Polymerisation of S2N2 to (SN)x as a tool for the rapid imaging of fingerprints removed from metal surfaces

Abstract

Polymerisation of S₂N₂ to (SN)_x on metallic surfaces is induced by interaction with the minute corrosion signatures of removed (by washing) fingerprints; as vapour-phase S₂N₂ is employed, it follows that the process has the potential to rapidly screen large/convoluted metal pieces, such as explosive device fragments whose prints were wiped by the detonation.