p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces

A new method for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces using p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) is described. The method is based upon the reaction of DMAB with the amino acids present in the latent fingermark to give a yellow-brown impression that is photoluminescent when illuminate...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Lewis, Simon, Fritz, Patrick, Van Bronswijk, Wilhelm
Format: Journal Article
Published: R S C Publications 2013
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33186
_version_ 1848753875263160320
author Lewis, Simon
Fritz, Patrick
Van Bronswijk, Wilhelm
author_facet Lewis, Simon
Fritz, Patrick
Van Bronswijk, Wilhelm
author_sort Lewis, Simon
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description A new method for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces using p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) is described. The method is based upon the reaction of DMAB with the amino acids present in the latent fingermark to give a yellow-brown impression that is photoluminescent when illuminated with a high intensity filtered light source at 490 nm and viewed through orange goggles (OG550). A wet contact method proved effective on non-fragile porous substrates such as white photocopy paper and various other substrates, while a dry contact (solventless) method afforded development on thermal paper. Luminescence spectrophotometry of developed L-alanine, glycine and L-serine spots on paper was used to confirm that DMAB was reacting with amino acids in the latent fingermark.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T08:31:28Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-33186
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T08:31:28Z
publishDate 2013
publisher R S C Publications
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-331862017-09-13T15:28:27Z p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces Lewis, Simon Fritz, Patrick Van Bronswijk, Wilhelm A new method for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces using p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB) is described. The method is based upon the reaction of DMAB with the amino acids present in the latent fingermark to give a yellow-brown impression that is photoluminescent when illuminated with a high intensity filtered light source at 490 nm and viewed through orange goggles (OG550). A wet contact method proved effective on non-fragile porous substrates such as white photocopy paper and various other substrates, while a dry contact (solventless) method afforded development on thermal paper. Luminescence spectrophotometry of developed L-alanine, glycine and L-serine spots on paper was used to confirm that DMAB was reacting with amino acids in the latent fingermark. 2013 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33186 10.1039/c3ay40856f R S C Publications fulltext
spellingShingle Lewis, Simon
Fritz, Patrick
Van Bronswijk, Wilhelm
p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces
title p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces
title_full p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces
title_fullStr p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces
title_full_unstemmed p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces
title_short p-Dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces
title_sort p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde: preliminary investigations into a novel reagent for the detection of latent fingermarks on paper surfaces
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33186