Nuclear irradiation was explored for the development of a method to recover fingerprints deposited on paper, then covered with soot. Fingerprints deposited on paper were treated with different compounds, including ninhydrin and other chemicals that were hypothesized to bind to eccrine fingerprints. The samples were then activated in the nuclear reactor and placed on x-ray film to obtain an image. The presence of the metals was seen in all samples, however no discernable fingerprints were observed.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Gilson, Erin Elisabeth
• Bliven, Amy Lynn

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 02D513M

Advisor

• Berka, Ladislav H.

Year

• 2002

Date created

• 2002-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Rights statement

• In Copyright