CLPEX Chat Board

I am looking for any published studies regarding the processing results of fired discharged cartridge casings. My agency is looking into the possibility of discontinuing this procedure, but we would like as much data as we can find before making a recommendation. Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Here are some I'm aware of:

"Fingerprints on Cartridges" JV Vandiver, Identification News, June 1976.

"Latent Fingerprints on Cartridges and Expended Cartridge Casings" BW Given, Journal of Forensic Sciences, July 1976.

"An Inquiry into the Methodology of Preserving and Developing Latent Prints on Expended Cartridge Casings" WC Sampson, JFI, Jan/Feb 1993.

"Post Firing Visualisation of Fingerprints on Spent Cartridge Cases" RK Bentsen et al, Science & Justice, Jan-March 1996.

"A Closer Look at the Effects of the Shooting Process on Fingerprint Development on Fired Cartridge Cases" S Wiesner et al, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Fingerprint Detection and Identification (Neurim, Israel), June 1995.

"Evaluation of Several Techniques for Developing Latent Fingerprints on Unfired and Fired Cartridge Cases" GC Sanders et al, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Fingerprint Detection and Identification (Neurim, Israel), June 1995.

"Is A Fingerprint Left on a Fired Cartridge? The Development of Latent Fingerprints on Metallic Surfaces by Palladium Deposition" Y Migron et al, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Fingerprint Development and Identification (Neurim, Israel), June 1995.

"Development of Latent Fingerprints on Cartridge Casings" A Doncheet al, Fingerprint Whorld, January 1994.

Good luck.

Darrell Klasey
Walnut Creek, CA

This is one of those psychic moments, I was just having this same topic of conversation yesterday afternoon! I've personally never developed ridge detail on fired cartridge casings. I can't say I have had any luck with any processing method (yet) on unfired cartridges. Nothing that lead to identifiable ridge detail.

I too am curious as to what results others have had.

Great question, Amy!

In addition to Darrell's references:

Is There a Better Way to Develop Fingerprints on Brass Cartridge Cases? A Comparison of 5 Development Techniques, Megan Gardner and Norm Sneddon, Identification Canada, 25:4 (2002)

Magnetic Fingerprint Powder on Firearms and Metal Cartridges, Howard Freeman, JFI 49:5 (1999)

Visualization of Sebaceous Fingerprints on Fired Cartridge Cases: A Laboratory Study, Yoelit Migron, Gil Hocherman, Eliot Springer, Joseph Almog and Daniel Mandler, Journal of Forensic Sciences, 43:3 (1998)

Amy and Ann, I do not have a study but a few years ago I wrote a small 2 page article for the Texas Division IAI on a latent print developed on a spent (fired) casing in a murder case that was later identified to the suspect.

If you want a copy of the article just e-mail me and I will send it.

I processed fired catridge casings for about 18 years and only ever developed one identifiable latent print. I used superglue/ dye stain (Rhodamine 6G)/ laser and got a beautiful latent fingerprint---which belonged to the Firearms Examiner who had unloaded the gun and examined it before anyone thought to send the evidence in for latent print processing.

But I never tried any of the fancy processes mentioned in the articles listed by Darrell. Just superglue/ powder, superglue/dye stain/laser. Oh, I did try camphor fuming a few times, and superglue/sticky-side powder but had no luck.

In the CBD-IAI website, there is a great article on the use of gun blueing for developing (enhancing) latent fingerprints on casings. I've tried myself and was able to get decent results, allbeit not on fired casings. The gun blueing esentially repels oils and when used to process casings, the gun blueing turns the casing a darker color while leaving any latent fingerprint oils unharmed and a different, lighter color. The best way to test is to try it out yourself. Trial and error, although tedious, can lead to some really good results in the future.

Josh

I just came across transcript in a CT homicide case where the State Police Crime Lab examiner said that he never developed a latent print from a fired casing in 30 years of work, and now only visually looks at the casing for prints.

I did not have any luck for 23 years and then "Boom" there it was. I have not had any luck since.

You never know until you try.

http://ecsmeet6.peerx-press.org/ms_file ... ji8i83.pdf

This was an article I recently found on using a scanning kelvin probe to detect the changes in the metal surface caused by fingerprint residue.

So if you just happen to have one of these laying around you should check it out and let us all know if it work well on fired cartridges.

One of Kasey's very first real case examinations when he got out of training was a 22 caliber "Saturday Night Special" that had been used in a murder. Kasey opened the cylinder and dropped out the fired 22 casing. I don't know the method he used, but he got a latent and identified it to the suspect. That case turned into his first testimony. I've been doing this since 1973 and have never got a latent from a fired cartridge casing. Go figure. A fired 22 casing. Who'd'a thunk it.

Pat, Charles, and Ann

In line with your comments, Pat, and especially in light of the great research done by the Israeli researchers (Wiesener, Sanders, Migron, Almog, Springer, et al.) who showed that recovery of latent prints on cartridge cases is not hindered so much by the heat (as many erroneously believe) as it is by the extraction, ejection, and motion of the casing through the magazine, chamber and out.

Thus, the fact that Kasey found one (and I have seen it and show others in my AAA class--it's bloody beautiful) on a revolver cartridge case fits with the Israeli research. We don't get as many spent revolver cartridge cases in b/c they usually don't leave those at a scene.

Anyway, I am curious Charles, in your case, do you recall if it was a revolver cartridge?

I'm not saying it can't happen on an ejected casing, it's just quite the exception. I agree with everyone that's posted here. In 50 years of our agency, no one here has ever produced an identifiable print on a cartridge case.

But if Ms. Miller's agency was looking for a compromise where processing cartridge cases unnecessarily seems to be wasting resources and time, perhaps only processing cartridge cases from homicides/attempted homicides, assaults or revolver cartridge cases. We get a lot of "felon in possession" "weapons" cases where they pull a gun and cartridges off the guy, out of the car, out of a house etc. and then want it all printed...just to say we did it...gotta love that approach.

Hope you found these comments helpful, Amy. Good luck with your endeavor.

g.

g

It was a revolver with the chamber full. Five were live rounds (cartridges) and the one under the hammer was spent (casing).

The casing was nickel plated and was not brass.

No latent prints were recovered from the live rounds or the revolver only the casing.

.38 special.

But a .22 casing----WOW.

Developed one a number of years ago from a live round (cartridge) from a MAC 10 9mm. It was the top cartridge in the magazine. Cute little thing.

The study you mentioned looks interesting.

Charles Parker wrote:You never know until you try.

Truer words are not often spoken.

Am I alone in developing multiple usable latents on spent cartridge casings (in 30+ years)? I know that the first was in my first couple of years on the job, and common enough that each case doesn't stand out.

Percentage wise was still lousy, but I always thought it was worth the effort. I can only recall one print from a .22 cal long rifle cartridge though. And I do believe that I had more success on plated cartridges.

One case that stands out (I use it in training) wasn't even my processing, and I only verified the ID. The print was on .38 special, and it wrapped around the firing pin indentation, clear as a bell!
Regards, RLT

Interesting,

Both Charles and RLT describe cases of success involving a revolver. This is interesting anecdotal evidence supporting the Israeli research. I am curious how many other folks have developed identifiable LPs on cycled and ejected cartridge cases.

g.