title: Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints

authors: Caldwell, Jonathan Paul

abstract: Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints have been investigated as well as a preliminary appraisal of a technique for the estimation of post-mortem interval and age of blood stains.

The utilisation of coordinatively-unsaturated (six-coordinate) europium and terbium complexes as reactive reagents for the direct visualisation of latent fingerprints on porous and non-porous surfaces has been investigated. The main complex investigated in this study was tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato) europium(III) [Eu(fod)₃] and was the only one which proved to be effective in the fluorescent visualisation of latent fingerprints using a one step process. Eu(fod)₃ was found to work for fingerprints on porous paper and to a limited extent on aluminium drink cans and galvanized iron.

The use of the two and three ringed analogues of ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) for the fluorescent enhancement of latent fingerprints was also investigated. Solution trials proved that the reaction products of 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxaldehyde (NDA) and 2,3- anthracenedicarboxaldehyde (ADA) with analine produce favourable “red-shifts” in emission wavelengths which would make them stand out from the blue background emissions commonly obtained from paper. However, poor results were obtained when NDA and ADA were trailed on latent fingerprints on paper.

2,2’-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonate(6)] diammonium salt (ABTS), ortho-phenylenediamime (OPD), and para-phenylenediamine (PPD) have been found to be
successful reagents in the visual enhancement of blood fingerprints. Colours obtained from the oxidised products are green, orange, and purple respectively. A comparison with the commonly-used and hazardous 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) has proved all three reagents to be effective, safer alternatives with the added bonus of ABTS being (as far as is known) non-toxic. 

A preliminary appraisal has indicated that fluorescein diacetate (FDA) may be useful in estimating the post-mortem interval or age of blood stains and blood prints.

Of the range of techniques and processes investigated with the aim of improving fingerprint visualisation, some proved unsuccessful, yet provided some useful information. These included attempts to improve the colloidal gold technique of latent fingerprint visualisation, increase the chemiluminescence from luminol-treated blood fingerprints in the presence of bromide ions, increase the colour development of ABTS-treated blood fingerprints using an albumin antibody conjugated to peroxidase, an attempt to force fluorescein into the lipid component of a latent fingerprint by acidification of an alkaline solution of fluorescein, and an attempt to stain blood fingerprints with a fluorescent protein stain called SYPROᵀᴹ Orange.

text: Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints Several new methods for the development of latent and blood fingerprints have been investigated as well as a preliminary appraisal of a technique for the estimation of post-mortem interval and age of blood stains.

The utilisation of coordinatively-unsaturated (six-coordinate) europium and terbium complexes as reactive reagents for the direct visualisation of latent fingerprints on porous and non-porous surfaces has been investigated. The main complex investigated in this study was tris(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octanedionato) europium(III) [Eu(fod)₃] and was the only one which proved to be effective in the fluorescent visualisation of latent fingerprints using a one step process. Eu(fod)₃ was found to work for fingerprints on porous paper and to a limited extent on aluminium drink cans and galvanized iron.

The use of the two and three ringed analogues of ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA) for the fluorescent enhancement of latent fingerprints was also investigated. Solution trials proved that the reaction products of 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxaldehyde (NDA) and 2,3- anthracenedicarboxaldehyde (ADA) with analine produce favourable “red-shifts” in emission wavelengths which would make them stand out from the blue background emissions commonly obtained from paper. However, poor results were obtained when NDA and ADA were trailed on latent fingerprints on paper.

2,2’-azino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonate(6)] diammonium salt (ABTS), ortho-phenylenediamime (OPD), and para-phenylenediamine (PPD) have been found to be
successful reagents in the visual enhancement of blood fingerprints. Colours obtained from the oxidised products are green, orange, and purple respectively. A comparison with the commonly-used and hazardous 3,3’-diaminobenzidine (DAB) has proved all three reagents to be effective, safer alternatives with the added bonus of ABTS being (as far as is known) non-toxic. 

A preliminary appraisal has indicated that fluorescein diacetate (FDA) may be useful in estimating the post-mortem interval or age of blood stains and blood prints.

