Forensic Identification Services
Document Section
The
Document Section is responsible for the
processing, examining and identifying latent fingerprints and palmprints found on
criminal writings like hold-up notes, counterfit money, real money, threatening
letters, fraudulent cheques and hate crimes.
A Fingerprint Technician chemically treats seized currency
Documents
received from various units of the Toronto Police
Service are chemically treated to develop any
latent fingerprints thereon. The developed prints are
then photographed and the negatives filed for future
comparison.
Any
fingerprints found on the documents are compared to the
fingerprints of suspects supplied by the investigating
units. If no identification is made, the found prints, if suitable, are
searched via AFIS .
If an
identification, or "match" results from comparison or search, the
Fingerprint Technician who found the fingerprint on the
document will, if required, present the identification
evidence in court.
On average, the Document Section processes 14,000 items yielding 2,600 fingerprints found
and 750 identifications annually.
| Processes Used: |
| DFO |
Amino acid reagent, requiring an alternate light source to visualize |
| Ninhydrin |
Amino acid reagent |
| Physical Developer |
Silver based process that reacts to lipids, oils and waxes in fingerprint
secretions |
|
