Device reveals latent fingerprints on thermal paper

Zeals-based Consolite Forensics worked with Dr John Bond, a senior lecturer in forensic sciences at Leicester University and former head of forensic sciences with Northamptonshire police, to develop the Hot Print System (HPS), a patent-pending device that that is quick and simple to use, requires no pre-processing or chemical treatment of samples, and is effective on latent fingerprints that are up to two years old.

Thermal paper is commonly used to print receipts, and these are often left in vehicles left at a crime scene.

Traditionally, chemicals would be used to reveal prints on the paper but lab tests are relatively costly and can lead to the paper becoming blackened, which entirely eliminates recovery of the fingerprint.

Operating at 96V - 264V AC and resembling a small desktop scanner, the 4kg HPS requires an operator to place the thermal paper with a suspected fingerprint into the device in order for a heat plate to gently warm the sample.