The study of bloody fingerprint enhancement on paper with chemical reagents

Abstract

Bloody fingerprint is a very important evidence. In this study, we confirmed the enhancement effects of ninhydrin, leucocrystal violet (LCV), fuchsin acid, iodine and dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (DMAC) on bloody fingerprints which were deposited on paper. Bloody fingerprint were deposited on paper sequentially and used after drying at room temperature. If a ridge of bloody fingerprint was clear, ninhydrin and LCV was the most effective but was not good for invisible ridge. Fuchsin acid reagent dyed paper surface so that the contrast of enhanced bloody fingerprint was decreased. Although bloody fingerprint was enhanced with iodine reagent, but the developed color was very weak after reaction. We thought that the enhancement effect of iodine to bloody fingerprint was negligible. Also, the enhancement effect of DMAC reagent to relatively clear bloody fingerprint was not good. However, it was very effective to faint or invisible ridge. By washing with methanol, contrast of enhanced bloody fingerprint was increased.