NCJ Number
204667
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 54 Issue: 2 Dated: March/April 2004 Pages: 178-184
Date Published
March 2004
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses whether it was possible to transfer someone’s prints onto a document that had been previously treated with ninhydrin.
Abstract
Ninhydrin is used worldwide by police departments to enhance fingerprints. This study used two different surfaces on which to deposit fingerprints: a plastic ziplock bag and a stainless steel table. The sticky side of a lifter was put onto paper and gently removed, without tearing the paper. For the ninhydrin-treated tests, the ninhydrin was applied with a sprayer. Two samples without any fingerprints and two samples with fingerprints were treated using the same procedures as were used on the other samples. Following these experiments, it was observed that a print lifted and transferred onto the untreated paper gave negative results. The same experiment was performed on paper still wet with ninhydrin, with negative results. The same two experiments were done using paper that had been previously treated with ninhydrin, with negative results. It is a well-known fact that one must maintain great vigilance following ninhydrin treatments. Ninhydrin remains active a very long time. Fingerprints placed upon a document after the treatment will eventually show up. It is evident from this study that the secondary transfer of prints (transferring the print using a lifter or pressing a smooth surface) to ninhydrin-treated paper is very unlikely. 5 references