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

Chemical Development of Latent Fingerprints: Computational Design of Ninhydrin Analogues
Frank, A
Division of Identification and Forensic Science, Israel Police,

Almog, J

Elber, R
Hebrew University, Givat Ram,

(Received 26 May 1998; accepted 20 September 1999)

Abstract

The design of chemical compounds for development of latent fingerprints is explored computationally. Our main findings are: (a) We show why past attempts to improve the widely used ninhydrin gave relatively small improvements (referring to color only). The optical transition is connected with a “transition core” and therefore is influenced little by substitution on the aromatic rings. (b) We propose new analogues of ninhydrin with a significant potential such as thiono derivatives.

Keywords:
forensic science, ninhydrin, ninhydrin analogues, Ruhemann's purple, optical absorption, computational, fingerprint development, fingerprints, latent, chemistry

Paper ID: JFS14767J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14767J
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