Understanding the Chemistry of the Development of Latent Fingerprints by Superglue Fuming

:  Cyanoacrylate fuming is a widely used forensic tool for the development of latent fingerprints, however the mechanistic details of the reaction between the fingerprint residue and the cyanoacrylate vapor are not well understood. Here the polymerization of ethyl‐cyanoacrylate vapor by sodium lacta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences 2007-09, Vol.52 (5), p.1057-1062
Main Authors: Wargacki, Stephen P., Lewis, Linda A., Dadmun, Mark D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alanine - chemistry
Chemical products
Cyanoacrylates
Dermatoglyphics
Eccrine Glands
fingerprints
forensic science
Forensic sciences
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
initiation
Latent fingerprints
Models, Chemical
Molecular weight
Polymerization
Sodium Lactate - chemistry
Sweat
Volatilization
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Summary::  Cyanoacrylate fuming is a widely used forensic tool for the development of latent fingerprints, however the mechanistic details of the reaction between the fingerprint residue and the cyanoacrylate vapor are not well understood. Here the polymerization of ethyl‐cyanoacrylate vapor by sodium lactate or alanine solutions, two of the major components in fingerprint residue, has been examined by monitoring the time dependence of the mass uptake and resultant polymer molecular weight characteristics. This data provides insight into the molecular level actions in the efficient development of latent fingerprints by superglue fuming. The results show that the carboxylate moiety is the primary initiator of the polymerization process and that a basic environment inhibits chain termination while an acidic environment promotes it. The results also indicate that water cannot be the primary initiator in this forensic technique.
ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1111/j.1556-4029.2007.00527.x