Reagents for the chemical development of latent fingerprints: Scope and limitations of benzo[f]ninhydrin in comparison to ninhydrin

Benzo[f]ninhydrin was compared to ninhydrin for fingerprint development on paper. Overall, the performance of ninhydrin on exhibits was slightly bette r than that of benzo[f]ninhydrin. The significant advantages of the benzo[f ]ninhydrin over ninhydrin were the much stronger fluorescence it gave after treatment with zinc salts and a slightly quicker reaction under ambient co nditions. This fluorescence is, however, similar to that obtained with othe r reagents, such as DFO or ninhydrin analogs. These advantages apparently a re not sufficient to justify regular usage of benzo[f]ninhydrin, especially when one considers its low solubility and high cost.