JFI Abstracts from 2026

Issue 2:  Apr - Jun 2026 

Comparative Effectiveness of Black and Magnetic Powders in Single and Sequential Latent Fingerprint Development

Author(s): Loewenhagen, Christine
Type: Technical Note
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 2, Page 65
Abstract: This study enumerates the variables affecting latent fingerprint development with black and magnetic powders. Through systematic testing with fingerprints from 50 participants on a glass surface, the research examined four processing sequences: black powder only, magnetic powder only, and two sequential (aka: "Double Processing") combinations. Magnetic powder consistently demonstrated improved detail and contrast when compared to traditional black powder processing. Sequential processing proved most effective when applying black powder followed by magnetic powder, showing significant improvement in print visibility. However, the reverse sequence (magnetic followed by black powder) resulted in considerable print degradation and potential loss of evidence. The findings suggest that while magnetic powder is the better single-method choice, strategic sequential processing can enhance finger-print development success rates. These results highlight the complex interplay of variables in fingerprint development and underscore the importance of continued research in optimizing processing techniques. This research addresses an important gap in determining optimal processing for latent fingerprints at crime scenes.

Tire and Footwear Impression Comparisons via Digital Superimposition - A Photoshop Method Compatible with ACE-V and ADAMS

Author(s): Riedel, Jennifer
Type: Technical Note
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 2, Page 78
Abstract: This technical note describes a method to create a layered composition in Adobe Photoshop to facilitate a tire or footwear impression comparison and to duplicate known test impressions via digital superimposition in real time. The test impressions are compared to each other and to the questioned impression in the same digital composition. The digital composition is constructed such that the questioned impression is analyzed before the known footwear or tire, and the overall order complies with the ACE-V process. The final digital composition may be stored in an authenticated digital asset management system (e.g., Foray ADAMS), as a record of how the comparison was performed without requiring additional documentation steps. The method is presented in tutorial form with notes at the end.

Case Recovery Rates of Latent Impressions on Firearms Evidence

Author(s): Recker, Daniel; Wills, Brian
Type: Technical Note
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 2, Page 96
Abstract: This study examined two central questions: the effectiveness of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s (IMPD) Firearms Liaison Officer Program and the overall rate of recovery of latent impressions on firearms evidence. The findings demonstrated that the Firearms Liaison program resulted in a significant increase in the amount of latent print evidence submitted from firearms to the IMPD Latent Examiner Unit, and this level of submission has remained high. The per case recovery rates for latent impressions from firearms evidence (firearms, magazines, and cartridges) submitted to the IMPD Latent Unit were examined for the years May 2015-May 2016 and 2024. The inception of the Firearms Liaison Officer program resulted in a marked increase in the submission of latent evidence from firearms with total submissions going from 222 the year before the program to 506 for the first year of the program (2015) 150 of those cases (29.6%) contained latent impressions of value. In 2024, 462 cases were submitted by field evidence technicians and firearms liaison officers that contained latent evidence from firearms. 85 of those cases (18.39%) had latent impressions of value.

Atypical Backspatter Pattern in a Suicide Scene

Author(s): Ammar, Noam; Graff, Matan; Cohen Sasson, Chen; Abu-Rezek, Adam
Type: Case Report
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 2, Page 104
Abstract: Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is a powerful tool when used correctly in the process of crime scene investigation, enabling investigators to reconstruct the scene. In fatal shooting incidents, two major patterns are commonly observed: forward spatter and backspatter. Each pattern possesses unique characteristics, which have been documented and observed in real cases and through experiments. In this study, we show an unusual backspatter pattern that differed from the expected and documented characteristics of this type. The case centered on a shooting scene, prompting the question of whether it was a suicide (self-inflicted) or a homicide. A major piece of forensic evidence crucial to addressing this question was the BPA observed at the scene.

The Effect of Paint Brand on the Development of Latent Fingermarks on Walls

Author(s): Jo Dawkins; Lata Gautam; Helen Bandey; Rachel Armitage; Leesa Ferguson
Type: Article
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 2, Page 112
Abstract: Fingermarks are a fundamental identification method, assisting with the investigation of volume, serious and major crimes. Ridge detail can be recovered from crime scenes, using a sequential workflow in order to maximise the yield of quality fingermarks. The Fingermark Visualisation Manual provides crime scene examiners with guidelines, outlining the optimum processes to use on differing surface types. However, there are many challenging surfaces, such as painted walls, where further information is required to determine which enhancement techniques work best. In this study, a depletion series of fingermarks were deposited by one donor on six brands of light-coloured matt paint and six brands of light-coloured non-matt paint using reference pads. The deposited marks were aged for one-day, one-week and one-month before being developed by either black magnetic granular powder, magneta flake powder or ninhydrin. The results highlighted that regardless of paint brand, black magnetic granular powder was the most effective overall method on both matt and non-matt paints. SEM analysis illustrated significant differences between the matt and non-matt paints tested, particularly in terms of the size, shape and distribution of the pigment particles present, providing an explanation for the results gained. The results obtained in this study have informed the updated guidelines in the second edition of the Fingermark Visualisation Manual regarding latent marks on painted substrates. However, further research and validation is still required for all paint types, in particular paints with additives, such as kitchen and bathroom paint.

