University of Guyana

Faculty of Natural Sciences

Department of Biology

BIO4112 – Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Lecturer: Ms. Daniel

Lab Instructor: Ms. Gillette, Ms. Johnson and Ms.
Persaud

Laboratory Exercise # 3
Forensic- DNA Finger Printing

Anuradha Ramnauth
1037859

Submission: Friday, 13 October 2023

Title: Forensic- DNA Finger Printing
Aim: To create a visible fingerprint with the use of a forensic iodine fume

Introduction:

DNA fingerprinting is a laboratory that is utilized to determine a person's potential identity on

the basis of the nucleotide sequences of specific sections of human DNA that are unique
and distinctive to each individual (Chadwick, 2023). Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys invented DNA
fingerprinting in 1984 after discovering that the differences in human DNA might be detected in
the form of these minisatellites (or extremely variable DNA) (What Is a DNA Fingerprint?, n.d.).
DNA fingerprinting is a technology that detects several minisatellites (or extremely variable
DNA) in the genome at the same time to form a pattern that is unique to an individual (What Is a
DNA Fingerprint?, n.d.). Because, simply a small amount of human material left behind after a
crime may be enough to identify someone, DNA fingerprinting is extremely important in
forensics and forensics science (What Is a DNA Fingerprint?, n.d.). Additionally, DNA
fingerprinting is employed in a number of contexts, including paternity testing, other forensic
operations, and criminal investigations (Chadwick, 2023). When faced with such scenarios, the
goal is to "match" two DNA fingerprints, say, one from a known individual and one from an
unidentified one (Chadwick, 2023).

Iodine fuming is an ancient but highly effective procedure (FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). It is
extremely straightforward to utilize (FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). This process is cheap and non-
destructive; however, the fingerprints are not permanent (FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). Iodine is
a crystalline substance that transforms into violet fumes when heated (FORENSIC SCIENCE,
n.d.). Sweat deposition of the latent impression absorbs the vapors, showing the ridge pattern
(FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). It was once thought that iodine could be introduced chemically
and reversibly to the double bonds of the unsaturated fatty acids found in fingerprint residue
(FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). It was later proposed, however, that the mechanism of the reaction
entailed physical iodine absorption on the fatty acid content (FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). The
ridge pattern is yellowish-brown due to the interaction of iodine and fatty acids (FORENSIC
SCIENCE, n.d.). The iodine fuming technique utilized in this experiment was the powder dusting
method.

Materials:
  Iodine crystals
 Small, clear plastic container with a lid
 Small piece of white paper

Method:

1. A small piece of white paper was cut into 4 inches by 4 inches.

2. The researcher’s finger was run across their hair or forehead and the fingerprints were
deposited on the paper.
3. At this point the fingerprints were not visible.
4. The paper was then placed into the plastic container.
5. Four to five drops of iodine were sprinkled in the bottom of the container and the lid was
closed.
6. The container was held and some heat was added to the experiment.
7. Violet-colored fumes started to appear.
8. After a few minutes, the iodine fumes adhered to the amino acids from the fingerprint
secretions and clear, brown fingerprints that were not previously visible were seen.

Results:
Title: Image Showing the Visible Fingerprint Created with The Use of a Forensic Iodine Fume

Discussion:

This experiment was based on created a visible fingerprint with the use of a forensic iodine
fume. Latent fingermarks have long been visualized by the use of the iodine fuming technique
(FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). Iodine is a crystalline material that turns violet when heated
(FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). The ridge pattern is revealed when the vapors are absorbed by the
perspiration deposition of the latent imprint (FORENSIC SCIENCE, n.d.). Latent prints are
created when perspiration and the body's natural oils are transferred to a different surface (Singh,
2022). Latent prints can be discovered on a range of surfaces, but they may not always be
apparent (Singh, 2022). To find them, various powders and other techniques are used, such as
chemical reagents, alternative light sources, or fingerprint powders. Iodine fuming is one of the
chemical techniques for creating latent fingerprints (Singh, 2022).

