J. Sci. Res. Chula. Univ., Vol. 34, No. 2 (2009) 59
Latent Fingerprint Detection by Various Formulae of SPR
on Wet Non-Porous Surfaces
Phatwalan Kabklang1
, Suda Riengrojpitak2*
and Wiwan Suwansamrith3
1 M.Sc. Programme in Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
2 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
3
Central Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Nonthaburi 11120, Thailand
ABSTRACT: Latent fingerprints are valuable pieces of evidence that are often found when a crime has been
committed. This type of evidence is hardly visible so the application of techniques to make it more visible is
necessary. Furthermore, latent fingerprints can be found in wet environments, and these surfaces can be wet by
water from several sources that differ in their pH and particulate matter, such as rain, roadside, canal or sea
water. Small Particle Reagent (SPR) is an advantageous technique for latent fingerprint detection on wet
surfaces. In this study, surface samples were moistened by soaking in various solutions to represent water from
different sources. Eleven formulae of SPR, three (SPR I, II, III) from the published references and eight new
modified ones, were investigated to evaluate the optimal formula for latent fingerprint detection on wet nonporous
surfaces. The best quality of developed latent print was obtained from the SPR containing molybdenum
disulfide in tergitol NP-7 and choline chloride. However, on a dark surface, the best quality was obtained from a
suspension containing zinc carbonate as small particles. The soaking solutions used in this study did not affect
the effectiveness of SPR. Nevertheless, the salt solution affected the fingerprint impression.
Key words: Latent fingerprint, SPR, small particle reagent, wet-non porous surfaces
INTRODUCTION
At a crime scene, most of the information
(evidence) can be used to provide information for
evaluating what did or could not have happened and
involving whom.
Fingerprints are a type of evidence that are
often found at crime. Unique characteristics, and the
unchanged friction ridge of each individual’s skin
over their life renders the ability to use fingerprints to
identify the individual concerned.
There are two general types of fingerprint
evidence that can be found at the crime scene or on
objects related to it that is the visible and the latent
fingerprint, but they are not mutually exclusive. This
study is mainly concerned with latent prints.
Latent fingerprints are not often left in
heterogeneous or protected environments, so there is
the need to be able to detect their presence on
different surfaces and after they have undergone the
action of atmospheric agents or have been found, for
example, on objects soaking in water of different
types of impurities and sediments.
Small particle reagent (SPR) is a physical
development technique for fingerprint detection on
wet or moist surfaces.(1) There are many formulae of
SPR available nowadays but the optimal formula has
never been reported. In this study, the best SPRformula
for detecting latent fingerprints on wet nonporous
surfaces was demonstrated.
*Correspondence to:- e-mail: scsrr@mahidol.ac.th
……………………………………………………………Phatwalan Kabklang, Suda Riengrojpitak and Wiwan Suwansamrith
60 J. Sci. Res. Chula. Univ., Vol. 34, No. 2 (2009)
In fact, there are many conditions of water that
can contact with the fingerprint containing material
surfaces, such as water from rain, roadside, effluent,
canal or sea. The water from each source is quite
different in its pH, salt types and levels and
suspended particulate matter. However, the effect of
the pH or salt concentration of the soaking solution
upon the ability of each SPR to detect latent
fingerprints has never been investigated. In this
study, various types of surface samples soaked in
each different solution (tap water, weak acid, weak
base, and various concentrations of sodium chloride),
which represents water from some of the different
available sources, was used to evaluate the effect on
latent fingerprint detection by SPR.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eleven formulae of SPR solutions, three (SPR
I, II, III) from the references2,3) and eight new
modified ones, were prepared. Each formula was
different in its salt and particles used, such as MoS2,
Fe3O4, TiO2, ZnO and ZnCO3, so asto create different
contrasts. In addition, the proportion of particle and
detergent was also varied in order to evaluate the best
results. The fingerprints were impressed on each set
of the non-porous surface samples (glass, metal plate,
plastic and ceramic) before or after soaking in various
soaking solutions. Soaking solutions evaluated were:
acetic acid pH 5.5, NaOH pH 8.0, NaCl solutions at
10, 30, 50 and 70% (w/v), and tap water, and were
used for 30 min. All surface samples with fingerprints
were sprayed with each formula of SPR in order to
compare its effectiveness, and left until the
fingerprint developed (2- min). The fingerprints were
washed gently with distilled water, left to dry and
photographed with a digital camera. Then, they were
lifted by a tape lift, analyzed and compared.