Forensic Infrared Imaging of Foliage: An Examination of the Prevalence of the Wood Effect

Author(s): Pilkington, Mitchell G; Rimmasch, Paul
Type: Article
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 2, Page 128
Abstract: A sample set of 100 different plant varieties were imaged using near-infrared photography to gauge the prevalence of the wood effect. The wood effect is the visible lightening of foliage in near-infrared photographs, caused in part by the reflection of large amounts of infrared radiation away from the leaf. In this study, each leaf was assessed for infrared reflectance (low, medium, or high). It was found that 90% of the tested leaves reflected infrared radiation in the high range, with 10% in the medium range, and none in the low range. While existing literature on the wood effect shows a strong bias toward green deciduous trees, the results in this study suggest that foliage of all types and colors should be considered for forensic imaging of evidence, similar to fingerprints, gunshot residue, ink, and blood.

Issue 1:  Jan - Mar 2026 

Murder or Suicide by Fire: Dealing With Bias In a Forensic Investigation Of a Woman's Body Found Burned in a Car Trunk

Author(s): Chibel, Ron; Shahar, Revital; Gonen, Noam; Zinger, Alex; Grafit, Arnon
Type: Case Report
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 1, Page 1
Abstract: When a dead body is found in a fire scene it is examined as accident or homicide. In suspected suicide cases, factors such as the chosen location (isolated area) and the presence of necessary means (fuel, ignition devices) are examined. Cases of suicide by fire are relatively rare. In this case, forensic evidence ruled out an accident but was insufficient to determine whether it was murder or suicide. The discovery of a body in the trunk in an abandoned area strongly suggested a murder and arson scenario. The trunk door was consumed by fire, but the metal locking mechanism indicated that the trunk was closed during the fire. A metallic component of a “Clipper” lighter was found on the deceased’s body, which could support self-immolation or that the killer threw the lighter into the trunk after igniting the fire and then closing the trunk. No “fire trail” (a burn mark created when an accelerant is poured on the ground to ignite from a relatively safe distance) was found on the ground around the vehicle, but the absence of this mark does not rule out arson. However, family testimony pointed toward suicide. The challenge for the experts in this case was to deal with bias and state at the scene that the findings were consistent with both scenarios and no definitive determination could be made without additional data which came a day later. The scene findings, combined with investigative results, ultimately allowed the determination of self-immolation, making this case unique.

Detecting Scattered Human Skeletal Remains with an Alternate Light Source: Case Studies

Author(s): Speiden, Robert V.; Pyeatt, Ralph L.; Russell, James A.; Simmons, Tal
Type: Case Report
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 1, Page 7
Abstract: Search and recovery organizations conduct missions around the world to find missing per-sons or their remains. Though many resources are currently employed to detect human remains, Alternate Light Sources (ALS) appear underutilized. Relying on the fluorescent properties of bone when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, members of the Search and Rescue Tracking Institute (SARTI) employed UV alternate light sources at night to search for, find, and recover surface-scattered human bones and teeth. These searches were conducted at 12 sites where law enforcement agencies in Virginia, USA, had previously recovered human remains in daylight hours. ALS search efforts resulted in a range of zero to 39 human bones found at distances of one to ten meters from the searchers, yielding an average of 12 bones per site. Bones that had been missed by other resources were found by using UV light at night. When used in combination with other resources, the detection of human remains one month to ten years after an individual’s death demonstrates the benefit of using UV light as a search tool.

More than Shooting Distance Reconstruction: Direct Interpretation of Smokless Powder Residue Marks on Vehicle Interior

Author(s): Levy, Ophir; Bingor, Alexey; Gilad, Yitzhak; Drepak, Lee-Tal; Levi, Aviad
Type: Technical Note
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 1, Page 29
Abstract: A fair share of shooting incidents includes vehicles. Therefore, sampling smokeless powder residue (SPR) from a vehicle is a common forensic practice as a means to shooting distance estimation. Nevertheless, interior rather than exterior parts of a vehicle are seldom sampled by crime scene investigators. Even more rarely – suspect rather than victim vehicles are examined. This paper suggests an on-scene evaluation approach to make SPR not only a means to shooting distance reconstruction, but to directly utilize it. SPR may be used: for determining the directionality of shots, as a substitute for primer gunshot residue, and as a corroborator of testimony.

Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Selection of Fingerprint Powder

Author(s): Nag, Kaushik; Helal, Magdy
Type: Article
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 1, Page 41
Abstract: This study, conducted with the General Department of Criminal Evidence, Kuwait, aimed to identify the most effective fingerprint powders for car theft crime scenes. Four commonly encountered surfaces—glass, cardboard, painted aluminium, and varnished surfaces were tested with various powders and evaluated on multiple criteria. Based on a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) approach, specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), powders were ranked based on lift quality, photographic quality, ease of application, supplier rating, and cost. The results demonstrate how MCDA can structure reproducible comparisons between forensic tools and also underscore the need for further research into multicriteria evaluation within forensic science.

Back to Basics

Author(s): Siegel, Sandy CLPE Coordinator
Type: Article
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 1, Page 59
Abstract: Funny finds from all over in their own words.

Note from the Editor

Author(s): Stimac, Jon
Type: Note
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 1, Page 61
Abstract: Note from Editor Jon Stimac

Evolution of the RECOVER LFT System: Semi-Controlled and Pseudo Operational Experiments

Author(s): Craven, Nicolas; Youngling, Hailey; Walthall, Tina
Type: Erratum
Published: 2026, Volume 76, Issue 1, Page 62

In the October - December 2025 issue of the Journal of Forensic Identification (Volume 75 Issue 4), the name of author Nicolas Craven was incorrectly spelled on page 352. The correct spelling is: Nicolas Craven.
The Editors regret the error and apologize to the author and readers for any confusion this may have caused.