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shyscyberchamber.com
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THE ATTIC
:
Lifting Prints |
Date
Added
JUN 2003 |
To those accustomed to
reading detective fiction it may come as a surprise to learn that the technique
of 'lifting' prints only became acceptable practice in British police forces in
1970. Prior to this the photographic team were required to record
fingerprints in situ - not always either easy or effective, or worse, manhandle
cumbersome objects back to the laboratory for treatment. It was firmly
believed (against all evidence from abroad) that lifting fingerprints would
damage the evidence to such a degree that it would be disallowed in court.
Lifting takes place after the latent print has been dusted, and is effected by
the simple technique of laying a strip of low-adhesive tape over the developed
print, rubbing the back gently but firmly to 'lift' the impression, then
carefully removing the tape. Finally the tape is placed (adhesive side
down) on to a suitable piece of clean white card which is marked with details,
such as case number, date, location, name of fingerprint officer, etc. The
lifted print can now be removed to the laboratory for photographing.
In the United States an alternative method uses a rubber 'lifter pad'. The
thin, transparent celluloid cover is removed from the adhesive side of the patch
which is then used to lift the print in the same way as the tap. The
lifted print is re-covered with the celluloid for storage and transportation. |
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