Development Of Latent Fingerprints On Indoor Plant Leaves Using Powder Methods

Abstract

Fingerprints are the unique patterns observed in mankind and plays an important role in personal identification. It is used as an infallible means of identification. Fingerprints are left on many surfaces depending on type of crime. Plant leaves of common household indoor plants may also be a potential source of latent prints. In this study, the development of latent fingerprints on indoor plant leaves was conducted. It is important to look after the plants present at crime scenes for the chance prints. The method is conducted by placing fingerprints on 10 different indoor plant leaves that are commonly seen in places of Northern Kerala . The powder dusting method was used for the development of latent fingerprints. The persistence of latent fingerprints was also analyzed by taking time interval as a criterion. The method being used is by placing fingerprints on different leaves of the same plant and developing them at different time intervals. This study showed that a forensic investigator is able to identify and develop the latent fingerprints on indoor plants.