SUBJECT FORENSIC SCIENCE
Paper No. and Title PAPER No. 3: Fingerprints and Other Impressions
Module No. and Title MODULE No. 10: DFO Method for Detection of
Fingerprints
Module Tag FSC_P3_M10
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Learning Outcomes
2. Introduction - DFO
3. DFO-The Reagent
4. Methodology
5. A comparison of DFO Reagent with Ninhydrin Reagent
6. Summary
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
Ridge Characteristic
1. Learning Outcomes
After studying this module, you shall be able to know –
The significance of DFO reagent for detecting latent fingerprints.
The mechanism of reaction between DFO reagent and sweat constituent.
The merits and demerits of DFO method vis-à-vis the ninhydrin method.
2. Introduction - DFO
A latent fingerprint is formed when the sweat pores of the papillary ridges leave a deposit
of perspiration on a surface with which the finger has been brought into contact. Human
body possesses the following three types of glands – viz. eccrine, apocrine and sebaceous,
the secretions of which contribute to a fingerprint deposit.
Eccrine glands are widely distributed throughout the body and are particularly numerous
on the palms of hands and the soles of feet. These glands secrete chemicals as a result of
general metabolism and catabolism. Besides water content, eccrine sweat contains up to
1% of the other substances of which inorganic salts constitute about one-half. The other
half is constituted by organic products like, urea, creatinine, choline, lactic acid, sugars,
uric acid and amino acids.
The amino acid content of sweat residue may be fixed by treating the fingerprint with a
host of chemicals. The most commonly used is ninhydrin. However, where the latter fails
to give prints of optimum quality, other derivatives, such as 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one or
DFO (Fig. 1) may be called into action.
3. DFO - The Reagent
Amino acids constitute an important ingredient of human sweat. When a finger touches a
surface, these analogues are deposited thereon as sweat residue. This deposition, called
latent fingerprint, contains several other chemicals, such as inorganic ions and organic
derivatives. However, unlike other sweat constituents, amino acids neither interact with
cellulose component of paper, cardboard, wood and other porous surfaces, nor do they
migrate within the capillaries of the substrate. As a result, reagents, which give colored
derivatives on interaction with amino acids, render visibility to both fresh and old
fingerprints on a wide array of surfaces. It is, therefore, not surprising that amino acid
specific reagents have been used in several casework investigations. One such reagent is
1,8-diazafluoren-9-one, abbreviated as DFO.
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
Fig. 1 Structure of DFO
DFO is an amino acid sensitive reagent, which develops latent fingerprints on porous
surfaces like paper and wood. On reacting with the fingerprint residue it gives a pale
pinkish-purple product. The reaction proceeds through the formation of intermediate
yields, and is similar to that between ninhydrin and the amino acid content of sweat
deposition. However, while the reaction of amino acids with ninhydrin yields a non-
fluorescent product, the corresponding reaction with DFO gives a luminescent derivative.
The mechanism of reaction between DFO and amino acid residue, leading to fluorescent
product is depicted in Fig. 2.
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
Fig. 2 Mechanism of reaction between DFO and amino acid constituent of sweat
residue
The fluorescent nature of the amino acid-DFO reaction product helps in developing
weak, chance prints that are often encountered at crime scenes. It also assists in detecting
fingerprints on multicolored and glossy papers. Fig 3 shows one half of a representative
sample fingerprint developed on paper with the aid of DFO reagent.
Fig. 3 A partial fingerprint developed on paper by DFO reagent
The spectral characteristics of the fluorescence produced by DFO-developed fingerprints
have been investigated. It has been inferred that the fluorescent excitation wavelength
occurred at about 470 nm, while the corresponding emission wavelength was centered at
about 570 nm. When illuminated with green light, the developed fingerprints show strong
fluorescence, which is viewed or photographed through an orange or red filter. The
enhancement afforded due to fluorescence is shown in Fig. 4.
