U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

Fingerprint Powder Formulations Based on Organic, Fluorescent Dyes

NCJ Number
203734
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2004 Pages: 4-8
Author(s)
G. S. Sodhi; Jasjeet Kaur; R. K. Garg
Date Published
January 2004
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses two novel formulations for fingerprint dusting that contain 1 percent of an organic dye: phloxine B or fluorescene.
Abstract
The pH of the dyes was adjusted to the manufacturer’s suggested optimum value, so as to achieve maximum fluorescence. In order to improve the cost performance, the conventional, expensive resinous adhesives were replaced with a mixture of meshed aluminum, boric acid, talc, and barium carbonate. Each composition was applied with a camelhair brush to the surface impinged with the latent fingermark. The excess powder was blown off. The surface was then photographed. The formulations detected latent fingerprints on both absorbent and nonabsorbent surfaces. They were specifically useful on multicolored articles. Because the stains were fluorescent in nature, weak imprints, on both white and multicolored surfaces, may be enhanced under ultraviolet light. The composition based on phloxine B gave optimum results at long wavelength ultraviolet range, both for white and multicolored surfaces. The fluorescene-based formulation gave best results with long wavelength ultraviolet light for white surfaces and with short wavelength ultraviolet light for multicolored ones. This method may be extended for obtaining fingerprints on laminated documents, such as archeological scripts, certificates, driving licenses, and identity cards. Prints may also be developed on polythene bags that are commonly used for carrying household items. This formulation gave good results on surfaces such as glassware, steel handles, and knobs; bakelite switches and switchboards; bone china and porcelain crockery; polished furniture; and enameled items such as cars, washing machines, and refrigerators. Fifty samples each of absorbent and nonabsorbent substrates were tested with the phloxine B formulation and an equivalent number with the fluorescene formulation. The phloxine B formula developed prints on 35 of the absorbent samples and on 42 of the nonabsorbent samples. The fluorescene formula produced prints on 38 of the absorbent samples and on 44 of the nonabsorbent samples. 3 footnotes, 12 references