Cyanoacrylate (Super Glue) is often considered one of the best chemicals for developing latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces.
While no single "best" chemical exists for all fingerprint situations, cyanoacrylate fuming is a highly effective and widely used method. Here's a breakdown:
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How it Works: Cyanoacrylate ester, the active ingredient in Super Glue (approximately 98-99%), reacts with the amino acids, fatty acids, and proteins present in latent fingerprints. This reaction creates a visible, hardened white or off-white polymer (polycyanoacrylate) that adheres to the fingerprint ridges.
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Process: The process involves exposing the item with suspected fingerprints to cyanoacrylate fumes in an enclosed environment. These fumes can be generated by:
- Heating Super Glue.
- Placing Super Glue on absorbent cotton treated with sodium hydroxide.
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Why it's Good:
- Effective on Non-Porous Surfaces: It works well on items like glass, plastic, metal, and painted surfaces.
- Enhances Visibility: It makes latent prints visible, allowing for easier photography and analysis.
- Relatively Safe: When used in a controlled environment with proper ventilation, it's relatively safe.
However, it's important to note: Cyanoacrylate is not effective on all surfaces. For porous surfaces like paper or cardboard, other techniques like ninhydrin or DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one) are more suitable. The "best" chemical depends heavily on the surface being examined.
In summary, while the ideal chemical varies depending on the circumstances, cyanoacrylate is a highly effective and frequently used method for developing fingerprints on non-porous surfaces.
