NILE RED

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Chemical Name:
NILE RED		 Surface Used On:
Non-porous surfaces.		 Sensitive To:
Cyanoacrylate deposit.
Development Color: Method to Record: Hazard: Protective Clothing: Fume Hood Use:

Orange fluorescence
Orange filter
Yes
Reagent Characteristics

Development Complete When:

Source of Error:

Incompatibilities:

Precautions:

Storage Container:

Safety:

Recommendations:

Similar Reagents


Sequential Reagents
(Not necessarily in this order.)



Abridged Reagent Sequence

Visual Examination
|
Forensic Light
|
Cyanoacrylate
|
*** Nile Red ***
|
Forensic Light
|
R.A.M.
|
Forensic Light

 NILE RED FORMULA:

 100 mg Nile red dye
1000 ml Ethanol
PROCEDURE OF APPLICATION 
1.
Spray, dip, or use a squirt bottle
to apply the Nile Red solution 
to the item.

2.
Examination under a laser or 
Forensic Light Source at 
450 nm to 560 nm.
Absorption Max is at 530 nm.
Use orange or red colored goggles.

3.
Allow the item to air dry.

4.
Photograph results using 
an orange or bandpass 
550(BP35) barrier filter.


Ridge Detail Visualized by:

Forensic Light Source induced.


Reagent Applicabilities:

Post-Cyanoacrylate
Non-Porous surfaces
Fluorescent technique


Other Chemical Name(s):

Nile blue oxazone

Working Solution Shelf-life:

Six (6) months.
Process Summary:
A fluorescent dye-stain used to enhance cyanoacrylate-developed latent prints. A fluorescent light source that will output light between 450 nm to 560 nm is required for this process.
Accepted Deviations:
A number of organic solvents such as n-Heptane, xylene, chloroform, acetone and ethanol may be used to dissolve the Nile red dye. The excitation wavelength may be varied to determine which produces the best fluorescence.
Supporting Reference Materials:
1. Minutiae Magazine, Summer Special 1994, Issue No. 24, pg.7.
2. Day, K. and Bowker, W., "Enhancement of Cyanoacrylate Developed Latent Prints Using Nile Red", Jor. Forensic Identification, Vol. 46, No. 2, March/ April 1996, pp. 183-187.

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