The thermodynamics of latent fingerprint corrosion of metal elements and alloys

Journal of Forensic Sciences
John W Bond

Abstract

Redox reactions taking place between the surface of a metal and fingerprint residue have been expressed thermodynamically in terms of both the Nernst equation for reduction potential and the complexation constant for the formation of complex metal halide ions in aqueous solution. These expressions are used to explain experimental results for the corrosion of 10 different metal elements by fingerprint residue in air at room temperature. Corrosion of noble metals, such as silver and gold, supports the proposition that the degree of metal corrosion is enhanced by the presence of chloride ions in eccrine sweat. Extending the experiments to include 10 metal alloys enabled the construction of a fingerprint corrosion series for 20 different metals. Fingerprint corrosion on metals alloyed with > approximately 40% copper was found to display third level fingerprint detail. A comparison of both conventional ink on paper and digital (Livescan) fingerprinting techniques with fingerprints deposited on 9 Karat gold alloy has shown that gold alloy depositions are least susceptible to third level detail obliteration by poor fingerprint capturing techniques.

References

Jan 21, 2006·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Christopher G WorleyVahid Majidi
Oct 7, 2006·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Geraint Williams, Neil McMurray
Jan 4, 2007·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Patrick CzekanskiJohn Allison
May 17, 2008·Journal of Forensic Sciences·John W Bond

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Citations

Nov 12, 2010·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Om Prakash JasujaJoseph Almog
Jul 2, 2010·Forensic Science International : Synergy·G Wightman, D O'Connor
May 22, 2009·Journal of Forensic Sciences·John W Bond, Chuck Heidel
Jul 25, 2009·Journal of Forensic Sciences·John W Bond
Apr 5, 2013·Journal of Forensic Sciences·John W BondTien L Lau
Feb 15, 2012·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Andrew MeekinsPenelope Chaloner
May 21, 2011·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Serge Lévesque, John W Bond
Dec 17, 2009·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Emma PatersonA Robert Hillman
Nov 21, 2009·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Alex J GoddardJohn W Bond
Feb 25, 2015·Forensic Science International : Synergy·G WightmanC Steven

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