1. Select an application method.

Tray immersion: Submerge item in Ninhydrin for 5 seconds.

Brush application: Brush Ninhydrin onto item until coated.

Spray application: Spray Ninhydrin onto item until coated.

2. Allow item to air dry before subjecting to humidity.

3. Heat item up to 80°C and 60 – 70% relative humidity using a humidity chamber or steam iron.  Monitor for development.

4. Ridges will develop a purple color and can be captured using 1:1 photography.

5. View ridge detail using a forensic light source in the 490 – 505nm range with orange goggles, 590nm with red goggles, and 530 – 555nm range with clear goggles. Ridge detail on manila file folders are best viewed at 450nm with orange goggles.

6. Capture ridge detail using 1:1 photography using a green colored filter.