ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 4

5-Methoxyninhydrin: A Reagent for the Chemical Development of Latent Fingerprints That Is Compatible with the Copper-Vapor Laser
Hirshfeld, A
Director, Division of Criminal Identification (DCI), and head of research, Israel National Police, Israel

Almog, J
Director, Division of Criminal Identification (DCI), and head of research, Israel National Police, Israel

(Received 11 September 1987; accepted 13 November 1987)

Abstract

5-Methoxy-2,2-dihydroxy-1,3 indanedione (5-methoxyninhydrin), a relatively simple analogue of ninhydrin, exhibits excellent properties as a developer of latent fingerprints on paper. While visible development closely resembles that achieved with ninhydrin, fluorescence after zinc chloride treatment is considerably stronger than that of ninhydrin developed prints, particularly when excited by the green line of the copper-vapor laser.

Keywords:
criminalistics, fingerprints, 5-methyoxyninhydrin, lasers, latent fingerprints, copper-vapor lasers

Paper ID: JFS12526J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12526J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.