Lightning TapeGlo Fluorescent Dye

TapeGlo Fluorescent Dye

TapeGlo Fluorescent Dye is a safe-to-use liquid for developing latent prints on the sticky side of tape. The resulting latent prints will need to be visualized with a laser or Forensic Light Source and then photographed.

The liquid can be sprayed or it can be poured into a tray and the tape dipped into the solution. Rinse off the excess with water. You can photograph the latent prints immediately or you can wait until they dry. There are no hazardous or flammable liquids in this product so you do not have to use this liquid in a fume hood. It is safe to use at crime scenes also. As with any fluorescent product or powder used to develop latent prints, use a colored filter on your camera to photograph the latent prints (the same colored filter as the colored goggles you wear to see the print).

Technical Note:

TapeGlo is a fluorescent dye for developing latent prints on the adhesive side of tape. After treating the tape with TapeGlo, a Forensic Light Source or laser is used to visualize the latent prints. TapeGlo is a pre-mixed solution and is safe to use in an office without the use of a fume hood. The solution is water based and is a slight irritant to the eyes and perhaps to the skin of sensitive people. TapeGlo can be reused. Pour the excess solution from the tray back into the bottle. Store at room temperature in a dark bottle. TapeGlo has an indefinite shelf life, however, it should be replaced annually to insure potency.

Select a clean, plastic or glass tray that is large enough to accommodate the length of the evidence tape. Place the tape in the tray with the adhesive side up. Pour enough TapeGlo to cover the tape. Allow the TapeGlo to remain on the tape for about 10-15 seconds. Remove the tape from the tray and rinse in water. Distilled water is preferred but not required.

• Alternate Process One:

Use a disposable foam applicator or an inexpensive camelhair brush to gently brush TapeGlo onto the adhesive surface. Rinse and examine.

• Alternate Process Two:

Place TapeGlo liquid in a pump spray bottle and spray TapeGlo onto the adhesive surface. Be sure that the adhesive surface is completely covered with a thin layer of TapeGlo. Rinse and examine.

Place the tape in a container of fresh, clean water. Distilled water is preferred. Allow the tape to become saturated, about 30 seconds. Select a clean, plastic or glass tray that is large enough to accommodate the length of the evidence tape. Place the tape in the tray with the adhesive side up. Pour enough TapeGlo to cover the tape. Allow the TapeGlo to remain on the tape for about 10-15 seconds. Remove the tape from the tray and rinse in water. Distilled water is preferred but not required.

• Alternate Process One:

Use a disposable foam applicator or an inexpensive camelhair brush to gently brush TapeGlo onto the adhesive surface. Rinse and examine.

• Alternate Process Two:

Place TapeGlo liquid in a pump spray bottle and spray TapeGlo onto the adhesive surface. Be sure that the adhesive surface is completely covered with a thin layer of TapeGlo. Rinse and examine.

• Examination:

Dim the room lights and examine the tape for latent prints by using the 488 nm setting on the SceneSweeper Argon Ion Laser or the 450 nm setting on a Forensic Light Source. View the tape while wearing orange goggles. It is not necessary to allow the tape to dry before viewing it under a light source.

• Photography:

To photograph the fluorescent-developed latent prints, duplicate the arrangement by which the best contrast was viewed with the eye. Include a fluorescent scale in the photograph next to the evidence. Use the wavelength, the color of viewing goggles and the angle of the light source to obtain the best photograph. Using a fine-grain black and white film with a medium ƒ-stop (ƒ/8 or ƒ/11) will give a photograph showing highly defined ridge details. The ridges of the latent print will be white and the background will be dark in the resulting photograph. To reverse the color of fluorescent-developed latent prints, take the photographs using slide film, such as Polaroid PolaPan, to see the results in just a few minutes. Print the slide film on regular black and white photo paper to see the ridges dark and the background light.

LP-1-1411, LP 1-1411, LP 11411, 1-1411, 11411