Preservation of results. It is important to record and/or preserve the results of a test, especially if the test is positive (i.e., indentations were developed). This can be done in at least two ways. Adhesive lift: in this method, a sheet of fixing film is used to preserve the developed indentations. The fixing film is usually a relatively rigid sheet of self-adhesive, transparent polymer film. It is applied by removing the backing material and carefully laying the fixing film directly onto the charging film, thus trapping and fixing the toner in place between the films. Pressure is then carefully applied to the top of the fixing film by hand or with a small roller. The resulting sandwich is referred to simply as a "lift", or EDD lift. Interpretation of the developed indentations is generally done using the lift after removal from the document because this permits the examiner to see the developed indentations on their own without interference from any visible markings on the document. Photography/scanning: the results may also be captured using a camera, either directly from the charging film or from the lift after removal from the document. Scanning is also an option but only when using the lift itself. Aside from visualizing indentations, the method can be used to detect the presence of fresh fingerprints, fiber disturbance on the paper surface (e.g. relating to mechanical erasure of information), or the presence of footwear impressions on paper. Manufacturers An EDD is a highly specialized device and there are only a few manufacturers: Foster + Freeman Ltd manufactures and markets the ESDA® (from Electrostatic Detection Apparatus) which is the original such device developed in 1978. It was designed to meet the requirements of the UK Home Office and is still in production today in two different forms: the ESDA2® and ESDA-Lite® (portable) Projectina manufactures the Docustat DS-220 Lightning Powder Company, Inc. manufactures two units: the Electrostatic Vacuum Box and Vacu-Box™ for Indented Writing Kinderprint (now CSI Forensic Supply) used to manufacture the IMEDD® (from Indentation Materializer Electrostatic Document Device) but their website no longer lists this device in their product line Notes External links Foster + Freeman Ltd. ESDA2 information CSI Forensic Supply (formerly Kinderprint) site Projectina CH Docustat 220 information A more detailed description of the process A detailed presentation followed with experiments, of how the ESDA device is useful in Forensic Handwriting Examination (in Greek). Forensic equipment