Obtaining fingerprints from mummified fingers: A method for tissue rehydration adapted from the archeological literature

Our laboratory was asked to help with the rehydration of mummified human fi ngertips that had been removed from a recently deceased, unidentified femal e. Using a solution that was found in the archeological literature, we were able to successfully rehydrate dermal tissues to the extent that fingerpri nts could be taken. We believe that this solution, which until now has nor been described in the forensic literature, is effective, affordable, and re latively easy to produce and use.