Detection of Fingerprints by the Ninhydrin Reaction

IN connexion with some recent legal proceedings, a new method for detecting fingerprints has been discovered by one of us (S. O.). The method involves the well-known ninhydrin test for amino-acids, often used in chromatography. In this method, fingerprints on paper have always been considered a great nuisance, and one is often recommended to use forceps ``to avoid fingerprints''¹. In our opinion, the new method will be most suitable for detecting fingerprints on paper and similar materials. Some of the results have a wider interest, and a brief report on the new application of ninhydrin is therefore presented.