Staining using the lipid dye LD540 in fluorous media: application to sebaceous latent fingermarks

Abstract

Enhancement of the sebaceous components of fingermarks is often performed using an aqueous staining solution. We propose an alternative approach using a bodipy-based lipid-selective dye (LD540) in a fluorous solvent. This fluorous approach can result in excellent retention of the spatial distribution of lipids and can be used on substrates unsuited to treatment with aqueous solutions. We demonstrate the new possibilities enabled by using fluorous solvents by staining fingermarks on an NaCl salt plate and on a block of ice.