NCJ Number
217113
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 57 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2007 Pages: 4-18
Date Published
January 2007
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study developed a new 1,2-indanedione-zinc (IND-Zn) formulation that improves the detection of fingerprints on paper compared with DFO; it is less dependent on the relative moisture content of treated fingerprints.
Abstract
In a limited laboratory-based study that involved 128 latent fingerprint impressions (16 donors) on white copy paper, the IND-Zn formulation developed for this study significantly outperformed routine DFO processing. IND-Zn developed all 128 impressions as identifiable prints; whereas, only 59 percent of the prints could be developed with DFO to a standard that could be identified. The prints developed were generally more intense in color and in luminescence compared to the conventional IND reagent, and results were less dependent on relative humidity than with the use of conventional IND. Future work will include a full operational trial that includes the evaluation of the IND-Zn reagent on a broad range of porous surfaces. The final optimized formulation used for this study had an IND concentration of 0.1 percent w/v and used dichloromethane as one of the polar solvents, in addition to ethyl acetate and acetic acid. This formulation was stable for at least 6 months when stored at room temperature. A combined IND-Zn reagent was prepared by mixing a small quantity of zinc chloride solution with the IND formulation. The DFO formulation routinely used by the Australian Federal Police was used for all comparisons. 1 table, 11 figures, and 5 references