The scene
Art School · Varnishing tableA freshly painted vase appeared with a fingerprint spoiling a gold line. Three assistants had approached the table at different stages of the finishing process.
The restorer can distinguish which layer covers which. There is no need to identify an individual's fingerprint: place the contact between the paint and the varnish, then compare that interval with the visits.
What we know for certain
One of these three people touched the vase and made the print. There were no other visits or contacts. The layers were applied once each, in the recorded order. The restorer correctly distinguishes whether a mark lies above or below each layer.
The three accounts
Alba Ferrer
Modelling assistant«My only visit ended before the gold line was painted.»
Manel Puig
Decoration assistant«I approached after the line was painted, while they were waiting to varnish it.»
Sara Bel
Exhibition assistant«I came to the table when the final varnish was already dry.»
Examine the evidence
0 of 5 openedOpening these five clues does not cost points.
01The first layer
The gold line was painted at eleven. Before that time, there was no gold paint on the vase.
02The final layer
The transparent varnish was applied at half past eleven and then left to dry. No additional layer was applied.
03The print's position
The fingerprint distorted the gold line and was covered by a continuous layer of varnish. There is no new fingerprint on the varnish surface.
04The verified visits
Alba was there until 10:50; Manel, from 11:10 to 11:15; Sara, from 12:30 onwards, when the varnish was dry. They did not return at other times.
05The table check
A camera records all three people's arrivals and departures. Nobody could touch the vase from outside or move an already dry layer underneath another.