Forensic Vacuum Metal Deposition for Latent Fingerprint Development by West Technology Forensics

Forensic Vacuum Metal Deposition (VMD) is a technique used in forensic science to enhance latent fingerprints or other impressions on non-porous, semi-porous and some porous surfaces. It is a specialized form of metal deposition that can be particularly useful in active and cold cases, and on contaminated evidence, where traditional fingerprint development methods fail. The process of VMD involves the thermal evaporation and deposition of a thin layer of metal onto the surface containing the latent fingerprint or impression. This metal layer adheres to and discolours the background around the fingerprint and the furrows between the fingerprint ridges, making the print visible to the naked eye. VMD has little to no effect on subsequent DNA analysis; it can be used to identify areas of contact for a more accurate trace DNA sampling.