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

A reformulated physical developer (PD) solution has been devised to replace the use of Synperonic® N for environmental reasons. The performance replacement proved promising in laboratory trials using planted fingermarks [1] however; this may not always represent how a reagent works on real world samples. This paper therefore explores effectiveness decaethylene glycol monododecyl ether (DGME)-based PD formulation through pseudo-operational trial. range naturally handled, porous substrates were processed, which totalled over 600 samples that had previously treated with amino acid reagents (1,2-indandione (IND) or 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO) and ninhydrin). trial was representative operational at end processing sequence exhibits. results from establish DGME is an effective detergent solutions demonstrated added benefit as sequential treatment. Planted mark studies assess parameters DGME-based are also included paper. These explored preparation, storage temperature required well shelf life. items have wetted investigated. show suitable N-based PD.