Matching fingerprint found on jewelry box

A FINGERPRINT found on the jewelry box that was removed from the scene of the Cascade triple murder matched the right thumb print of accused Daniel Agard. This was the finding of crime scene analyst Insp Stephen Ramroop. Ramroop, who was giving evidence at the Port-of-Spain Second Criminal Court, said he arrived at this conclusion after a series of intricate analytical and comparative procedures. After the jewelry box was removed from the Cropper’s Second Avenue, Cascade home on December 13, 2001, Ramroop said the impression was photographed twice by police photographer Cpl Keith Louison; once in its natural state and once after the “enhancement process.” He explained that the process involved “dusting” the impression with a silver/grey powder for contrast. 

When the powder was applied, the print “jumped out” at him, the retired inspector said. The fact that there was no overlaying dust on the “clean ridges” of the impression, coupled with the “reaction” at the application of the powder, convinced Ramroop that the print had been a “recent” one. On December 19 he compared the photos with a set of prints on a fingerprint slip given to him by Insp David Nedd. The slip bore the name and signature of Daniel Agard. Sometime later, Ramroop said, Louison provided him with copies of three enlarged photos. One of the impression in its natural state, one of the enhanced impression and one of the right thumb print of Agard. On close examination and comparison of the “ridge characteristics,” they were found to be identical. He later mounted the three enlarged photos on a card.

The jury was yesterday given the opportunity to scrutinise copies of those photos with the use of  magnifying glasses. Meanwhile, Ramroop explained his comparison of the unit relationship between the 12 ridge characteristics. In addition to the jewelry box, Ramroop said, a blue denim shirt and a multi-coloured cushion with lipstick marks and what looked like a hand print had been removed from the crime scene. He said the marks on the cushion suggested that someone had held it against the face of another person. He said Julie Lichglow, the daughter of one of the victims, Lynette Lichglow-Pearson, had also given him a make-up kit belonging to her mother. Hearing resumes today.