The History of Fingerprinting for the Solution of Crimes

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Just like every individual, every fingerprint is unique. Whether it is between two friends or two people from the opposite ends of the Earth, the fingerprints that they contain will not be identical. Fingerprints are very fascinating because of this fact. Fingerprints are unique to the person, and therefore, fingerprints have a great use to law enforcement agencies throughout the world. This use of fingerprints in forensic science has caught my interest because the overall concept is very interesting. DNA evidence and fingerprints are a large part of a criminal investigation today. Due to the various use of fingerprints, I contemplated about what would be the ideal time for a solution that helps lift fingerprints to dry. Hence my research question: Does the amount of time the silver nitrate solution is left to air dry affect the quality of the fingerprint left behind? This relates to science now because it can help prefect one of the techniques used to fight crime. Another benefit in performing this experiment will be that it can make forensic science more efficient. However, before beginning the experiment, there must be some research into fingerprints and the history of fingerprints. By doing this, we will be able to accurately design a procedure and conduct the experiment.
A nineteenth century scientist, by the name of Francis Galton, has been accredited the discovery of fingerprints. Galton was the first to propose that fingerprints are not inherited from the parents but are rather unique regardless of genetics. A piece of evidence that supports this is when a pair of identical twins still have a set of different fingerprints. This theory that all fingerprints are inimitable was essential for the introduction of fingerprints...

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... that reveals the fingerprint under ultra violet light. This chemical is silver nitrate (AgNO3). When placed together the chloride ion in the sodium chloride will react with the silver nitrate to create a colorless chemical called silver chloride (AgCl+ NaNO3). This combination is shown through the balanced equation AgNO3 + NaCl --> AgCl + NaNO3. (Using Chemicals to Visualize Prints) Furthermore, while the end result would be colorless, when exposed to ultra violet light, the solution into silver and the fingerprint, which is now silver chloride, into a black or reddish color. In conclusion, for the experiment on this Extended Essay, I am going to use the technique to lift fingerprints that involves silver nitrate. I am going to test how the amount of time the solution has to air dry on the fingerprint affects the quality of the fingerprint. Below is my procedure.

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