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STICKY-SIDE POWDER: THE JAPANESE SOLUTION

NCJ Number
147845
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1994) Pages: 133-138
Author(s)
D S Burns
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The Japanese have developed an extremely simple and productive method for obtaining latent fingerprints from adhesive tapes that uses Sticky-Side Powder and requires no special equipment or expertise.
Abstract
The powder can be used in two ways: brush-on application and sticky-side-up submersion. A small amount of the powder is poured into a beaker, cup, or bowl. Equal parts of detergent and water are mixed with the powder until a consistency similar to thin paint is achieved. This mixture is painted directly onto the adhesive side of the tape. On most tapes, the solution is left on for up to 10 or 15 seconds. The tape can then be rinsed gently under tap water. After rinsing a couple of pieces of tape, suspended particles remaining in the water can be used to process other pieces of tape. Dark gray latent fingerprints obtained using the method can be photographed, secured with lifting tape, or placed in a clear page protector for subsequent evaluation and comparison. Testing revealed that clear latent fingerprints were developed on adhesive portions of articles treated with the powder. It was also found that latent fingerprints were occasionally developed on the nonadhesive side and that the powder consistently produced good quality latent fingerprints on most adhesive surfaces. 3 figures