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Inventor of forensic fingerprint technique says criminals who eat processed foods have ‘sticky fingers’, which are more likely to corrode metal.
Fingerprint identification (sometimes referred to as dactyloscopy or palmprint identification is the process of comparing questioned and known friction skin ridge impressions from fingers or palms to determine if the impressions are from the same finger or palm. The flexibility of friction ridge skin means that no two finger or palm prints are ever exactly alike (never identical in every detail), even two impressions recorded immediately after each other. Fingerprint identification (also referred to as individualization) occurs when an expert (or an expert computer system operating under threshold scoring rules) determines that two friction ridge impressions originated from the same finger or palm (or toe, sole) to the exclusion of all others.
The inventor of a revolutionary new forensic fingerprinting technique claims criminals who eat processed foods are more likely to be discovered by police through their fingerprint sweat corroding metal.
Dr John Bond, a researcher at the University of Leicester and scientific support officer at Northamptonshire Police, said processed food fans are more likely to leave tell-tale signs at a crime scene.
Speaking before a conference on forensic science at the University of Leicester, Dr Bond said sweaty fingerprint marks made more of a corrosive impression on metal if they had a high salt content.
And he revealed he was currently in early talks with colleagues at the University of Leicester to assess whether a sweat mark left at a crime scene could be analysed to reveal a ‘sweat profile’ ie more about the type of person who left the mark.
Dr Bond, from Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Leicester’s Forensic Research Centre. He has developed a method that enables scientists to ‘visualise fingerprints’ even after the print itself has been removed. He and colleagues conducted a study into the way fingerprints can corrode metal surfaces. The technique can enhance – after firing– a fingerprint that has been deposited on a small calibre metal cartridge case before it is fired.
Dr Bond said: “On the basis that processed foods tend to be high in salt as a preservative, the body needs to excrete excess salt which comes out as sweat through the pores in our fingers.
“So the sweaty fingerprint impression you leave when you touch a surface will be high in salt if you eat a lot of processed foods -the higher the salt, the better the corrosion of the metal.”
Dr Bond added there was therefore an indirect link therefore between obesity and the chances of being caught of a crime. “Other research has drawn links between processed foods and obesity and we know that consumers of processed foods will leave better fingerprints,” he said.
Dr Bond said there was scope to take his research further and to look at the constituents of sweat itself in order to profile an individual: “We are currently in talks with the University of Leicester to see if there is scope to investigate sweat itself and whether it can identify the type of person who left that sweat mark
“This is because the amount of sweat people leave varies and the components of the sweat varies. Important for us is how the salt varies but there is potential to investigate other elements to describe the kind of person who left the mark. It would give lifestyle information that, whilst nowhere near as good as identifying individuals with their fingerprints, it is still very good for police if they have got nothing else to go on.
“This would be particularly helpful for terrorist type crimes where the nature of the incident would tend to obliterate forensic evidence. So a sweat mark on a piece of metal or bomb fragment that might be recovered from an incident might be able to provide a clue to the type of person who perpetrated the incident.”
“We would describe the study of sweat as a process of intelligent fingerprinting - using the fingerprint to tell us more about the individual rather than a simple identification.”
Latest News
Police issue advice after Asian gold jewellery and watches stolen during burglaries | ||
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 | Police issue advice after Asian gold jewellery and watches stolen during burglariesLeicestershire Constabulary has issued advice after a number of burglaries where jewellery has been stolen. Incidents have occurred across the county where homes have been broken into and thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and items of sentimental value have been taken.... 10 Feb 2012 Police issue advice after Asian gold jewellery and watches stolen during burglaries | |
Police name driver of van following fatal collision in Groby | ||
| Police name driver of van following fatal collision in GrobyPolice have named the driver of the van who died following a collision on the A50 in Groby. The collision occurred at about 9.... 10 Feb 2012 Police name driver of van following fatal collision in Groby | |
Man sentenced to six years after two robberies at Nationwide and Yorkshire Bank | ||
 | Environment & Transport10 February 2012Learn to make a meal out of leftoversA series of free cookery classes are being held to teach people how to cook up a treat using leftovers. As well as cooking up to three recipes, Leicestershire residents who attend can pick up tasty recipe cards and take home a free goody bag containing giveaways including a spaghetti measure and a meal planner.... 10 Feb 2012 Learn to make a meal out of leftovers | |
Robbery on Victoria Park | ||
| Robbery on Victoria ParkPolice are appealing for witnesses to a robbery on Victoria Park. The incident happened Sunday, January 22 at around 7pm when the 19-year-old victim was walking across the park towards the memorial from London Road.... 09 Feb 2012 Robbery on Victoria Park | |
Related News
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
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 | A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
NEW FINGERPRINT BREAKTHROUGH BY FORENSIC SCIENTISTS | |
