Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - Several students from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are teaming up with Jim Hamilton, a professor in the department of chemistry, Aric Dutelle, a lecturer in the department of criminal justice, and Phil Jackson, president of Phototonic Cleaning Technologies, to test a new fingerprinting technique for hard to lift surfaces. The technique uses the First Contact Family of Polymers, a substance developed by Hamilton, which is also being researched for other uses, including cleaning diamonds and telescopes.

Lifting fingerprints from textured or non-planar surfaces, such as doorknobs, dashboards and steering wheels, can be difficult because of the shape of the surface. While prints can be dusted and developed in the traditional way, it is difficult to place tape on a round object and lift it from the surface. The polymer developed by Hamilton, a transparent, colorless liquid, replaces the use of backed adhesives like tape and also lifts prints that are difficult to save, move and transport.

Tara Fahey, a chemistry major who graduated in May 2006, participated in the student research in spring 2006.

"The reason this area of research is exciting is because it would add another tool to the toolbox for those who are processing and lifting those difficult fingerprints. One of the nice things about this technique is that when the fingerprint is lifted, the print on the First Contact is a true image and not a mirror image," she explained. Fahey is now a Forensic Technician for MedTox Laboratories in St. Paul, Minn. She is also completing an internship at the St. Paul Police Department Crime Lab.

UWP students Kyle Vircks of Stetsonville and Leandra Reschly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa will continue researching, testing and refining the techniques. Dutelle, with a background in forensics and criminal investigation, will help the students test the process for field use and determine whether it is practical for use in court cases. Hamilton, Dutelle, Vircks, Fahey and Jackson visited Washington D.C last spring at the invitation of the U.S. Secret Service, who had contacted Hamilton. They demonstrated the technique to agents in the newly built Secret Service building and lab.

"This was a very educational trip for everyone involved and laid the groundwork for some interesting and cutting edge research and opportunities for students and staff in both chemistry and criminal justice. It also helped to foster the relationship between the university and the U.S. Secret Service," Dutelle said.

The students, under Hamilton and Dutelle's supervision, will be working with the Chief of Forensics and other experts at the Secret Service and will continue perfecting the process.

Anyone interested in learning more about the research may contact Hamilton at (608) 342-1670 or Dutelle at (608) 342-1596.

Contact: Jim Hamilton, professor, UWP Department of Chemistry, (608) 342-1670,hamiltoj@uwplatt.edu Prepared By: Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,martense@uwplatt.edu; with Tara Fahe