Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

the floor after a bank robbery (420), and processing of corpses in bad
state (421-424), crime scene processing (425), loss of fingerprint
characteristics due to a cancer treatment (426), and the identification of a
deceased individual through occupational marks (427).
The burglary of a clubhouse led to the detection of several fingermarks and palm
impressions from the point of entry and other disturbed items (412). More particularly,
a left palm and left little finger marks were recovered from an internal kitchen door
and identified to an individual who claimed he had not been in this clubhouse for at
least four years. In fact, it appeared that these marks were indented in the former
paint coat (when it was not dry yet), and despite the fact that this kitchen door had
been painted white 18 months ago and washed several times since, the marks were
still visible and could be dusted / lifted due to the indented ridges.
During an investigation on counterfeit checks, unusually large “fingermarks” were
found on the front of eight checks (413). As a conclusion, it appeared that these
marks were actually corresponding to the right toe of the suspect, who left them to
mislead the investigation.
The observation of a blood impression (i.e., fingers and palm) on the thigh of a dead
body has been followed by the removal of the piece of skin. The difficulties related
with its conservation were discussed (414).
A study has been performed to determine if there exists a relationship between the
deprivation level of a neighbourhood in which a crime was committed and the
recovery of fingermarks and DNA by crime scene examiners (CSEs) (415). Burglary
and auto crime data for Northamptonshire (U.K.) during a three-year period has been
used (ca. 25,000 crime activities). No statistically significant relationship was found
between the deprivation level and the time spent on crime scene or the recovery of
fingermarks from the crime scene. However, a statistically significant relationship has
been found for DNA recovery, which is more frequently recovered from less deprived
neighbourhoods. The authors emitted the hypothesis that in less deprived areas, the
victims are more forensically aware and are, therefore, more able to articulate to the
CSEs which items from the scene may be of importance in the subsequent
investigation.
Two strictly identical fingermarks were discovered on two different CDs, processed in
the frame of two different crime cases (416). The explanation was that these marks
were left by the music production company as part of their brand, and are thus
digitally included on the CDs during the manufacturing process.
The same fingermark has been detected and lifted within the frame of two different
burglary cases, which took place at the same apartment - but days after (417). The
mark was initially lifted from the interior side of a kitchen window in an apartment.
The damaged window frame has then been superficially cleaned by a repairman
(apparently, it was sufficient to make the mark becoming latent again, but not to
erase it), and the same fingermark has thus been dusted and lifted as another
burglary took place at the same apartment, days after.
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