Latent print development

Proper sequence employed to chemically develop fingerprints

I: Iodine Fuming
N: Ninhydrin
S: Silver Nitrate
C: Cyanoacrylate

Chemical Reaction in iodine fuming

combines with the Na+ ions in the print to form NaI forming a brownish colored print

Ninhydrin reaction

Reacts with the amino acids in the fingerprint
Results in a blue-purple color

silver nitrate reaction

Washes away trace proteins from object's surface creating a black print

super glue reaction

cyanoacrylate ester a chemical that when heated will a create a fume that will adhere to a print creating a white print

DFO

A chemical fingerprint developer (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one) often used in place of ninhydrin

Photographic scale used in preserving fingerprint evidence

1:1

fingerprint dusting reaction

Adheres to perspiration residues/oils left on surface

Chemical developer that can be used on paper items older than 15 years

Ninhydrin

Chemical development method that is the oldest method but it's downfall is that vapors dissipate soon

iodine fuming

Chemical development method Used as a last resort because the process destroys the print

cyanoacrylate

Solution used to "fix" prints since prints will fade easily when using iodine

1% Starch solution mixed with water. Turns blue-black & lasts several weeks or months