the boiling technique:

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The Boiling Technique:The Boiling Technique: A Method for Obtaining Quality Postmortem Impressions A Method for Obtaining Quality Postmortem Impressions

from Deteriorating Friction Ridge Skinfrom Deteriorating Friction Ridge Skin

Miss Oranee BudalengID. 49312371

Faculty of ScienceFaculty of ScienceSilpakorn UniversitySilpakorn University

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Introduction

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University

These influences include:These influences include:

• Fauna (animals or insects). Fauna (animals or insects).

• Fire (charring). Fire (charring).

• Water (maceration) Water (maceration)

• Weather (cold, heat, or humidity)Weather (cold, heat, or humidity)

Introduction

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Introduction

Figure 1: Water-damaged body with macerated hands

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Introduction

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University

The Boiling Technique:The Boiling Technique: A Method for Obtaining Quality Postmortem Impressions A Method for Obtaining Quality Postmortem Impressions

from Deteriorating Friction Ridge Skinfrom Deteriorating Friction Ridge Skin

Introduction

Aaron J. UhleMajor Incident Program Manager

Latent Print Support UnitFBI Laboratory

Quantico, Virginia

Richard L. LeasLatent Fingerprint Examiner

Oak Ridge Associated Universities

Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Forensic Science Communications July 2007 – Volume 9 – Number 3 

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Introduction

• When friction ridge skin is compromised by various destructive influences, it often breaks down into flaccid skin with no discernible friction ridge detail.

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Introduction

• The boiling technique is a simple procedure that uses boiling water to recondition friction ridge skin.

- rehydrates the skin, exposing friction ridge detail.

- quality impressions, even from the most distressed bodies, can be recovered

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Introduction

• Works best on pliable friction ridge skin in an advanced of decomposition

• This involves the degeneration of the skin, resulting in the destruction or absence of the epidermal (outer) layer, exposed dermal (inner) skin with little or no visible friction ridge detail.

- Although the boiling technique has been used on epidermal skin, it is most effective in reconditioning the dermal skin

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Equipment and Materials

Supplies Protective Equipment

Adhesive lifters (Handiprint*)Black fingerprint powderElectric hot pot Electrical outletFingerprint brush (short-bristled)Fingerprint magnifierIsopropyl alcoholPalm-print cardsSoapSpongeStandard fingerprint cardsTap waterTransparent fingerprint cards**Towels

Lab coatsProtective glassesLatex or nitrile gloves

Equipment and Materials

*For information, go to http://www.kinderprint.com. **Transparent ten-print cards can be made by photocopying a standard ten-print card onto a transparency.

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Equipment and Materials

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Equipment and Materials

Figure 4: Electric hot pots containing boiling water

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Equipment and Materials

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Equipment and Materials

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Procedure

Universal safety precautions must be followedwhen handling all human remains.

Procedure

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 1

Fig 1 Putrefied hand

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 1

Removal of contaminants with a sponge and warm, soapy water

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 1

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 2

Fig 4 Electric hot pots containing boiling water

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 2

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 2

Fig 5 Placement of hand into boiling water. The arm of the body is bent back towardthe head to allow the examiner to safely perform the boiling technique without assistance.

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 2

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 2

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 2

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 3

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 3

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 3

Figure 7: Adhesive lifter wrapped around and removed from a powdered finger,leaving a recording of the friction ridge impression on the adhesive surface.

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 3

Figure 8: Fingerprint reviewed by the examiner to confirm that a clear andcomplete impression was recorded that is of suitable quality for comparison

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Step 3

Figure 9: Adhesive lifter affixed to the correctfingerprint block of a transparent ten-print card

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Result

the South Asian tsunami (December 2004)

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Figure 11:

Result

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Result

Figure 12

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Result

Katrina (August 2005) in the U.S. Gulf Coast region

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DiscussionDiscussion

Discussion

• The technique uses boiling water to elicit thermodynamic and osmotic responses that rehydrate the skin, raising friction ridge detail and eliminating body fluids associated with decomposition.

• This reconditioning process enhances detail present on the hands and exposes ridge detail not visible to the naked eye

• Be aware that recordings of dermal prints will appear different than epidermal prints under a magnifier (Figure 10).

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DiscussionDiscussion

Discussion

Figure 10:

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University Conclusion

Friction ridge impressions are instrumental in establishing the identity of deceased individuals

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Thank youThank you

Faculty of scienceSilpakorn University

Question ?Question ?