Appearance of latent fingerprint marks on the sticky side of different adhesive tapes by application of 10%w/v potassium permanganate solution

Abstract

Tape is one type of common items which can be encountered in criminal cases involving rape, murder, kidnapping and explosives. This research aimed to study the appearance of latent fingerprint on the sticky side of different types of adhesive tapes by application 10%w/v of potassium permanganate solution. Experimental research was carried out by testing the effectiveness of 10%w/v potassium permanganate solution in detecting latent fingerprints on the sticky side of various types of adhesive tapes and the method of counting number of Minutiae on the sticky side of the samples of adhesive tapes as information for evaluation and comparison the efficiency of potassium permanganate solution in detecting latent fingerprints on the sticky side of adhesive tapes. The experiments mentioned above also took the technical and economic aspects into consideration. The results of the experiments found that potassium permanganate solution was a good option for detecting latent fingerprints on the sticky side of adhesive tapes as latent fingerprints were sharp and could be used for verification purposes. It is also cheap, easy to buy, safe and not harmful to health.