STICKY-SIDE POWDER

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Chemical Name:
STICKY-SIDE POWDER		 Surface Used On:
Light-colored tape surfaces.		 Sensitive To:
Sebaceous & lipid components.
Development Color: Method to Record: Hazard: Protective Clothing: Fume Hood Use:

Gray
None
Not
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
|
Gentian violet
|
*** Sticky-Side Powder ***
|
Forensic Light

 STICKY-SIDE POWDER FORMULA:
1. Place 1 teaspoon of powder 
in a shallow jar or mixing bowl.
 
2. Equal parts of Photo-Flow 200
and water are mixed with the 
powder to form a THIN paste/paint.
PROCEDURE OF APPLICATION 
 
1. Brush this mixture with a 
camel hair brush onto the 
tape's adhesive surface.
 
2. Wait 10 to 15 seconds.
 
3. Rinse under a gentle stream 
of running cold tap water.
 
4. Allow tape to air dry.
 
5. Photograph any developed 
ridge detail.


Ridge Detail Visualized by:

Visible chemical/stain reaction.


Reagent Applicabilities:

Non-Porous surfaces
Post-Cyanoacrylate
Adhesive tape surfaces


Other Chemical Name(s):

None


Working Solution Shelf-life:

Prepared as needed.
Process Summary:

The reagent is a suspension of black powder in a detergent solution and is prepared as a paste. After preparation, the mixture is brushed unto the adhesive sides of tape surfaces. This reagent is considered to be economical as a adhesive-tape processing methods. Cyanoacrylate fuming does not inhibit the use of this reagent.

Accepted Deviations:

Commercial kits are available which contain all the necessary components and implements. The reagent may be mixed vigorously to create a foam solution. The reagent may be repeatedly applied, if necessary, to improve the friction ridge detail.

Supporting Reference Materials:

1. "Sticky-side Powder Versus Gentian Violet: The Search for the Superior Method for Processing the Sticky Side of Adhesive Tape", Jor. Forensic Identification, vol. 46, no. 3, May/June 1996, pp. 268-272.

2. "Chemical Formulas and Processing Guide for Developing Latent Prints", U.S. Dept. of Justice, pg. 47-48, 1994.

3. "Sticky Side Powder: The Japanese Solution", D.S. Burns, Jor. Forensic Identification, vol. 44, no. 2, Mar./April 1994, pp. 133-138.

4. Manual of Fingerprint Development Techniques 2nd. Ed., Home Office - Police Scientific Development Branch, White Crescent Press, Ltd., Luton, England, 2001.

5. Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions, C. Champod, C. Lennard, P. Margot, and M. Stoilovic, CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, FL., 2004, pp. 161-162, pg. 240.

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