ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 7

Reagents for the Chemical Development of Latent Fingerprints: Scope and Limitations of Benzo[f]ninhydrin in Comparison to Ninhydrin
Hewlett, DF
Fingerprint Research Group, Police Scientific Development Branch, Home Office, Woodcock Hill,

Bahar, E
Visiting scientist, DIFS, Israel Police,

Springer, E
Israel Police National H.Q., Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS),

Almog, J

Lidor, R
Visiting scientist, DIFS, Israel Police,

Walker, S
Fingerprint Research Group, Police Scientific Development Branch, Home Office, Woodcock Hill,

Wiesner, S
Israel Police National H.Q., Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS),

Sears, VG
Fingerprint Research Group, Police Scientific Development Branch, Home Office, Woodcock Hill,

(Received 4 March 1999; accepted 20 August 1999)

Abstract

Benzo[f]ninhydrin was compared to ninhydrin for fingerprint development on paper. Overall, the performance of ninhydrin on exhibits was slightly better than that of benzo[f]ninhydrin. The significant advantages of the benzo[f]ninhydrain over ninhydrin were the much stronger fluorescence it gave after treatment with zinc salts and a slightly quicker reaction under ambient conditions. This fluorescence is, however, similar to that obtained with other reagents, such as DFO or ninhydrin analogs. These advantages apparently are not sufficient to justify regular usage of benzo[f]ninhydrin, especially when one considers its low solubility and high cost.

Keywords:
forensic science, latent fingerprints, fingerprint development, benzo[f]ninhydrin, ninhydrin, ninhydrin analogs

Paper ID: JFS14726J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14726J
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