Forensic Science International 158 (2006) 9–13www.elsevier.com/locate/forsciint Criminalystic: Effectiveness of lysochromes on the developing of invisible lipstick-contaminated lipmarks on human skin A preliminary study Esperanza Navarro, Ana Castello´, Jose L. Lo´pez, Fernando Verdu´ * Facultad de Medicina, U.D. Medicina Legal, Av/Blasco Iban˜ez, no. 15, Valencia 46010, Spain Received 1 March 2005 Available online 13 June 2005 Abstract Latent prints are an important evidence for identification. Nowadays, the technical means, the implementation of image processing techniques and the use of database makes it possible to detect and get information from some prints that seem to be useless at first sight. On the other hand, the possibility of using the print as a DNA source has to be considered, so as to double its identifying value. Human skin is a particularly difficult surface for developing this kind of evidences. Although different methods for locating and developing latent fingerprints on the skin have been already described, it has not been found any method, at the revised bibliography, to obtain and develop invisible lipmarks, that is, lipmarks from protective lipstick, or permanent or long-lasting lipstick. The aim of the work that follows is to determine the effectiveness of several reagents for developing invisible lipmarks on the corpses’ skin. Preliminary results show that, under the described experimental conditions, the reagents used, Sudan III, Oil Red O and Sudan Black, are effective for obtaining recent latent lip prints on corpse’s skin. # 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Crime investigation; Latent lip prints; Lysochromes; Human skin; Cosmetics; Lipstick 1. Introduction Since, in 1905, a fingerprint was admitted as a piece of evidence in a case, and up to now [1], the technical means have been spectacularly developed. This makes it possible to detect prints, even those invisible, by sophisticated methods. On the other hand, by the implementation of image processing techniques, it becomes possible to get information from some prints that seem to be useless at first sight [2]. In addition, database provide the way to get quickly an identification. On the other hand, the possibility of using the print as a DNA source has to be considered, so as to double its identifying value [3,4]. * Corresponding author. Tel.: +34 963864820; fax: +34 963864165. E-mail address:
[email protected] (F. Verdu´). Undoubtedly, the main difficulty that investigators confront derives from the different substrates on which the print can be found: porous, non porous, rough, smooth, coloured, etc. For this reason, the investigation of news reagents is very interesting. The reagents must be useful on different surfaces, even when the prints are old or damaged [5]. Human skin is a particularly difficult surface for developing this kind of evidences because the same organic elements that generate the prints – and are used for detection – can also be found on the skin. Therefore, interferences in developing are frequent. Although different methods for locating and developing latent fingermarks on the skin have been already described [6–10], it has not been found any method, at the revised bibliography, to obtain and develop invisible lipmarks, that is, lipmarks from protective lipstick, or permanent or long- 0379-0738/$ – see front matter # 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.05.002 Reagents have been used in powdered form. Sudan Black and Oil Red O). octyl methoxycinnamate. propylparaben. it is worked on corpses previously kept in cold storage room and on not refrigerated ones. alumina.) which perfectly reproduces the shape and the outline. With this purpose has been planned the following method. they could also supply a valuable information to solve a criminal case [11. and some reagents to searching and developing invisible lipmarks have been proposed. 2. Long-lasting lipstick (Lipfinity. (c) Swabbing for cosmetic analysis and DNA profiling (a recent work [4] show that invisible lip marks made on paper and developed with Sudan Black can be used as a possible DNA source for forensic identification). The areas selected to form the print were the right side of the neck and the anterior region of the forearm.2. The aim of the work that follows is to determine the effectiveness of these reagents for developing invisible lipmarks on the corpses’ skin. propylne carbonate. silica. Oil Red O or Sudan Black) is spread on the surface where the mark was formed. octyldodecanol.10 E. Method Sample preparation.B. For the examination of the corpse. An invisible lipmark is obtained.12]. cera alba. mica. Material and method 2. Different works recently published [13. fatty acid and neutral fats staining (Panreac). cera microcrystallina. Both the date and cause of death are also variable. tocopherol. Reagents Sudan III (CI 26100) for microscopy. Marks appear in black when Sudan Black was used and in red when reagents used were Sudan III and Oil Red O and can be photographed. Major ingredients: trimethylsiloxisilicate. the following sequence has been applied: (a) Previous examination using UV light and an alternate light source (BluemaxxTM). Ultraviolet light. In order to consider in the experience the ageing effects. France). Reagent preparation. ozokerite. colophonium. dimethucone. Brushes. 3. aluminium hydroxide. without any additional preparation. Max Factor1 no. 2. propylparaben. The protective lipstick or long-lasting lipstick is spread on the mould and according to the manufacturer’s instructions has been waited between 2 and 3 min for fixing. octyl hidroxysterate. Lipmarks from protective lipsticks can be visualized more easily than lipmarks from permanent lipsticks. / Forensic Science International 158 (2006) 9–13 lasting lipstick (leaving no visible marks). propylparaben. Navarro et al. Annex 1 include a table which shows each corpse’s characteristics. Oil Red O for laboratpry use (Fluka Chemica reference 75087). titanium dioxide. Materials Standard protective lipstick (Protector labial Deliplus1 BCM 35500 VITRE. 