DCS®5
UV | VIS | IR
No compromise fingerprint imaging workstation for unrivalled results
Used by fingerprint experts across the globe, DCS®5 is a comprehensive imaging system for the illumination, visualisation, photography, and enhancement of almost any type of fingerprint on any surface or background, ensuring that maximum detail is revealed.
World Class Fingerprints
Representing best-in-class technology, the DCS®5 is our flagship system for the illumination, visualisation, photography, and enhancement of fingerprints.
Released at the turn of the millennium, the original DCS 121 represented a revolution in fingerprint photography. By the late 1990s digital photography had become commercially ubiquitous, as it provided photographers with a quick and easy method of recording images that could be stored in a computerized file format or printed on demand. However, many forensic photographers remained unwilling to adopt the new technology, fearing that digital images would be inferior in quality and more susceptible to manipulation when compared with film.
At the turn of the millennium, foster+freeman, in close collaboration with Wiltshire Constabulary, launched the DCS 121, a groundbreaking digital photography system including tamperproof image validation software:
a revolution had begun.
Over the last 2 decades the DCS system has evolved into it’s current iteration; the DCS®5: a truly potent weapon in the hands of a fingerprint expert.
Designed to achieve court-ready results in the most challenging of situations, and capable of working across the spectrum, from IR to UV, it is no wonder this product can be found in high-profile fingerprint laboratories worldwide. The DCS®5 system offers solutions to forensic professionals for whom compromise is not an option.
You can learn more about our History of Innovation here.
DCS®5 Image Capture
The DCS®5 system combines Nikon’s full-frame flagship camera, the D6, with application-specific lenses to provide the examiner with maximum control and deliver images of exceptional clarity across the spectrum.
DCS®5 Illumination
The DCS®5 system offers formidable illumination capabilities to enable the examiner to achieve exceptional results, with three additional specialised illumination modules also available.
DCS®5 Software
An integral part of DCS 5 is the easy-to-use software that provides sophisticated image processing and enhancement tools to uncover hidden detail within images.
Operated via simple drop down menus, DCS 5 enhancement software enables the operator to remove textured or ‘difficult’ backgrounds as well as enhance prints developed using a variety of chemical treatments, dyes, stains and dusting powders including the new IR powder. Each toolbox offers the operator ‘tried & trusted’ enhancement programmes that enable complex processing routines to be performed with a single button press.
Image: Ninhydrin developed fingerprint on a multicoloured patterned background. DCS 5 enhancement software can improve the clarity of fingerprints by removing or reducing backgrounds
Image: Fingerprint illuminated with the dark field ring light and enhanced using the dedicated 3-D enhancement software.
Encryption software protects all original fingerprints captured by the system. Images that are enhanced or processed in any way automatically lose their status of authenticity, for this reason full details of each process are recorded in a detailed Audit Trail. This is essential when presenting courtroom evidence, as audit trails detail every step taken during the capture and enhancement process together with information about the operator, computer and software used to perform enhancements.
The DCS®5 Wizard provides an interactive step-by-step guide to quickly achieving consistently high quality images of fingerprints. By following simple and intuitive steps to select the exhibit type, surface type, chemical processes, and background data, the user will be presented with suggestions on the ideal lighting, filters, excitation wavelengths and camera settings required to achieve the optimum print definition and contrast.
DCS®5 Imaging Techniques
Fluorescence Imaging
TREAT // SELECT // CAPTURE
Original
Visible Fluorescence
Image:
Plastic bag treated with Polycyano UV and examined under UV illumination.
Many latent fingerprint treatments such as Ardrox, DFO, BY40 and fluorescent powders fluoresce under specific wavelengths of light.
Using the DCS®5 multi-wavelength ring light an operator is able to select the optimum wavelength to generate the maximum intensity of fluorescence for each type of treatment.
Infrared Imaging
DUST // ISOLATE // CAPTURE
Original
Infrared Fluorescence
Image: Polymer banknote treated with fpNatural 1 IR Fluorescent Powder, illuminated with red light using the Crime-lite 8x4Mk3 and viewed in the IR.
Interfering backgrounds may be suppressed appearing white as they reflect IR whereas some chemical treatments such as Physical Developer and certain powders absorb IR and appear black. foster+freeman’s fingerprint dusting powder, fpNatural 1, fluoresces brightly in the infrared when illuminated with red light, eliminating interference from most backgrounds which rarely fluoresce at this wavelength.
Reflected longwave UV Imaging
ILLUMINATE // CAPTURE // ENHANCE
Original
Reflected UV
Image: Untreated latent fingerprint on clear perspex. Perspex appears black when illuminated and viewed under UV revealing the fingerprint which reflects UV
Many surfaces such as glass and plastics absorb UV and appear black, which improves the visibility of both treated and untreated latent prints which often reflect UV. Images can then be significantly enhanced using the DCS®5 software.
Cylindrical Surface Unwrapping
LOAD // ‘UNWRAP’ // CAPTURE
Loading the CSU
‘Unwrapped’ Image
Image:
Using the CSU to capture and ‘unwrap’ images of fingermarks on bullets
The DCS®5 Cylindrical Surface Unwrapper (CSU) enables 2D images of fingermarks to be extracted from narrow cylindrical items including bullets, pens, batteries, glass vials, bottles, syringes, hand tools and other similarly shaped objects.
System Specifications
In order to accommodate the differing requirements of fingerprint laboratories worldwide, DCS®5 is now available in a choice of PRO and EXPERT configurations.
DCS®5 PRO
DCS®5 EXPERT
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Unrivalled Results
The results achieved by the DSS®5 speak for themselves.
See the videos below for demonstrations of the system in action.
DCS®5 INTRODUCTION:
DCS®5 SHOWCASE:
Related Webinars
Our popular forensic webinar series provides a great introduction to our products and their real-world applications. They can also be a valuable resource for existing users, helping you to get the most from your equipment and find more evidence.
Webinar – DCS 5 – The Complete Fingerprint Imaging System
Related Products
As a recognised leader in fingerprint technology, our broad range of specialised products includes advanced systems for the development, capture and enhancement of fingerprints, utilising both traditional methods and novel techniques developed exclusively by foster+freeman.
MVC® FFLEX Cyanoacrylate Validation Targets
Simple and effective solution to validate the integrity of cyanoacrylate-based fingermark fuming processes
AARI® Amino Acid Validation Targets
Patented solution to validate the integrity of amino acid-based fingermark development
MVC® FFLEX M
Updated with a radical new design, the MVC FFLEX M builds on tried and trusted technology to optimise results, increase laboratory efficiency, and provide complete control of the fingermark development process.
DISCOVER®
A truly versatile fingerprint imaging system designed to maximise the search, detection and imaging of evidence at the crime-scene and in the laboratory.
AARI®
Dramatically increase the speed and accuracy of fingerprint visualisation on items of porous/semi-porous evidence using a fully-integrated detection and imaging system with intelligent AI Assist Ridge Detection software.
PolyCyano UV
Exclusive to foster+freeman outside of Japan, PolyCyano UV dramatically reduces fingerprint processing times by combining cyanoacrylate monomer with a fluorescent stain in a one-stage fuming process inside the cabinet.
fpNatural® Powders
Reveal high contrast fingermarks whilst suppressing background interference with our fpNatural powders 1 & 2.
MVC®lite
The MVC lite is a fully portable fuming chamber for the safe and controlled development of latent fingerprints at the crime scene.
CSU
An innovative new accessory for use with the Crime-lite Imager and DCS fingerprint imaging systems, the Cylindrical Surface Un-wrapper (CSU) enables the forensic examiner to extract 2D images of fingerprints from a 3D cylindrical surface.