NCJ Number
205135
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 49 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2004 Pages: 255-257
Date Published
March 2004
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article presents results of a preliminary study of genipin as a reagent for latent fingerprints.
Abstract
Genipin is a hydrolytic product of geniposide, which is found in the gardenia fruit. During the 1960’s, genipin was identified as reacting with amino acids to produce a bluish-violet color, even though genipin itself is colorless. The current study utilized genipin for the identification of latent fingerprints. The method involved dipping 1-day-old latent fingerprints into genipin solutions in HFE 7100 solvent at three different concentrations and then developing them for 10 minutes in a humidity chamber, which represents the optimal conditions for the ninhydrin method. White light and fluorescent lighting were then used to examine the fingerprints. The method resulted in latent fingerprints on paper as blue impressions. The contrast and resolution of the fingerprints were good and very faint impressions fluoresced well using illumination at ca. 590 nm and viewed with a barrier filter above 630 nm. Even very faint marks showed up as dark blue impressions when higher concentrations of genipin solution were used. Thus, genipin shows potential as a fingerprint developer. Advantages of this approach include the combination of colormetric and fluorogenic activity in one reagent and the fact that genipin is a safe and environmentally friendly product. A full-scale study is underway on the limitations, scope, and financial feasibility of genipin as a fingerprint developer. Figures, references