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Laser Detection of Latent Fingerprints - Difficult Surfaces

NCJ Number
98833
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 30 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1985) Pages: 364-370
Author(s)
J A Burt; E R Menzel
Date Published
1985
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Fingerprint development techniques that use blue-green laser light suffer from high background fluorescence on substrates such as cardboard, wood, leather, and some metals and plastics.
Abstract
These substarates tend to 7 little or no fluorescence under ultraviolet light, prompting us to search for procedures that yield visible fluorescence under this illumination. Specifically, chemical development with dansyl chloride and vapor staining with 9-methylanthracene were found to be useful when dealing with these substrates. Fluorescence excitation was possible either with an ultraviolet lamp or an argon-ion laser operating in the ultraviolet. Coumarin 535 vapor staining following 9-methylanthracene staining was also found effective. (Author abstract)