Bloodstain classification methods: A critical review and a look to the future.

Classifying bloodstains is an essential part of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis. Various experts have developed methods. Each method considers the same basic bloodstain pattern types.

An evaluation of two adhesive media for the recovery of DNA from latent fingermarks: A preliminary study.

Dual recovery of forensic evidence is beneficial for crime scene and evidence processing as it can potentially double the evidential value of a single source, even more so in instances of DNA fingermarks. The use of adhesive liftering media has shown comparable results to swabbing when dealing with trace DNA recovery. Gelatine lifters have displayed the potential to recover DNA from latent fingermarks with minimal alteration to friction ridge detail post application, yet their ability to recover DNA has not fully been explored.

Collaborative practise in forensic science and academia: The development of a documentation strategy for fingerprint examinations in an English fingerprint bureau in the ISO 17025 era.

The mandatory introduction of ISO 17,025 accreditation to fingerprint comparisons forced changes to the documentation procedures. Academic and grey literature consistently suggest that the documentation should provide a sufficient auditable trail, yet there is some dissimilarity in the guidance relating to documentation content, and subjectivity with its interpretation. The accreditation body, UK Accreditation Service (UKAS), was not prescriptive in the methods required to produce working notes and were open to different practises, which has provided a useful opportunity to compare approaches to casework and to work with practitioners to inform effective practise.

The adaptation of a 360° camera utilising an alternate light source (ALS) for the detection of biological fluids at crime scenes.

One of the most important and commonly encountered evidence types that can be recovered at crime scenes are biological fluids. Due to the ephemeral nature of biological fluids and the valuable DNA that they can contain, it is fundamental that these are documented extensively and recovered rapidly. Locating and identifying biological fluids can prove a challenging task but can aid in reconstructing a sequence of events.

A comparative study of photogrammetric methods using panoramic photography in a forensic context.

Taking measurements of a scene is an integral aspect of the crime scene documentation process, and accepted limits of accuracy for taking measurements at a crime scene vary throughout the world. In the UK, there is no published accepted limit of accuracy, whereas the United States has an accepted limit of accuracy of 0.25 inch.

The effect of DNA recovery on the subsequent quality of latent fingermarks.

The recovery of DNA and fingermark evidence from the same site can be problematic on account of potential contamination from fingermark visualisation techniques, and/or the destructive capability of the DNA recovery method. Forensic investigators are therefore often required to choose which evidence type to recover, or to recover both evidence types from different sites. Research typically documents the effects of fingermark visualisation techniques on the subsequent recovery of DNA, whereas this research has investigated the effects of DNA recovery on the quality of subsequently recovered latent fingermarks.

The design and implementation of a proficiency test for assessors of fingermark quality, to facilitate collaborative practise in fingermark research.

Significant numbers of institutions are carrying out fingermark based research, yet there appears to be little inter-institution consistency in the approaches used to assess the quality of the samples produced. Inter-institution consistency in quality assessment would lead to inevitable benefits in collaborating research projects, given that data from multiple projects may be combined, or compared. In order for such quality assessment schemes to be effectively used across multiple institutions, proficiency in using such approaches should be identified to ensure parity.

An investigation into the effects of force applied during deposition on latent fingermarks and inked fingerprints using a variable force fingerprint sampler.

Physical factors, including the magnitude of the force applied during fingermark deposition, may affect friction ridge surface area and clarity, and the quantity of residue transferred. Consistency between fingermarks may be required; for example, in research projects, yet differences between marks are likely to exist when physical factors are not controlled. Inked fingerprints and latent fingermarks were deposited at 1-10 N at 1 N increments using a variable force fingerprint sampler to control the force, angle of friction ridge and surface contact, and the duration of friction ridge and surface contact.

An investigation into the use of a portable cyanoacrylate fuming system (SUPERfume®) and aluminum powder for the development of latent fingermarks.

Few techniques offer "in situ" methods of friction ridge skin mark development. "In situ" development reduces mark transportation, degradation, and often cost. The effectiveness of cyanoacrylate fuming using the SUPERfume(®) and dusting with aluminum powder for latent fingermark development on several nonporous surfaces, stored in various temperature environments for time periods up to 52 weeks, was investigated.

Consistency and reproducibility in fingermark deposition.

A review of the available literature and previous research has suggested that there are several factors associated with the deposition of friction ridge skin marks that can affect the quality of the resultant marks, including the quantity of force applied, the angle of friction ridge and surface contact and the duration of friction ridge and surface contact. A device referred to as a fingerprint sampler was designed and constructed to facilitate the deposition of fingermarks for research projects. Fingermarks were deposited with and without the fingerprint sampler and examined for evidence of distortion.

Determination of the sequence of latent fingermarks and writing or printing on white office paper.

Latent fingermarks were deposited onto white office paper samples containing writing or printing from several media (for example, ballpoint pens and laser printers). Fingermarks were deposited both before and after writing/printing. The marks were then treated with appropriate latent fingermark development techniques.