A new p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde reagent formulation for the photoluminescence detection of latent fingermarks on paper

Patrick Fritz; Wilhelm van Bronswijk; Simon W Lewis

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.037

A new p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde reagent formulation for the photoluminescence detection of latent fingermarks on paper

Forensic Sci Int. 2015 Dec:257:20-28. doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.037. Epub 2015 Jul 30.

Authors

Patrick Fritz¹, Wilhelm van Bronswijk², Simon W Lewis³

Affiliations

¹ Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
² Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
³ Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Department of Chemistry, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: S.Lewis@curtin.edu.au.

PMID: 26282509
DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.07.037

Abstract

Dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde was re-evaluated as a wet contact reagent for the treatment of latent fingermarks on porous substrates. A new formulation (consisting of 0.028 g p-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde, 0.84 mL glacial acetic acid, 6.2 mL ethyl acetate and 0.993 L 40-60 °C petroleum spirits) provides quick, sensitive and robust luminescent ridge detail within 3 h of treatment on both plain and thermal paper. Comparisons to existing formulations indicate improved visualisation and/or a more efficient process.

Keywords: Amino acids; Latent fingermarks; Paper surfaces; Photoluminescence.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Chlorides
Cinnamates / chemistry*
Dermatoglyphics*
Humans
Indans
Indicators and Reagents / chemistry
Luminescence*
Molecular Structure
Paper
Porosity
Spectrometry, Fluorescence
Zinc Compounds

Substances

1,2-indanedione
Chlorides
Cinnamates
Indans
Indicators and Reagents
Zinc Compounds
zinc chloride
4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde