Use of the Omniprint™ 1000 alternate light source to produce fluorescence in cyanoacrylate-developed latent fingerprints stained with biological stains and commercial fabric dyes

Abstract

The development of latent fingerprints by cyanoacrylate fuming is a commonly used technique. Unfortunately, the white color of the developed latent fingerprints makes it difficult to see or photograph them when they occur on light colored surfaces. Many different stains and dyes have been tested on cyanoacrylate-developed fingerprints to improve the contrast between the fingerprint ridges and the background surfaces. A panel of biological stains and commercial fabric dyes was used to stain cyanoacrylate-developed latent fingerprints. The stained latent fingerprints were then tested for fluorescence using the Omniprint™ 1000 alternate light source. Cyanoacrylate-developed latent fingerprints stained with Nile Blue A, Acid Fuchsin and Safranin Bluish fluoresced when illuminated with wavelengths in the range 450 nm to 530 nm, while fingerprints stained with Rit ® fabric dye Cardinal Red #9 fluoresced when illuminated with light having wavelengths 485 nm and 525 nm.