finger prints
sarada avadhanam

Chapter 13 :
Introduction to impression preservation at the scene including discussion on importance of fingerprints. Description of various fingerprints and methods of developing finger prints. Including precautions while developing. Their evidentiary value..
Fingerprints are now universally recognised as an infallible means of personal identification and as a valuable aid to the inspecting officers in the detection and prevention of crime and identification of criminals.

They afford the best positive and infallible clues, which connect the culprit with the crime. They also provide as extremely efficient methods in preventing false personification and forgery of documents. The identity can always be established from the prints of the ridges on finger palms and ole. These are really self-signatures in themselves or rather the visiting cards of the culprits left at the scene. Infallibility of finger prints
•The characteristic features of a finger print are so unique that they are not exactly repeated in any other finger print or part of one. These features enable personal identification with the help of finger prints. There are pores on the crests of ridges through which sweat glands constantly exude sweat at a rate depending upon the physical condition of the body of an individual . A culprit when committing a crime is likely to discharge more sweat than usual due to the brisk activity of the body cells and leave trails of his prints on different objects touched or handled by him at the scene of the offence. These are called SOC prints.
•Examination of SOC magnifying glass, Oblique light ,Different angles ,Blowing gently with breath ,Transmitted light Locks tampered ,Personal belongings of the culprits tools paper wrapper torch improvised torches lantern deserted vehicles ,Victim clothes

SOC Criminal drank bottles glasses tumblers utensils ,Inner surfaces of articles ,Place of occurrence surrounding for further prints ,Articles requiring attention in burglary cases

Hiding places for valuables ,Stationery semi stationery ,Lamps lanterns electric light bulbs switch boxes, Safes Almirahs ,Kitchen utensils ,Bathroom fixtures ,Articles requiring attention in suicide cases
Case of poisoning ,Glasses bottles cups sauces ,Utensils ,Spoons ,Basins ,AlmirahsIn shooting cases ,Fired unfired cartridges cases bores ,

In stabbing cases ,All sharp pointed instruments ,sharp edged objects broken crockery ,glassware papers boxes ,candles ,soap

Three classes of SOC prints chance printsVarieties of SOC prints
Visible fingers covered with some coloured material, such as paint ,blood, ink, tar, fruit juice, dirt indistinct
Prints found on soap, mud, candle, melted wax, putty, dried parties, ghee ,butter ,gum on envelope, grease, fatty substance on the body of the new born babyLatent oily matters and perspiration exuded from sweat pores of fingers invisible and have to be developed by suitable means
Precautions to be observed while taking finger prints:Accessories for taking finger print: Rubber roller, A tube of printer’s ink ,Inking plate/ slab , Cleaning material ,Waste cotton ,The slab and the roller must be free from dust. , The slab and the roller should be cleaned from day to day and the ink of previous day should be removed by the use of oil or spirit before ink is applied . Only very small quantity of ink should be used . Excessive pressure should be avoided . The fingers should not be rolled over the same part of the slab until it is rerolled with ink. The fingers should not be rolled over the same part of the slab until it is rerolled with ink. The finger should be cleaned and dried before inking ,Separate brush
Methods of taking finger prints in special cases:Persons whose palmer surface perspire making good impression impossibleWiped cleaned àif not successfulFingers dipped in alum Water, wipedCrippled, webbed, joint fingers , advanced age and deadSpatula, Rubber roller ,Curved holder.
Techniques for lifting latent and chance printsFinger prints in narrow nooks and corners , inner surfaces of jewel cases, jars and vases cannot be photographed. Evidence preserved and secured by lifting .Pressing of sticky surface of a pliable adhesive against the developed impression . Two celluloid foils with a layer of transparent paste in between (gelatin + glucose) . One celluloid serves as a cover for the paste . Other is of contrast colour of the powder that develops the print . Thin cover is removed . Pasty surface is gently, uniformly, pressed against the developed print. Foil carefully removed & Covering replaced over it. Transparent lifters can also be used .Lifters after lifting process is completed is pasted on a card of contrast colour. In case of non availability of commercial lifter ordinary gelatin coated photographic printing paper may be used.Paper fixed in hypo; Wash in slightly warm water ,Patching rubber piece of the right size and suitable colour , Peel off the fabric colouring , Apply the piece to the dusted print ,Remove from the surface, Cover it with transparent sheet ( thin celluloid/ photographic film- emulsion) .
Lifting as a last resort based on Physical location, Poor contrast ,Reflection of light ,Immovable / heavy object
Finger prints bureau and its role and computerization of finger printsRole of FPB in comparison , identification of FPs ,SDS & TDS, ID of palm prints; Providing previous crime particulars if any of any individual detained under suspicious circumstances.
Ø Where abouts of out view criminals
Ø Establishing the identity of unknown dead persons found in public places like trains, railway platforms, bus stations, choultries, lodging homes, road sides
Ø Linking the criminal to the crime scene through chance prints
Ø Identification of accused persons from the record slips maintained by bureau
Ø Apprehending proclaimed offenders absconders from prisons
Ø Giving opinion in documents bearing disputed fingerprints
Ø Impart training to law enforcement officers
SDS
Ø Rapid identification of FP left at SOC where the culprits are unknown
Ø All tem fingers are classified and recorded digit wise , IO sub collection of particular digit only
Ø To reach the SOC in quickest possible time develop chance prints
Ø To maintain SD records of active known house breakers, burglars, robbers, dacoits
Ø To determine with speed and accuracy the identity of a unknown suspect from single partial FP at the SOC.
Ø To scrutinize all FP slips of convicts by DCB from SHOs for transmission to main bureau and suggest whether they are correctly taken and fit for record
Ø Return if not suitable, giving suggestions
Ø To visit DJ/CJ once a month to rest the FP slips of those convicts received by DCB who are undergoing imprisonment
Ø To prepare fresh slips for record purpose if the slops are not properly taken the earlier occasion.
Ø To furnish an opinion in the courts in cases where chance prints are identified with the records of SD section
Ø When the CPs are not identified, to forward them to neighbouring district and main bureau for comparison. The SHO can utilise the services on request of FP scientific staff at the SOC and to obtain the guidance in FP work
Ø The TDS (ten digit system)The control of state FPB maintain FP slips bearing 10 digit impressions for record of all persons convicted under chapter XII and XVII of Indian Penal Code and access to the schedule of the offences of the respective states.

