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Post by iamdragonrider on Aug 17, 2009 11:01:03 GMT -5
where does this belong or does it? It was in off topic and wasn't certain if questions can be asked there. Thanks for the help... QOUTE: Ok, I know this question is probably a little out there, but I'm looking for some foresics buffs, and thought I'd come to one of my other favorite shows to see I could find an answer. I'm writing a fanfic in the sci-fi genre, that involves a woman turned back into a child, there's questions of abuse and possibly kidnapping when they discover her so called gaurdian isn't who he says he is (because he's undercover) and no one will tell them anything because it's alll classified, but they can't back off because there's a child involved. And I was wondering if they'd be able to identify my character from her fingerprints, especially since she's an air force pilot. From what I've managed to find online, we're born with our fingerprints, and they never change, is this true? In this case, it may make an interesting plot point, after all she's the missing person on thier number one suspect's team. Would the police have access to military records of fingerprints and DNA, or do they have to have a reason to go there? Thanks for the info and thoughts
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Post by Trublu on Aug 18, 2009 5:59:39 GMT -5
The pattern of our fingerprints never change, correct. They can become wider or thinner with age, weight, etc., but the properties used for identification don't change.
Military prints are on record, though not in the criminal fingerprint databases. They wouldn't have DNA from someone who hasn't been arrested.
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Post by JrBenson on Aug 18, 2009 6:53:13 GMT -5
I've read somewhere that some criminals actually use super glue on their fingers to pervent anyone from finding a finger print. It get's smudged and untraceable.
I've also read somewhere that some go to extremes - one criminal actually sliced off the pads of his fingers tips so no finger prints can be found. I can't remember exactly where I found all this out, but I do remember trying out the super glue theory once. It works pretty well - I know, I don't get out much.
If the body has been burned/charred, there is a good possibility that finger prints will be hard to find. That's where the dental ID comes in. Like our finger prints, our teeth provide our ID.
I was watching an SVU episode, and they were trying to figure out why a finger print was so smudgy. What you put into your body can also help or hinder your finger print. The SVU tech, Ryan is a vegetarian so his body produces less fat/chemical so his prints is easier to find. If someone eats a lot of fatty foods, then their prints will be a bit more hard to distinguish.
Ok, I'm rambling on. Hope this helps.
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Post by iamdragonrider on Aug 18, 2009 10:18:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the answers ( I did think about where to post this question since it wasn't an SVU question, just a crime related one.... Off topic seemed the best place for it!) I thought they used children's fingerprints to identify missing children even after years had passed, so I supposed, it could work in reverse, I just wasn't sure and wanted to see what people thought. I didn't want to post on my stargate board and let people know yet that i'm considering working on a sequel though, since I haven't finished the first story, my readers are already impatient for the ending!
Anyway, they should be rather confused to get a match on the prints for an adult, particularly one they are interested in questioning, and if they happen to loo k closely at the photo... And Sam wouldn't be in the criminal database I don't think, but perhaps, if her prints get mixed into another pile, and run in a larger data base instead of just missing persons (they think she's a kidnap victim) it would be more concievible to get a hit.
Still, I doubt they'd do more than pass it off as a rare glitch, after all there would be no reason for them to suspect otherwise, but still, an interisting polt point for my scifi readers, and a reason of course for my character to resist giving up her prints, to the dismay of the precinct, who will wonder why the adorable child suddenly turns into a holy terror. I wonder if they can compel a five year old child to give up prints. While she's a victim, without evidence, they can't accuse her gaurdian of kidnapping her.
On another note, attempting to alter one's fingerprints (ie, by cutting them off or other wise mutilating the fingertips) can make your fingerprints ever more distinctive, since not many people will have that particular pattern. The superglue idea sounds interisting though, maybe my character should try that. With the phenomenal bad luck i'm giving her in the story though, someone will probably catch her though. Or she'll glue herself to the desk. Oh, what a fun idea!
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Post by JrBenson on Aug 18, 2009 11:12:16 GMT -5
I thought they used children's fingerprints to identify missing children even after years had passed... It's more of a combo of both fingerprints and DNA. Normally DNA is more conclusive. I remember where I found all that info. It was on a tv show (that I love to watch). It's called Master Minds. It profiles different criminals (who have all been caught) and they re-enact how they pulled off their crimes. One couple did the super glue thing - the guy learned that when he was in prison. They robbed several large banks and at one point, they were called 'Bonnie and Clyed'. And I went to the internet for the other technique (I get very bored at work). I know how that feels. I've got 8 fanfics going and I'm trying to keep up with the demands. I'm also thinking of starting a few more stories...I know, I should stop while I'm ahead! Good luck with your writing.
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Post by Trublu on Aug 18, 2009 11:33:35 GMT -5
I just thought of this, from the writing perspective: if you're writing in the sci-fi genre, you can make up your own rules! (As long as you're consistent. )If, in your world, people can change their fingerprints, that would be acceptable, so long as there were rules governing who could do it, when, where, why, etc. Actually, if you're writing in a fandom, I suppose that might be a little more restricting. But you could always fiddle.
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Post by iamdragonrider on Aug 18, 2009 20:10:23 GMT -5
I just thought of this, from the writing perspective: if you're writing in the sci-fi genre, you can make up your own rules! (As long as you're consistent. )If, in your world, people can change their fingerprints, that would be acceptable, so long as there were rules governing who could do it, when, where, why, etc. Actually, if you're writing in a fandom, I suppose that might be a little more restricting. But you could always fiddle. Well, unfortunately that won't be an option, since I'm writing in the stargate fandom, and since that fandom is in our reality, with some aliens and alien tech, all top secret and hidden from the general public eye, Sam won't be able to change her body at will. (since humans don't possess supernatural abilities unless they are controlled by aliens) But like I mentioned, since it is in our reality, when the prints do come back with an unexpected and rather unlikely hit, the detectives will likely think it's most likely some sort of system glitch, or way the prints were handled, or anything but the reality. They would never suspect that they actually have a thirty something year old woman in thier hands in the body of a five year old child. I mean, why should they, such I thing is science fiction after all ;D
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Post by iamdragonrider on Aug 18, 2009 20:12:44 GMT -5
Good luck with your writing. Thanks!
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Post by JrBenson on Aug 19, 2009 4:39:43 GMT -5
Well, unfortunately that won't be an option, since I'm writing in the stargate fandom, and since that fandom is in our reality, with some aliens and alien tech, all top secret and hidden from the general public eye, Sam won't be able to change her body at will. (since humans don't possess supernatural abilities unless they are controlled by aliens) But like I mentioned, since it is in our reality, when the prints do come back with an unexpected and rather unlikely hit, the detectives will likely think it's most likely some sort of system glitch, or way the prints were handled, or anything but the reality. They would never suspect that they actually have a thirty something year old woman in thier hands in the body of a five year old child. I mean, why should they, such I thing is science fiction after all ;D Shhhh!!!!!!! You're giving away too much!!!! lol.
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Post by iamdragonrider on Aug 19, 2009 20:24:25 GMT -5
Shhhh!!!!!!! You're giving away too much!!!! lol. I won't tell if you won't tell!
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