NCJ Number
196835
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 52 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2002 Pages: 595-605
Date Published
September 2002
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This research conducted a comparative trial to determine the effectiveness of a 1,2-indanedione formulation and two 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO) formulations in ozone-friendly solvents for the development of latent fingerprints on porous surfaces.
Abstract
DFO reacts with amino acid residues in fingerprints to produce a fluorescent image that can be easily photographed. The use of DFO, followed by ninhydrin and physical developer, is recommended for use in important cases to maximize the probability of detecting latent fingerprints; however, with the banning of CFC113, the solution in which DFO has been applied, as a depleter of the ozone layer, the use of DFO in fingerprint analysis has been placed on hold. Recent work conducted at the British Police Scientific Development Branch led to the development of two ozone-friendly DFO formulations that detect a substantial number of latent fingerprints. Similarly, other researchers have identified a new group of reagents, 1,2-indanediones, that develop fluorescent fingerprints in a similar manner to DFO. Further work in this area has led to the development of an optimized 1,2-indanedione formulation. The research reported in this article tested various combinations in 288 operational cases with 650 porous, paper-based exhibits randomly selected from the normal caseload of the Scenes of Crime Headquarters of the West Midland Police. The DFO-HFE7100 (1000 ml) was identified as a suitable replacement for the DFO (CFC) formulations. 3 tables, 2 graphs, and 14 references