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Optical Enhancement of Fingerprint Deposits on Brass Using Digital Color Mapping
Author(s) -
Bond John W.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.01834.x
Subject(s) - brass , auger electron spectroscopy , materials science , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , ridge , fingerprint (computing) , optics , optoelectronics , metallurgy , computer science , copper , computer vision , chemical engineering , geology , engineering , physics , paleontology , nuclear physics
The reflection of visible light from α‐phase brass subject to surface oxidation in air at elevated temperatures is investigated. X‐ray photoelectron and auger electron spectroscopy confirm that covered areas of brass (not exposed to air) display dezincification but an absence of significant surface oxidation, confirming a differential oxidation mechanism. Visualization of differential oxidation is shown to be enhanced by selective digital mapping of colors reflected from the surface of the brass using Adobe ® Photoshop ® . Enhancement is optimal when the brass is heated to ∼250°C with areas of oxidation having a mirror‐like appearance. The use of this enhancement method to produce a faithful image of fingerprint ridge characteristics is demonstrated on brass shell casings where fingerprints were deposited prefiring.