1,8-Diazafluoren-9-one

1,8-Diazafluoren-9-one (also known as DFO) is a chemical compound used in the field of forensic science to detect latent fingerprints. It is a derivative of fluorenone and is chemically related to ninhydrin and other fingerprint detection chemicals.

Chemical Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]

1,8-Diazafluoren-9-one is a heterocyclic aromatic compound with the molecular formula C11H6N2O. It has a molar mass of 182.18 g/mol. The compound is a pale yellow solid at room temperature and is soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including ethanol, acetone, and chloroform.

Use in Fingerprint Detection[edit | edit source]

DFO is primarily used in the field of forensic science for the detection of latent fingerprints on porous surfaces such as paper and cardboard. It reacts with the amino acids present in the sweat residue of the fingerprint to produce a fluorescent compound that can be visualized under ultraviolet light.

The use of DFO for fingerprint detection has several advantages over traditional methods. It is more sensitive than ninhydrin, another commonly used reagent, and can detect older fingerprints. Additionally, the fluorescence produced by DFO allows for the detection of fingerprints on multicolored or patterned backgrounds where they might otherwise be difficult to see.

Safety and Handling[edit | edit source]

As with all chemical reagents, DFO should be handled with care. It is a potential irritant and may cause harm if ingested or inhaled. Appropriate safety measures, including the use of gloves and eye protection, should be taken when handling DFO.