Fingerprint Powders

Powders are magnetic

Magnetic powders can be used only in combination with a magnetic brush. A mixture of iron and pigment particles, such powder is attracted by the magnet in the head of the magnetic brush, causing the iron particles to form a kind of brush. When the powder has to be returned to the jar, the magnet is drawn up. The broad rim around the head of the magnetic brush prevents the iron particles from following the magnet. Eventually, its attraction to the particles weakens until they fall of the brush. Due to the nature of the powder and the magnetic brush, use on steel objects is not feasible.

Magnetic TwoTone Black / Silver

Magnetic TwoTone Silver/Black powder is composed of an iron carrier covered with a mixture of black and silver pigments. The powder shows up dark against light coloured background and light against darker backgrounds.

Magnetic Jet Black

A deep black, strongly adhering powder providing excellent contrast. This very popular magnetic powder can be used on many surfaces. Examples are: aluminum, candles, and polystyrene foam. Very fresh fingerprints on paper can also be developed with this powder. A special application is in making comparison prints of shoe soles. The soles are coated with a very small amount of silicone oil (for example, from the SLM spray), and an impression is made on a sheet of paper, then visualized with Magnetic Jet Black.

Magnetic Silver

A strongly adhering powder providing excellent contrast on dark surfaces.

Magnetic Black

Adheres a bit less than Magnetic Jet Black. However, the adhesion to the background when developing prints on dirty surfaces is also reduced.

Magnetic Special Grey

A special characteristic of this powder is that it works well on plastics and visibility is good, on both light and dark-colored surfaces. When inadvertently too much powder is used, the excess can be removed with an ordinary fingerprint brush.

Magnetic White

Main uses: Latent fingerprints on non-porous and semi-porous surfaces.

Magnetic Red

Main uses: Latent fingerprints on non-porous and semi-porous surfaces.

Non-magnetic powders

Instant powders are, like the special powders, mixtures that diminish the risk of smearing prints. The difference between the instant and the special powders lies in the particle size of the diluant. With the instant powders, these particles are larger than those used in the special powders. Therefore, the instant powders have even fewer "greasy" characteristics than the special powders and can be used on surfaces where the risk of smearing a print is especially large. The powder (instant silver, gold, and black) can be sprinkled generously over a surface from the brush, after which the powder particles are moved over the surface by tapping the object.

Instant black

Instant black can be sprinkled over a surface from the brush, after which the powder particles are moved over the surface by tapping the object.

Instant White

Suitable for relatively clean and smooth non-porous surfaces such as glass, painted wood, steel furniture, hard plastic. Excellent contrast against dark surfaces and black gelatin lifters.