Modification of Fingerprint Powder with Coumarin 6 Laser Dye

In previous articles in this journal, Menzel and co-workers [1,2] have described the use of the argon-ion laser for the visualization of latent fingerprints by inherent luminescence or by dusting with a dye which fluoresces when excited by the laser beam. These workers found that finely ground laser dye powders, while attractive from the standpoint of sensitivity and position of excitation and emission maxima, do not have the adhering properties desired of a fingerprint powder.