Forensic Aspects of the Study of Latent Papillae Pattern Prints on the Epidermis of a Deceased Person. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

This Doctoral Thesis is a systematic study of the theoretical and practical aspects of possibility of visualisation of papillae pattern prints on the skin of a deceased person. The aim of the Thesis is to conduct a theoretical and practical study on the visualisation of latent papillae pattern prints on the epidermis of a deceased person, identifying potential forensic and technological challenges and issues and providing proposals for improvement of their solution. The study was based on a review of scientific literature and articles: in medicine – on the structure of human skin and the substance forming the latent papillae pattern prints; in forensic medicine – on the factors affecting the preservation of papillae pattern prints on the skin of a deceased person; in forensics – on the relief of latent papillae pattern prints and their genesis, preconditions for the preservation of papillae pattern prints, technological possibilities of their visualisation and analysing the course and results of experiments carried out abroad. In the framework of the study the author carried out an independent experiment exploring the genesis and reflection of latent papillae pattern prints on the skin of a deceased person, visualised and copied them using different visualisation agents and removal agents, studied and analysed the influence of gender, age, skin condition, duration of contact on the acquisition of traces suitable for identification of a person. The Thesis consists of introduction, four chapters divided into fourteen sub-chapters, conclusions, which present findings and proposals of the study, a list of literature used and annexes.