The principle of the iodine fuming method is based on the iodine crystals giving off vapors, a
method which is known as sublimation and these vapors physically adsorbs to the oily and fatty
substances and amino acids that are present on the fingerprint (Iodine Fuming Kit, n.d.). At room
temperature, the iodine molecules readily exit the solution since it is volatile, causing the iodine
vapor to start filling the plastic container (MEL Science, 2015). The iodine molecules can stick
to many things such as the fatty substances that are on the fingers (MEL Science, 2015). As such
the iodine vapor is absorbed by the fatty or oily substances that were transferred to the fingers
from the hair or forehead (MEL Science, 2015). As such the fingerprint's remnant oils are
penetrated by the iodine vapor and this iodine- fatty acid interaction produces a visible brownish
tint (MEL Science, 2015).

This tint is not permanent since the color is determined by the presence of the molecular iodine
that connects to the oils in the secretions from the skin and these bonds are relatively weak as
such the iodine ultimately evaporates (MEL Science, 2015). This might cause the brown tint of
the fingerprint to disappear in approximately fifteen to thirty minutes (MEL Science, 2015). In
the experiment, we have a reversible process. Since the fingerprint has no iodine in it at first, but
the plastic cup has a lot of it. As such, the iodine molecules then enter the fingerprint during the
process of diffusion, in which the particles of any given substance tend to spread out to occupy a
region more or less uniformly (MEL Science, 2015). Eventually, the iodine molecules leave the
fingerprint and enter the air, attempting to equally disperse across the air and the fingerprint,
when we inevitably leave our iodine-infused fingerprint exposed to air (containing none or few
iodine molecules) (MEL Science, 2015). However, most or all of the iodine molecules leave the
fingerprint and head outside since there is an infinite amount of air compared to the volume of
the fingerprint (MEL Science, 2015).

Both of these processes were observed in this experiment. Firstly, a brown tint was observed on
the paper with the invisible fingerprint after it was exposed to the iodine crystals due to the
iodine reacting with the fatty substances on the fingerprint and then a couple of hours after the
paper was observed without the brown tint showcasing the fingerprint since it was exposed to air.

The color of the fingerprint can be retained by applying a thin layer of highly reactive carbonyl
iron (Fe) powder directly to the fingerprint (MEL Science, 2015). This stops the iodine from
escaping and returning to the atmosphere, instead causing it to react with the carbonyl iron (Fe)
(MEL Science, 2015). This reaction produces iron iodide (FeI2), a stable reddish-brown
compound (MEL Science, 2015).
Conclusion:

It can be concluded that a visible fingerprint can be created with the use of a forensic iodine
fume. This occurs since the iodine molecules sticks to the fatty acids on the fingerprint and
iodine vapors get absorbed by these fatty or oily substances thus producing a brown tint that
clearly displays the once invisible fingerprint.

References:

Chadwick, L. H. (2023, October 12). DNA fingerprinting. National Human Genome Research

Institute. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/DNA-Fingerprinting#:~:text=DNA

%20fingerprinting%20is%20a%20laboratory,that%20are%20unique%20to

%20individuals.

FORENSIC SCIENCE. (n.d.). e-Pg Pathshala.

http://epgp.inflibnet.ac.in/epgpdata/uploads/epgp_content/S000016FS/P000690/

M011418/ET/1516188219FSC_P3_M7_e-text.pdf

Iodine Fuming kit. (n.d.). BVDA. https://www.bvda.com/en/iodine-fuming-kit#:~:text=In

%20developing%20latent%20prints%20with,are%20not%20permanent%20unless

%20fixed.

MEL Science. (2015). Iodine fingerprint. MEL Science.

https://melscience.com/US-en/chemistry/experiments/diffusion-iodine-fingers/

Singh, A. (2022). Iodine Fuming Method. Forensic’s Blog. https://forensicfield.blog/iodine-

fuming-method/?expand_article=1#google_vignette

What is a DNA fingerprint? (n.d.). YourGenome. https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-a-

dna-fingerprint/