U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Specific Heat Capacity Thermal Function of the Cyanoacrylate  Fingerprint Development Process, 2012
NCJ Number
              238263

Author(s)
          Charles A. Steele;
                        Mason A. Hines;
                        Lara  Rutherford
Date Published

March 2012
Length
              32 pages
Annotation
              There are many existing methods for evolving and visualizing fingermarks with cyanoacrylate (CA); the current research aimed to produce methods for enhancing fingermark recovery.
Abstract
              The research involved five undertakings, each designed to either increase the ease of fingermark development or increase the sensitivity of the fingermark development process. The first method explored the development of sublimation-based co-polymerized coloring. Colored CA fingermarks detectable with a 530 nm laser were successfully produced. The second method explored was the modification of evidence temperature. This method improved fingermark visibility due to an increase in opacity and color uptake of CA fingermarks when the evidence is cooled 6 degrees F - 20 degrees F. The third method explored was the use of infrared detection. After being aged for 2 weeks to allow them to fade, fingermark samples were then examined with infrared cameras at ambient temperature and cooled to force condensation and improve infrared visibility. Although fingermarks were produced, no prints were resolved that would not have been detectable with more economical visible-light means.  The fourth undertaking of the research was to find a way to disperse nano-particles onto CA prints. Nano-particles can be applied in a variety of ways, ranging from spraying liquid dispersions to creating dust clouds; however, when the particles are produced on the fingermark itself, it is possible to lock the color into the CA matrix with subsequent fuming. Carbon black non-particles were therefore produced by burning oil and directing the vapor stream onto the print. The fifth aspect of the research involved developing a commercially viable temperature and humidity-controlled chamber to chill the evidence and allow for standard fuming. A unit was developed and can be purchased through Sirchie Corporation. 32 exhibits and 2 references
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2009-DN-BX-K196


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Report (Study/Research)


  
  
        
  Award
        Specific Heat Capacity Thermal Function of Cyanoacrylate Fingerprint Development Process
    
  
  
Date Published: March 1, 2012
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Best practices
        Crime Scene
        Fingerprint detection techniques
        Fingerprint image quality
        Fingerprints



  
Similar Publications
        
                      ICPUTRD: Image Cloud Platform for Use in Tagging and Research on Decomposition
                  White Paper – Electronic Medical Records In Medicolegal Death Investigation
                  Enhancing Foundational Validity of Forensic Findings in Medico-Legal Strangulation Examinations
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov