To determine which fingerprint detection chemicals can be effectively used in crime scenes that have been exposed to chemical warfare (CW) agents, four scenarios for the use of CW agents by terrorist groups were used and found applicable to the scope of this research project: (1) release into a large building; (2) contamination of a water supply; (2) large-scale open-air release; and (4) small to medium scale open-air release. For these four scenarios, nine CW agents were included: hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, chlorine, dimethyl sulfate, methyl fluoroacetate, diazinon, sulfur mustard, lewisite I, and sarin. The study was planned in two phases. Phase 1 involved fingerprint recovery following exposure to all nine CW agents at three postexposure time periods (0, 24, and 48 hours). During phase 2, several experiments from phase 1 were repeated to test the consistency of the results. Results support the inclusion of suitably trained forensic identification specialists as members of chemical response teams because timely forensic crime scene examination will improve the chances of fingerprint recovery. The results indicate that more identifiable latent fingerprints will be developed when cyanoacrylate/brilliant yellow 40 is used for hydrogen cyanide-contaminated nonporous evidence or when DFO is used for hydrogen cyanide, sarin, or sodium fluoroacetate contaminated porous evidence, compared to powder and ninhydrin. Figures, references, and appendix