Back to the Business of Being Dangerous

(Above: What crimes do you suppose he committed?)

Now that the contest is over (congrats, Jin Ai), it's time to get back to the bizarre and dangerous. Kad recently sent me a very handy list of tips for lifting fingerprints from everyday objects, and I thought we could all use a little primer. You never know when you'll find yourself at the scene of a crime!


Things You’ll Need:

Pencil
Knife
Coin
Feather or fine hair brush
Transparent tape
Large white index card or piece of paper

Step 1:
Look for objects that can potentially carry fingerprints. Fingerprints leave better impressions on smooth objects. These items hold the best prints: glass, painted surfaces, metal, linoleum, varnished woods and paper.

Step 2:
Grind some graphite power from a pencil. Using a knife, break the lead from a pencil into tiny pieces. Use a coin on a flat surface to grind the pieces into a fine powder.

Step 3:
Sprinkle the powder onto your object. Lay the object on a flat table and gently coat the surface of the object with a fine layer of graphite powder.

Step 4:
Reveal the fingerprint. Lightly dust the powder off the surface with a feather. The powder will stay attached to the oils from the suspect's skin, and a fingerprint should take shape. Be sure to dust very lightly, or you may dust away the fingerprint.

Step 5:
Transfer the fingerprint. Holding a small strip of transparent tape at both ends, place the tape over the fingerprint. Press it down for a moment, then carefully pull the tape up from one end. The fingerprint will transfer onto the tape.

Step 6:
Place the tape face down on an index card. Repeat the process for each finger you can find prints for on the object, and place them on the same card.