A further study to investigate the effect of fingerprint enhancement techniques on the DNA analysis of bloodstains

This study investigated the effect of common and well established fingerprint enhancement techniques on the subsequent DNA analysis of items potentially bearing both fingerprints and biological evidence. Bloodstains of varying ages were prepared on different surfaces and various fingerprint enhancement techniques were applied to the samples. DNA typing was performed using PCR amplification (D1S80 and CTT system). The results showed that magnetic powder, multimetal deposition (MMD) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation are not recommended for use in a sequence of analyses involving DNA typing. Strong white light, white and aluminum fingerprint powders, physical developer (PD) after 1,8-diaza-9-fluorenone (DFO), PD after ninhydrin with cadmium (Cd) salt treatment, and cyanoacrylate with gentian violet or Ardrox stains may be used successfully in a sequence of analyses involving DNA typing. Ninhydrin with secondary metal salt treatment, DFO, amido black, diaminobenzidine (DAB), black powder, Stickyside Powder, cyanoacrylate with rhodamine stain, and luminol may be used before DNA analysis but care must be taken to ensure that sufficient DNA is extracted and analyzed