ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 March 2002
Page Count: 6

Evaluation of Some Oxygen, Sulfur, and Selenium Substituted Ninhydrin Analogues, Nitrophenylninhydrin and Benzo[f]furoninhydrin
Taylor, B
Flinders University, SA

Kobus, HJ
Director and principal scientist, Forensic Science Centre, SA

Pigou, PE
Director and principal scientist, Forensic Science Centre, SA

Jahangiri, S
Vacation student, Forensic Science Centre, SA

(Received 14 August 2001; accepted 11 July 2001)

Abstract

Six ninhydrin analogues containing oxygen, sulfur, and selenium substituents at the C-5 position, 5-(4-nitrophenyl)ninhydrin, and benzo[f]furoninhydrin were evaluated as fingerprint development reagents. The analogues all showed good fingerprint color development but were not superior to ninhydrin in this respect. The benzo[f]furoninhydrin complex was strongly luminescent at room temperature following zinc complexation, while the remaining analogues required cooling to 196°C to produce optimum luminescence. The benzo[f]furo, nitrophenyl, and methyl selenide analogues showed the best potential as fingerprint reagents with the benzo[f]furo analogue comparing favorably with DFO.

Keywords:
forensic science, latent fingerprints, fingerprint development, ninhydrin analogues, amino acids, luminescence

Paper ID: JFS15241J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15241J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.