NCJ Number
142977
Journal
Forensic Sciences Volume: 38 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1993) Pages: 506-520
Date Published
1993
Length
15 pages
Annotation
The complexes Ruhemann's Purples form with europium or terbium salts are well-suited for fingerprint development on strongly fluorescent surfaces because they enhance lanthanide luminescence via intramolecular energy transfer and because the lifetime of the luminescence is longer than usual background fluorescence.
Abstract
These complexes are particularly adaptable to time- resolved luminescence imaging. They can be used for fingerprint staining on smooth surfaces because they are readily prepared in solution, and for fingerprint development on porous surfaces, including paper. This latter procedure is similar to ninhydrin/zinc chloride treatment, except that nitrate or acetate often replace the chloride in rare earth cases, depending on the type of paper used. 5 tables, 7 figures, and 19 references