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Previous studies by Dove have shown that adding an electric charge to the treatment of brass or nickel-plated cartridges by gun blue improves the contrast and quality of the resulting fingermark development when compared to current operational techniques. In order to determine whether the electrodeposition of gun blue is suitable for operational deployment, its impact on subsequent forensic techniques must be assessed. This paper examined the impact of electrodeposition of gun blue, palladium deposition, and passive gun blue deposition on subsequent DNA extraction and analysis using the Promega DNA IQ System and phenol-chloroform extraction tech- niques. It also examined the impact of the electrodeposition of gun blue on subsequent toolmark examinations. The electrodeposition of gun blue, passive deposition of gun blue, and palladium deposition all negatively impacted the subsequent DNA analysis, to varying degrees. Therefore, alternate DNA analysis techniques would need to be considered. The electrodeposition of gun blue also had a negative impact on some of the weaker toolmarks used in toolmark analysis, indicating that toolmark examination should be performed first. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides the preliminary testing results of the Recover Latent Fingerprint Technology (Recover LFT, Foster + Freeman) during a one-week period at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). The primary objective was to create a procedure, using the Recover LFT, to develop ungroomed fingermarks on fired cartridge cases and detonated improvised explosive devices. As a result of the limited timeframe, many different variables were investigated with smaller sample sizes. Despite these limitations, positive results were achieved, most notably, fired brass .223 ammunition, where 17 of 147 (12%) cases were deemed to have identifiable fingermarks. The Recover LFT offers a novel approach for developing fingermarks on metal surfaces because it appears to be attracted to the physical imperfections caused by the corrosion of the metal from the fingermark residue as opposed to the fingermark residue itself. This allowed the RCMP to develop a method for cleaning the gunshot residue from a fired casing, subsequently exposing the physical imperfections caused by the fingermark. It was observed out of the several cleaning methods tested that incorporating acetone was vital. In addition to the cleaning regime, other variables that appeared to have an impact on the results included the fingermark donor, the storage conditions (ambient or humid), and the amount of time between different stages of the experiment (deposition to firing, firing to cleaning, cleaning to development). When a proper cleaning process is used, the Recover LFT seems to be a viable option for developing fingermarks on fired cartridge cases and metallic components of detonated improvised explosive devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) expert testimony on fingerprint impression evidence was challenged by defense counsel, who called Dr. Simon Cole as an expert witness in the retrial of Timothy Bornyk, who was charged with a residential break and enter. The charge was based on a single fingerprint that was recovered from the crime scene. At the original trial, Justice Funt acquitted the accused, citing reports that were critical of fingerprint practices and perceived troubling aspects of the fingerprint testimony. The Crown's appeal was allowed because the trial judge had relied upon independently researched literature that was not properly tested in evidence, and he conducted an unguided fingerprint comparison. For the retrial, the RCMP recommended that scientific studies and ongoing standards development work in the fingerprint community since the National Academies of Science (NAS) report should be presented to the court. The Crown's strategy changed. First, the fingerprint examiner described RCMP policy on proficiency tests, use of the Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) Quality Table and Sufficiency Graph to assess quality and quantity of the minutiae in the latent print, erroneous identifications, and error rate studies. Second, key scientific publications and international best practices were introduced to the court. Finally, the verifier testified. Ten days later, Mr. Bornyk was found guilty. This article summarizes the trials, the impact of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) report Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison Methods on expert testimony, and provides an explanation of an incorrect error rate reproduced by PCAST. As the RCMP learn from this court challenge, potential future changes to RCMP research, policy, and training are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer banknotes were first introduced in Canada, with the $100 denomination banknote, in 2011. Part I of this research compares split depletion latent prints, stored under ambient conditions for up to 14 days prior to development, from multiple donors on handled and unhandled $50 α-trial notes, to determine the most effective fingerprint development technique sequence currently available in Canada. The recommended protocols involve sequential processing with cyanoacrylate fuming, vacuum metal deposition, and f luorescent dye staining. It is important to process the banknotes with cyanoacrylate fuming as soon as possible to minimize print degradation. Optimal lighting and photography conditions, as well as some digital enhancement techniques are discussed in Part II. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is monitoring the treatment of seized polymer banknotes to validate the recommended protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared split depletion latent print , aged up to 12 weeks, from multiple donors on a variety of .ubstrates to determine whether 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one should be replaced with 1.2-indanedione-zinc chloride a the Royal Canadian Mounted Police' standard chemical latent print development technique for porous exhibits. It was found that I ,2-indanedionc zinc chloride developed more latent prints, ∼' hich also appeared to be more brightly fluorescent than those of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one. The performance of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one was reduced in high relathe humidity, whereas 1,2-indanedione zinc chloride did not seem to be affected by changes in relative humidity. The solid state laser revealed the most latent prints, however the MiniCrime cope and the Polilight were both comporable to the laser. The RCMP is conducting a nationwide field trial to validate this method for ca ework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]