Laboratory Resources
The below documents are management system documents utilized by ATF Laboratories. They are provided for informational purposes only. Sensitive or copyrighted information has been redacted. The documents are used in ATF Laboratories and not published with the intent of setting a policy or analysis standard for other laboratories. The inclusion of equipment/software manufacturer names does not imply endorsement by ATF Laboratories.
The documents were current as of February 28, 2018. ATF management system documents are reviewed annually and revised as needed. For specific requests, submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Instructions on how to file a FOIA request are found at: www.atf.gov/resource-center/freedom-information-act-foia.
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
 ATF-LS-LP 4 Latent Print Report Writing (265.4 KB) |
This PPG sets the minimum standards and guidelines for reporting fingerprint examinations performed in the ATF Laboratories.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP 5 1,8 Diazafluoren-9-one (DFO) (252.3 KB) |
DFO is an analog reagent for revealing latent print impressions on paper and raw wood based products, where it reacts with the amino acids contained in human sweat.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP 7 Laser and Alternate Light Source Examination (240.99 KB) |
Scientific instrumentation for the visualization of natural and chemical luminescence of latent print impressions on physical evidence.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP 8 Amido Black (253.2 KB) |
Amido Black or naphthalene black 10B is a protein indicator particularly sensitive to those proteins present in blood.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP 9 Ardrox (262.28 KB) |
Ardrox P133D is an industrial penetrant developed to detect small fractures in construction materials and possesses certain properties that can be successfully utilized in latent print processing.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP10 Cyanoacrylate Ester Fuming (281.43 KB) |
Cyanoacrylate vapor, ethyl or methyl cyanoacrylate, polymerizes with some latent print impressions to produce a white residue. The contrast of developed fingerprints may sometime be improved by the application of fluorescent dyes and/or powders.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP11 Gentian Violet (267.16 KB) |
Gentian violet (crystal violet) is a sensitive stain which reacts with epithelial cells and other portions of latent print residue transferred upon surface contact.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP12 Next Generation Identification (252.37 KB) | Latent Prints | |
|
ATF-LS-LP13 Iodine Fuming (251.59 KB) |
Iodine is a sensitive indicator of various fatty oils which are often present in latent print residue.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP15 Physical Developer (285.65 KB) |
Physical developer is a product devised specifically for the examination of wetted or water soaked porous items.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP16 Powders (290.81 KB) |
Fingerprint powders and particulate developers are very fine particles with an affinity for moisture throughout a wide range of viscosity.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP17 Rhodamine 6G (289.74 KB) |
Rhodamine 6G, like ardrox and zinc chloride, is a supplemental processing procedure designed to enhance faint or indistinct impressions developed by another technique.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP18 Silver Nitrate (275.75 KB) |
Silver nitrate reacts with sodium and potassium chloride in palmar sweat to form silver chloride, a compound more photosensitive than silver nitrate. With certain surfaces, such as raw or unfinished wood and wax impregnated papers silver nitrate is one of the most effective processing techniques available.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP19 Small Particle Reagent (SPR) () |
Small particle reagent was devised and refined as an effective procedure for processing wet surfaces.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP20 Sticky-Side Powder (238.46 KB) |
The use of powder suspensions to develop impressions on the sticky side of tape has proven to be an effective alternative to the gentian violet technique.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP21 Sudan Black (261.27 KB) |
Sudan Black is a dye which stains fatty components of sebaceous sweat to produce a blue-black image.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP22 Zinc Chloride (280.52 KB) |
While numerous metal salt solutions will cause a color change of ninhydrin developed latent print impressions, zinc chloride is selected when laser examination is indicated.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-LP23 Glossary of Symbols and Terms (267.1 KB) |
Glossary of symbols, terms, abbreviations and their descriptions.
| Latent Prints |
|
ATF-LS-QD 1 Handwriting/Hand Printing Examinations (254.97 KB) |
To determine, if possible, whether or not a specific writer wrote the questioned handwritten or hand printed material.
| Questioned Documents |
|
ATF-LS-QD 2 Typewriting Examinations (251.71 KB) |
To determine, if possible, whether or not a given typewriter was used to make the questioned typewritten entries.
| Questioned Documents |