The VSC 2000 is not a conventional method for the
detection of fingermarks although it has been used in other
published research [16,17]. The Polilight forensic light source
is used in numerous operational and research laboratories
around the world including the Australian Federal Police and
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Condor Chemical
Imaging Macrosocpe is a relatively new technology applied to
the detection of fingermarks and has been described in other
published research [17,18].
Fingermarks were deposited on various porous surfaces,
including traditional white paper and notoriously difficult
surfaces such as yellow envelopes and fluorescent papers. Each
sample was treated with the optimised 1,2-indanedione
formulation and developed using a heat press set at 165 8C
for 10 s.
Developed fingermarks were then examined using each of
the three stated methods of detection and the results compared.
4.5. Difficult surfaces
Fingermarks were deposited on various porous and semiporous
surfaces normally considered as difficult or problematic
for fingerprint development. These surfaces included wallpaper,
untreated wood, fluorescent paper, brown paper, carbon
paper and thermal paper. These samples were then sprayed with
the optimised 1,2-indanedione formulation and developed on a
heat press at 165 8C for 10 s. (Note that the thermal paper
samples were treated with a formulation that did not include
acetic acid and heat was not used to accelerate development.
Treated marks on thermal paper were left to develop at room
temperature for 24 h.) Fingermarks were examined under white
light and appropriate fluorescence settings using the VSC 2000
and the Polilight forensic light source.