Enhancement of Lumicyano™-fumed latent fingerprints with laboratory processing techniques
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
The Lumicyano kit is a novel one-step superglue fumigation technique that is meant to enhance the development and visualization of ridge detail from latent impressions. According to the product flyer provided by the manufacturer, latent fingerprints will immediately fluoresce with the use of an alternate light source following fumigation with the Lumicyano kit; therefore, additional post-treatment with chemical enhancing reagents is not necessary. The elimination of the subsequent chemical processing step is more cost-effective, time efficient, and inherently safer due to the removal of the involved chemicals. Previous studies of the effectiveness of using the Lumicyano kit solely report variable fluorescence results and merits further investigation. This study investigates the overall effectiveness of the sole use of the Lumicyano kit for the development of latent print impressions. The cumulative mean scores for Lumicyano-only fumigated latent fingerprint impressions were relatively lower than those combined with post-treatments. These scores suggest that while Lumicyano by itself is capable of developing and allowing for the visualization of ridge detail, it can often be improved upon by following up with a post-treatment process. For the processing reagents utilized in this study, fluorescence was observed within and beyond the recommended range of alternate light source wavelengths. Manipulation with the color of the barrier filter broadens available sources for visualization of latent fingerprint impressions. Fluorescence emitted from Lumicyano with or without post-treatment of a contrast dye stain was dependent on the material composition and color of the substrate.
Description
2025