Ultraviolet luminescence from latent fingerprints.

Illumination of latent fingerprints on white paper using 266-nm radiation from a Nd:YAG laser and photographic detection of their ultraviolet fluorescence, produces images with good ridge detail. The detection rate was 69% in a survey of fingerprints from 34 people compared with only 23% using an argon-ion laser at 514 nm. Prolonged exposure to UV light decreased the inherent UV fluorescence intensity but no adverse effects were observed on subsequent treatment with 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one or ninhydrin.