 | University of Leicester and Northamptonshire Police research reveals new techniques for identifying prints on metal... 05 Jun 2008 NEW FINGERPRINT BREAKTHROUGH BY FORENSIC SCIENTISTS |
Forensic Career Open Day - Saturday October 4 | |
| Interested in a career in forensic science? If so, why not come along to a Forensic Career Open day.... 30 Sep 2008 Forensic Career Open Day - Saturday October 4 |
LEICESTER FORENSIC MEDICINE TEAM AT PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE | |
 | A delegation from the University of Leicester is attending an international conference on forensic medicine.... 22 Aug 2008 LEICESTER FORENSIC MEDICINE TEAM AT PRESTIGIOUS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE |
DECADE OF SUCCESS FOR FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMME | |
 | Forensic psychologists at the University of Leicester will be celebrating ten years of success running distance learning programmes at a conference at the University on Friday 18th July.... 05 Jun 2008 DECADE OF SUCCESS FOR FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMME |
Relevant News
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER GRADUATE APPOINTED TO READERSHIP IN DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS | |
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 | The University of Leicester has appointed Dr Raffael Schaffrath as a Reader in the Department of Genetics. A graduate of the University of Leicester, he has previously worked at Harvard Medical School.... 11 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER GRADUATE APPOINTED TO READERSHIP IN DEPARTMENT OF GENETICS |
UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME | |
| A collaboration between the University of Leicester Forensic Research Centre and the Northamptonshire Police Scientific Support Unit, which has already produced some ground-breaking results, is to be formally launched on 14th May.... 16 Apr 2008 UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FORENSIC RESEARCH CENTRE JOINS WITH POLICE IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME |
WINNERS OF ?LEICESTER INVENTS? TO BE ANNOUNCED | |
 | Noon on 26th April, the University of Leicester's 'Celebrate Leicester Day', will be the moment when the region's youngest inventors, from 5 to 16 years, will know who has won the University's 'Leicester Invents' competition.... 23 Apr 2008 WINNERS OF ?LEICESTER INVENTS? TO BE ANNOUNCED |
Scientists aim to create Genetic snapshot of the diversity of Leicester | |
 | University of Leicester study will profile make-up of a modern British city Scientists at the world-famous Department of Genetics at the University of Leicester, home of DNA fingerprinting, are recruiting men who live in Leicester to provide a genetic snapshot of the diversity of the city. The study, funded by the Wellcome Trust, will focus on the Y chromosome, part of our DNA that is passed down from fathers to sons.... 28 Apr 2008 Scientists aim to create Genetic snapshot of the diversity of Leicester |
LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS 50 YEARS AS A SPACE SCIENTIST | |
 | An eminent British scientist, whose work has been celebrated among 100 Discoveries that Changed the World is to give a public lecture at the University of Leicester about his work, spanning half a century, as a space scientist. Professor Ken Pounds CBE, FRS, Emeritus Professor of Space Physics at the University of Leicester is a UK pioneer of space science and a founder of the space programme at the University of Leicester - now among the biggest academic space research centres in Europe.... 30 Apr 2008 LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS 50 YEARS AS A SPACE SCIENTIST |
Most Read News (today)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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 | Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
 | Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
| Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (alltime)
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
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| Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |
Forensic Psychology | |
 | Volunteers are being sought to take part in a new study at the University of Leicester which will have important implications for forensic research. Participants are required to spend just 30 minutes undertaking memory tasks and questionnaires which will help to shed new light on the relationship between personality, the experience of life adversity, and eye-witness memory.... 23 May 2008 Forensic Psychology |
Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam | |
| Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scamTop L to R - Sandip Rana, Satish Ravat, Vishal Shah bottom L to R Bhavesh Patel and Jaswinder ChahalFive Leicester men have today (Thursday November 25) been sentenced for their part in an illegal immigration scam. Bhavesh Patel (27) of Columbine Road, Hamilton, Satish Ravat (28) of Arbour Road, Leicester, Sandip Singh Rana (29) of Moores Road, Leicester, Jaswinder Chahal (42) of Swithland Avenue, Leicester and Vishal Jitendra Shah (25) of Braemar Close, Leicester pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court at an earlier hearing to assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.... 25 Nov 2010 Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam |
Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse | |
| Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester RacecourseMembers from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum (LRF) have today (Wednesday October 27, 2010) been involved in a pre-planned exercise to test how emergency services would cope with a major incident. At 10.... 27 Oct 2010 Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse |
Missing girl returns home safe and well | |
| Missing girl returns home safe and well Officers investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl have confirmed she has returned safe and well. Sarah Dunn was reported missing from home on Monday May 25.... 08 Jun 2009 Missing girl returns home safe and well |