Patent ID: 8361535

Claim:
A method of developing a latent print, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus for developing said latent print, comprising: a generally cylindrical receptacle configured to define an annular space, said receptacle having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to an end cap, said second end having a coaxially threaded extension for detachably attaching said second end of said receptacle to a heat source via an adapter, wherein said first end of said receptacle is configured to receive and accommodate a pellet, and wherein said pellet is impregnated with a sublimation compound on a substrate; said adapter generally cylindrically shaped and configured to define an annular space for transmission of heat from said heat source to said pellet via said adapter, and wherein said annular space is configured to accommodate a heat diffuser; said end-cap generally cylindrically shaped with a pivot point defined at said first end of said receptacle, a handle fixedly attached to said end-cap at a position diametrically opposite to said pivot point, and an open end in communication with said first end of said receptacle, wherein said end cap comprises a mesh window in an annular space of said end-cap to allow passage of said fumes released from said pellet through said open end of said end cap towards said latent print, and wherein said end-cap comprises a ball nose of a ball nose spring locking element, wherein said ball nose spring locking element is positioned near said handle of said end cap; attaching said receptacle to said heat source through said second end of said receptacle, wherein said receptacle receives said pellet; introducing said pellet into said receptacle through said first end of said receptacle; closing said first end of said receptacle using said end-cap, wherein said end-cap is pivotally connected to said first end of said receptacle at said pivot point on said first end of said receptacle; applying heat from said heat source to said receptacle through said heat diffuser, wherein said pellet introduced into said receptacle releases fumes through said open end of said end-cap towards said latent print via said mesh window for enabling said development of said latent print, and wherein said heat diffuser absorbs the heat from the heat source and precludes flames from said heat source from crossing the heat diffuser to burn the substrate; and providing a removal mechanism for removing said pellet from said receptacle when said sublimation compound in said pellet is depleted, wherein said handle is pre-extended in length to enable safe opening of said end cap for removing said pellet depleted of said sublimation compound from said receptacle.