Recovery and Visualisation of Methamphetamine-Contaminated Fingermarks from Non-Porous Surfaces
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.6.24
- Author:
Sarah Aliah Amir Sarifudin
1
;
Kah Haw Chang
1
;
Chong Hooi Yew
1
;
Vanitha Kunalan
2
;
Bee Ee Khoo
3
;
Ahmad Fahmi Lim Abdullah
1
Author Information
1. Forensic Science Programme, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
2. Narcotics Division, Forensic Science Analysis Centre, Department of Chemistry, Jalan Sultan, 46661 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
3. School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Seberang Perai Selatan, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Contamination, fingermark, fingerprint powder, methamphetamine, visualisation
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.6):178-185
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Fingermarks left at a crime scene can indicate the presence of an individual and his/her involvement
in the crime. Fingermarks, usually invisible, can appear on any surface and may be contaminated by any exogenous
substances, including drug substance. Recovery of fingermarks contaminated by drug substance is crucial to link an
individual with the drug-related crimes. Hence, this study was aimed to investigate the recovery and visualisation
of methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks from various non-porous surface materials. Methods: In this study,
fingermarks were deposited on 11 types of surface materials varied by the presence of methamphetamine contamination, immediacy of deposition, and their concentration levels. Each fingermark was then developed using white and
black fingerprint powders, graded, and compared based on the different settings. Results: Application of fingerprint
powder was good in developing fingermarks; however, its suitability depends on the nature of the surface materials.
Black fingerprint powder produced better visualisation where the fingermarks on all the 11 surface materials tested
in this study were successfully recovered compared to white fingerprint powders. Methamphetamine-contaminated
fingermarks could still be recovered using the fingerprint powder dusting method, but the fingermark grade was
reduced due to the presence of exogenous substance. Conclusion: To conclude, the recovery and visualisation of
methamphetamine-contaminated fingermarks on non-porous surfaces were successfully carried out through the application of fingerprint powder. A more severe contamination might lead to lower fingermark grade showing lesser
ridge details.
- Full text:11.2023my1678.pdf
