CURRENT RESEARCH NIJ APPROVED 2006-DN-BX-K037
Breakable Cartridge Cyanoacrylate Fingerprint Development System
PHASE 1
In April 2005 a patent was filed by Certified Latent Fingerprint Examiner, David E. Weaver, for a new fingerprint development system consisting of one or more breakable glass ampules filled with liquid cyanoacrylate (superglue) surrounded with a breathable cellulose housing impregnated with catalysts. Upon breaking the glass ampules,immediate microcrystaline vapor is created providing rapid polymerization of fingerprints on evidence within enclosed environments, i.e., cardboard box, plastic bags or aquariums.
This simple low cost (under $1.00) per unit has already proven itself as a successful fingerprint development strategy. This strategy has also been expanded to a (4)four ampule system for development of fingerprints within interiors such as vehicles or rooms within a residence or crime scene. The main effort of this leg of the proposed research focuses on this strategy which has direct implication toward easing the operation and reducing the complexity and time required for the superglue fuming process for any police officer or crime scene technician.
The breakable cartridge scenario/ enhancement of latent fingerprint development process is small, less costly, than the current state of the art products currently available. The device has already demonstrated the stabilization of latent fingerprints in the field within moments of the cartridges breaking. This device will enable the police officer or crime scene tech a cheap, quick way of processing non-porous evidence @ the crime scene as a 1st responder inside a simple cardboard box. It is well known that the stabilization of these latent fingerprints are best done within a “nearest time parameter” soon after the crime occurs. This procedure and use of this simple product will optimize law enforcement's ability to maximize the fingerprint recovery of latent fingerprints in an almost instant fashion.
At this time the research continues with the effort focused on maximizing the microcrystaline vapor generation by testing additional catalysts beyond the sodium hydroxide scenario. The research we wish to conduct would include additional glass ampules with the hope of a (2)two liquid chemistry ampule system. We believe that several chemical strategies can be tested to maximize the scenario. These are simple chemical strategies which could include several known catalysts and we wish to test others which include mineral oil with solvent-based catalysts and acid-based inhibitors. These include, glacial acetic acid, common table salt, linoleic acid,sodium hydroxide, potassium acetate, ammonium hydroxide etc.We will be actively interfacing with Locktight and other industrial chemists and also continue our own investigation for the addition to a materials list that we may test for this portion of the research.
With this liquid to liquid chemical reaction it is believed that the monomer to polymer transition could be extended in time to five to seven minutes. Extending the time for chemical polymerization will amplify the microcystaline vapor volume, thus increasing fingerprint development.
The present configuration of the current device, gives (3) three minute vapor generation. A 10 mil. glass ampule can successfully develop a (4) four cubic foot container full of evidence. The vapor is allowed to remain in the container for (5) five to 10 minutes. Fingerprints begin to develop immediately and can be monitored through transparent glass or plastic.
It is the intent of this effort to maximize vapor generation. Disburse these prototypes to regional law enforcement for field testing, while monitoring the results and comments from actual law enforcement use.
PHASE II BREAKABLE CARTRIDGE
An investigation of sublimation dyes will be conducted within the multiple glass ampule scenario. Many sublimation dyes have come to wide industrial use and these will be applied to this approach as well as the 3 stage vaporwand system described below. The Thermal event that occurs during the catalyst function of the cyanoacrylate could provide an opportunity for the sublimation and co-polimerization of these substances to the fingerprint ridge site. Numerous sublimation dyes are available for evaluation and the thermal qualities range from 175F and up. This is a similar range of the cyanoacrylates. Many opportunities exist within the scope of the breakable cartridge scenario for research and improvement of this technology. The costs of the simultaneous investigation are very small compared to the potential we have for giving the cyanocrylate bloom/fingerprint development color. I understand the reviewers concern and wish to alleviate any fears they might have and refer them to the budget of this portion of the research, $2000.00, it will be a small price to pay for for the payoff that may occur. If we do not achieve ionic color crossover with the breakable cartridge scenario we still should be able to improve the basic catalyst materials expansion and improve the state of the art in crime scene recovery of latent fingerprints. Since it is the prime goal of this research to test a wide variety of sublimation dyes in a modified vapor wand ,it should also be tested in the breakable cartridge scenario. It only makes sense to apply the same tests to both of these technologies.
PHASE III
With the innovation of this new crime scene / evidence processing technique, it is our goal to further the research related to NIJ grant number: 92-IJ-CX-K029 Vapor Wand Project, this device has gained worldwide acceptance and is a great success. In this research grant for the first time Superglue was tagged successfully with (2) two different sublimation dyes.
Since 1992, more than 450 new sublimation dyes are on the market and being used throughout various industries. To our knowledge none of these have been tested in this regard. We will be testing sublimation dyes in the (2) two glass ampule system, also in November of 2005, CLPE, David E. Weaver, filed a new patent for a new (3)three-stage sublimation chamber and new vapor wand.
In this new vapor wand system, the sublimation chamber is rechargeable with (3)three ports for adding chemistry, i.e., superglue, water, sublimation dye. This product cost is one-fourth of the current vapor wand. With the (3) three port configuration, testing of these numerous sublimation dyes can go quickly.
The new vapor wand is superior in all aspects, as well as a reduction in cost. Both of these new products are improvements over existing technology. It is our hope to further develop both strategies, maximize effectiveness and streamline manufacture in preparation for product launch.
This research will be conducted by a team of professionals:Project Director - David E. Weaver, Certified Latent Fingerprint Examiner MSU, previous Project Director of the NIJ grant number 92-IJ-CX-K029 and inventor of vapor wand.
Chemist - Charles Steele, employed both as the Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager for Keystone Aniline Corporation and as an Analytical Consultant through Aneval Inc. His professional and scientific experience, through these corporations, expands into several industries: ranging from cosmetic chemistry and ink formulating to forensic science and security tagging.
The research will be conducted at Mountain State University, Forensic Division, Beckley West Virginia, one of the leading Forensic Science programs in the country. With the recent addition of David E. Weaver to the MSU staff, we intend to expand the program and be the cutting edge of forensic technology development and a leader in the academic field of forensic sciences. MSU will bring to the table a group of dedicated individuals with scientific backgrounds and associations with national and regional law enforcement communities, which can provide live field testing in real crime scenes, with a strategy towards optimizing these (2)two technologies.
Success! This is one of 1st crossovers and co-polimerization with cyanoacrylate, single step fingerprint development. We are also having success with roomlight crossover with blue /red and green.
Interesting results from a yellow dye co-polimerized with cyanoacrylate providing an entire surface distribution and quenching the fingerprint itself. This was unexpected and provides an additional branch of the research investigation.
Co-polimerization blue, this dye crosses over instantly, however after a few days begins to fade.
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Blue green, most promising yet. We are currently tuning the thermal parameters of the dyes with a special technique and material.
