A comparison of latent fingerprints and DNA fingerprints from cell phones for the utilization of investigative forensic analysis
Abstract
Forensic evidence collection is an essential tool for acquiring information for law enforcement investigations. Wireless networking continues to revolutionize human communication, as they have become common household devices. For this reason we believe that wireless devices such as cell phones would also be a superior source for the collection and analysis of evidence for the investigation of crimes committed where cell phones are found at crime scenes. Methods for collecting evidence from these devices are variable. It is unclear at this point if cellular phones can serve as valid sources of evidence collection. In this research project we aim to use cellular phones as viable sources of evidence for criminal investigations. By comparing two methods of evidence collection, the collection of Latent fingerprints and DNA fingerprints from cell phones. We analyzed 128 collected Latent fingerprints samples and 18 of 113 collected DNA samples with reference Latent fingerprint samples and reference DNA samples through professional fingerprint analysis and the creation of genetic profiles using Applied Biosystems 7500 RT-PCR and 310 Genetic Analyzer. We obtained 9 Latent fingerprint positive matches between cell phones samples and reference samples and 2 DNA fingerprint profiles suitable for forensic investigation. It is our hope that the results from our investigation of the use of cell phones for the collection and analysis of latent fingerprint and DNA fingerprints will serve as an resourceful tool for forensic scientist and law enforcement personnel to increase the awareness of the benefits of collecting physical evidence from cell phones to incarcerate or liberate individuals involved in events of criminal circumstance.
Subject Area
Molecular biology|Forensic anthropology|Criminology
Recommended Citation
Burgado, Sabrina Andrea, "A comparison of latent fingerprints and DNA fingerprints from cell phones for the utilization of investigative forensic analysis" (2009). ETD Collection for Fayetteville State University. AAI1484509.
https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/dissertations/AAI1484509