Development of latent fingerprints on wet non-porous surfaces with SPR based on basic fuchsin dye

Abstract:Small particle reagent (SPR) is a technique performed to detect latent fingerprints left on wet and moist surfaces based upon the reaction between fatty acid residuals present in the traces and hydrophobic tails of the specific reagent. Those tails are linked to a hydrophilic head of zinc carbonate based formulation to give coloured precipitate. In the present study, we have prepared a novel SPR formulation constituting of zinc carbonate based on basic fuchsin dye for the development of latent fingerprints on wet surfaces. It was shown to develop clear, sharp and detailed fingerprints on non-porous surfaces after these were immersed in water for up to 45days. The ability of the present formulations to detect weak and chance prints not only enhances its utility, but also its potentiality in forensic casework investigations. The raw materials used to prepare the SPR are cost-effective and non-hazardous