RESULTS
When dark particles in the SPR were used, the
best quality of developed latent print on the wet
surface was obtained from SPR II for every type of
soaking solution. SPR II contains molybdenum
disulfide, tergitol NP-7 and choline chloride, with a
proportion of particles and detergent at 13.1. The
fingerprint image was nearly complete (moderate),
and had a ridge count of 12.98 (Tables 1 and 2).
Next the quality of developed latent print
obtained from SPR III (10.25) was quite similar to
that of SPR II (12.98). Nevertheless, SPR III is
suitable for latent print detection on glass surfaces;
providing a ridge count of 14.85 (Table 1).
Poor results were obtained from SPR XI,
where only a poor image with a low ridge count was
obtained 1.21 (Table 1). SPR I and VII could not be
used to develop latent fingerprints on any type of the
tested surfaces.
With respect to the use of white particles, no
moderate or better quality images were obtained, only
poor partial images. Within this the best quality was
obtained from SPR VI with a ratio of zinc carbonate
and tergitol NP-7 of 12.5 (Table 2). Moreover, SPR
VI was quite effective at developing latent
fingerprints on metal surfaces (Table 1). Poor results
were obtained from SPR IV, V, VIII, IX, X and XI,
with average ridge counts on every type of surfaces of
between 0.35 and 1.75 (Table1).
The soaking solvents such as tap water, acid,
base and salt solutions did not affect the effectiveness
of SPR suspension; but a high salt [50% and 70%
(w/v)] concentration affected the fingerprint
impression.
Latent prints on glass surfaces prior to soaking
in various solutions and after development with SPR
II are shown in Figure 1.
DISCUSSION
From this study, the best quality of developed
latent prints on wet non-porous surfaces in every type
of soaking solution was obtained from SPR II, which
contains molybdenum disulfide particles in 0.8% (v/v)
tergitol NP-7 (detergent), and 1.05% (w/v) choline
chloride, and the proportion of particles to detergent
of 13.1. The average number of ridge counts obtained
was 12.98 which is sufficient to allow identification
of a given individual from the fingerprint in a forensic
investigation, and the fingerprint image was nearly
complete (moderate, ++). When the composition of
SPR II, the best in this study, and SPR III, the best
formula in a previous study(3) were compared, it was
found that the type of particle (MoS2) and detergent
(tergitol NP-7) were similar, as were the percentages
of particles, detergent and the proportion of particle to
detergent. The main difference between these two
formulae then was the addition of 0.4% (w/v) choline
chloride to SPR II. It is plausable then that the higher
number of ridge counts in the developed latent print
obtained from SPR II (12.98) compared to those
detected with SPR III (10.25) is due to the presence of
choline chloride.
The principle of SPR is based on the reaction
between the fatty components in the traces and the
hydrophobic tails of each specific reagent. These tails
are linked to the hydrophilic heads which react with
metal salt to give a precipitate.(1) Choline chloride is
one such water soluble organic compound with a
hydrophilic cation with the chloride anion, and
a hydrophobic tail. Thus, the presence of choline
chloride in SPR II may help to enhance the
effectiveness of this formula by giving more
attachment sites between the metal salt and the
hydrophilic head based upon its polar property.
Latent Fingerprint Detection by Various Formulae of SPR on Wet Non-Porous Surfaces……………………………………...
J. Sci. Res. Chula. Univ., Vol. 1, No. 2 (2009) 61
The lowest number of ridge counts on the
developed latent prints was obtained using the SPR I
(0) and SPR VII (0) developers, and they could not be
used to detect latent fingerprints on any type of the
tested surfaces. SPR I contained 10% (w/v)
molybdenum disulfide in 0.8% (v/v) tergitol NP-7,
with a particle and detergent proportion of 10 and
0.8%, respectively, and a ratio of particle to detergent
of 12.5. SPR VII contained ferric oxide suspended
in tergitol NP-7 which could not be dissolved
completely and precipitated and so fogged the
background. Indeed, it has been reported before that
too many particles will fog the background and too
much detergent or detergent itself will degrade the
latent print.(4) Thus, the percentages of Fe3O4 particle
(10), detergent (0.8) and particle/detergent (12.5
g/ml) of SPR VII were similar to those in SPR I.
However, the quality of the SPR formula was
determined by the suitable particle and detergent
components and their appropriate concentrations in
the suspension. For example, molybdenum disulfide
and tergitol NP-7 were used as the particle and the
detergent in SPR I
J. Sci. Res. Chula. Univ., Vol. 34, No. 2 (2009) 59Latent Fingerprint Detection by Various Formulae of SPRon Wet Non-Porous SurfacesPhatwalan Kabklang1, Suda Riengrojpitak2*and Wiwan Suwansamrith31 M.Sc. Programme in Forensic Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand2 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand3Central Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Nonthaburi 11120, ThailandABSTRACT: Latent fingerprints are valuable pieces of evidence that are often found when a crime has beencommitted. This type of evidence is hardly visible so the application of techniques to make it more visible isnecessary. Furthermore, latent fingerprints can be found in wet environments, and these surfaces can be wet bywater from several sources that differ in their pH and particulate matter, such as rain, roadside, canal or seawater. Small Particle Reagent (SPR) is an advantageous technique for latent fingerprint detection on wetsurfaces. In this study, surface samples were moistened by soaking in various solutions to represent water fromdifferent sources. Eleven formulae of SPR, three (SPR I, II, III) from the published references and eight newmodified ones, were investigated to evaluate the optimal formula for latent fingerprint detection on wet nonporoussurfaces. The best quality of developed latent print was obtained from the SPR containing molybdenumdisulfide in tergitol NP-7 and choline chloride. However, on a dark surface, the best quality was obtained from asuspension containing zinc carbonate as small particles. The soaking solutions used in this study did not affectthe effectiveness of SPR. Nevertheless, the salt solution affected the fingerprint impression.Key words: Latent fingerprint, SPR, small particle reagent, wet-non porous surfacesINTRODUCTIONAt a crime scene, most of the information(evidence) can be used to provide information forevaluating what did or could not have happened andinvolving whom.Fingerprints are a type of evidence that areoften found at crime. Unique characteristics, and theunchanged friction ridge of each individual’s skinover their life renders the ability to use fingerprints toidentify the individual concerned.There are two general types of fingerprintevidence that can be found at the crime scene or onobjects related to it that is the visible and the latentfingerprint, but they are not mutually exclusive. Thisstudy is mainly concerned with latent prints.Latent fingerprints are not often left inheterogeneous or protected environments, so there isthe need to be able to detect their presence ondifferent surfaces and after they have undergone theaction of atmospheric agents or have been found, forexample, on objects soaking in water of differenttypes of impurities and sediments.Small particle reagent (SPR) is a physicaldevelopment technique for fingerprint detection onwet or moist surfaces.(1) There are many formulae ofSPR available nowadays but the optimal formula hasnever been reported. In this study, the best SPRformulafor detecting latent fingerprints on wet nonporoussurfaces was demonstrated.*Correspondence to:- e-mail: scsrr@mahidol.ac.th ……………………………………………………………Phatwalan Kabklang, Suda Riengrojpitak and Wiwan Suwansamrith60 J. Sci. Res. Chula. Univ., Vol. 34, No. 2 (2009)In fact, there are many conditions of water thatcan contact with the fingerprint containing materialsurfaces, such as water from rain, roadside, effluent,canal or sea. The water from each source is quitedifferent in its pH, salt types and levels andsuspended particulate matter. However, the effect ofthe pH or salt concentration of the soaking solutionupon the ability of each SPR to detect latentfingerprints has never been investigated. In thisstudy, various types of surface samples soaked ineach different solution (tap water, weak acid, weakbase, and various concentrations of sodium chloride),which represents water from some of the differentavailable sources, was used to evaluate the effect onlatent fingerprint detection by SPR.MATERIALS AND METHODSEleven formulae of SPR solutions, three (SPRI, II, III) from the references2,3) and eight newmodified ones, were prepared. Each formula wasdifferent in its salt and particles used, such as MoS2,Fe3O4, TiO2, ZnO and ZnCO3, so asto create differentcontrasts. In addition, the proportion of particle anddetergent was also varied in order to evaluate the bestresults. The fingerprints were impressed on each setof the non-porous surface samples (glass, metal plate,plastic and ceramic) before or after soaking in varioussoaking solutions. Soaking solutions evaluated were:acetic acid pH 5.5, NaOH pH 8.0, NaCl solutions at10, 30, 50 and 70% (w/v), and tap water, and wereused for 30 min. All surface samples with fingerprintswere sprayed