Fingerprints

The CFS fingerprint research group brings together a dynamic team of researchers with expertise in a range of disciplines to tackle challenges in the areas of fingermark detection, fingerprint identification and interpretation. We work closely with the forensic science industry to understand, characterise and provide solutions for problems faced in operations and to future-proof the fingerprint sciences for the next century.

Our research focuses on four key areas:

Understand the fundamental processes and science that govern fingermark deposition, ageing and detection on a variety of different surfaces, with the overall aim to use this knowledge to design new detection techniques, triage and sequencing procedures.

Develop new fingermark detection techniques that provide capabilities or sensitivity beyond the current suite of methods to detect more fingermarks than ever before, including chemical, biomolecular, nanotechnology and optical approaches.

Optimise and validate existing detection techniques to ensure fingerprint laboratories are using the best available detection sequences and maximising the recovery of other traces alongside fingermarks.

Investigate the use of probabilistic fingerprint comparison models to support experts in the interpretation of distorted, poor quality or close non-match fingerprints.