DECLARATION

I hereby declare that the project work entitled “SELF LIFE OF SPR ON
PLASTIC SHEET & ALUMINIUM SHEET IN VARIOUS CONDITION ”
submitted to the Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College, University of
delhi , is a record of an original work under the guidance of Dr.
G.S.Sodhi & Dr. Kanudeep Kaur , Forensic Science Unit , S.G.T.B.Khalsa
College. The results embodied in this dissertation have not been
submitted to any other University or Institute for the award of any
degree or dploma.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would express my deepest appreciation to my teachers, Dr.G.S.Sodhi
& Dr.Kanudeep Kaur who continually and convincingly conveyed spirit
of adventure in regard of the study . Without their guidance and
persistent help in the practical and writing the report, the successful
writing of the report would not have been possible .

RAVI KAUSHIK
CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that Ravi Kaushik , a student of P.G. Diploma Forensic
Science , have worked under the supervision on the topic of “ SELF LIFE
OF SPR ON PLASTIC SHEET & ALUMINIUM SHEET IN VARIOUS
CONDITION”.
His work is really appreciable and worthy for the award of P.G. Diploma
Forensic Science.

Dr. G.S.SODHI
Forensic Science Unit
S.G.T.B Khalsa College
University of delhi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
S.NO. CONTENT PAGE NO.
1. INTRODUCTION
2. REVIEW OF LIERATURE
3. MATERIAL & METHODOLOGY
4. RESULT & DISCUSSION
5. SUMMARY & CONCLUSION
6. REFERENCES

