A new method for recovering latent fingerprints from skin

The developed method for detecting fingerprints on live human skin involves first fuming the suspected area with iodine, and then placing a 35-mm clear plastic strip with a leuco crystal violet coating and a trace of water over the fumed area. A few seconds later a dark purple reproduction of the ridge pattern develops. It is a stable direct positive and can be mounted in a 35-mm slide mount for direct viewing. Readable prints may be obtained up to 1 h after impression on live human skin and two or three lifts may be obtained from the same print.