SUDAN BLACK

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Chemical Name:
SUDAN BLACK		 Surface Used On:
Wet, Non-porous & grease-contaminated surfaces.		 Sensitive To:
Sebaceous components.
Development Color: Method to Record: Hazard: Protective Clothing: Fume Hood Use:

Dark Blue.
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
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Forensic Light
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*** Sudan black ***
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Forensic Light
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Physical Developer

 SUDAN BLACK FORMULA:
  15 g  Sudan black powder
dissolved in 

1000 ml Ethanol

add, then stir with 
 500 ml distilled water
PROCEDURE OF APPLICATION 

1. Immerse in Working solution 
for 2 minutes.

2. Cold Tap water rinse - 
remove excess dye.

3. Dry item at room temperature.


Ridge Detail Visualized by:

Visible chemical/stain reaction.


Reagent Applicabilities:

Residue-contaminated items
Water-soaked items
Non-Porous sufaces
Post-Cyanoacrylate


Other Chemical Name(s):

Solvent black 3
SSB


Working Solution Shelf-life:

Indefinite
Process Summary:
A dye stain technique for use on wet items, it is considered less sensitive than other wet item techniques in use. Sudan black is considered useful for those wetted items whose surfaces are contaminated with substances such as grease, beverages and food-stuffs.
Accepted Deviations:
May be used as a post-cyanoacrylate developer, and is especially useful for post-cyanoacrylate staining on the inside of latex gloves.
Supporting Reference Materials:
1. Stone, R.S., & Metzger, R.A., "Comparison of Development Techniques for Water Soaked Porous Items-Sudan Black Solution / Magna Powder", Identification News, Jan 1981, pp. 13.
2. Minutiae Magazine, Summer Special 1994, Issue No. 24, pg.7.
3. "Chemical Formulas and Processing Guide for Developing Latent Prints", U.S. Dept. of Justice, pg. 47-48, 1994.
4. Advances in Fingeprint Technology 2nd. Ed., Lee, H.C. & Gaensslen, R.E., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL., 2001.
5. Manual of Fingerprint Development Techniques 2nd. Ed., Home Office - Police Scientific Development Branch, White Crescent Press, Ltd., Luton, England, 2001.
6. Technical Notes, Lightning Powder Co. Inc., Salem, OR., 2001.

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