Fingerprint Examination

Forensic Fingerprint Examination

The touch of a finger leaves behind microscopic traces of sweat, oils, and amino acids. These invisible traces—known as latent fingerprints—are often the most critical piece of evidence linking a suspect to a crime scene, a stolen object, or a forged document.

Our forensic laboratory specializes in the development, recovery, and scientific evaluation of friction ridge detail in questioned and known impressions, providing irrefutable evidence for criminal defense, civil litigation, and internal investigations.

Development and Recovery

Latent prints cannot be seen with the naked eye. Depending on the surface (porous like paper, or non-porous like glass and metal), our experts utilize specialized chemical and physical techniques to make the prints visible:

• Magnetic Powders: For dusting smooth, non-porous surfaces.
• Ninhydrin & Iodine Fuming: Chemical reactions used to reveal prints deeply absorbed into paper documents or cardboard.
• Cyanoacrylate (Superglue) Fuming: A robust technique for permanently setting delicate prints on plastics or firearms.

Comparative Analysis & Evaluation

Once a print is recovered, we employ a rigorous examination process that emphasizes identification, documentation, comparison, evaluation, and review. Our examiners analyze specific ridge characteristics and corresponding features (such as ridge endings, bifurcations, and dots). If a sufficient number of these microscopic features match in sequence and orientation, a conclusive identification is made and documented in a controlled technical report.