications that the new method |
| to see the prints for the powder perhaps. | | | | could be used when other techniques have failed, |
| Yet the new method works by employing heat | | | | perhaps as a last resort," continued Goddard. |