Fingerprints and human identification 91
examination of human remains. Although medicolegal professionals routinely
obtain postmortem fingerprints in death investigations, it is recommended
that they seek assistance from a qualified fingerprint examiner when using
reconditioning techniques to avoid the possibility of rendering the friction
skin unprintable.
One of the most prevalent types of friction skin damage involves macera-
tion and decomposition of human remains related to prolonged water/moisture
exposure. This type of damage manifests itself in the creation of creases or
wrinkles in the fingers as well as the deterioration of the epidermal layer
of friction ridge skin. The primary concern with water-soaked remains is
the elimination of wrinkles from the friction skin in order to obtain suit-
able postmortem impressions. The examiner can pinch/stretch the skin in an
attempt to remove the creases or inject tissue builder, a viscous liquid used
for embalming purposes, into the fingertips. Tissue builder is injected into
the end of the finger by passing the needle through the first joint or medial
phalange, resulting in the elevation of depressed areas in the fingertip, thus
removing any wrinkles that are present (Figure 6.5).
Figure 6.5 the injection of tissue builder into a fingertip to remove wrinkles
from friction skin.