Aminoninhydrins: Fingerprint Reagents With Direct Fluorogenic Activity -- Preliminary Studies

• NCJ Number: 128092
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1991) Pages: 104-110
• Author(s): J Almog; A Hirshfeld; A Frank; J Sterling; D Leonov
• Date Published: 1991
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The first synthesis or ninhydrin derivatives bearing amino groups on the aromatic ring is reported; the reactivity of these new compounds with amino acids in solution and with latent fingerprints on paper is also discussed.

Abstract

Four previously unknown amino derivatives of ninhydrin, prepared as potential fingerprint reagents, gave intensive colors upon reaction with amino acids in solution and developed latent fingerprints on paper similar to those from ninhydrin. The 5-substituted derivatives, 5-aminoninhydrin, and 5-dimethylaminoninhydrine also presented direct fluorogenic activity with amino acids and with latent fingerprints. There was no marked effect on the fluorogenic process when Group IIb metal salts were added. 1 table, 4 figures, and 14 references (Author abstract modified)