Angela Hilliard of the Washington State Patrol and Nikki Wagar of Ridgeline Forensics have partnered with the San Luis Obispo Fire Investigation Strike Team (SLOFIST) to perform research into the recovery of latent impressions following exposure to ACTUAL fire environments
CHECK OUT WHAT THEY’RE UP TO!
A research project on the durability, survivability, and recovery of latent impressions in fire environments and scenes will be conducted by Forensic Scientists Angela Hilliard from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab and Nikki Wagar from Ridgeline Forensics during the week-long SLOFIST training in June of 2019.
This research study will focus on the examination of friction ridge detail durability on substrates following exposure to fire environments to determine the likelihood of developing suitable friction ridge impressions following these exposures. Factors such as matrix of the latent impression deposit, preservation/longevity of impressions subjected to differing fire environments and exposures, durability/longevity of impressions deposited on differing substrates, and the most successful sequential processing techniques to implement when dealing with evidence exposed to heated environments will be researched.
The scientists will be placing a variety of evidence type items within the SLOFIST fire scenes that have been primed with latent impressions in a variety of matrixes such as sweat, blood, sebaceous oils, and amino acids.
A control environment will also be utilized where a variety of materials such as metals, glass, paper, and other porous and non-porous objects will be primed with latent impressions and then placed at specific heights and distances from the origin of the fire. Temperatures will be recorded and used to determine the survivability of these impressions in extreme heat situations. Factors such as the time of the burn, the temperature, and the distance and height from the origin of the fire will also be considered and evaluated when determining the survivability of latent impressions.
The scientists will conduct extensive documentation of the research and scenes through video, photography, and written notes while on site at the SLOFIST training. The scientists will perform some field processing techniques for the recovery and preservation of latent impressions through soot removal techniques; however, the majority of the testing and processing will take place in a controlled laboratory setting.
The laboratory portion of this research study will be conducted within the Washington Sate Patrol Crime Lab in Olympia, Washington. A systematic process for the development of latent prints will be applied to the substrates within the laboratory environment. The first area of research will include soot removal techniques. Additional research will include latent development techniques and may include visual examinations, digital photography, cyanoacrylate fuming, rhodamine 6G dye stain, fluorescent laser analysis, magnetic powder, black powder, powder suspension solution, DFO, 1,2-Indanedione, Ninhydrin, Leucocrystal Violet, Amido Black, and Acid Yellow 7. Digital photography will be utilized throughout experimentation as a main method for preserving visual value of developed impressions.
Angela Hilliard is a Forensic Scientist, Latent Print Examiner with the Washington State Patrol in Olympia. She has been employed with the WSP since March of 2016. Angela’s previous forensic experience includes both a Forensic Specialist and Latent Print Examiner with the Glendale Police Department in Southern California, an Adjunct Professor at Glendale Community College, and a Fingerprint Specialist for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in San Francisco. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Forensic Science from National University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Washington State University. Angela is a Certified Latent Print Examiner through the International Association for Identification. Angela is currently serving as the 2nd Vice President for the Pacific Northwest Division-IAI. In her free time Angela spends as much of her time as she can exploring the great outdoors as well as volunteering with search and rescue.
This article was submitted by Angela Hilliard MFS, CLPE
It can also be found in the Flash Point Newsletter produced by SLOFIST…visit their website HERE to learn more about what they do and subscribe to their Newsletter. They consistently provide incredibly unique opportunities related to fire investigation and their training is highly recommended!
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