The High Temperature-Moisturizing Method for Obtaining Quality Postmortem Fingerprints from Decomposed Fingers

A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges of all or any part of the finger. A friction ridge is a raised portion of the epidermis on the palmar (palm and fingers) or plantar (sole and toes) skin, consisting of one or more connected ridge units of friction ridge skin. There are two fundamental principles underlying the use of fingerprints as a means of identifying individuals - immutability and uniqueness. Friction ridges develop on the fetus in their definitive form before birth. Ridges are persistent throughout life except for permanent scarring. Ridge patterns and the details in small areas of friction ridges are unique and never repeated. Friction ridge patterns vary within limits, which allow for classification. We developed the high temperature-moisturizing method to obtained quality postmortem impressions from decomposing friction ridge skin. This technique is a simple procedure that uses boiling water to recondition the skin. This reconditioning process enhances detail present on the fingers and exposes ridge detail not visible to the naked eye. Therefore, we can recover the quality fingerprints, even from the worst decomposed bodies.