Assignment Paper

Supplies:
One plastic dinking straw
One plastic tablecloth with rough surface or grainy surface ($1.00- Dollar General or Family Dollar)
One small model paintbrush or soft make-up brush
One small old ink toner cartridge from printer or copier
Scissors
Small sharp-pointed knife
One small bottle of Elmer’s Blue Gel-Glue (clear blue in color) available at Staples or Office Depots.html)Wide roll of clear Scotch tape
One sheet of white paper
One old coffee cup
Lab Directions:
This technique is called “Rough Lift.” It is very difficult to lift latent prints from grainy surfaces such as the
dashboard or steering wheels of cars, oxidized exterior air conditioners, metal doors and many other
surfaces. Using regular lifting tape will not sufficiently recover a latent print from the lower regions of a
textured surface. Therefore, the following technique is an excellent way of recovering those difficult prints
from textured surfaces.
This technique is to be employed after photographing the print in a field situation where this method is
being used to produce an item of evidence; it is not necessary to photograph the print during this lab.
First, cut several six-inch squares from your textured plastic tablecloth.
Second, break open your old toner cartridge to recover the remaining bit of toner in the cartridge. Place the
toner into your old coffee cup, and set it aside.
Next, take one of your squares that you cut from the rough plastic tablecloth, and place an oily (rub your
forehead for adequate oil) thumb print in the middle of the tablecloth square.
Then, take your small paint or make-up brush and dip it into the toner in the bottom of your coffee cup.
Make sure that all excess powder is off of the brush by lightly tapping the brush with your finger. Too much
powder will cause a problem in developing your latent print.
Next, place your square of tablecloth on a flat solid surface, and brush lightly over your known fingerprint
going in a circular motion. Continue working on the print until it is developed well enough to see clearly.
This may take several attempts; this is why you cut several squares from the tablecloth.
Once the latent print is developed to your satisfaction, place a drip of Elmer’s Blue Gel-Glue, about the size
of a dime, directly under your developed latent fingerprint; just touching the edge of your print. Using the
plastic drinking straw, placed just under the drop of glue, blow through the straw onto the drop of glue
(CAUTION: be sure to exhale and not inhale) and spread the glue over the developed latent print.
Completely cover the print so that a bit of glue extends just over the edges of the fingerprint. More or less
glue can be used to accomplish additional tests on lifting your print in subsequent attempts at this
technique; the amount will depend on your liking.
Allow the glue to dry completely over the print. In the field, use incandescent lighting to accelerate the
process.
Once the glue has dried over the fingerprint, take your sharp-pointed knife tip and lightly cut or score
around the edges of your fingerprint; thus making it easier to lift. Care should be taken not to damage the
fingerprint; just a very light scoring is all that is needed.
Next, place your wide Scotch tape over the glue-covered fingerprint. You may wish to lightly rub the tapedown on the surface of the glue. Do not stick your tape firmly down as if you expect it to stick to the
tablecloth.
Then, pull back on the Scotch tape from one end back over to top of the glued fingerprint. This should pull
the dried glue off of the surface of the table cloth with the latent print and glue attached to the tape.
Carefully re-tape your latent print and drop of glue onto a piece of white paper to preserve the print and
enter it into evidence.
Repeat this methodology several times until you become proficient at recovering a latent print from a
rough-textured surface. Post your synopsis as described above on the Discussion Board so that others
may read and comment on your Lab. Good Luck!!
Due Dates:
After you complete the lab, post a 1,000-word synopsis of your finding(s) and experience provided
Your review should include your methodology and findings