with each formula of SPR in order tocompare its effectiveness, and left until thefingerprint developed (2- min). The fingerprints werewashed gently with distilled water, left to dry andphotographed with a digital camera. Then, they werelifted by a tape lift, analyzed and compared.RESULTSWhen dark particles in the SPR were used, thebest quality of developed latent print on the wetsurface was obtained from SPR II for every type ofsoaking solution. SPR II contains molybdenumdisulfide, tergitol NP-7 and choline chloride, with aproportion of particles and detergent at 13.1. Thefingerprint image was nearly complete (moderate),and had a ridge count of 12.98 (Tables 1 and 2).Next the quality of developed latent printobtained from SPR III (10.25) was quite similar tothat of SPR II (12.98). Nevertheless, SPR III issuitable for latent print detection on glass surfaces;providing a ridge count of 14.85 (Table 1).Poor results were obtained from SPR XI,where only a poor image with a low ridge count wasobtained 1.21 (Table 1). SPR I and VII could not beused to develop latent fingerprints on any type of thetested surfaces.With respect to the use of white particles, nomoderate or better quality images were obtained, onlypoor partial images. Within this the best quality wasobtained from SPR VI with a ratio of zinc carbonateand tergitol NP-7 of 12.5 (Table 2). Moreover, SPRVI was quite effective at developing latentfingerprints on metal surfaces (Table 1). Poor resultswere obtained from SPR IV, V, VIII, IX, X and XI,with average ridge counts on every type of surfaces ofbetween 0.35 and 1.75 (Table1).The soaking solvents such as tap water, acid,base and salt solutions did not affect the effectivenessof SPR suspension; but a high salt [50% and 70%(w/v)] concentration affected the fingerprintimpression.Latent prints on glass surfaces prior to soakingin various solutions and after development with SPRII are shown in Figure 1.DISCUSSIONFrom this study, the best quality of developedlatent prints on wet non-porous surfaces in every typeof soaking solution was obtained from SPR II, whichcontains molybdenum disulfide particles in 0.8% (v/v)tergitol NP-7 (detergent), and 1.05% (w/v) cholinechloride, and the proportion of particles to detergentof 13.1. The average number of ridge counts obtained
was 12.98 which is sufficient to allow identification
of a given individual from the fingerprint in a forensic
investigation, and the fingerprint image was nearly
complete (moderate, ++). When the composition of
SPR II, the best in this study, and SPR III, the best
formula in a previous study(3) were compared, it was
found that the type of particle (MoS2) and detergent
(tergitol NP-7) were similar, as were the percentages
of particles, detergent and the proportion of particle to
detergent. The main difference between these two
formulae then was the addition of 0.4% (w/v) choline
chloride to SPR II. It is plausable then that the higher
number of ridge counts in the developed latent print
obtained from SPR II (12.98) compared to those
detected with SPR III (10.25) is due to the presence of
choline chloride.
The principle of SPR is based on the reaction
between the fatty components in the traces and the
hydrophobic tails of each specific reagent. These tails
are linked to the hydrophilic heads which react with
metal salt to give a precipitate.(1) Choline chloride is
one such water soluble organic compound with a
hydrophilic cation with the chloride anion, and
a hydrophobic tail. Thus, the presence of choline
chloride in SPR II may help to enhance the
effectiveness of this formula by giving more
attachment sites between the metal salt and the
hydrophilic head based upon its polar property.
Latent Fingerprint Detection by Various Formulae of SPR on Wet Non-Porous Surfaces……………………………………...
J. Sci. Res. Chula. Univ., Vol. 1, No. 2 (2009) 61
The lowest number of ridge counts on the
developed latent prints was obtained using the SPR I
(0) and SPR VII (0) developers, and they could not be
used to detect latent fingerprints on any type of the
tested surfaces. SPR I contained 10% (w/v)
molybdenum disulfide in 0.8% (v/v) tergitol NP-7,
with a particle and detergent proportion of 10 and
0.8%, respectively, and a ratio of particle to detergent
of 12.5. SPR VII contained ferric oxide suspended
in tergitol NP-7 which could not be dissolved
completely and precipitated and so fogged the
background. Indeed, it has been reported before that
too many particles will fog the background and too
much detergent or detergent itself will degrade the
latent print.(4) Thus, the percentages of Fe3O4 particle
(10), detergent (0.8) and particle/detergent (12.5
g/ml) of SPR VII were similar to those in SPR I.
However, the quality of the SPR formula was
determined by the suitable particle and detergent
components and their appropriate concentrations in
the suspension. For example, molybdenum disulfide
and tergitol NP-7 were used as the particle and the
detergent in SPR I
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