Reagents for the Chemical Development of Latent Fingerprints: Scope and Limitations of Benzo[f]ninhydrin in Comparison to Ninhydrin

• NCJ Number: 183931
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 45 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2000 Pages: 538-544
• Author(s): Joseph Almog Ph.D.; Vaughn G. Sears B.Sc.; Eliot Springer M.Sc.; Dudley F. Hewlett Ph.D.; Simon Walker B.Sc.; Sarena Wiesner B.Sc.; Rami Lidor Ph.D.; Eliezer Bahar Ph.D.
• Date Published: May 2000
• Length: 7 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article compares benzo[f]ninhydrin to ninhydrin for fingerprint development on paper.

Abstract

Overall, the performance of ninhydrin on exhibits was slightly better than that of benzo[f]ninhydrin; it developed more fingerprints. The significant advantages of the benzo[f]ninhydrin over ninhydrin were the much stronger fluorescence it gave after treatment with zinc salts and a slightly quicker reaction under ambient conditions. Its color differed from the ninhydrin purple and was more visible on pink and purple surfaces. It also developed slightly faster on problematic surfaces, such as cardboard. Its stronger fluorescence was, however, similar to that obtained with other reagents, such as DFO or ninhydrin analogs. Its advantages apparently are not sufficient to justify regular use of benzo[f]ninhydrin, especially considering its low solubility and high cost. Benzo[f]ninhydrin’s slight advantages might warrant stocking small amounts in fingerprint development labs to expand their capabilities and to deal with special cases. Figures, tables, references