Effects of various wet decontaminants on ex vivo fingerprinting

Purpose In chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) disasters and hazardous material (HazMat) incidents, where dangerous agents are present, decontamination is essential for reducing risks to responders and other personnel. Such events may involve not only numerous living casualties but also contaminated decedents whose remains require decontamination before safe handling. However, decontamination may potentially affect the quality of post-mortem samples required for victim identification. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of wet decontamination on human skin and subsequent fingerprint recovery in vitro. Methods Eight wet decontamination methods were evaluated using 22 human skin specimens. Fingerprints were collected before and after decontamination using two recovery methods: powder-based lifting (dusting-lifting) and optical fingerprint scanning. Following decontamination, fingerprint quality was assessed and histological examination was performed to identify potential tissue damage. The tested methods included bleach at three concentrations (1%, 5%, and 10%), including assessment of delayed effects, an alcohol-based disinfectant, a complex industrial surface disinfectant, chloramine B, and chlorine dioxide. Results Of the eight decontamination methods evaluated, only bleach and chlorine dioxide produced a slight reduction in fingerprint quality, when scanner fingerprint recovery was utilized. Nevertheless, the resulting fingerprints remained suitable for identification with powder-based lifting, and no substantial tissue damage was observed. Conclusion The wet decontamination methods investigated in this study did not substantially compromise skin integrity or fingerprint recovery. These findings support their potential use in CBRN and HazMat incidents to enhance responder safety while preserving the forensic identification potential of contaminated human remains.