Physical Factors Affecting Fingerprint Development: A Review

Navya Goenka

Abstract: Fingerprints are one of the most valuable pieces of evidence found at crime scenes because of their individuality, making them highly unique. The credibility of fingerprints to solve crimes makes it a critical tool in the field of forensics and law. This paper outlines different well-known methods for developing fingerprints that are used in forensics as well as explores the physical factors that affect latent fingerprint development when using methods like ninhydrin and cyanoacrylate fuming. Ninhydrin performs optimally at 80?C to 100?C, promoting rapid chemical reactions and clear prints. Cyanoacrylate also requires controlled temperatures of 80?C to 100?C for effective polymerization. The properties of the surface also affect the development. While ninhydrin excels on porous surfaces, cyanoacrylate is more effective on nonporous ones. Factors like humidity, concentration prove to have an effect on latent fingerprint development as well. This paper aims to highlight the importance of these factors for the most effective development of fingerprints, those which are clear to analyse.

Keywords: Development, Forensics, Latent fingerprints, Physical factors