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Recent research carried out at West Technology Forensics’ laboratory concluded that high quality ridge detail could be consistently developed from a range of fired rifle and shotgun cartridges using the forensic Vacuum Metal Deposition (VMD) process. Our latest...

We recently received an enquiry regarding the effectiveness of the VMD process in developing grab marks on a pillow case to help identify if someone had been smothered. We decided to test the VMD process on a 100% cotton, old (used) white pillowcase that had been used...

We regularly receive queries on whether VMD might be successful on certain exhibit types. Recently, we were asked whether a mobile phone would survive the VMD process (due to the levels of vacuum required for the process), and whether it would be worth trying VMD...

Visualisation of grab mark impressions on cotton/polyester fabric using silver/zinc Vacuum Metal Deposition – preliminary study Eleigh Brewer BSc Aim: To determine if the type of grab action can be differentiated by analysis of the grab mark impression. Background The...

An example of the benefits of Vacuum Metal Deposition (VMD) over the traditional methods of visualisation of fingerprints with particular reference to new polymer bank notes -Courtesy of Cumbria Constabulary, June 2017 Back story During one evening in 2017, enquiries...

Aim: To test the VMD technique for its ability to develop fingermarks from spent cartridges and bullet casings. Natural and sebaceous marks to be deposited onto bullet/cartridge by a single donor and the bullet/cartridge fired after a set time period (< 5mins, 1...

10th May 2017 – James Price During recent training with the New Zealand Police, one of their Forensic Scientist successfully developed a great print on a polystyrene cup using a gold/zinc + silver VMD process in their new VMD1260.

6th April 2017 – Ian Harris I recently used one of our VMD360 Latent Fingerprint Development systems to carry out an experiment in order to develop a mark on a sample of leather from a luggage label holder. I placed a natural mark on the leather and the next day...

We often ask customers to list a range of problematic substrates that they struggle to develop good fingermarks on. Wood always seems to be high on the list. Here’s an example of good ridge detail developed using a Silver/Zinc VMD process

Here’s a quick update on our research project looking at the effectiveness of different VMD processes in developing fingerprints on the new BoE polymer £5. So far the Gold/Zinc vs Silver/Zinc results are pretty even. Stay tuned for the copper process results..!

Narcotics and money bundles are usually wrapped up in flexible plastic food wrap such as Clingfilm or Saran wrap. This can be particularly difficult to recover prints from, however, once again we have seen much success when processing with VMD. Here are some examples...

VMD Fingermark development on waterproof jacket:   VMD fingerprint development – waterproof jacket. The great thing about having our own on-site laboratory, is the ability to rapidly process specific items which enables us to advise customers which processes...

Polymer banknotes usually have very complicated backgrounds made up of different textures, colours and patterns. Even if you successfully develop fingermarks, visualising the prints can still be very difficult. Here’s one solution using a copper VMD process followed...

When processing exhibits with VMD, occasionally you might find that you develop an outline of a print which contains limited ridge detail.  This is when a 2nd or in this case a 3rd metal evaporation is worth a try to fill in the missing gaps! Here’s a great example of...