Background

A witness, who has purportedly experienced multiple UFO related events over his lifetime, informed MUFON that he was in possession of an air-filled, red balloon on which there appears to be a handprint of unknown origin. He is wondering if the imprint on the balloon may be evidence of a real physical visitation. This happened in his home on October 19, 2005. The stem was touched when deflating the balloon for shipping to Frontier Analysis. This resulted in a black stain on the witnesses skin. The object is to analyze the red balloon, and other related samples, to determine if there is any unusual residue. Following are photographs of the red balloon showing the anomalies, along with a normal blue control balloon for comparison. Both balloons are from the same batch and subjected to identical environs. Both had been air filled and deflated.

Photograph showing deflated red balloon (crinkled surface, restricted stem) in comparison to blue balloon control (smooth surface, normal stem).
Following are microscope photographs of the red balloon and blue control balloon, also showing the dissimilarities. All photographs were taken by Frontier Analysis, Ltd.

Conclusions

1.) The blue and red balloons are composed of poly(isoprene). There are surface materials such as poly(dimethylsiloxane), talc-like mineral and calcite (calcium carbonate). These are probably from additives or processing agents used in the manufacture of the balloons.

2.) More additives and processing agents appear to be on the blue control balloon than on the red balloon. It is unknown whether the depletion of surface materials on the red balloon is due to variations in production, or result from an anomalous source.

3.) A trace amount of an additional material is believed to be on the red balloon. However, the balloon material and the additives/processing agents effectively mask the identification of this material. In fact, there are considerably more additives than this substance. It is possible that this material contains a phenolic-type or a sulfonic acid functionality. However, this cannot be confirmed.