Latent Fingerprint Visualization by 1,2-Indanedione and Related Compounds: Preliminary Results

Abstract

A number of vicinal cyclic diketones, most of them belonging to the 1,2-indanedione series, have been prepared and tested as potential reagents for latent fingerprint development. Unsubstituted 1,2-indanedione and a number of its mono- and dimethoxy- derivatives exhibited excellent properties as fluorogenic reagents for latent prints on paper. Structural modifications, such as substitutions at position 3, omission of the benzene ring or increase of the five-membered to a six-membered ring, considerably reduced this activity. Quite surprisingly, benzo[f]indane-1,2-dione, which was synthesized for the first time in this work, was significantly inferior to 1,2-indanedione as a fingerprint reagent. Even at this stage, before optimization of the reaction conditions, it can be said that some 1,2-indanediones are at least as sensitive as DFO. Their solubility in nonpolar solvents and relative case of preparation are further advantages. It is the authors' opinion that 1,2-indanedione itself may soon become a practical fingerprint reagent.

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

“…This result is in contrast to prior research [4,5] and is most likely attributed to the different 1,2-indanedione formulation used.…”

“…Almog et al also confirmed that indanedione treated fingermarks did not produce results when further treated with ninhydrin [5]. This indicates that a complete reaction of the available amino acids with 1,2-indanedione occurs.…”

“…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.…”

“…This early research showed that several of the 1,2-indanediones tested produced stains of greater luminescence than DFO, however none gave better initial colour than ninhydrin. Preliminary experiments performed in Israel indicated that 1,2-indanedione is in no way inferior to DFO [5], however one problem was the limited availability of the compound. This was overcome as 1,2-indanedione was relatively easy to synthesise [12] and, in 2002, 1,2-indanedione became commercially available through the Netherlands based company, BVDA International.…”

“…A greater emphasis was put on samples treated with formulation 3 due to the amount of research already published using this formulation [5,6,22]. Humidity is recommended during the development of this formulation and it is thought that ambient conditions have a significant influence on development.…”