Lifting Techniques: Most often, a fingerprint must be dusted with a powder in order for it to appear on the collection surface. When working with prints on dark surfaces, Talcum Powder is ideal for print lifting but on a light surface, graphite powder is more practical. For lifting prints, there are hinge lifters, rubber lifters and cellophane tape all of which have specific uses regarding the type of situation and the classification of print. A hinge lifter is placed on a print and pressed down evenly. The lifted print is covered with the hinged cover and is protected from scratches and dirt. An image of the fingerprint is obtained just as it was found.
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Examples of prints lifted using
talcum powder on a dark surface |
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Examples of prints lifted using
graphite powder on a light surface |
A rubber lifter has a plastic cover that has to be carefully removed in one steady movement because any pause will result in a line being left on the tape. The adhesive side of the tape should be applied to a powdered print, and pressed down evenly. Then the tape is peeled from the surface in one smooth, even motion. The plastic cover is replaced on the tape over the lifted print to protect it. Cellophane tape can be used on surfaces that aren’t flat. It attaches to the contours of the object in order to avoid bumps and just like the rubber lifter, the print must first be powdered to stand out visibly on the tape. The only difference is the process of collection but the overall idea and effect are the same.
Can the process be repeated on the same print? Or can it be repeated if someone makes a mistake the first time?
ReplyDeleteThe process can be repeated if the prints were not damaged in any way the first time. If any distortion was caused to a print, the process of recollecting would be a waste of time.
ReplyDeleteyou gave a nice description of the procedures and established "connections" between the paragraphs and images
ReplyDelete