Recovering Dusty Shoe Prints from Skin: Comparative Research

Dusty shoeprints can be found on various substrates and should be dealt with properly. When the shoeprints are located on a human body the challenge is greater, due to the curved shape of the human body and the skin texture. We made several dust impressions on a human volunteer. The prints were lifted using three different methods: electrostatic lifter, black gelatin lifter and white adhesive lifter followed by enhancement with Bromophenol Blue (BPB). The prints recovered on the white adhesive were screened by skin debris that reacted with the Bromophenol blue. Full contact was not achieved between curved organs and the ESL. Another disadvantage of the ESL is that the electrostatic charge might be dangerous when used on live subjects. The best method was found to be the black gelatin lifter.