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
Fig. 4 A fingerprint developed by DFO shows fluorescence on illumination with a
suitable light source
Some printing inks fluoresce under these conditions and, therefore, interfered with
fingerprint detection. However, the optical brighteners present in paper do not hinder the
visualization of prints. Fluorescent fingerprints visualized by DFO method normally
reveal more details and clarity than those shown by ninhydrin-developed imprints.
4. Methodology
The exhibit on which latent fingerprints needs to be developed is dipped in the DFO
solution. The solvent of choice for preparing the reagent is 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane,
abbreviated as CFC-113, but generally known by its common name, fluorisol. Lately,
however, this compound has been banned due to its role in depletion of stratospheric
ozone. Methanol, acetic acid or petroleum ether serves as alternatives. A mixture of
hydrofluoroether and trans-1,2 dichloroethene is almost as effective than CFC-113.
The following procedure, subjected to minor variations, is normally adopted for
developing latent fingerprints by the DFO reagent.
The test solution is prepared by dissolving 0.5 g DFO in one liter of the solvent in a
reagent bottle of the type shown in Fig. 5.
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
Fig. 5 The DFO Reagent Bottle
The surface bearing the latent fingerprint impression is immersed in the reagent for 5
seconds, dried, re-immersed for 5 seconds and heated at 110° C for 10 minutes. The
heating chamber is shown in Fig. 6.
Fig. 6 The heating chamber used in developing fingerprints by DFO method
Under white light, pink-purple ridges are rendered visible. The surface is illuminated with
radiation of 470 nm wavelength and fluorescence is observed through a 570-600 nm
filter. The luminescence is at its maximum immediately after the heat treatment and then
decreases slightly with time due to the absorption of ambient humidity. The luminescence
may be restored to its original intensity by reheating the prints.
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
5. A Comparison of DFO Reagent with Ninhydrin Reagent
Both the DFO and ninhydrin reagents are meant to detect latent fingerprints impinged on
porous items like paper and cardboard and unpolished wood. It is, therefore, pertinent to
weigh out the utility of one reagent vis-à-vis the other.
The DFO technique offers the following advantages over the ninhydrin methodology:
1. With DFO, a strong room temperature luminescence of developed prints is
observed without any secondary treatment. Against this, the ninhydrin developed
prints have to be post-treated with a suitable metal salt to produce luminescence.
Good results are obtained if the exhibit is cooled to -200° C during the
fluorescence examination.
2. With DFO reagent, results are obtained in a relatively short time of 30 minutes.
Ninhydrin, on the other hand develops fingerprints at room temperature in about 2
hours. For faster development, the surface in question has to be heated to about
80°C. For improved results, heating should be carried out in a humid atmosphere.
3. On an average, DFO reagent develops 3 times more fingerprints than ninhydrin.
4. If DFO reagent fails to detect a latent impression, ninhydrin method can still be
tried out on the same surface. However, if ninhydrin reagent does not develop a
particular imprint, DFO method cannot be extended for its detection
The DFO method has the following demerits as compared to the ninhydrin technique.
1. A high-powered light source, with appropriate filter, must be available for
observing luminescence of DFO-developed fingerprints. Otherwise, weak
impressions will not be detected.
2. If the surface on which latent fingerprints are to be developed shows background
fluorescence, the utility of the DFO method is curtailed.
3. DFO reagent does not give satisfactory results on heat sensitive items like thermal
paper, window envelops and labels on polyethylene articles.
4. DFO reagent is costlier than ninhydrin.
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints
5. The working solution of DFO reagent is not very stable and tends to become
cloudy.
6. Summary
DFO reagent is a versatile chemical, with broad-spectrum applications, for
detecting latent fingerprints on porous items.
However, it is deemed less reliable as compared to ninhydrin reagent that works
on analogous articles.
For example, it has been observed that, at times, additional prints may become
visualized on an item if, after treatment with DFO, it is exposed to ninhydrin.
With DFO reagent, fingerprints are made visible in a relatively short time of 30
minutes.
On an average, DFO reagent develops 3 times more fingerprints than ninhydrin.
FORENSIC SCIENCE Paper No. 3: Fingerprints And Other Impressions
MODULE No.10: DFO Method For Detection Of
Fingerprints