When it concerns the detection, visualisation, and photography of fingerprints examiners can never possess too many tools in their arsenal. Fingerprint experts must be adaptable, resourceful, and equipped with the most advanced technology and training in order to tackle the seemingly limitless array of variables (surface type, contaminants, age of print etc).

With this in mind, foster+freeman teamed up with Warsash Scientific, the Canberra Institute of Technology, the University of Technology Sydney, and Queensland Police to provide a series of free-to-attend technical workshops open to all Australian police laboratory personnel.

With training centred on the use of the DCS-5 Fingerprint Imaging Workstation, the workshop explored the skills and techniques associated with Visible and Non-Visible fingerprint photography.

Workshop attendees represed the Australian Federal Police, NSW Police, QLD Police, NSW Health, University Staff and PhD students

Visible Fingerprint Photography
Demonstrating core workflow techniques, from image acquisition to image output, including a range of specialist lighting techniques, lenses and filters required for various surface shapes and colours.

Non-Visible Fingerprint Photography
Demonstrating software features including contrast adjustments and histograms, and the more application focussed toolboxes. More advanced techniques such as irregular pattern background removal, and regular pattern removal (FFT) were also demonstrated.

The grant allowed the forensic unit to acquire several of our most advanced forensic light sources, including the Crime-lite AUTO, Crime-lite X, PROVISION goggles and other accessories.

Forensic specialist Kasey Buckner was extremely positive about the new acquisition and the increased potential of the unit:

“We have a much stronger case in court, because physical evidence doesn’t lie”

The devices will greatly increase the ability of the forensic unit and detectives across a range of cases, including firearms offences, sexual assaults, overdoses, and narcotic-related crimes, as well as enhancing their ability to detect blood splatter, evidence of crime-scene-clean-up, and fraudulent documents.

You can read the whole article here.