Genipin fingerprint reagent

[jake]

Colleagues

Has any one used the reagent " Genipin" before? The reagent is used to develop prints on all kinds of papers. It produces prints in a blue colour as well as fluorrescent under poli light. I am busy with research and would like to hear from any-one who had worked with this before.

Much appreciated.

[Ernie Hamm]

Joseph Almog wrote an article in Journal of Forensic Sciences in 2004 on Genipin. During a search query on "genipin" at ''Ernie Hamm's Reference Index" from CLPEX home page for more reference information on the article.

[jake]

Ernie

Thanks for the information. I do have the article in Journal of Forensic Science 2004 and would like more information from the experts who used it.Much appreciated.

[wahaha]

can I know any reagent formular of Genipin?

[Diana Tabor]

I read up on genipin briefly a few years ago, and here are two websites I have that are still active:
http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gardenia.htm
http://www.pharmcast.com/Patents/Yr2003 ... 092303.htm

Do they have anything to do with developing latent prints? Not really, but I was trying to learn more about it. A naturopath I know is aware of it in relation to its use in healing.

[jake]

Dear wahaha

The reagent formula as in the Journal of Forensic Science:

An optimal non ink-removing solution is as follows:
1.71g of Genipin dissolved in 57 ml of ethynol and 86 ml of ethyl acetate is added. The solution is diluted to 1000 ml with HFE solvent.The solution is stable at room temperature in dark for at least 1 month.

The paper exhibit is immersed for a few seconds in the working solution, air dried and then processed for 15 min in a humidity controlled cabinet at 75 - 85 degrees C and 80% relative humidity. Under these conditions best clarity and contrast are optained in both colour and fluorescence. Use 555 Nm with the Poli light for fluorescence observation.

Let me know about your results please.

[jake]

Thanks for that Diana.

[PC]

I'm curious...I hadn't heard of Genipin before. What would the advantages be of utilizing Genipin over say, DFO? Is there a sequential processing that allows the Genipin to be used with other methods?

[wahaha]

Dear wahaha

The reagent formula as in the Journal of Forensic Science:

An optimal non ink-removing solution is as follows:
1.71g of Genipin dissolved in 57 ml of ethynol and 86 ml of ethyl acetate is added. The solution is diluted to 1000 ml with HFE solvent.The solution is stable at room temperature in dark for at least 1 month.

The paper exhibit is immersed for a few seconds in the working solution, air dried and then processed for 15 min in a humidity controlled cabinet at 75 - 85 degrees C and 80% relative humidity. Under these conditions best clarity and contrast are optained in both colour and fluorescence. Use 555 Nm with the Poli light for fluorescence observation.

Let me know about your results please.

OK!!!

[jake]

PC

Apologies for the delay in replying.
Genipin comes from a plant source and is used in the reagent in powder form. The initial research was done in a laboratory to test the reaction with compounds containing amino acids. A group of fingerprint experts picked up on that and did research and looked at the development of fingerprints on different kinds of paper.

The article was published in the Journal of Forensic Science. These experts stated that it has an advantage over Nin. and DFO in colour mode as well as under fluorescent light.The best overall result was achieved in the fluorescent mode.

I have experimented with the reagent on various kind of papers i.e wrapping, linear, white, news and thermal paper.

[PC]

Thanks Jake...interesting information.

Our lab is slow to take on any new processing procedures till they are tried and true, and equally economical. It will be interesting to see if this becomes as common as ninhydrin, and DFO for paper processing in the future. I love forensics...always something new and interesting developing...thanks again for the info.

[<Melly25>]

hi, i need some advice i used genipin to develope fingerprints that were catogorised as strong, medium and strong in detail. This was done by selecting candidates and using ninhydrin to catogorise there fps. The genipins results were not anywhere near as strong as ninhydrin in visual light, is this normal. Also i al going to use crime lights with different filters to show the differences and not sure if this will work. And suggestions??