Fun with Fingerprints: Cyanoacrylate Fuming

Karaliota A. Lymperopoulou
Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrean University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Anastasios Nikitakis
DiXiNet, National and Kapodistrean University of Athens, Athens, Greece
J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (6), p 816A
DOI: 10.1021/ed085p816A
Publication Date (Web): June 1, 2008

Abstract

Cyanoacrylate fuming is a forensic technique that uses the anionic polymerization of cyanoacrylate esters present in "super glue" to render latent fingerprints visible. In this classroom activity, students use this technique on fingerprints created on different types of surfaces. They investigate the technique's effectiveness and test the effects of changing the temperature and humidity of the fuming chamber. The activity is aimed towards high school students. The chemical concepts that are reinforced by the activity include: different states of matter, evaporation, chemical reactions, gas adsorption in thin liquid layers, polymerization, and polymers.

Keywords (Audience):

High School / Introductory Chemistry

Keywords (Domain):

Interdisciplinary / Multidisciplinary

Keywords (Feature):

JCE Classroom Activity

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Applications of Chemistry
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History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

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