ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

A New Visibly—Excited Fluorescent Component in Latent Fingerprint Residue Induced by Gaseous Electrical Discharge
Brennan, JS
The Forensic Science Service, Metropolitan Laboratory,

Davies, LM
The Forensic Science Service, Metropolitan Laboratory,

Jones, NE
The Forensic Science Service, Metropolitan Laboratory,

Bramble, SK
The Forensic Science Service, Metropolitan Laboratory,

(Received 10 September 1999; accepted 17 January 2000)

Abstract

A technique that exposes fingerprint residue to a gaseous electrical discharge in nitrogen followed by treatment with ammonium hydrogen carbonate vapors to produce fluorescence is investigated. Particular attention is made to fluorescence observed via laser illumination at 514 nm. Insight into the nature of the fluorescent components is achieved through the use of thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of fingerprint residue. Results reported indicate the fluorescence observed is from previously non-fluorescent fractions of the fingerprint residue, and TLC results point towards lipid derivatives as a possible source of the fluorescence.

Keywords:
forensic science, fingerprints, thin-layer chromatography, gaseous electrical discharge, fluorescence, lipid

Paper ID: JFS14882J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14882J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.