Electronic imaging of fingermarks

Operational use of the crime scene and laboratory based electronic imaging systems have saved considerable time in the capture of weakly fluorescing fingermarks. The high sensitivity of the camera has allowed us to use low transmission and narrow band interference filters for further reducing the background signal. Observation of captured fingermark images at crime scenes has made immediate evaluation of a mark possible. Combined with image transfer methods it has become possible to send images directly to remote AFR systems. In some cases, image processing methods have been successfully used to enhance fingermark images where the original was not suitable for identification purposes. Although in many instances conventional photography is still the most inexpensive and efficient method of image capture, the systems described here are currently used as a supplement to photography and they have improved the detection of evidence