The detection of latent residue tattoo ink pigments in skin using invisible radiation photography

Title
The detection of latent residue tattoo ink pigments in skin using invisible radiation photography
Publication Date
2008-08-13
Author(s)
McKechnie, Michelle L
Porter, Glenn
Langlois, Neil
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1080/00450610802047580
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/27419
Abstract
The identification of tattoos often provides important forensic information when investigating criminal activity. Tattoos may be used by police intelligence as a source of identification of known criminals. Tattoos may be effaced by laser surgery so that they can no longer been seen by visual inspection of the skin. However, remnants of pigment persist within the dermis. This paper describes a novel technique using infrared photography that can demonstrate the presence of tattoos that have been ablated by lasers. The method provides adequate detail of the tattoo's characteristics to aid in forensic identification. A literature search did not reveal any known methods of detecting latent residue inks after removal or detecting alteration of a pre-existing tattoo.
Link
Citation
Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 40(1), p. 65-72
ISSN
1834-562X
0045-0618
Start page
65
End page
72

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