A study on the optimal conditions for latent fingerprint development using cyanoacrylate fuming method in vacuum chamber

Abstract

Cyanoacrylate fuming mehod is effective for latent fingerprints developing on non-porous surfaces. In this study, we investigated optimal conditions for latent fingerprint development using cyanoacrylate fuming method in vacuum chamber. The effects of temperature, relative humidity, fuming method and processing time were checked throughly. The amount of evaporated cyanoacrylate was increased at higher temperature, but cyanoacrylate polymerization on the fingerprint ridge was best at 30 degrees C. With a relative humidity of 40% to 50% conditions, good quality of fingerprints were developed. If a relative humidity is lower than 30% or higher than 60%, polymerization rate of cyanoacrylate monomers on the fingerprint ridge was decreased. It was identified that application of OMEGA-PRINT (TM) dispersal pad or cotton ball with sodium hydroxide fuming method in vacuum chamber was more effective than natural fuming method. We found that cyanoacrylate processing time in vacuum chamber did not have more significant than relative humidity.