Single metal deposition versus physical developer: A comparison between two advanced fingermark detection techniques

Moret, S; Lee, PLT; de la Hunty, M; Spindler, X; Lennard, C; Roux, C

Single metal deposition versus physical developer: A comparison between two advanced fingermark detection techniques

Moret, S

Lee, PLT

de la Hunty, M

Spindler, X

Lennard, C Roux, C

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Forensic Science International, 2019, 294 pp. 103 - 112
Issue Date:: 2019-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Moret, S https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5099-4697	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lee, PLT https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4334-7410	en_US
dc.contributor.author	de la Hunty, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4080-5888	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Spindler, X https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6379-351X	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lennard, C	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Roux, C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3610-420X	en_US
dc.date.available	2018-10-30	en_US
dc.date.issued	2019-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Forensic Science International, 2019, 294 pp. 103 - 112	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0379-0738	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/136514
dc.description.abstract	© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Single metal deposition (SMD II) is a fingermark detection technique based on the use of colloidal gold. The technique has been simplified and optimised over the years to become more reliable, sensitive and user-friendly. Physical developer (PD) is a well-established detection method based on silver deposition from a redox solution. This study presents an extensive comparison of SMD II against PD for fingermark detection on porous substrates. The two techniques were compared as (i) standalone methods, (ii) in sequence after the application of routine amino acids reagents (1,2-indanedione/zinc followed by ninhydrin), and (iii) after the substrates have been wet. More than 1000 fingermark specimens were processed. Overall, the performance of SMD II was judged to be inferior to that of PD; therefore, SMD II cannot be recommended as a valid replacement for fingermark detection on porous substrates. Indanedione/zinc and ninhydrin application negatively impacts on SMD II performance and the technique gave inconsistent results across the selected range of porous substrates. Moreover, the detected fingermarks lacked contrast making their visualisation difficult. However, even if PD remains the technique of choice, SMD II showed significant potential. It proved to be less affected by donor variability and it can be applied on both porous and non-porous substrates. It did not lead to uncontrolled background staining that commonly occurs with PD. If contrast and consistency issues can be addressed in future research, SMD II may become a viable alternative to PD.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Forensic Science International	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.10.032	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Silver	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Zinc	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Gold Colloid	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Indans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Ninhydrin	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Indicators and Reagents	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Dermatoglyphics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Immersion	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Porosity	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Forensic Sciences	en_US
dc.title	Single metal deposition versus physical developer: A comparison between two advanced fingermark detection techniques	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	294	en_US
utslib.for	0699 Other Biological Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	294	en_US

Abstract:

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Single metal deposition (SMD II) is a fingermark detection technique based on the use of colloidal gold. The technique has been simplified and optimised over the years to become more reliable, sensitive and user-friendly. Physical developer (PD) is a well-established detection method based on silver deposition from a redox solution. This study presents an extensive comparison of SMD II against PD for fingermark detection on porous substrates. The two techniques were compared as (i) standalone methods, (ii) in sequence after the application of routine amino acids reagents (1,2-indanedione/zinc followed by ninhydrin), and (iii) after the substrates have been wet. More than 1000 fingermark specimens were processed. Overall, the performance of SMD II was judged to be inferior to that of PD; therefore, SMD II cannot be recommended as a valid replacement for fingermark detection on porous substrates. Indanedione/zinc and ninhydrin application negatively impacts on SMD II performance and the technique gave inconsistent results across the selected range of porous substrates. Moreover, the detected fingermarks lacked contrast making their visualisation difficult. However, even if PD remains the technique of choice, SMD II showed significant potential. It proved to be less affected by donor variability and it can be applied on both porous and non-porous substrates. It did not lead to uncontrolled background staining that commonly occurs with PD. If contrast and consistency issues can be addressed in future research, SMD II may become a viable alternative to PD.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/136514