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges of all or any part of
the finger . A friction ridge is a raised portion of the epidermis on the
palmer (palm) or digits (fingers and toes) or plantar (sole) skin,
consisting of one or more connected ridge units of friction ridge skin .
These are formed due to pressure in the womb.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FINGERPRINTS
 No two people have same fingerprints.
 Fingerprints stay same throughout our lives.
 These can be classified into different characteristics.
FUNDAMENTALS PRINCIPLES OF FINGERPRINTS
A fingerprint is a individual characteristic ; no two fingers have yet been
founded to posses identical ridge characteristics.
A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual life time. They
only grow in size.
Fingerprints have general ridge pattern that permits them to be
systematically classified.
COMMON USES OF FINGERPRINTS
 Identification of criminals whose fingerprints are found at the
crime scene.
 Identification of fugitive through fingerprints comparison.
 Identification of person and maintenance of identity records.
 Identification of unknown diseased person.
 Identification of the person suffering from amnesia.
 Recognition of honoured death person by the person.
 Identification of mass disaster victim.
 Problem of mistaken identity.
 Identification of missing people.
 Detection of bank forgery.
FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION is the process of comparing questioned
and known frictions skin ridge impressions from fingers or palm or even
toes to determine if the impressions are from the same fingers or palm.
The flexibility of friction ridge skin means that no two fingers or palm
prints are ever exactly alike, even two impressions recorded
immediately after each other. Fingerprint identification occur when an
expert determine that two friction rides impressions originated from
same finger or palm to the exclusion of all others.
A known print is an intentional recording of the friction ridge, usually
with the black printers ink rolled across a contrasting white
background, typically a white card. Friction ridge can also be recorded
digitally using a technique called LIVE SCAN.
When friction ridges come in contact with a surface that is receptive to
a print, material on ridges, such as perspiration, oil, grease, ink etc. can
be transferred to the item. The factors which affect friction ridges
impressions are numerous, thereby requiring examiners to undergo
extensive and objective study in order to be trained to competency.
The conditions of friction ridge deposition are unique an never
duplicated. This is another reason why extensive and objective study
necessary for examiners to achieve competency.
FINGERPRINTS TYPES
LATENT PRINTS
Although the word latent means hidden or invisible, in modern usage
for forensic science the term latent prints means any chance
reproduction of the friction edges deposited on the surface, regardless
of whether it is visible or invisible at the time of deposition. Chemical
method, powder or alternative light sources in order to visualized
invisible latent print whether they are from natural secretions of the
eccrine glands present on friction skin ridge or whether the impression
is in a contaminant such as motor oil, blood, paint, ink, etc. There are
different type of fingerprint pattern such as an arch, tented arch, a
loop, and a whorl. Each indicates what type of fingerprint it is.
Latent prints may exhibit only small portion of the surface of the finger
and may be smudged, distorted, overlapping, or any combination,
depending on how they were deposited. For these reasons, latent
prints are an “inevitable source of error in making comparisons”, as
they generally “ contain less clarity, less content, and less undistorted
information than a fingerprint taken under controlled condition, and
much, much less detail compared to the actual patterns of the ridges
and grooves of a finger.
PATENT PRINTS
These are friction ridge impression of unknown origins which are
obvious to the human eye and are caused by a transfer of foreign
material on the finger, onto a surface. Because they are already visible
they need no enhancement, and are generally photographed instead of
being lifted in the same manner as latent prints. An attempt to preserve
the actual print is always made with numerous techniques; for latter
presentation in court. Finger deposits can include materials such as ink,
blood or dirt on a surface.
PLASTIC PRINTS
A plastic print is a friction ridge impression from finger or palm (or
toe/foot) deposited in a material that retains the shape of the ridge
detail. Commonly encountered examples are malted candle wax; putty
removed from perimeter of window panes and thick grease deposits on
car parts. Such prints are already visible and need no enhancement, but
investigators must not overlook the potential that invisible latent prints
deposited by accomplishes may also be on such surfaces. After
photographically recording such prints, attempts should be made to
develop other non-plastic impressions deposited at natural finger/palm
secretions ( eccrine gland secretions) or containers.
FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION
There are three main structures that make up fingerprints. These are
loops, whorls and arches.
LOOPS
Loops are comprised of one or more ridges entering from one side,
curving, and then going out the same side it entered. The ridges in
loops double back on themselves. All loops have elements called a delta
and a core. The delta is a triangular area usually shaped liked a T-
junction, while a core is the centre of the pattern. About 65% of
fingerprints have loops.
Loops can be divided into two groups:
RADIAL LOOPS – These flow downward and toward the radius (or the
thumb side)
ULNAR LOOPS – Which flow toward the ulnar (or the little finger side).
The ulnar loop is more common.
WHORLS
Whorls have a circular pattern and have at least two deltas and a core.
Whorls look a little like target shapes or whirlpools – circles within
circles. Whorls make up 35% of patterns seen in human fingerprints.
Whorls can be sub grouped into four categories:
PLAIN WHORLS – which are either concentric circles like a bull’s eye or
spirals like a wound spring.
CENTRAL POCKET LOOP WHORLS – these resemble a loop with a whorl
at its end.
DOUBLE LOOP WHORLS – these occur when two loops collide to
produce an “S” shaped pattern.
ACCIDENTAL LOOP WHORLS – these are slightly different from other
whorls and are irregular.
ARCHES
Arches are the least common pattern making up only 5% of all pattern
types. Arches are ridgelines that rise in the centre and create a wave
like pattern. The ridges enter from one side and exit the other side with
a rise in the middle.
They do not have a delta or a core and can be broken into two sub
groups:
PLAIN ARCH – which has a gentle rise.
TENTED ARCHES – have a steeper rise than plain arches.
COMPARISON OF FINGERPRINTS
For comparison of fingerprints we study various ridge characteristics. If
various ridge characteristics are all found to be located in the same
order and relative portion. In the two impressions under comparison it
can safely be stated that two impressions belong to same finger of
same individual.
The different ridge formation around the core and delta would have to
be examined in order to establish the similarity or dissimilarity between
the two impressions.
RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
 RIDGE ENDING
 BIFURCATION
 TRIFURCATION
 INTERJECTION OR BRIDGE
 FRAGMENT OR SHORT RIDGE
 NATURAL BREAKS
 ENCLOSURE
 LAKE
 POINT OR DOT
 INTERSECTIONCHANGE OVER
Some of the characteristics are shown in fig 1.
But if the ridge characteristics of two impression do not exhibit the
same order in there occurrence, the two finger impressions are said
to be dissimilar.
If the core or delta is neither printed nor distinctly visible in the
impression under comparison, any ridge formation such as ridge
ending, bifurcation may be taken as the reference or starting point.
The dissimilarity of two impressions may be established on even a
single dissimilarity in the order of sequence of the ridge
characteristics.
Different countries have develops their minimum number of prints
for establishing complete identity of two fingerprints.
COUNTRY MIN. NO. OF IDENTICAL POINTS
Australia 12
Canada 10 to 16
France 17
Great Britain 16
Interpol 12

