Two Simple Staining Procedures Which Improve the Contrast and Ridge Detail of Fingerprints Developed With 'Super Glue' (Cyanoacrylate Ester)

• NCJ Number: 93591
• Journal: Forensic Science International Volume: 23 Issue: 2-3 Dated: (November-December 1983) Pages: 233-240
• Author(s): H J Kobus; R N Warrener; M Stoilovic
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: Ireland

Annotation

The use of cyanoacrylate ester vapour (Super Glue) has become a popular technique for the development of latent fingerprints.

Abstract

This paper describes two staining procedures for improving the contrast of weak Super Glue fingerprints based on the selective absorption of the stain by the polymerised Super Glue. One procedure uses Gentian Violet and is particularly suited to clear polythene. The other is a fluorescent method using a laser dye Coumarin 540 and is particularly suited to reflective surfaces such as aluminium foil and chrome. (Publisher abstract)