fingertip search

plural fingertip searches · alternative finger-tip search

1. UKA fastidious forensic search of a crime scene, usually performed by investigators crawling along the ground.

   Police search teams led by Police Constable Franklin and Police Constable Sawyer conducted a thorough fingertip search of the common approach path of the area surrounding the body and of the area on either side of the approach path.

   2004, Lord Brian Hutton, Return to an Address of the Honourable the House of Commons Dated 28th January 2004 for the Report of the Inquiry Into the Circumstances Surrounding the Death of Dr David Kelly C.M.G., The Stationery Office, →ISBN, page 87

   2 more examples

   Several media liaison officers placed particular emphasis on the use of photo opportunities of elements of the investigation to gain or revive press interest (fingertip searches, house-to-house visits, underwater searches and so on).

   1999, Andy Feist, The effective use of the media in serious crime investigations, London: Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, →ISBN

   If the crime scene is small enough, SOCOs may carry out a fingertip search for evidence. Kneeling shoulder-to-shoulder and moving forward together, officers search the ground in front of them so that every inch of the crime scene is examined.

   2007, Carey Scott, Crime Scene Detective, Dorling Kindersley Ltd, →ISBN, page 9