Of the range of techniques and processes investigated with the aim of improving fingerprint visualisation, some proved unsuccessful, yet provided some useful information. These included attempts to improve the colloidal gold technique of latent fingerprint visualisation, increase the chemiluminescence from luminol-treated blood fingerprints in the presence of bromide ions, increase the colour development of ABTS-treated blood fingerprints using an albumin antibody conjugated to peroxidase, an attempt to force fluorescein into the lipid component of a latent fingerprint by acidification of an alkaline solution of fluorescein, and an attempt to stain blood fingerprints with a fluorescent protein stain called SYPROᵀᴹ Orange.

year: 1999

title: Environmental effects of ozone depletion and its interactions with climate change: progress report, 2009

authors: Andrady, Anthony

subjects: UV

abstract: The parties to the Montreal Protocol are informed by three panels of experts. One of these is the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP), which deals with UV radiation and its effects on human health, animals, plants, biogeochemistry, air quality and materials. Since 2000, the analyses and interpretation of these effects have included interactions between UV radiation and global climate change. When considering the effects of climate change, it has become clear that processes resulting in changes in stratospheric ozone are more complex than believed previously. As a result of this, human health and environmental problems will likely be longer-lasting and more regionally variable. Like the other panels, the EEAP produces a detailed report every four years; the most recent was that for 2006 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2007, 6, 201–332). In the years in between, the EEAP produces a less detailed and shorter progress report, as is the case for this present one for 2009. A full quadrennial report will follow for 2010.

text: Environmental effects of ozone depletion and its interactions with climate change: progress report, 2009 The parties to the Montreal Protocol are informed by three panels of experts. One of these is the Environmental Effects Assessment Panel (EEAP), which deals with UV radiation and its effects on human health, animals, plants, biogeochemistry, air quality and materials. Since 2000, the analyses and interpretation of these effects have included interactions between UV radiation and global climate change. When considering the effects of climate change, it has become clear that processes resulting in changes in stratospheric ozone are more complex than believed previously. As a result of this, human health and environmental problems will likely be longer-lasting and more regionally variable. Like the other panels, the EEAP produces a detailed report every four years; the most recent was that for 2006 (Photochem. Photobiol. Sci., 2007, 6, 201–332). In the years in between, the EEAP produces a less detailed and shorter progress report, as is the case for this present one for 2009. A full quadrennial report will follow for 2010.

year: 2010

title: The thing’s revelation: Some thoughts on Māori philosophical research

authors: Mika, Carl Te Hira

abstract: In indigenous research projects, there is a strong emphasis on interviews and the analysis of the data that results. There is, however, another form of research that still calls to be fully acknowledged. Philosophical research shares some ground with empirical because it responds to a Maori history and experience of oppression. One clear area in which it may differ, though, is in how it attempts to acknowledge the presence of ‘things’, which we might call our ‘whanaunga’ (relations), even where these have been deemed by Western science to be inanimate. More importantly, philosophical research is risky because the thing continues to influence the researching self, despite the self’s eventual disengagement from the research. Philosophical research – the kind that seeks an unobtainable ground of thought – is at once aware of and tentative towards the thing. It also acts within the influence of the thing: this phenomenon for the author can be best felt when the bizarre is encountered in everyday observations.

text: The thing’s revelation: Some thoughts on Māori philosophical research In indigenous research projects, there is a strong emphasis on interviews and the analysis of the data that results. There is, however, another form of research that still calls to be fully acknowledged. Philosophical research shares some ground with empirical because it responds to a Maori history and experience of oppression. One clear area in which it may differ, though, is in how it attempts to acknowledge the presence of ‘things’, which we might call our ‘whanaunga’ (relations), even where these have been deemed by Western science to be inanimate. More importantly, philosophical research is risky because the thing continues to influence the researching self, despite the self’s eventual disengagement from the research. Philosophical research – the kind that seeks an unobtainable ground of thought – is at once aware of and tentative towards the thing. It also acts within the influence of the thing: this phenomenon for the author can be best felt when the bizarre is encountered in everyday observations.

year: 2015