SIRCHIE Products Vehicles Training Copyright 2011 by SIRCHIE All Rights Reserved. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Crystal Violet (Methyl Violet) Catalog Nos. LV502, LV5021 Application Development of latent prints on non-porous surfaces. It is especially useful on the adhesive side of tapes and objects contaminated with oil and grease such as hand tools or automobile parts. May also be used for development of bloody fingerprints. Information Crystal Violet is effective in the development and enhancement of friction ridge detail on non-porous surfaces. This dye stains the fatty components of sebaceous sweat residue in latent prints, producing a highly concentrated, intense purple image. Highly effective on surfaces having a glutinous or sticky adhesive quality, including tape and protective films with adhesive coatings. Also especially useful on objects contaminated with oil and grease such as hand tools or automobile parts. 100 HUNTER PLACE, YOUNGSVILLE, NC 27596 USA Ph: (919) 554-2244, (800) 356-7311 Fax: (919) 554-2266, (800) 899-8181 Web: www.sirchie.com Email: sirchieinfo@sirchie.com 1 of 8
Tools Required Hazards/Safety Info amber/brown containers with lids for stock and working solutions glass measuring beaker Glass stirring rods Magnetic stirrer Distilled water Hydrochloric acid HMIS Warning! Powder can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled. Contact may cause allergic reaction. Avoid eye and skin contact the H 1 reagent is very TOXIC by swallowing or skin contact. Use of F 1 nitrile or latex protective gloves and safety glasses are recommended, R 0 especially in solution form. Use in well-ventilated area PP 0 or laboratory hood. For treatment due to contact, refer to the MSDS found on our website: www.sirchie.com/support. Caution! Conduct all conceivable forensic examinations prior to using this product on any physical evidence. Caution! Product will stain other surfaces. 2 of 8
Considerations Some of the formulations used with this reagent are toxic and require considerable care in handling and use. Working Solutions are not reusable and should be mixed only in quantities needed. All physiological samples (semen, saliva, urine, and blood for DNA profiling) should be collected and forensic evidence should be examined prior to using this reagent. Because it is a dye, it can interfere with questioned document analysis as well as forensic examination of hair, fibers, paint, and similar evidence. Preparation Instructions Warning! All solutions should be mixed in a well-ventilated area or laboratory hood. Do not mix in presence of open ignition sources or flames. Solvent used in the clearing solution is extremely corrosive, especially in undiluted state. Working Solution 1. Place 0.1g of Crystal Violet powder into a clean, glass beaker. 2. Measure out 100ml of distilled water into a second, clean beaker. 3. Carefully add the distilled water to the beaker containing the Crystal Violet powder. Because Crystal Violet is difficult to dissolve, use a magnetic stirrer. 4. Transfer the mixed solution to a clean amber/brown container and cap tightly. Note: Working Solutions are not reusable and should be mixed only in quantities needed. 3 of 8
Clearing Solution 1. Carefully pour 90ml of distilled water into a clean, glass beaker. 2. Slowly add 10ml of hydrochloric acid to the distilled water. Warning! Never add water to acid! 3. Transfer solution to a clean container and cap tightly. Application Instructions Use on non-porous surfaces and only after forensic evidence has been examined and all physiological samples have been collected. Not recommended for use on dark surfaces. Note: Be certain to photograph any visible evidence prior to treatment with Crystal Violet and remember to include a scale. Latent Prints on Adhesive Surfaces 1. Place a minimal amount of working solution in a shallow tray or dish. 2. Submerge each item to be examined in the working solution. (When working with adhesive-coated tapes, use tweezers to draw the tape through the solution.) It may take several passes before prints are visible. If prints on dark tapes are not visible, consider using another process such as adhesiveside powders (ASP50L or ASP50F). 3. When working with some transparent adhesive tapes, tape curling may result if the non-adhesive side is wet. Place transparent tapes adhesive-side down into the processing solution and allow them to float on the reagent surface. 4. Rinse off any excess dye under running tap water and allow the tape to air dry. Then, photograph any developed prints, being certain to include a scale. 4 of 8
Latent Prints on Oily or Greasy Surfaces 1. Place the object to be examined in a tray. Slowly pour the working solution over the item. Using a spoon or similar device, ladle the working solution over the surface several times until prints appear. Best results occur when the item being processed can be covered with working solution. 2. Rinse the object with running tap water. 3. Allow the item to air dry, and then photograph any developed prints, being certain to include a scale. 4. Due to the surface being oily/greasy, it may not be practical to lift the developed prints. If it is important that prints be lifted for photographic purposes, use Sirchie s GELifters. Latent Blood Prints 1. Add the minimum amount of working solution in a tray needed to completely immerse the object to be examined. Irregularly shaped objects may be examined by pouring the working solution over the item itself and catching the runoff in the tray. Repeat this step until prints become visible. 2. Rinse off any excess dye under tap water and allow the item to air dry. 3. Photograph any useful prints using normal photographic procedures. Be certain to include a scale in all photos. 5 of 8
Interpretation Instructions Results Expected Fingerprints similar to those shown in the photographs to the right should be visible. Possible Reasons for Poor or No Results Insufficient treatment time. Reprocess the item in the same manner employed before. No sebaceous proteins were present on the evidential item in question. Insufficient blood residue was present on the evidential item in question. Latent prints developed on duct tape Other Similar Products Sudan Black (No. LV504) Stains fatty components of sebaceous secretions and is very useful on non-porous glass, metal, plastic and waxy surfaces. Blood prints developed on a painted surface Small Particle Reagent (No. SPR100) Attaches to sebaceous secretions on non-porous surfaces, particularly those that are wet from recent rain, heavy dew, etc. Adhesive Side Powders (Nos. ASP100D, ASP100L, ASP400UV) Useful on tapes with soft adhesive surfaces. Do not use on tapes that must be moistened to adhere. 6 of 8
References 1. Chesapeake Bay Division International Association of Identification (IAI), Gentian Violet on Nonporous Surfaces, <http://www.cbdiai.org/reagents/gent.html>, 28, April, 2009. 2. Lee, Dr. Henry C. and R.E. Gaensslen ed. Advances in Fingerprint Technology. New York: Elsevier Science Publishing Company; 1991. 3. FBI Laboratory, Processing Guide for Developing Latent Prints Gentian Violet, p.12 <www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/jan2001/lpu.pdf>, Rev. 2000 7 of 8
SIRCHIE PRODUCTS VEHICLES TRAINING 100 Hunter Place, Youngsville, NC 27596 USA 919-554-2244 800-356-7311 www.sirchie.com 8 of 8