It may be seen that the minimum number of identical points for

establishing identity varies between 8 to 17 in different countries of
the world and between 8 to 16 in various states of India.
IN 10 DIGIT CLASSIFICATIONS, THE 10 DIGIT FINGERPRINT SLIP IS
ANALYSED UNDER THE FOLLOWING 7 SYSTEMS:
 Primary classification system : all 10 fingers
 Major division system : right and left thumb
 Secondary classification system : right index and left index
 Sub secondary classification system : right and left ( index,
middle, ring)
  Second sub secondary classification system : right and left
(middle and ring)
 Final classification system : right and left little finger
 Key classification system : left thumb
METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT FINGERPRINTS
FLOURESCENT POWDER METHOD
Fluorescent powders include various dyes materials as fluorescent
agent. These organic derivatives fluoresce in response to UV, visible or
laser light. These are used in the decipherment of latent prints on the
multi colored surfaces or in enhancement of weak prints.
Initial studies have reported use of finely powered anthracene and
mixture of white tempera (pigment bound in egg medium) with
anthracene. Riboflavin was identified as one of the inherent
luminescers in the finger print residue. Laser dye powder, in spite of
their sensitivity and fluorescent properties, lacked effective.
There are a couple of formulation based on Eosin blue dye and
rhodamine B which gave good fluorescence in developed prints under
ultraviolet light, on laminated and polythene sheets. Few other
miscellaneous studies have been reported including organic dyes and
cost effective materials in fingerprint development.
MAGNETIC POWDER METHOD
This powder is used to increase the efficiency in the development of
latent prints. IO may use magnetic brush and powder for the purpose.
The magnetic brush can work with magnetic powders only which are
available in many colours.
The brush used is magnetic rod which is pushed in or out of small
cylinder and thus is created a magnetic field which causes the metal
powder appear as a brush and allow the operator to process the crime
scene areas. This method is quite useful in dusting overhead surfaces
and slopping surface for the development of latent fingerprints.
CHEMICAL METHOD
In this method those chemical reagent are used which will act on the
compounds found in the sweat constitute a simple and effective mean
of developing latent fingerprint.
Chemical method of developing latent prints make use of presence of
chlorides in the latent image by exposing the paper or object to the
action of some chemical which react with some or other components of
sweat.
IODINE FUMING METHOD
When heated the solid crystals of iodine release iodine vapours. This is
done in a fuming chamber and when the iodine vapour combines with
oils in the latent print a brownish print is produced. This sort of print
does fade quickly though, so photographs must be taken straight away
or it must be fixed by spraying water. The starch and water will
preserve the print for several weeks or months..
SILVER NITRATE METHOD
Silver nitrate method of developing latent prints on documents,
currency, unpainted wood and other porous substances has been used
by crime lab for many years. The development of fingerprints is
dependent on the act that sodium chloride is present in the sweat. The
reacts with silver nitrate to form silver chloride which is unstable while
substance get darkens when exposed to sunlight thereby breaking
down into silver and chloride ions. Free silver appears as dark lines of
friction ridges. The print thus obtain must be photographed before the
paper darken.
Items such as cardboard, newspaper, smooth unpainted wooden
surfaces, road, maps, and cartoon that are too large for dipping may be
treated by brushing silver nitrate over the surfaces with paint brush.
BROWINE METHOD
Browine in vapours form may be use as a developer of latent prints on
paper and other alike material. It also reacts with fatty acid and
produce yellowish brown impressions.
NINHYDRIN METHOD
This method is considered to be highly effective mode of development
the latent fingerprints particularly in treatment of document. It is also
equally effective on porous item like writing paper, wall paper,
envelops, bank notes, blotting paper and certain fabrics. The older
latent prints appeared to be more responsive to NINHYDRIN than to
SILVER NITRATE. Even 10 to15 years old prints can be developed.
Ninhydrin reacts with longer remaining amino acid in the human sweat
rather than fleeting deposits of salts. The reaction of Ninhydrin to
amino acid causes purple, reddish, brown stains. The method of using
Ninhydrin involves the use of Ninhydrin powder in a volatile substances
such as ethyl alcohol, ester or acetone.
Most frequently used proportions of that of 1.5g of Ninhydrin in 100ml
of acetone or volatile liquid.
The solution is applied to surface either by means of an atomizer or by
emersion in a developing tray or by painting the solution with a brush
or by swabbing the solution with cotton. To prevent staining of hand
rubber gloves should be wore by using the Ninhydrin solution then the
specimen should be dried at room temperature. Ninhydrin stains the
fingerprints and renders visible the latent impressions generally within
3 to 5 hours of its application. The visibility of latent fingerprints may
take 24 hrs. or longer duration in certain cases. Prints have been known
to appear as late as 10 days after application of reagent.
In order to achieve quicker results of development, a dried treated
document or paper be subjected to 100 degree in an oven to 2 to 3
minutes or the document can be supposed to IR lamp after treatment
with Ninhydrin or a hair drug can be used for this purpose.
PHASE TRANSFER CATALYST METHOD (PTC)
Latent fingerprints could be developed very effectively with the help of
a very simple method using phase transfer catalyst (PTC). The reagent is
inexpensive, nontoxic, and easy to prepare. The reagent is equally
effective in cases of fresh as well as older prints. The self-life of the
reagent was such that it produced the same level of quality in
developed prints for 5 months after the solution was initially prepared.
The PTC and Rose Bengal dye formulation develops fingerprints on all
types of adhesive tapes of such a quality that even third level detail can
be seen. One of the most difficult surfaces to process for latent
fingerprints is the sticky side of adhesive tapes. A number of methods
to develop fingerprints on adhesive tapes have been previously
reported. This study sought to develop a formulation based on Rose
Bengal dye and PTC in order to develop latent fingerprints on different
types of adhesive tapes and overcome the shortcomings of earlier
methods.

