Forensic Light Source and Environmental Effects on the Performance of 1,2-Indanedione-Zinc Chloride and 1,8-Diazafluoren-9-One for the Recovery of Latent Prints on Porous Substances

• NCJ Number: 236577
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 61 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2011 Pages: 607-620
• Author(s): Rolanda Lam; Della Wilkinson
• Date Published: December 2011
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared split depletion latent prints.

Abstract

This study compared split depletion latent prints, aged up to 12 weeks, from multiple donors on a variety of substrates to determine whether 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one should be replaced with 1,2-indanedione-zinc chloride as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's standard chemical latent print development technique for porous exhibits. It was found that 1,2-indanedione-zinc chloride developed more latent prints, which also appeared to be more brightly fluorescent than those of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one. The performance of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one was reduced in high relative humidity; whereas 1,2-indanedione-zinc chloride did not seem to be affected by changes in relative humidity. The solid state laser revealed the most latent prints; however, the MiniCrimeScope and the Polilight were both comparable to the laser. The RCMP is conducting a nationwide field trial to validate this method for casework. (Published Abstract)