Method and apparatus for detecting fingerprints on skin

• US 5,395,445 A
• Filed: 05/20/1993
• Issued: 03/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Arthur M. Bohanan
• Original Assignee: Arthur M. Bohanan
• Inventors: Bohanan, Arthur M.
• Primary Examiner(s): BELL, JANYCE A
• Application Number:
  US08/064,955
• Time in Patent Office: 656 Days
• Field of Search: 427/1, 427/145, 427/248.1, 118/31.5, 118/720, 118/724, 118/726
• US Class Current: 118/31.5
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1172 using fingerprinting

Abstract

A method for rendering latent fingerprints at a site on a portion of skin detectable. The method comprises the steps of forming a cyanoacrylate vapor from a cyanoacrylate, conducting the cyanoacrylate vapor to the site on a portion of skin, and applying the cyanoacrylate vapor to the site at a sufficient concentration for a period of time of between about 15 seconds and about 30 seconds sufficient to deposit between about 0.31 mg/cm² and about 0.78 mg/cm² of the cyanoacrylate on the portion of skin. The present invention also provides an apparatus for rendering latent fingerprints at a site on a portion of skin detectable.

Claims

1. An apparatus for rendering latent fingerprints at a site on a portion of skin detectable, the apparatus comprising:

a first vessel having an inside and an outside, and having at least one first port wherein the inside of the first vessel is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the first vessel through the at least one first port, and having at least one second port;

at least one fan situated inside the first vessel;

a second vessel having an inside and an outside, and having at least one first port placed substantially in association with the at least one second port of the first vessel wherein the inside of the first vessel is in fluid communication with the inside of the second vessel through the at least one second port of the first vessel and the at least one first port of the second vessel;

heating means having at least one heating element which is adjustable to produce a temperature of between about 190°

C. and about 220°

C., wherein the heating means is situated inside the second vessel;

a container for holding an amount of a cyanoacrylate and for being placed in contact with the at least one surface of the heater, wherein the container is situated inside the second vessel;

at least one hose having an inside and an outside, and each of the at least one hose having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end of the at least one hose is attached to the second vessel substantially in association with the at least one second port of the second vessel, and wherein the inside of the at least one hose is in fluid communication with the inside of the second vessel; and

application means having an inside and an outside, and the application means having at least one first port which is substantially in association with the distal end of the at least one hose wherein the inside of the application means is in fluid communication with the inside of the at least one hose, and the application means having at least one second port wherein the inside of the application means is in fluid communication with the atmosphere surrounding the outside of the application means, and the application means having an outlet with a circumference to substantially circumscribe the site on a portion of skin,

such that a portion of cyanoacrylate is placed in the container situated in the second vessel and the heating means is adjusted to a temperature of between about 190°

C. and about 220°

C., wherein a vapor of the cyanoacrylate is produced, and the at least one fan situated in the first vessel is energized to bring air in from the atmosphere surrounding the first vessel through the at least one first port in the first vessel, and the at least one fan sends the air out of the first vessel through the at least one second port of the first vessel and the at least one first port of the second vessel, and the vapor of the cyanoacrylate is entrained in the air in the second vessel, and the air with the entrained vapor is sent from the second vessel into the at least one hose through the at least one second port in the second vessel and the proximal end of the hose, and thence the air with the entrained vapor is sent to the application means from the distal end of the at least one hose and the at least one first port in the application means, further such that the application means is placed in contact with the site on a portion of skin, and the air with the entrained vapor is in contact with the portion of skin through the outlet of the application means and the air with the entrained vapor flows out of the application means through the at least one second port of the application means to the atmosphere surrounding the application means, and wherein the skin is exposed to the vapor for a period of time sufficient to render latent fingerprints on the portion of skin detectable.