Comparison of Fingermark Detection Using Semiconductor Laser and LED Light Sources with Three Chemical Reagents

National Institute of Justice

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Evaluation Summary

A variety of light sources and reagents are available for the detection and identification of latent fingermarks. This study was undertaken to explore the optimum light and filter combinations of laser and light-emitting diode (LED) light for use with indanedione and two new chemical reagents, genipin and lawsone. The light sources utilized were Coherent ® TracER ™ lasers operating at 460nm, 532nm and 577nm and the Rofin Polilight Flare Plus LED operating at 505nm. Deliberate and randomly created fingermarks were first examined utilizing the light sources alone and then again following treatment with one of the reagents.

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