NCJ Number
203503
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 48 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2003 Pages: 1288-1292
Date Published
November 2003
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article presents an optimized formulation and treatment protocol for using the reagent for fingerprint detection.
Abstract
1,2-Indandione has been used to develop fluorescent fingerprints on porous materials such as paper. The compound reacts with amino acid residues to produce highly fluorescent fingerprint ridges. The reagent was applied as a solution in HFE7100 containing acetic acid and ethyl acetate. Treated articles were heated at 100 degrees C for 10 minutes at ambient humidity and stored in the dark before recording the fingerprints using fluorescence photography or digital imaging. Photodecomposition of the fluorescent fingerprints was observed. Storage in the dark reduced degradation, extending the lifetime of the fingerprints. Other chemical methods to stabilize the fingerprints proved unsuccessful. The results indicate that 1,2-Indandione may be a promising reagent for the development of latent fingerprints on paper surfaces despite the fact that the reagent produces fingerprints exhibiting less intense fluorescence than 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO). The development conditions are 100 degrees C for 10 minutes at ambient humidity. After fingerprints have been developed, they should be recorded immediately using fluorescence photography or digital imaging. If there is any delay, the articles should be stored in complete darkness until they can be examined under fluorescent conditions. Later trials have demonstrated that there are other more effective methods for the development of latent fingerprints on porous surfaces. But the work presented here constitutes a useful starting point for evaluating formulations of other 1,2-indandione analogues for the detection of latent fingerprints. 9 figures, 1 table, 3 footnotes, 10 references