A team from Dundee has been able to recover fingerprints from the feathers of birds of prey, which are under threat from illegal poisoning, shooting and trapping. If the birds have been handled, the incriminating marks could help police to identify the suspect. The research is published in the journal Science and Justice. [...] Lead scientist Dennis Gentles said: We use fluorescent powder because fluorescent powder will glow if its put under a laser light, and because it glows it separates itself completely from the background. That makes it nice and clear to record and hopefully identify as someones particular fingerprint. The team was able to recover prints from the feathers of six species that they tested: kestrels, sparrowhawks, buzzards, red kites, golden eagles and white-tailed eagles. [...] The researchers also recovered fingerprints from eggs using black magnetic powder, which could help police to track down and prosecute illegal collectors.
Posted on: Wed, 14 Jan 2015 06:11:41 +0000
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