Developing Fluorogenic Reagents for Detecting and Enhancing Bloody Fingerprints

The purpose of the proposed research is to develop fluorogenic compounds and solutions for prints in blood that (i) exhibit suitable sensitivity and stability, (ii) are practical for use with large, variable surface types, (iii) will enhance and preserve print details, (iv) will work on dark and multi-colored substrates, (v) would allow for subsequent DNA typing, and (vi) be relatively safe for users. The investigators will build upon previous work where a new class of xanthene dyes, the benzofluorones, was synthesized and evaluated. The research plan includes the synthesis of benzofluorone fluorophores and the characterization, sensitivity, and stability studies of the benzofluorones.

ca/ncf