Detection of firearm imprints on the hands of suspects: Effectiveness of PDT reaction

A. Leifer, Y. Avissar, S. Berger, H. Wax, Y. Donchin, J. Almog*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pyridyldiphenyl triazine (PDT) and three of its analogues were compared as practical reagents for visualizing unseen impressions left on the hands of a person who has held a firearm. The parent compound, PDT, gave the best results using intensity and clarity as measuring criteria. The effectiveness of the PDT reaction was then studied on 147 volunteers who had held firearms in their hands. Identifiable impressions of the metallic parts of the weapons were developed on the hands of 103 volunteers (70%). Results with females were slightly higher than with males, however, the difference was possibly statistically insignificant, and needs further study. Ferroprint™ and Ferrotrace™,5 commercial preparations that are based on the PDT reaction, have become a part of the professional equipment of every crime scene technician in Israel.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1442-1446
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Forensic Sciences
Volume46
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine
  • Criminalistics
  • Ferroprint™
  • Ferrotrace™
  • Field kit
  • Field test
  • Firearms
  • Forensic science
  • Latent imprints

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