Replacing Synperonic® N in the physical developer fingermark visualisation process: Pseudo-operational trial and...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Environmental concerns necessitate replacing Synperonic® N in physical developer (PD) solutions.
• Previous laboratory trials showed promise for a new PD formulation with planted fingermarks.
• Real-world sample performance of PD reagents requires validation beyond laboratory settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a decaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (DGME)-based physical developer (PD) formulation.
• To assess DGME-based PD performance on naturally handled porous substrates in a pseudo-operational trial.
• To determine DGME-based PD suitability as a sequential treatment following amino acid reagents.

Main Methods:

• A pseudo-operational trial processed over 600 naturally handled porous samples.
• Samples were previously treated with amino acid reagents: 1,2-indandione (IND), 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO), or ninhydrin.
• Planted mark studies investigated DGME-PD formulation parameters: preparation, processing, storage temperature, and shelf life, including effectiveness on previously wetted items.

Main Results:

• The DGME-based PD formulation proved effective on over 600 real-world porous samples.
• DGME demonstrated efficacy as a sequential treatment, enhancing fingerprint development.
• Formulation studies confirmed DGME-PD suitability for operational laboratory use, including stability and performance on wet samples.

Conclusions:

• Decaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (DGME) is an effective and suitable replacement detergent for Synperonic® N in physical developer solutions.
• The DGME-based PD formulation is validated for operational forensic laboratory use.
• Utilizing PD as a sequential treatment offers added benefits for latent fingerprint development.