The Effect of Liquid Levels in Beverage Containers on Fingerprint Persistence: An Experimental Evaluation

Öz

This study systematically investigates the relationship between liquid content in beverage containers and the preservation of latent fingerprints. Although such items are frequently encountered at crime scenes, the recoverability and comparative suitability of fingerprints deposited on beverage containers have received limited attention in the forensic science literature. Under controlled experimental conditions, latent fingerprint persistence was evaluated on five commonly encountered beverage container types (PET water bottles, glass mineral water bottles, aluminum cola cans, aluminum beer cans, and glass beer bottles) across three liquid conditions (full, half-full, and empty) and five storage intervals (1 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months) using a standard cyanoacrylate fuming protocol. The primary hypothesis of the study was that latent fingerprints on full beverage containers would be preserved at a higher rate of comparative suitability over time. The findings demonstrated that the liquid level within beverage containers had a significant effect on the persistence and detectability of latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces. When all time points were considered together, full containers yielded the highest proportion of fingerprints suitable for comparison (80%). The corresponding proportions were 75% for empty containers and 64% for half-full containers. Data obtained from a total of 1,500 fingerprint samples indicate that, to maximize fingerprint recovery, beverage containers should be transported and preserved without emptying their contents. These findings provide a quantitative evaluative framework for optimizing latent fingerprint recovery from beverage containers and contribute to evidence handling practices in crime scene investigations.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Latent fingerprint
• Beverage container
• Cyanoacrylate fuming
• Crime scene investigation

Kaynakça

1. Asano, K. G., Buchanan, M. V., Bayne, C. K., & Horsman, K. M. (2002). Chemical composition of fingerprints for gender determination. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 47(4), 805–807. https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS15460J
2. Bandey, H., Bleay, S., Bowman, V., Downham, R., Sears, V., Gibson, A., Selway, C., et al. (2017). Chapter 3. In E. H. Holder, Jr., L. O. Robinson, & J. H. Laub (Eds.), Fingerprint source book (Version 2.0). National Institute of Justice.
3. Bumbrah, G. S. (2017). Cyanoacrylate fuming method for detection of latent fingermarks: A review. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 7, Article 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-017-0009-7
4. Carrick, M. (1983). Cyanoacrylate glue fuming. Lightning Powder Company.
5. Cavus Yonar, F., Rayimoglu, G., Anilanmert, B., Yukseloglu, E. H., & Cengiz, S. (2022). Who touched the document?: A new overall strategy for collection and identification of DNA from the questioned documents as a supportive evidence. Electrophoresis, 43(3), 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.202100192
6. Centel, N., & Zafer, H. (2017). Ceza muhakemesi hukuku (14. bs.). Seçkin Yayınevi.
7. Champod, C., Lennard, C., Margot, P., & Stoilovic, M. (2004). Fingerprints and other ridge skin impressions. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780203485040
8. Dominick, A. J., Nic Daéid, N., & Bleay, S. M. (2011). The recoverability of fingerprints on nonporous surfaces exposed to elevated temperatures. Journal of Forensic Identification, 61(5), 520–536.

9. Dorakumbura, B. N., Busetti, F., & Lewis, S. W. (2019). Investigations into sampling approaches for chemical analysis of latent fingermark residue. Forensic Chemistry, 14, Article 100166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2019.100166
10. Gomes, F. M., de Pereira, C. M. P., de Cássia Mariotti, K., Pereira, T. M., dos Santos, N. A., & Romão, W. (2023). Study of latent fingerprints: A review. Forensic Chemistry, 35, Article 100525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2023.100525
11. Gülekçi, Y., Cavus Yonar, F., Ozseker, P. E., Gören, İ. E., & Daglioglu, N. (2024). The other side of the paper as the evidence: Impacts of fingermark development reagents on fingermark development and cocaine amount in cocaine-impregnated paper. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-024-00897-2
12. Houck, M. M., & Siegel, J. A. (2016). Fundamentals of forensic science (2nd ed., Y. Doğan, Çev. Ed.). Nobel Akademik Yayıncılık.
13. International Fingerprint Research Group. (2014). Guidelines for the assessment of fingermark detection techniques. Journal of Forensic Identification, 64(2), 174–200.
14. Lee, H. C., & Gaensslen, R. E. (2001). Advances in fingerprint technology (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
15. Madkour, S., El Dine, F. B., Elwakeel, Y., & AbdAllah, N. (2017). Development of latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces recovered from fresh and sea water. Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 7(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-017-0008-8
16. Öztürk, B., & Erdem, M. R. (2006). Uygulamalı ceza muhakemesi hukuku (10. bs.). Seçkin Yayınevi.
17. Paine, M., Bandey, H. L., Bleay, S. M., & Willson, H. (2011). The effect of relative humidity on the effectiveness of the cyanoacrylate fuming process for fingermark development and on the microstructure of the developed marks. Forensic Science International, 212(1–3), 130–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.06.003
18. Sears, V. G., Bleay, S. M., Bandey, H. L., & Bowman, V. J. (2012). A methodology for fingermark research. Science & Justice, 52(3), 145–160 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2011.10.006
19. Sodhi, G. S., & Kaur, J. (2001). Powder method for detecting latent fingerprints: A review. Forensic Science International, 120(3), 172–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0379-0738(00)00465-5
20. Wargacki, S. P., Lewis, L. A., & Dadmun, M. D. (2007). Understanding the chemistry of the development of latent fingerprints by superglue fuming. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 52(5), 1057–1062. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00527.x
21. Wargacki, S. P., Lewis, L. A., & Dadmun, M. D. (2008). Enhancing the quality of aged latent fingerprints developed by superglue fuming: Loss and replenishment of initiator. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 53(5), 1138–1144. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00822.x