The Protection of Articles Which Bear Fingerprints
| Author | Robert P. Brittain,Cyril J. Polson |
| Published date | 01 January 1952 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X5202500107 |
| Date | 01 January 1952 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The
Protection of Articles which Bear
Fingerprints
By
CYRIL
J. POLSON
Professor of Forensic Medicine, University of Leeds.
AND ROBERT
P.
BRITTAIN
Senior
Lecturer
in Forensic Medicine, University of Leeds.
THE importance of protecting articles found at scenes of crime,
in order to prevent interference with fingerprints, by rubbing,
soiling or breakage, is well recognised.
In
the trial of Rex v. Barney,
for example, the blurring of fingerprints on a revolver at once removed
crucial evidence which could have led to a conviction of murder
(Hastings, 1949).
Apparatus to protect objects, which are to be transported, have
been described by Soderman and 0 Connell (1938) and by Cherrill
(1940). Their containers, if they are to be satisfactory, require skill
in construction, and the materials may not be readily available. Bottles,
for example, are enclosed by a wooden framework and fixed within it
by corks attached to the base by sealing wax.
It
occurred to us that suitable cagescould be built with Meccano.
The
materials are inexpensive, durable and almost indestructible.
When no longer of use in one form of container, they can be used in
others and adapted for almost any article of reasonable size.
The
construction of one ofthese cages issimple, as shown by the illustrations.
Moreover, during the construction of the cage, handling of the article,
which is to be enclosed, is minimal.
The
range of Meccano parts and their character allows scope for
modifications, or new designs, to meet special circumstances. Although
the strips furnish a rigid structure when held by the bolts, any piece
can be bent to a desired shape, without the need for special tools.
The
only tools required to construct these cages are a screwdriver and
a small spanner, with, perhaps, the addition of a pair of pliers. An
adequate stock of parts can be stored in small space.
The
cages are light, for they weigh only from one half to a pound
and one half in weight. Ready inspection of developed impressions
is practicable without removing the article from the
cage;
nor is
removal necessary in order to photograph them.
It
is also practicable
to develop impressions on an article within its case. Although firmly
held, no part of the article, except perhaps its top and base, need be
touched by any part of the cage, other than by the thin edges of metal
strips, arranged to avoid areas which bear fingerprints. Even these
points of contact may be few.
3J
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