Development of Latent Fingerprint Impressions using Ophthalmic Fiber Glass Powder

Abstract

Fingerprints are a vital and unique identity of a person. These are impressions left by the friction ridges of a human
finger on contact with any surface. The primary advantage of a fingerprint is that it does not change over time.
Fingerprint identification is a method of identification using the impression formed by the minute ridges seen on
the fingertips. Fingerprints have certain individual characteristics that are unique. Fingerprints are most generally
recovered from crime scenes. Such prints are obtained when natural oils and perspiration (sweat) existing between
the fingertip ridges are transferred to the surface by any contact. Fingerprints are invisible and are much harder
to detect and preserve. These prints are obtained by physical and chemical methods. In this paper, my research
focuses on detecting latent fingerprints or invisible fingerprints using ophthalmic fiber glass powder on different
surfaces. Here I used the ophthalmic fiber glass and turned it into powder which is used for obtaining latent
fingerprints.