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Forensic Light Source and Environmental Effects on the Performance of 1,2-Indanedione-Zinc Chloride and 1,8-Diazafluoren-9-One for the Recovery of Latent Prints on Porous Substances

NCJ Number
236577
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 61 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2011 Pages: 607-620
Author(s)
Rolanda Lam; Della Wilkinson
Date Published
December 2011
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study compared split depletion latent prints.
Abstract
This study compared split depletion latent prints, aged up to 12 weeks, from multiple donors on a variety of substrates to determine whether 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one should be replaced with 1,2-indanedione-zinc chloride as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's standard chemical latent print development technique for porous exhibits. It was found that 1,2-indanedione-zinc chloride developed more latent prints, which also appeared to be more brightly fluorescent than those of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one. The performance of 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one was reduced in high relative humidity; whereas 1,2-indanedione-zinc chloride did not seem to be affected by changes in relative humidity. The solid state laser revealed the most latent prints; however, the MiniCrimeScope and the Polilight were both comparable to the laser. The RCMP is conducting a nationwide field trial to validate this method for casework. (Published Abstract)