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Last week, we looked at several perspectives on an tenprint miss by FBI CJIS.

This week we would continue with part 2 of The Complexity of Recognition, but I realized it was an earlier work of Craig Coppock that was later entitled "A detailed look at inductive processes in forensic science."  I had retrieved "The Complexity of Recognition" from a "pending articles" folder I have had since the inception of the website... WHICH brings me to my next point... the Pending Articles folder is empty!  If you have been waiting to publish that new idea, thought or concept, or relation of a new or novel technique to the field of latent prints, now might be your time.  Just e-mail your 1-3 page narrative to kaseywertheim@aol.com and we'll work together from there.

This week, we look at a note from a chemical researcher in Japan regarding a new version of RTX for the development of latent prints:

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A Safe New Formulation for Ruthenium Tetroxide (RTX)

My name is Kenzoh Mashiko. I am a retired forensic chemist with 33 years service in the crime lab system of Japan. I am a member of the IAI (previously serving on the Board of Directors). Now I am representing RTX Laboratory.

Over the years, I have worked to improve various latent print chemical development procedures. My greatest success has been the development of a
safe new formulation for ruthenium tetroxide (RTX).

RTX leaflet

"Developer" is a trade name of the Ruthenium Tetroxide (RTX) solution product for developing latent fingerprints on a variety of substrates.

The upper pictures are one of fingerprints on a piece of ordinary paper and human skin developed by this method.

Rutenium Tetoxide is dissolved in an organic solvent.  If RTX solution and fumes react with oils and fats in latent print residue turning them to brown or black solidish substances.

RTX is a versatile, effective solution for developing latent fingerprints on a variety of substrates.

Figure 1

RTX-Developed fingerprints on a standard piece of paper.

Versatility of this RTX method

●The method can develop fingerprints on human skin.

●The black residue remains on substrates after being processed by the method, and they can be erased easier than other methods.

●Sensitivity of RTX to fingerprints is very high and developed fingerprint ridges are very clear.

●The kit is convenient to carry about and the operation of it is simple.

●Safety is shown by the MSDS on the product.

●The method can develop latent fingerprints which are difficult to be developed or can not be developed by any other conventional methods.

Substrates applicable to the method

human skin, usual paper, thermal paper, clothes, leather, glass, plastics, both sides of adhesive tape and vinyl tape, wooden goods, metal, stone, wall, etc, and these substrates with wet surface

You may have seen the 1991 article on RTX I co-authored with Mr. Ed German of the US Army Crime Lab.
My last published article was: "Latent Fingerprint Processing by the Ruthenium Tetroxide Method," JOURNAL OF FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION, May/June 1998.

As a result of that article, a number of agencies were provided FREE samples of my patented chemical mixture. Most have been well pleased and subsequently many placed orders with us. Now many agencies stock RTX as another technique in their arsenal for developing latent prints on difficult surfaces.

Our offer is now being expanded to include an invitation to any police agency to request a FREE sample of RTX for evaluation. Upon receiving your request, a FREE sample will be forwarded to you with a fuming device, a copy of the operator's manual. If you would like to try it out, please contact me at the address and phone or fax numbers below.

Please, however, prepare to supply on your own an air pusher with two rubber balls or a portable air pump for bubbling the RTX solution in the device in order to evaporate the RTX from the solution for developing latent fingerprints.

I will be happy to send a leaflet regarding the use of RTX for recovering latent fingerprints from difficult surfaces. Please contact us with your request for further information, or please check our website.

RTX Laboratory, Chief: Kenzoh Mashiko
1097-17, Hori-cho, Mito-shi, Ibaraki-ken 310-0903 Japan
Phone: 011-81-29-252-5433 Fax: 011-81-29-255-6167
E-mail: k.mashiko.mi.iba@mx3.ttcn.ne.jp
Website: www.onin.com/rtx

Authorized Distributor for RTX Solution-Developer Products in North America:
CG DISTRIBUTORS
Gordon Fletcher E-mail: fletcher8882@cableone.net
2145 Mountain Dr
Bartlesville, OK 74003 Phone: (918) 336-8882

Business acquaintances
Law enforcement agencies in Japan, USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Sweden. Belgium. Saudi Arabia, Holland, Switzerland, New Zealand & Australia and South Africa

Relevant Papers.

RTX: A New Ruthenium Tetroxide Fuming Procedure, Journal of Forensic Identification, Vol.41, No.6 Nov./Dec.1991 Kenzo Mashiko, Edward R. German, Charles D. Colman

Latent Fingerprint Processing by the Ruthenium Tetroxide Method, Journal of Forensic Identification, Vol.48, No.3 May/June 1998 Kenzo Mashiko, Takashi Miyamoto

Patent
USA: No. 5,378,492, Japan: No. 3,143,812

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Remember, the message board is always open: (http://www.clpex.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=2).  For more formal latent print discussions, visit onin.com: (http://www.onin.com)

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UPDATES ON CLPEX.com

No major updates on the website this week
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Until next Monday morning, don't work too hard or too little.

Have a GREAT week!