Composition of PTC-
Rose Bengal (0.2650gm) + Tetrabutylammonium iodide
catalyst(0.0922gm) + Water(50ml)
(PHASE TRANSITION)
SMALL PARTICLE REAGENT (SPR)
Due to its operational efficiency and cost effectiveness, small particle
reagent is one of the most effective and preferred methods to develop
latent prints when suspected on a wet surfaces. Conveniently, SPR is a
suspension of molybdenum disulfide particles in an aqueous medium
containing surfacent. The surface upon it’s addition to water
significantly reduces the surface tension of water, which allows it to
wet the surface better. In case of SPR, surfacent allows effective and
uniform distribution of the suspension material on the surfaces i.e. wet
resulting in development of fingerprints. These particle are sensitive to
the sebaceous component of the latent fingerprint residue including
oleic acid, linoleic acid, glycerol, esters, cholesterol and squalled, giving
a grey color product. Sebaceous constituents of the latent prints
residue are non water soluble deposits, which tend to remain on the
surfaces for substantial period and are resistant to the action of water.
The technique can also be termed as wet powdering method.
Practical applications include development of latent fingerprints on
laminating sheets and aluminum foil.
In most of the practical cases where latent fingerprints are suspected
under wet conditions, significant immersion periods could weaken the
results. This problem might be further compounded in case of multi
colored surfaces. In such conditions, fluorescent small reagent was
proposed involving molybdenum disulfide and fluorescent dyes. Dark
colors of the molybdenum disulfide could hinder the resultant
fluorescence while light color of zinc carbonate does not have any
significance effect on fluorescence output. Thus zinc carbonate was
chosen as a suspension material with fluorescent dye as eosin B and
crystal violet. Immersed fingerprints have been developed by these
formulations and their shelf life was determined. Effect of immersion
and age of the reagent have been studied with respect to fluorescence
and quality of prints.
One of the essential SPR reagent is surfacent, which is generally a
synthetic detergent. Certain components of the detergent like alkyl
benzene sulfonates (slow to biodegrade), nonphenol ethoxylates
(harmful biodegradable intermediate) and EDTA (may contain trace
amounts of carcinogens) can have harmful effects on the users and on
environment. Thus, in present study an attempt have been made to
explore the possibility of using the extract of fruit SAPINDUS
MUSKOROSSI (vernacular name : reetha), as a possible alternative to
the synthetic detergents in small particle reagent. Sapindus sp.
Contains “saponins”, the surface active compounds which act as natural
and biodegradable detergent agents. Many preparations are available
in local market prepared from this fruit as hair shampoo and washing
solutions of woolens.

