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Mikrosil Casting Putty
Introduction
Mikrosil™ has been
formulated to give excellent rendering of small details, highest
contrast for microscopic observations, good releasing ability
for the cast and short setting-time. These properties are
important in cases of shallow marks and marks with small details
requiring large magnification.
Brown Mikrosil™
is a dark-brown color which many toolmark examiners prefer.
The dark color increases the visibility of detail in the casts
made from toolmarks, firing pin marks, breech face marks and
other marks on cartridge casings. Gray Mikrosil™ is
preferred by other toolmark examiners who photograph the contrast
between the light-colored surface and shadows produced from
side-lighting. As described below, squeeze an equal length
from each tube onto the mixing pad and stir them together
with the wooden spatula. Press against the toolmark and wait
for a few minutes. The hardened cast will easily release itself
from the surface.
White or Black Mikrosil™
can be used to lift dusted latent fingerprints from rough
or textured surfaces where regular lift tape will fail. Using
the method shown on the following page, press the mixed putty
onto the latent print. Wait a minute or two to allow the putty
to harden, then pull the card with the putty attached away
from the surface. Properly label the lifted latent print.
Remember, the image of the latent print is reversed, left
to right. Use White Mikrosil™ with black powders and
use Black Mikrosil™ with silver or fluorescent powders.
Instructions for use
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1. To use Mikrosil™, squeeze
out equal lengths about 1 1/2" to 2" long from the two
tubes onto the shiny side of one of the white cards.
One line of paste will be thinner than the other due
to the smaller nozzle on the tube. The tubes are designed
this way to give the proper proportions of each paste.
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2. With one of the wooden mixing
sticks, mix the two components together thoroughly on
the card. This should take 30 to 60 seconds.
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The easiest way to do the casting
is to place the card with the Mikrosil™ still
on it directly onto the surface with the tool mark.
An alternative method is to scrape the Mikrosil™
off of the mixing card with the wooden stick and place
it on the tool mark. The setting-time will be between
5 and 8 minutes in 68 degree weather and 12 and 15 minutes
in below-freezing temperatures. When the Mikrosil™
has set, gently peel it from the surface.
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Using Mikrosil™
to Lift Latent Prints
In the series of photographs
below, there is an example of using White Mikrosil™
to lift latent prints developed with black powder on an irregular
surface. After dusting and developing latent prints, prepare
the White Mikrosil™. Apply it to the surface and allow
it to dry. Gently peel it off. Remember that the latent prints
will be reversed left to right (mirror image).
Use Black Mikrosil™
when dusting with silver or white powders, or when dusting
with fluorescent powders, such as Redwop™, Greenwop™,
Blitz-Red™ or Blitz-Green™. The black background
does not fluoresce when examined with a Forensic Light Source
or ultraviolet lamp so the latent print will be bright against
a black background.
Toolmarks and Marks from
Firearms
In addition to casting
toolmarks, Brown Mikrosil™ can be used to cast firing
pin, ejector/extractor marks and breech face marks.
