ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 19 February 2004
Page Count: 3

Genipin—A Novel Fingerprint Reagent with Colorimetric and Fluorogenic Activity
Almog, J
Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,

Azoury, M
Latent Fingerprint Laboratory, Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS), Israel Police, National H.Q.,

Hahn, T-R
Plant Metabolism Research Centre, Kyung Hee University,

Cohen, Y
Latent Fingerprint Laboratory, Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS), Israel Police, National H.Q.,

(Received 16 September 2003; accepted 9 November 2003)

Abstract

Genipin, the hydrolytic product of geniposide, which is extracted from gardenia fruit, shows good potential as a fingerprint reagent. It develops latent fingerprints on paper as blue impressions with good contrast and resolution. Even very faint impressions that are barely visible in ambient light will fluoresce brightly upon illumination at ca. 590 nm and are best viewed with a barrier filter above 630 nm. Potential advantages of genipin are the combination of colorimetric and fluorogenic activity in one reagent as well as its being a safe and environmentally friendly natural product.

Keywords:
forensic science, fingerprint reagent, genipin, amino acid reagent, fluorogenic, colorimetric

Paper ID: JFS2003321
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003321
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