Record
Ø Information of previous convictions and other particulars – tracing and identification of the persons suspected in a crime
Ø Securing enhanced punishment under section 75 Indian Penal Code
Ø The FP slips are received from police agencies and prosecuting staff
Search
Ø When a person is arrested for an offence
Ø Prepared by the concerned PO of the PS or court and sent to the FPB for a search in order to find out if he has previous conviction
Ø If he is traced
Ø And search reference with is conviction and together particulars supplied by Bureau to the PO for enhanced punishment in UNDER SECTION 75 Indian Penal Code
Ø If in search he is an absconder in any other case that information can also be furnished
Ø If the identity of the arrested person is not established by search of record of bureau the search reference is returned as ’untraced’.Benefits of AFIS
Ø If alleviates the problems encountered in the manual and semi automatic system
Ø It caters to all the technical tasks of FPB personnel
Ø It had improved the speed and accuracy in all the aspects of FP work
Ø It caters to the need of identification of chance fps within 24 hours
Ø It prevents bail of arrestees and provides criminal history within 24 hours
Ø It eliminates tedium of FP technique
Ø It stores updates eliminates processes death reports absconder reports generates performance reports and answers queries on the database of FPsWhat are the dos and don’ts to be observed by the IO in finger print work
• Write name on FP slip before taking finger prints
• Furnish address on search reference while indicating to whom the result of the search has to be communicated.
• Furnish provisional crime number as search reference. At the time of arrest and also on conviction memo after conviction and attest it.
• use proper ink and pressure while taking fingerprints
• After conviction of individual send conviction memo along with fingerprint slip to both single digit unit as well as FPB.
• Regarding out of view criminals send report in form 151 to FPB
• In case of unidentified dead body use separate container for each finger
• Ensure undisturbed crime scene before the arrival of the fingerprint expert.
• Do not expose crime exhibits to environmental factors.
• Leave the development of chance prints to the fingerprint expert.Dos and don’ts to be observed by police officers in fingerprint work:

A] Do not fail to write the name of the individual on the FP slip before taking his fingerprint.
B] Do not fail to furnish the address on a search reference, to whom the result of search has to be communicated.
C] Always remember to furnish provisional criminal number on search reference at the time of arrest and also on conviction memo after conviction of an individual.
D] Always use proper ink and pressure while taking finger prints of an individual.
E] makes sure that fingerprint slips along with a conviction memo are sent both to single digit fingerprint unit and fingerprint bureau for record after an individual is convicted.
F] Ensure that fingerprints obtained on FP slips to be sent to fingerprint bureau are clear and fully rolled.
G] Do not fail to attest the conviction particulars entered on the reverse of the FP slip to be sent along with conviction memo to fingerprint bureau.
H] Never hesitate or neglect to send or report information about out of view criminals in your jurisdiction to fingerprint bureau.
I] Remember always to use separate containers for preserving severed fingers of an unidentified dead body.
J] Never allow any person to disturb the scene of crime articles and damage physical evidence left on them before the arrival of FP expert.
K] Always take care of the scene of crime articles bearing chance prints and left exposed by providing shelter or cover to protect them from sun , rain, dust etc which can damage the evidential clues before they are examined by an FP expert.
L] Always make it a point to utilise the services of an fingerprint expert if any chance prints exist.

















