When a body is found, the hands usually will be tightly clenched. The first problem will be to straighten the fingers. If rigor mortis has set in and an effort to straighten the fingers as previously explained fails, the difficulty can be overcome easily. Using a scalpel, make a deep cut at the second joint on the inner side of each of the four fingers. They can now be straightened with the application of force (fig. 393). The thumb, if it is cramped or bent, can generally be straightened by making a deep cut between the thumb and the index finger. These incisions are made for the obvious purpose of examining the fingers to determine if there is any ridge detail. Before this fact can be definitely ascertained it may be necessary to cleanse the pattern areas with soap and water or xylene, as previously explained. [Illustration: 394] _Advanced decomposition_ If the case is one involving decomposition, the operator is confronted with the problem of dealing with flesh which is rotted or putrefied. The flesh may be soft or flabby and very fragile. If this is so, an examination is made of the finger tips to see if the outer skin is present. If the outer skin is present and intact, it may be possible, using extreme care, to ink and print in the regular manner. Sometimes, the outer skin, although present, will be too soft and fragile to ink and roll in the regular way. In such cases, when the ridge detail is discernible, the skin, if it is easily removed from the finger, or the finger itself may be cut off at the second joint and placed in a 10- to 15-percent solution of formaldehyde for approximately an hour to harden it. Skin placed in a formaldehyde solution usually turns a grayish white and becomes firm. However, it will be brittle and may split if not handled carefully. The skin is placed in the solution only until it hardens sufficiently, after which it is removed and carefully wiped dry with a piece of cloth. Then the skin, placed over the operator's own thumb or index finger and held in place by his other hand, is inked and rolled as though the operator were printing his own finger. If a legible print is not obtainable in this manner, the operator should examine the underside of the skin. [Illustration: 395]