Vacuum Metal Deposition is especially suitable on which type of surface?

Vacuum Metal Deposition (VMD) is particularly effective on polythene plastic surfaces due to the nature of the process and the characteristics of the material. VMD involves the deposition of metal layers in a vacuum environment, allowing for the metal to bond effectively to non-porous and low-energy surfaces like polythene.

Polythene, being a type of plastic, provides a smooth substrate that can facilitate the adherence of metal atoms without the risk of the metal being absorbed or reacted with the surface, leading to better clarity and quality of the latent prints. This process enhances the visibility of fingerprints, making them easier to analyze and compare later.

In contrast, surfaces like glass may not benefit as much from VMD, since glass is typically clear and smooth, and prints may be harder to visualize without additional contrasting methods. Wood and fabric are inherently porous and have uneven textures, which can hinder the effectiveness of metal deposition by causing irregularities in the metal film, ultimately affecting print retrieval quality.