Polilight Flare Plus 2 manual –
23
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Term
Description
Absorption filters
Optical filters remove unwanted electromagnetic radiation by an absorption
process (which results in heat generation). Remaining wavelengths are
transmitted.
ABTS
A dip used for revealing blood on porous and non-porous surfaces.
ALS
Alternative Light Source.
Ardrox
Fluorescent spray for enhancing latent prints developed with cyanoacrylate
(superglue).
Band Pass Filter (BP)
A band pass filter is designed to transmit over a specific wavelength range,
while at the same time rejecting the rest. In this way, the band pass filter
creates a ‘monochromatic band’ of the light by transmitting a discrete band
of wavelengths.
BW
Band Width.
Cyanoacrylate
Superglue.
DFO (Diazafluoren)
A spray or dip used for developing prints on dry, porous papers.
FLS
Forensic Light Source – a specialised light source designed for forensic
applications, for example, the Polilight.
Fluorescence
The direct emission of light from a material following the absorption of light
energy. The fluorescence process is fast and fluorescence emission occurs
only during the exposure to the excitation light. When the excitation light is
removed, fluorescence emission ceases.
Fuming
Developing latent prints using the fumes from heated cyanoacrylate.
Goggles
Fully wrap-around eye protection to be worn by all personnel within 15 m of
the operating light source.
Iodine fuming
A fuming technique that may be used on porous and non-porous surfaces.
Light guide
A light transmitting liquid filled tube used to direct the light beam.
Luminescence
The cold emission of light following energy absorption. Examples include:
• Photoluminescence (the absorption of light energy).
• Chemiluminescence (energy from a chemical reaction).
• Thermoluminescence (absorption of heat energy).
• Bioluminescence (energy from a biological process).
MBD
Fluorescent spray or dye for enhancing latent prints developed with
cyanoacrylate.
Ninhydrin
A spray or dip used for developing prints on porous paper and cardboard.
nm
Nanometre – one billionth of a metre.
Photoluminescence
The cold emission of light from a material following the absorption of
light energy. This emission can be immediate (fluorescence) or delayed
(phosphorescence).