2.3. The supports for the prints have been 17 corpses of people deceased of natural or violent causes. dicaprylyl maleate. Sudan Black (CI 26150) for microscopy fat staining (Panreac). ozokerite. Major ingredients: pentaerytrityl tetracaprylate. syntetic wax. (b) Development with and powder lysochromes (Sudan III. . Mould to make the lipmark in the skin: has been created a mould made of special silicone used in Odontology (laboratory Prote´sicos Reunidos C. Processing procedure. BluemaxxTM (alternate light source that works between 390 and 520 nm). And if these could be obtained. ethylene brassylate. all invisible lipmarks made have been located before applying the reagents. cetearyl isononanoate.14] have shown that conventional powders and reagents are less effective than lysochromes in developing invisible lipmarks. Then the mould is pressed on the corpse’s skin. propyl gallate. bis-diglyceril caprylate. After spreading the reagent carefully. it is washed with distilled water. benzophenone-3-butyl methoxydibenzolymethane. With UV light and Bluemaxx TM. the age at the death moment is comprised between 30 and 75 years old. Distilled water. as well as the lips lines and wrinkles. (b) Development with and powder lysochromes (Sudan III. hydrogenated castor oil.1. barium sulfate. BHT. So as to determine possible variations on the reagents effectiveness. sucrose polycottonseedate. The wash eliminates the reagent in excess and the print can be seen better. 19. brown). quaternium-18-hectorite. Results (a) Previous examination using UV light and an alternate light source (BluemaxxTM). These reagents make possible the developing on different substrates. BHA. tocopheryl acetate. a small quantity of reagent (Sudan III. Sudan Black and Oil Red O): using a brush. as Fig. The developing has been obtained from all of invisible lip marks. / Forensic Science International 158 (2006) 9–13 11 Fig. Invisible lipstick contaminated lip mark after developing. Discussion From the results the following can be deduced. The developing quality is good enough to detect the shape and the outline. Navarro et al. 1 and 2 show an invisible lipstick-contaminated lip mark before and after developing. so the originated with protective lipstick as those formed from long-lasting one. We have obtained a positive development for all of the lipmarks prints tested. A positive development means that the shape and the lips outline that are perfectly noticed and can be seen and also some lip lines and wrinkles. Figs. 1. Invisible lipstick contaminated lip mark before developing. 2.E. 4. . to the laboratory of Prote´sicos Reunidos C. Sudan Black produce better developments than Sudan III and Oil Red O. Appendix A. there are other factors that must be evaluated like times for deposition of the lip mark on de cadaver’s skin.B.abdominal compression Ischemic heart disease Yes . to the Institut of Legal Medicine in Alicante (Spain). as bibliography recommend [15]. / Forensic Science International 158 (2006) 9–13 well as some lips lines and wrinkles that may allow identification. Acknowledgments To the Centro Clı´nico Oral S. Sudan III. in Alicante (Spain). 5. It is needed to point out that the results of the work are related to the reagents effectiveness on recent invisible lipmarks. in Alicante (Spain). are effective for obtaining recent invisible lipstick-contaminated lip mark on corpse’s skin. Navarro et al. The possibility of using these reagents on latent lip prints produced without lipsticks (‘‘normal’’ lipmarks) should be studied. The investigation of old lipmarks is very difficult on this type of surface. Oil Red O and Sudan Black. ANNEX 1: Information about the corpses used as substrat for the invisible lipmarks Number Date (day/month/year) Age Gender Time since death (h) Cause of death Body refrigerated (yes/no) 1 2 3 4 5 6 12/12/2003 22/12/2003 28/12/2003 14/1/2004 14/1/2004 6/2/2004 Masculine Masculine Masculine Masculine Masculine Feminine 38–41 24 24–28 12 20 8 Digestive hemorrhage Heart attack of myocardium Cardiac insufficiency Heart attack of myocardium Poisoning with corrosive liquid Multiorgan failure No No Yes Yes Yes No 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 14/2/2004 14/2/2004 14/2/2004 22/2/2004 22/2/2004 22/2/2004 9/3/2004 25/3/2004 26/4/2004 26/4/2004 30 48 60 47 75 Unknown information 51 35–40 60 42 50 40–45 36 61 63 57 Masculine Masculine Masculine Masculine Masculine Masculine Masculine Masculine Feminine Masculine 21 18 21 16–20 16 4 3 4 6 22 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 17 25/6/2004 78 Masculine 24 Hypertensive cardiovascular Diseases Epileptic status Polytrauma Hanging Polytraumatism Waiting for toxicological results Destruccio´n of vital encephalic centers Traumatic shock Acute respiratory insufficiency Asphyxia by thoracic . the reagents used. probably because. However it is planned to put into effect in a near future. The factor of the corpse’s refrigeration has not influenced at the results.L.12 E. Conclusion Under the described experimental conditions. Also. it has been taken precaution to wait until the corpse’s skin to be completely free of humidity before developing the print. Seguı´. [5] H.H. toolmarks. . 16 (1) (1980) 35–41.htm. Forensic Sci. M. DNA fingerprints from fingerprints. Forensic Sci. Am.fbi. 4 (2) (2002) http://www. Beavan. Margot. s. Commun. [13] A. Perper. M. J.K. [15] http://members. [11] D. C.htm.C. CRC Press. [6] J. Schonborn. tire impressions. A new method for recovering latent fingerprints from skin. Miquel. Forensic Sci. M. M.A. S.. Navarro et al. Forensic Sci. Wen. Meloan. / Forensic Science International 158 (2006) 9–13 References [1] C. Feldman. Forensic Sci. [2] C. 18 (2004) 615–616.E. F. [8] O. 112 (2000) 41–47. [12] M. The skin as a repository and masker of evidence.u. 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