This PPT includes the chemistry and reaction mechanism of Thenoyl Europium Chelate which is a chemical used for the development of latent fingerprints.
Thenoyl Europium Chelate (TEC) : Fingerprint Development Technique
1. Chemistry of Thenoyl Europium
Chelate (TEC)
Presented by : Rituja R. Gharote
M.Sc II, Fingerprints and QD
Submitted to: Ms. Neeti Kapoor ma'am
2. Introduction:
• TEC results from the reaction of europium chloride with
thenoyltrifluoroacetone.
• This reaction produces a fluorescent dye that strongly absorbs
ultraviolet light near 350 nm and emits a band only 10 nm wide at
614 nm.
Chemical Structure of Europium Chloride Chemical Structure of thenoyltrifluoroacetone
3. • The addition of methyl ethyl ketone to an aqueous solution of this dye
enables it to penetrate cyanoacrylate-developed latent prints so that a
low-power, inexpensive ultraviolet light source is sufficient to excite
brilliant red fluorescence.
• It can also be used to detect cyanoacrylate prints on many surfaces,
including cadavers.
4. Equipments:
• Scales
• Beakers
• Magnetic stirrer and stirring bar
• Glass tray
• Long-wave ultraviolet light source
• Squirt bottle
• Dark storage bottles with tight lids
5. Materials and Chemicals:
• Europium chloride hexahydrate
(purity [greater than or equal to] 99%)
• Thenoyltrifluoroacetone
(purity [greater than or equal to] 97%)
• Methyl ethyl ketone (HPLC grade)
• Methanol
6. Mixing Procedure:
• The thenoyl europium chelate process consists of stock &
working solutions.
The stock solution is prepared from parts A and B.
• Stock Solution: Part A
1g of Thenoyltrifluoroacetone and 200 mL of Methyl ethyl ketone
• Stock Solution: Part B
0.5g of Europium chloride hexahydrate and 800 mL of distilled water
7. • Combine solutions A and B and place on a magnetic stirrer in a se
aled container for 15 to 30 minutes. The sealed container is necess
ary due to evaporation of the methyl ethyl ketone.
Working Solution:
1. Stock solution 100 mL
2. Methyl ethyl ketone 180 mL
3. Distilled water 720 mL
• Combine the ingredients and place on a stirring device in a
sealed container for 15 min
8. Processing Procedure:
• Processing with this solution can be done by submerging the
specimen(s) or using a squirt bottle.
Submerge Method:
• Submerge the specimen in the working solution for
approximately 2 minutes.
• Let the specimen dry, then subject it to long-wave ultraviolet
light.
9. Squirt Bottle Method:
• While viewing the specimen under long-wave ultraviolet light, apply the
working solution with a squirt bottle.
• Keep applying the working solution until maximum development occurs.
• If the working solution dye adheres to the background, a rinse consisting
of 800 mL methanol and 200 mL distilled water can be applied.
• The rinse does not have to be mixed on a magnetic stirrer. The rinse can
be applied by either submerging the specimen or using a squirt bottle.
