NINHYDRIN METHOD
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 skin possesses three types of sweat glands: Eccrine, apocrine and sebaceous, the
secretions of which contribute to fingerprint deposit.
Eccrine glands are widely distributed throughout the body and are particularly numerous on
the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Besides the water content, eccrine sweat
contains up to 1% of other substances of which about one-half are inorganic ions. The
remaining half consists of organic derivatives like urea, sugars, lactic acid, fatty acids and
amino acids/proteins.
The amino acid content of sweat residue may be fixed by treating the latent fingerprint with a
solution of ninhydrin reagent. The amino acid-ninhydrin reaction produces a purple
compound, called Ruhemann’s purple, which becomes deposited along the ridges, making the
latent prints visible. Ninhydrin is particularly useful for developing fingerprints on porous
and absorbent surfaces like paper, paper products, cardboard and wood. Whereas the
inorganic ions and most of the organic ingredients of sweat deposit tend to interact with the
cellulose content of paper or wood, the amino acids remain inert. Moreover, with passage of
time the amino acids do not migrate within the capillaries of the substrate. Therefore, the
ninhydrin method makes it possible to develop fingerprints that are many years old.
Ninhydrin as a fingerprint reagent:
Ninhydrin was first used as a fingerprint reagent in 1954, when two Swedish scientists, S.
Oden and Von B. Hofsten developed latent imprints on paper, cardboard and similar
materials with its aid. A year later, Oden patented the procedure.
Broadly, the procedure for developing latent fingermarks involves spraying the ninhydrin
solution on the surface containing the impression, from a distance of about 6 inches. After the
solvent evaporates, the solution is re-sprayed. The surface is then heated for a short time,
without allowing it to come into contact with the heat source. If quick development is not
required, the item may be allowed to dry at room temperature. Better results are obtained by
natural drying.
During experimentation, there are several parameters that need to be adjusted for adequate
and satisfactory development of fingerprints. There are chemical parameters, such as the
concentration of ninhydrin, the nature of solvent and the acidity of the formulation, as well as
physical parameters, such as the mode of application, heating temperatures and relative
humidity.
a. Chemical parameters
Concentrations of ninhydrin varying from 0.2 to 1.5% have been found suitable for
fingerprint development. Various types of solvents have been tried out for preparing
ninhydrin solutions. The reagent dissolves in most organic solvents, such as methanol,
ethanol, acetone, diethyl ether and naphtha. The choice of the solvent depends, in part, on
whether the document is scripted or not. Most organic solvents tend to despoil the
calligraphic script.
Freon-113 (also called fluorisol) proved to be the most remarkable solvent for dissolving
ninhydrin. It does not interact with ink. It is absolutely non-reactive and therefore there is no
chance of the surface becoming degraded. It is non-toxic and therefore poses no occupational
hazard to the user. Above all, it is non-flammable and therefore quite safe to use in a
laboratory. As a result of this last characteristic, the Freon-based composition has come to be
referred to as non-flammable ninhydrin or NFN.
The NFN develops fingermarks on a wide range of paper items. It provides a minimal amount
of background effects. Moreover, it is effective on surface-coated papers, such as currency
notes, as well as the gummed side of postage stamps. It is, however, being feared that it may
not be possible to continue with NFN in the years to come.
Freon-113 belongs to a class of compounds called chlorofluorocarbons. These compounds are
being banned out under the terms of Montreal protocol on phasing out of ozone depleting
substances. There is therefore, a need for a suitable replacement of Freon-113.
Petroleum ether provides an alternative, as it too does not interact with ink. However,
petroleum ether is highly inflammable and explosive in nature and is therefore considered
hazardous. Supercritical carbon dioxide is being considered a possible substitute of Freon-
113.
b. Physical Parameters
Ninhydrin is applied to the surface impinged with the latent fingerprints generally by
spraying, swabbing or dipping. Of these, dipping operation is most extensively used.
However, fragile paper items, such as paper napkins, tear apart on dipping and therefore
spraying procedure is followed. Swabbing action tends to smear the ink and is therefore
avoided on scripted documents. Less conventional methods include exposure to ninhydrin
fumes, dusting with ninhydrin powder or placing a paper dipped in ninhydrin solution over
the fingerprint impression.
If development time is not a consideration, ninhydrin-sprayed documents should be allowed
to develop at room temperature. This may take a few days, but the results are excellent.
Normally however, the surface is heated 80C so as to accelerate the development process.
The mode of heating is also important. Heating may be carried out by a steam iron; better
results are obtained if the iron is moved 1-2 cm above the surface.