Development Chemicals

Silver Nitrate is generally used on porous materials after Ninhydran processing. Silver Nitrate reacts to the chlorides present in latent prints forming a dark brown image after exposure to sunlight or uv light. Available as a premix methanolic solution with a spray head for ease of use or in crystalline form in pre-measured vials.

Small particle reagent is a wellknown technique used to develop fingerprints on wet, oily, or textured surfaces. Our mixture is far superior to others on the market because its formulation mixes better with the water and results in a cleaner application. This technique is almost as easy as using a spray bottle. Simply mix the contents of the vial in a spray bottle with 6 ounces of water. Shake the mixture and spray a gentle mist over the area you are processing. After you see the prints developing, rinse the area with plain water to clean away the excess. Photograph, and when dry, lift by conventional methods. > More

Arrowhead Master SPR kits contain everything needed to apply Small Particle Reagent in the field. > More

Red Star and Ardrox formulation for cyanoacrylate dying. Fluoresces well under UV or an alternate light source.

The Sudan Black method of fingerprint development relies upon the presence of oils and other sebaceous materials present in latent prints. One of the best methods you can use on greasy or waxy non porous surfaces such as glass, metal, milk cartons, interiors of gloves, and candles. The resulting print development is a dark blue black. Available as ready to use premix liquid.

TEC is one of the newer and more successful fluorescent dyes for cyanoacrylate developed latent prints. TEC absorbs uv light near 350nm and emits a narrow band at 614nm. This very wide Stokes Shift contributes to the ease of filtering the excitation light from the fluorescing print which makes it clearer and easier to photograph. The formulation locks the dye into the cyanoacrylate and therefore more dye remains in the print after rinsing. This dye has also been successfully used with cyanoacrylate to develop prints on cadavers.

A methanol soluble cyanoacrylate dye applied as a wash and fluoresced with uv or an alternate light source.

Zinc Chloride is one of the traditional methods of enhancement when used after Ninhydrin processing. Supplied as a one liter solution in methanol for use with the traditional ninhydrin formulas, and as an 8oz HFE-7100 based spray for use with the HFE-7100 based ninhydrin, HFE-7100/HFE71IPA Ninhydrin formula for thermal papers, and 1,2-Indanedione. A heptane based formulation is also available for use with Ninhydrin in heptane when the running of inks is a concern.