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Handiprint In Post Mortem Fingerprinting (This article is reprinted from the Oct.--Dec. 1994 issue of the T.D.I.A.I. Newsletter.)
By KATRINA AGGELOPOULOS It was recently brought to my attention that many agencies are using only the card, spoon and ink method for post mortem fingerprinting. I would like to mention to fellow members an alternative which my colleagues and I agree, produce excellent and often superior results. “Handiprint” is a white adhesive lifter made of flexible plastic with clear, matching covers. Because of its flexibility, the use of “Handiprint” in post mortem fingerprinting facilitates the taking of nail to nail impressions, including the tips, without having to maneuver the digits. For the same reason, palm prints are easily obtained since the “Handiprint” molds more readily into the folds of the skin than a card will. The results are clear and sharp. The process is also cleaner and, on occasion, time can be saved. For the 10--prints, cut a sheet of “Handiprint” into 1 1/2 x 8 inch strips. Rub a small amount of “Tacky Finger” onto the deceased fingers to just below the first phalange. Any excess may be wiped off with a paper towel. Prepare a “Handiprint” cover to protect the strips upon completion. Peel the backing of the first strip and lay it in an easily accessible place. Next lightly dust the digits of the right hand nail to nail up to the tip, using a brush and black fingerprint powder. Taking the strip by the top left corner with one hand and holding the base of the thumb with the other, drape the strip over the remaining fingers, placing the left end of the strip under the thumb area without allowing it to adhere. Line up the bottom edge of the strip below the first phalange and gently but firmly press the strip to the thumb. Once the strip has adhered at the phalange, place your own thumb over the thumb of the subject and press your fingers through the center in an upward motion. You should now have a firm grip of the thumb and use your other hand to carefully smooth the strip up to the tip and around the sides. Gently peel away the strip and proceed to the next digit, taking care to allow sufficient space between digits. Place the completed strip on the cover and mark the back with the correct information. The process is the same for the left hand. That is, begin with the left end of the strip, only this time the strip will hang freely at the start and drape over the remaining fingers as you proceed. The strips are now ready to be trimmed and placed on a 10--print card. After using this method a few times you will find that you will be able to place a complete strip on the 10--print card, trimming only the top and bottom instead of trimming each one individually. When more than one set of prints is required and the subject is recently deceased, lightly re--dusting the fingers is usually sufficient. If the hands are macerated, dry the fingers and palms using paper towels and if necessary, wipe with alcohol before applying the “Tacky Finger”. I once had to print a deceased subject who had been in a vehicle for four days. The position of the body was such that the index finger of the left hand had been exposed to the sun and was partially mummified while the remaining fingers were in an advanced state of decomposition. To the partially mummified finger I applied a little more “Tacky Finger” than usual and massaged the fingertip for a few moments, wiping away the excess. While this did not alter the rigidness of the digit, it did ensure that the “Tacky Finger” was present in the hardened folds of the skin. The flexibility of “Handiprint” allowed me to reach right into those folds using a thumb nail. The results would not have been possible using a spoon and cards without first removing and soaking the finger. On the decomposed fingers I simply wiped each one with a paper towel to remove body fluids before applying the “Tacky Finger”. For palm prints, cut a 9 by 12 1/2 inch sheet of “Handiprint” into two pieces. As before, prepare a cover, remove the backing and place it within reach. Apply a small amount of “Tacky Finger” to the whole palm. Spreading your fingers wide, hold the sheet under the hand to be printed, laying the bottom edge below the crease of the wrist. Once this edge has adhered, smooth through the center working outward. Push the wrist forward to open the palm once the sheet has adhered at the base. Peel away gently and place on the cover. Of course, there will be circumstances where an adhesive medium is not advised. But on the whole, “Handiprint” has proved to be most successful in post mortem fingerprinting. The results definitely justify the effort required on the initial attempts. “Handiprint” can be purchased in sheets from the Kinderprint Company of California. Any comments on this method are welcomed. (Editor--—I would repeat the article's request for comments or experiences with this technique if you have you tried it. Let us all hear about it.)
This article was reprinted in “THE PRINT” |