Investigating the use of alternative camera systems for the forensic imaging of hard-to-reach fingermarks

Abstract

Forensic investigators rely on the use of digital-single-lens-reflex (DSLR) cameras for the photographic documentation of evidence such as fingermarks. Due to the dimensions of a DSLR camera, fingermarks located in difficult to access locations within a scene or on complex evidence items often require a forensic examiner to incorporate additional equipment in combination with expert manoeuvring to photograph these fingermarks. This process often results in forensic examiners resorting to lifting fingermarks, risking damage to the exhibit to photograph the lifts. To address this difficulty, this project explored the application of specialised camera systems designed to overcome some of the limitations of traditional camera designs, such as fibre optic inspection cameras and intraoral cameras used routinely in other disciplines such as engineering and dentistry. The use of smartphones was also explored. This project demonstrated that some of these systems exhibit the capacity to document fingermark impressions suitable for forensic analysis if used appropriately. Some alternate camera systems also demonstrated greater ease of use than DSLR camera equipment in several circumstances. Implementing such technology into the crime scene could reduce the need to lift prints, increase the number of viable fingermarks recovered from scenes and the improve the efficiency of the crime scene workflow.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Robert Ebeyan (Supervisor), Val Spikmans (Supervisor), Brenden Riley (Supervisor) & Chris Lennard (Supervisor)