Chapter 15: Practical on fingerprints – chance prints and prints from suspects.
Lifting and Developing of Latent Finger Prints (Practical)
Object: Developing of latent finger prints.
Materials Required
(1) Grey, Black or Fluorescent powder (2) Camel hair brush
(3) Feather brush
(4) Rubber gloves
(5) Atomizer or sprayer.

Method
To treat a latent finger print with any of the developing powders mentioned above, the brush should be first dipped into tbe powder and then the surface bearing tbe latent print is to be dusted by gently tapping the brush with the Index finger. The powdering process is to be done very carefully. The excess powder should be removed by feather brush. Care should be taken not to apply too much powder. If atomizer is used it is to be seen that the distance between the nozzle of the atomizer and the surface bearing the latent finger print must not be less than 6".
Precautions
(1) Before proceeding to develop latent finger prints, put on rubber gloves.
(2) The articles to be processed for latent finger prints are to be handled carefully.'
(3) Powder is to be selected in contrast to the background.
(4) Powder to be used should be free of lumps and finely grained.
(5) Do not dip the camel hair brush inside the bottle for taking powder.
(6) Pour out powder on a piece of paper and take powder from that.

Conclusion
The powder adheres to the perspiration of the latent finger print and the ridges stand out in bold relief against the background. All polished hard surfaces respond readily to this processing. It is to be remembered that the existence of the watery portion of perspiration latent print depends upon the environmental temperature and humi­dity. As such the success of this process depends upon how quickly the latent print is developed.
LIQUID METHOD
Ninhydrin
The following types of articles are to be developed by the. method:
(1) Damp documents and old papers.
(2) Silken cloth.
(3) Rubber articles.
Materials
(1) Ninhydrin Solution (1 % to 3%).
(2) Electric oven having thermostatic arrangement.
(3) Plastic tray (18" x 12" x J");
(4) Forceps.


Procedure
Either dip the paper bearing the latent print in the solution or spray the solution over the paper. Then hang the paper inside an electric oven and raise the temperature to 100° C. Deep purple colour­ed prints will come out.
Precaution
Care should be taken not to touch the paper after treating with Ninhydrin.

Conclusion
The amino acid present in the perspiration latent print reacts chemically with Ninhydrin.
Silver Nitrate Procedure.

Material. Required
(1) Silver Nitrate solution (5%)
(2) Plastic tray (18" x 12" x 5")
(3) Forceps

Method
Take required quantity of Silver Nitrate solution in a tray. Dip the paper bearing the latent print .in the solution.
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Then tab it out and place it between two clean sheets of blotting papers. After the paper is absolutely dry, expose it to sunlight or photo floodlight or U. V. rays. The procedure before exposur= to light should be don. under ruby light.

Precaution
The paper should be absolutely dry before exposing it to light.

Conclusion
Common salt present in the perspiration latent finger print reacts with silver nitrate solution to form silver chloride which breaks into silver and chlorine on exposure to light.


Gaseous Method
Iodine Fuming Process
Materials Required
(1) Iodine crystals
(2) Anhydrous calcium chloride
(3) Glass wool
(4) Iodine fuming gun


Method
To make the fuming, gun ready for use, keep the iodine crystal and the calcium chloride inside the gun separated by glass wool. The order of keeping the material should be glass wool. calcium chloride ­glass wool--iodine crystals-glass wool. Then blow through the other end of the rubber tube. Deep brown fumes will come out. Keep the specimen bearing the latent finger print in contact with the fumes. Deep yellow to brown coloured print a will from. Prints developed by this process are temporary. As such photograph is to be taken as soon as the print comes out.


Precaution
Camera should be kept in readiness.

Conclusion
The fumes arc physically absorbed by the fats and oils present in the latent print. It docs not stand in the way of subsequent processing by other methods. Oily prints respond to this process.

Object
Lifting of Latent Finger Print.

Material. Required
(1) Cellophane tape
(2) A piece of glass
(3) Bromide papers black and white.

Method
Take cellophane tape or bromide paper large enough to cover the powdered impression with an ample margin. Then place the sticky surface over the print, taking care that no air bubbles are formed. Press the lifter with the bulb portion of the palmer surface. After that catch one corner of the lifter and with one stroke peel off gently with a steady hand. The powdered impression is now transferred to the lifter. .

Precautions
1. Pressure applied should be uniform.
2. In case bromide paper is used, see that the emulsion side is sticky and no water should be there.

Conclusion
Lifter is to be used in contrast to the powder used for developing the latent finger print. In order to protect the lifted impression from damage, place the tape on a piece of glass.
In case bromide paper is used as lifter, it is to be moistened in water so that the emulsion side becomes sticky.