On October 13 and 14, 2009 the State Forensic Science Bureau (SFSB) held a two-day qualification course for Baltic and Northern European forensic experts on obtaining digital fingerprints and on image quality improvement using Foster&Freeman’s DCS 4 system.

The course was facilitated by Foster&Freeman staff, Esther Neate and Paul Butler and included participants from forensic laboratories and centres from Norway, Sweden,  Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia. The participants described the processes used in their facilities to photograph fingerprints as well as the computer programs and technologies used to enhance the quality of the image. They also shared their experiences about complications encountered when using photographic images. SFSB gave their reasons for choosing the DS4 program, discussed contentious issues in this field and introduced the participants with the methods the SFSB uses to arrive at solutions.

 The Foster&Freeman representatives introduced participants to the DS4 equipment, its main components and highlighted the main advantages in photographing fingerprints as well as enhancing the photographs by removing troubling elements.  Esther Neate demonstrated capabilities in fingerprint photography with different light sources and light filters in further enhancement by working with samples provided by course participants and also by presenting real-life situations from various investigations. The participants were also able to try out their new knowledge and skills on items such as banknotes, documents and other complicated surfaces.

These courses are a component of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism supported project “Strengthening the Judiciary in Latvia by Improving Capacity of the State Forensic Science Bureau of Latvia in Order to Comply with Best Practice and International Quality Standards”.

Course participant