The recoverability of fingerprints on paper exposed to elevated temperatures-part 1: comparison of enhancement techniques

This research investigates the recoverability of fingerprints that have been exposed to elevated temperatures, such as those found in arson scenes. Arson is an expensive crime, costing the United Kingdom's economy, on average, £53.8 million each week [1]. Anything that may give rise to the identity of the fire setter should be analyzed and, as such, unburned paper may be a potential source of fingerprints. Although it is true that even a moderate fire will obscure and render partially useless some types of evidence, many items, including fingerprints, may still survive [2-4]. References.