ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 15

Comparison of Argon-Ion, Copper-Vapor, and Frequency-Doubled Neodymium: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (ND:YAG) Lasers for Latent Fingerprint Development
Roland Menzel, E
Director, Center for Forensic Studies and associate professor, Texas Tech University, TX

(Received 5 September 1984; accepted 24 September 1984)

Abstract

Argon-ion. copper-vapor, and frequency-doubled neodymium: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers have been examined for efficiency in latent fingerprint detection. All three types of laser are found to be effective. Argon-ion lasers have the greatest power and range of useful wavelengths while frequency-doubled Nd:YAG lasers offer crime scene capability. On rare occasions latent prints observable under the argon-ion laser are not visually discernible under the Nd:YAG laser, but can be located with a sensitive television camera. Once located, photography of such prints is straightforward.

Keywords:
criminalistics, fingerprints, lasers, argon-ion laser, copper-vapor laser, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser, crime scene investigation

Paper ID: JFS11817J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11817J
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