ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 13

Basic Fuchsin—A Guide to a One-Step Processing Technique for Black Electrical Tape
Howard, S
Senior Forensic Analyst, Forensic Identification Services, Ontario Provincial Police, Ontario

(Received 9 February 1993; accepted 19 May 1993)

Abstract

Detection of fingerprint evidence on black electrical tape has often been a frustrating experience for many examiners because of the very nature of the substrate.

The tape, which is frequently found on numerous crime-related exhibits, particularly weapons, requires a number of steps to render any evidence visible, including separate processing techniques for each of the surfaces.

Basic fuchsin (rosaniline chloride) is a fluorescent reagent which provides a “one-step” alternate processing technique.

Fingerprints of different ages and from a variety of donors were processed and the results, as well as the comparison of this process with the established techniques of gentian violet (or crystal violet) and cyanoacrylate/rhodamine 6G, are discussed.

Keywords:
forensic science, basic fuchisin, rosaniline chloride, black electrical tape, lasers, fluorescent dye, gentian violet

Paper ID: JFS13543J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS13543J
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