Chapter 20. Lab IV-3 Revealing Latent Fingerprints Using Ninhydrin

Equipment and Materials

You’ll need the following items to complete this lab session. (The standard kit for this book, available from http://www.thehomescientist.com, includes the items listed in the first group.)

Materials from Kit

  • Goggles

  • Magnifier

  • Ninhydrin powder

  • Zinc chloride solution

Materials you Provide

  • Gloves

  • Acetone

  • Bottle, small storage

  • Paper towels

  • Scanner and software (optional)

  • Spray bottle, fingertip (optional)

  • Steam iron or oven

  • UV light source (optional)

  • Specimens: paper with latent fingerprints

  • Specimens: paper with fumed fingerprints

Warning

Acetone is flammable. Ninhydrin is irritating. Zinc chloride is toxic and corrosive and emits hydrochloric acid fumes when wet. Wear splash ...

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