Problems of Forensic Sciences 2006 Vol. 68 (LXVIII) 339-350
DEVELOPING OF LATENT FINGERPRINTS ON BANKNOTES ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL BANK OF POLAND
Irena BIAŁEK1, Anna ZAJĄC2, Jerzy BRZOZOWSKI1
1Institute of Forensic Research, Krakow
2Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Krakow
Streszczenie
The aim of the presented research was to evaluate the efficiency of selected methods of latent fingerprint development on 20 PLN and 50 PLN banknotes issued by the National Bank of Poland. In particular, the influence of the degree of wear of the banknotes, the age of the fingerprints and their location on a banknote on their visualisation was analysed. The following latent fingerprint development methods were analysed: ninhydrin, DFO (1, 8-diaza-9-fluorenone), PD (Physical Developer), complexes of europium and lanthanium and cyanoacrylate (CA) in combination with fluorescence dyes (Ardrox, Eu/OP/TTA). Visualisation of sweat fingerprints turned out to be less efficient than visualisation of fingerprints with grease components. The influence of fingerprint age on efficiency of latent fingerprint development was only noticed when the DFO method was applied. Ninhydrin showed higher efficiency when it was applied on used banknotes, whereas DFO and a combined application of cyanoacrylate and Ardrox gave better results in the case of banknotes which were relatively new. Analysis of protective features present on Polish banknotes allowed us to conclude that the site of fingerprint deposition influences the possibility of its development and also influences its visibility.
Słowa kluczowe
Latent fingerprints; Banknotes; Ninhydrin; DFO; PD (Physical Developer); Cyanoacrylate/Ardrox; Lanthanide.