NCJ Number
185000
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 50 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2000 Pages: 462-469
Date Published
2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A comparative study was conducted to test the overall clarity and contrast of two experimental ninhydrin formulae (HFE-7100 and HFC 4310mee) to a standard ninhydrin formula that uses petroleum ether for the development of latent fingerprint impressions on porous surfaces; an ink test was run to determine the effects of the two new formulae on various types of inks compared to the standard formula.
Abstract
The study consisted of six independent trial runs. Each trial compared productivity of the standard solution to that of one of the experimental formulae. The quantity and quality of latent impressions developed using the standard solution of ninhydrin were compared to those developed by using either the Vertrel XF or HFE-7100 solvents. Samples from each run consisted of 30 latent impressions from the first joint donated by 10 individuals. Each trial run consisted of one type of substrate processed by using the standard formula and one of the experimental formulae. Findings show that the experimental formula was equal or superior to the standard formula in the overall clarity and contrast of latent fingerprint impressions developed on all of the porous substrates (bond paper, personal checks, and lined notebook paper). When taking into account personal safety and environmental issues, Vertrel XF and HFE-7100 are better than petroleum ether, because they do not introduce fire or explosive hazards. 3 tables, 2 figures, and a 4-item bibliography