Luminescent Enhancement Procedures for the Detection of Latent Fingerprints (From International Forensic Symposium on Latent Prints -- Proceedings, 1987, Quantico, Virginia, P 45-49, -- see NCJ-113506)

• NCJ Number: 113512
• Author(s): H J Kobus; M Stoilovic; R N Warrener
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 5 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-113506.

Annotation

Light sources other than lasers used to enhance the luminescent methods of latent fingerprint detection are examined.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the great potential of luminescence procedures to enhance fingerprints previously developed with ninhydrin or Super Glue. Zinc chloride and cadium nitrate treatments for enhancing ninhydrin prints are explained. A significant advantage of these compounds is that the luminescence can be produced by a xenon arc lamp with appropriate filters. The resulting fingerprint quality is equivalent to that obtained with a laser. The authors evaluate new ninhydrin-type reagents and fuming with Super Glue. A fraud case in Western Australia illustrates how low temperature luminescent enhancement of a ninhydrin fingerprint was used successfully to counter an accusation of fingerprint forgery. Photographs and 11 references.