Page 44 - VERITAS Vol.2 Issue 2

From the above illustrated graphs, we come to know that the oil,

sanitizer, and lotion have the same effect on the paper surface on

day 1 and day 7, as shown in the figure and the graphical represen-

tation.

On day 14, the lotion and oil print has the same visibility score val-
ue, but here the sanitizer print has lesser quality than the other two

products when it is placed on the paper surface.

On day 21, two-thirds of the print is clearly visible other than the

oil; the other two products have lesser quality than the oil on the

paper surface.

On day 28, all the prints have the same visibility score in which the

print is less in quality, and thereby on paper surface, all the prints
are deteriorating day by day. As this is a paper surface, the print is

absorbed and degrading accordingly day by day.

Because of the oil viscous nature and lotion non greasy nature and

some properties in the sanitizer make the print deteriorate.

DISCUSSION

Despite the fact that fingerprints have been used as evidence in
forensic science for over a century, advances in the field are still

being made. Academic interest in assisting research should rise, as

should progress in identifying exogenous elements that are usually

found to be modified and used to perpetrate a crime and develop

complete knowledge. The main aim of the study is to determine the

effect of different daily-use products like sanitizer, lotion, and oil on

fingerprint visibility and degradation over a period. The presence
of oil, lotion, and hand sanitizer on the distal end of the phalanges

affects the fingerprint quality on porous and non-porous surfaces.

If the fingerprint pattern reveals clear ridge characteristics, minuti-

ae, and pore details, precise identification of an individual can be

made. If the features on the latent fingerprints are influenced by

exogenous factors, the investigation will be halted due to a lack of

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Veritas Volume: 2, Issue: 2