Postmortem Printing Series
The goal of this series is to outline the essential equipment and techniques to properly and consistently obtain high quality postmortem friction ridge prints from decedents. After watching the series, viewers should feel empowered, educated and confident that even on the toughest of cases most decedents can still be printed as long as the hands still possess the necessary layers of skin for printing.
*WARNING: Contains graphic content, viewer discretion advised*
Recording Techniques and Biology of Skin
Covers all methods of postmortem fingerprinting equipment and techniques.
Quick Reconditioning and Digital Scanning
Covers how to quickly clean and rehydrate the fingers and then capture the prints digitally or with standard methods.
Tissue Builder Technique
In-depth coverage of how to inject fluid under dehydrated finger pads to rehydrate the skin and then capture the prints.
Photography of Friction Ridge Skin
Quick overview of the necessary requirements to photographically capture a fingerprint or palm print when it is not easily printable with traditional methods.
Postmortem Palm Printing
Guide on how to best capture postmortem palm prints and why it is essential, especially when the fingers are compromised.
Degloving Method
The basic methods for printing a decedent that is decomposing and the skin is sloughing off or macerated.
Boiling Rehydration Method
Possibly the most underutilized tool in postmortem printing, this technique can assist with macerated, post-hydroxide rehydration, and even burned remains.
Casting Techniques
Demonstration of using casting materials to capture mummified and challenging cases without rehydration.
Hydroxide Rehydration Techniques
Chemical rehydration of mummified remains to restore skin pliability and friction ridge detail. This method can restore friction ridges not visible prior to soaking.
Burned Remains
A complete guide on triaging burned remains, how to properly recover prints, and tips/tricks to increase the chance of success.