Aqueous extract of pericarp of sapindus sp. Has been used in

combination with black charcoal powder and zinc carbonate to prepare
SPR and used to develop latent fingerprints on variety of non-porous.
Results were also compared with formulations involving synthetic
detergent available in the market.
 METHODS USED FOR DEVELOPING LATENT FINGERPRINTS
CHEMICAL USES APPLICATION SAFETY CHEMICAL LATENT
REACTION PRINT
IODINE PAPER HEAT SOLID TOXIC WITH YELLOWISH
FUMING IODINE TO FATTY BROWN
CRYSTALS INHALE ACIDS PRINTS
OR
INGEST
SILVER PLASTIC , DIPPED OR AVOID REACTS BLACK OR
NITRATE METAL, GLASS SPRAYED CONTA TO NaCL REDDISH
AND SKIN CT TO FORM BROWN
WITH AgCL PRINT
SKIN
BROMINE PAPER AND FUMES OR TOXIC WITH YELLOWISH
FUMING ALIKE MATERIAL VAPOURS TO FATTY BROWN
INHALE ACIDS PRINT

NINHYDRIN PAPER, SPRAYED OR TOXIC WITH PURPLE BLUE

BANKNOTES, DIPPED AND TO AMINO PRINTS
CERTAIN WAITED FOR INHALE ACIDS
FABRICS 24 HRS. OR TO
SKIN

PTC METAL, TAPE, DIPPED OR TOXIC PINK- DARK

CD, CERTAIN POURED ON TO PINK PRINT
FRUIT PEELS OBJECT INGEST
OR TO
SKIN
SPR METAL, TAPE, DIPPED TOXIC WITH LIGHT PINK
GLASS TO FATTY PRINT
INGEST ACIDS
 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
SMALL PARTICLE REAGENT
INTRODUCTION
Small particle reagent (SPR) is a technique performed to detect latent
fingerprints left on wet surfaces. SPR is a suspension of molybdenum
disulfide powder in water with detergent. Molybdenum disulfide is a
lipid-sensitive reagent. The powder particles adhere to a latent
fingerprint based upon the reaction between the fatty component
present in the traces and hydrophobic tails of the specific reagents. The
tails are linked to a hydrophilic head, which reacts with the metal salt to
give a black or white precipitate.
The prints that are developed with SPR can be lifted (after drying) with
gelatin lifters, instant lifters or tape. Powder suspension can be
sprayed, but small articles can also be submerged in it. The SPR method
has the advantage that it can be used on wet or dirty or greasy
surfaces.
SPR is very effective in secondary treatment of cyanoacrylate ester
developed impressions by adhering to faint impressions generally
better then powders. Molybdenum disulfide is produced in various
particle sizes. Smaller particle size is more effective.