Chemical Development of Latent Fingerprints: 1,2-Indanedione Has Come of Age

Abstract

The performance of 1,2-indanedione as a latent fingerprint reagent on some types of paper was found to exceed that of DFO, the leading fluorogenic fingerprint reagent. It even exceeds the performance of the sequence, DFO, followed by ninhydrin. No new prints could be observed when ninhydrin was applied after indanedione. On a large number of actual exhibits (used checks) indanedione developed 46% more identifiable prints than the sequence DFO-ninhydrin. A standard procedure for fingerprint development by indanedione is proposed. Best results are obtained with a 0.2% indanedione solution in HFE7100 solvent containing 7% ethyl acetate, but no acetic acid. It can be recommended to start using 1,2-indanedione, which is already commercially available, in actual fingerprint casework.

Optimisation and evaluation of 1,2-indanedione for use as a fingermark reagent and its application to real samples

“…4) was proposed as a fingermark reagent in 1997 by Ramotowski et al [3] following research into ninhydrin analogues by Jouille and co-workers, in conjunction with the US Secret Service. Following this discovery researchers in Australia [4], Israel [5,6], the USA [7,8], the United Kingdom [9,10] and Canada [11] have conducted research into the capabilities of 1,2-indanedione as a fingermark reagent.…”

“…Research by Wiesner and co-workers in 2001 led to 1,2-indanedione being approved for use in casework in Israel [6].…”

“…Interestingly, the FBI only investigated the application of the 1,2-indanedione formulation proposed by Wiesner et al [6], and concluded that 1,2-indanedione is a very sensitive amino acid developer and should be used as the primary process when used in conjunction with ninhydrin.…”

Novel Fluorinated Indanone, Tetralone and Naphthone Derivatives: Synthesis and Unique Structural Features

“…For example, indanone derivatives have anticoagulant properties and are used in elaborating latent fingerprints, bindone variants comprise components of near infrared dyes while certain tetralones and naphthones, ketones similar in structure to those shown in Figure 1, have demonstrated bioactive properties [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Since bioactivity is known to be enhanced in many classes of fluorinated molecules [3,7], it is desirous to prepare fluorine-containing molecules with similar architecture and gain a better understanding of their structure-property relationships.…”

19-Fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift variability in trifluoroacetyl species

“…[1][2][3] The properties exhibited by molecules incorporating fluorine often include tuned lipophilicity or lipophobicity as well as enhanced bioactivity. [4][5][6][7] As a biochemical marker and precursor to heterocyclic species, the trifluoroacetyl (TFA) group has gained exceptional versatility; its incorporation into molecular architecture is effected via its use as a synthon or through acetylation strategies.…”