The repeat CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode titled "CSI on Fire" airing on 4/24/13 showed CSI Finley cutting the fingers with a tool similar to garden clippers to help with the identification of the deceased. The writers were clever by stating that the body, which had been buried for approximately two years, was mummified. This would have prevented the decomposition and deterioration that would have caused the skin ridges to eventually become useless.
Once the fingers have been separated from the body the skin may be able to be "plumped up" by using some type of solution. In the 'old days' it was comprised of mostly glycerin. I am honestly not sure what they would use these days.
Then the ends of the fingers were tied off (to prevent the solution from leaking out) and rolled to create inked prints for comparison. What they showed in the episode was removal of the outer layer of skin to place it on the CSI's gloved hand to roll the inked print. This happens a lot when there is skin slippage and the outer layer of skin naturally slips away from the hand.
Sometimes a simpler method would just be to dust the finger with black fingerprint powder (once it had regained some 'plumped' volume) and use lifting tape to cover the finger and remove the powder and thus the fingerprint. Of course this would be reversed so it would have to be taped to an acetate sheet and looked at from behind for comparison.
I am amazed that in this digital age that there isn't some type of scanning device that could be used. I guess some things from the old days just can't be improved. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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