Positive control tests for fingermark development reagents

Abstract

At the start of this study, no reliable, consistent, challenging and representative positive control test was commercially available for fingermark visualisation techniques.The goal of this study was to determine the lower limits of detection (LOD) of the fingermark visualisation techniques ninhydrin and 1,2-indanedione-ZnCl and developing positive control tests for these techniques.Spot tests with an amino acid solution were produced to determine the lower LOD’s. Secondly, a Dimatix Materials Printer (DMP) was used to print simulated fingermarks using different concentrations of an amino acid solution, to determine the lower LOD of ninhydrin and 1,2-indanedione-ZnCl using the DMP.Concept positive control tests were developed using the lower LOD of ninhydrin and 1,2-indanedione-ZnCl. These were later on adjusted, to form the definitive positive control tests, after a testing period of two months.