Investigation of an electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA) for the visualization of latent fingerprint

• Main Author: Johan Mohamad Zain
• Other Authors: Seet Gim Lee, Gerald
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Mechanical engineering::Mechatronics
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/49759
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Fingerprints offer a reliable form of identification. In a crime scene investigation, it is a highly dependable mode of identifying the perpetrator in a society where crime is an existent social problem. Latent fingerprints, however, are difficult to detect as they are typically invisible to the naked eye. Without the use of various enhancement techniques, it is almost impossible to retrieve an image of fingerprints in a crime scene. Thus, an in-depth research on visualizing latent fingerprints is conducted. Particular focus is given to enhancing a latent fingerprint by means of an electrostatic detection apparatus. The aim of this project is to come up with a design of an apparatus which utilises the electrostatic enhancement technique as well as to improve on the aesthetics, whilst also ensuring all required precision and accuracy are not compromised. Other factors considered during conceptualization are for it to be lightweight and portable, provide quick and reliable analysis as well as economical. This is followed by an experiment conducted to equipment and technique verifications.