Ardrox is a highly fluorescent dye stain which stains cyanoacrylate-developed latent prints. When illuminated with an ultraviolet lamp or Forensic Light Source, latent prints fluoresce brightly, and weakly-developed latent prints that could not be seen under normal viewing conditions may be easily seen and photographed. Because Ardrox is very sensitive to ultraviolet light, it can be used by agencies that cannot afford to purchase a more expensive Forensic Light Source.
Equipment
Scales, beakers, graduated cylinder, magnetic stirrer and stirring bar, squirt bottle or sprayer, clear or dark storage bottles, glass tray
Materials and Chemicals
2 ml Ardrox P-133D
10 ml Acetone
25 ml Methanol
10 ml Isopropanol
8 ml Acetonitrile
945 ml carrier solution (HFE 7100 or Petroleu Ether)
Mixing Procedures
Ardrox is a thick, yellow liquid. It is recommended that it be diluted before using. The simplest dilution is 2% Ardrox in methanol (2 ml of Ardrox in 100 ml of methanol). This dilution can be adjusted to make it stronger (add another 1 to 2 ml of Ardrox) or to make it weaker (only add 1 ml of Ardrox to 100 ml of methanol).
Processing Procedure
In a fume hood, apply the Ardrox solution by submerging the evidence in a tray or container. “Washing” the solution over the surface using a chemical wash bottle can also be done, but it is not as effective as soaking. Catch the runoff solution in a clean tray and use it again. DO NOT SPRAY THIS SOLUTION. A one- to three-minute soaking in the Ardrox solution should be long enough. Rinse the item with running tap water. Allow the item to air-dry before examining with a light source.An alternative rinse solution may consist of 10 ml of acetic acid in 100 ml of methanol. This may be more effective in rinsing the excess residue from the background without damaging the latent prints. As before, allow the item to air-dry before examining with a light source.
Storage
Clear or dark bottle
Shelf Life
(6) months
Disposal
Observe all federal, state, and local environmental disposal regulations. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations.