The Effect of Common Fingerprint Detection Techniques on the DNA Typing of Fingerprints Deposited on Different Surfaces

DNA and fingerprints are two of the most important forms of evidence in terms of their ability to individualize persons. This study investigated the effect of common fingerprint detection techniques on the recovery of DNA from fingerprints. It was found that the recovery of DNA is possible after fingerprint development using certain techniques, and that the recovery is more dependent on the surface type, rather than the enhancement technique used. Fingerprints placed on plastic bags, glass microscope slides, and adhesive tape returned DNA profiles before and after treatment, which consisted of white light, UV, dactyloscopic powders, Stickyside Powder, and cyanoacrylate plus rhodamine 6G stain or VMD treatment. The profiles that were obtained from these surfaces were often found to contain contamination peaks, and at this stage, trace DNA analysis of this type may be more useful as an intelligence tool, rather than being relied upon in court for identification purposes. No DNA profiles were obtained from treated or untreated prints on paper and aluminum foil substrates