Amido Black 10B Powder Forensic Reagent Features
Pioneer Forensics Amido Black 10B is a powdered protein forensic reagent (item PF15010) that produces blue-black coloration on blood-contaminated latent fingerprints and footwear impressions on both porous and nonporous surfaces. Binding to proteinaceous material in blood, Amido Black increases contrast and definition of ridge detail and impression patterns for documentation and identification. It does not react with perspiration-only latent prints where no blood is present, making it specifically appropriate for blood-present forensic examinations. Supplied as a 25g powder in an amber poly bottle, it is dissolved to the validated working concentration before use.
Powder form gives the laboratory control over concentration, solvent base, and total volume yield that fixed ready-to-use solutions cannot provide. A 25g package yields multiple liters of working solution at a lower cost per liter than pre-mixed alternatives. Consult the View / Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for handling, PPE, and disposal requirements before preparing working solutions. Pioneer Forensics has also produced instructional video guidance on Amido Black application: View Pioneer Forensics Amido Black instructional video.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Pioneer Forensics |
| Item # | PF15010 |
| Chemical Name | Amido Black 10B (Naphthol Blue Black) |
| Form | Powder — requires preparation of working solution |
| Size | 25g |
| Packaging | Amber poly bottle |
| Reagent Class | Protein stain |
| Color Produced | Blue-black |
| Target Evidence | Blood-contaminated latent prints and footwear impressions |
| Mechanism | Binds to proteins in blood — does not react with perspiration-only prints |
| Surfaces | Porous and nonporous substrates |
| Safety Data Sheet | View / Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS) |
| Instructional Video | View Pioneer Forensics Amido Black instructional video |
Forensic Applications
To enhance blood-contaminated latent prints and impression evidence, Amido Black 10B is applied to bloody fingerprints on glass, tile, metal, plastic, and sealed flooring, bloody fingerprints on paper documents and fabric, and bloody footwear impressions on hard and soft substrates. Blue-black staining provides high-contrast imagery for photographic documentation and court presentation on both porous and nonporous evidence.
Amido Black 10B Powder vs. Ready-to-Use Solutions
| Feature | Amido Black 10B Powder | Ready-to-Use Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Dissolve to working concentration before use | Ready to use immediately |
| Concentration | Lab-controlled — any validated concentration | Fixed concentration |
| Storage | Powder stable in amber bottle; solutions have shorter shelf life | Shorter shelf life once prepared |
| Volume Yield | 25g yields multiple liters of working solution | Fixed volume only |
| Cost per Volume | Lower cost per liter of working solution | Higher per-volume cost |
| Flexibility | Match concentration to substrate requirements | One concentration for all applications |
| Solvent Base | Lab prepares aqueous or methanol base as needed | Fixed as aqueous or methanol |
Academic and Institutional Pricing
LabSupplies.com offers tiered quantity pricing for academic and research institutions. As an authorized dealer, we ship directly from USA inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Amido Black 10B and how does it work on blood-contaminated evidence?
Amido Black 10B (Naphthol Blue Black) is a protein stain that binds to proteinaceous material in blood, producing blue-black coloration that increases contrast and definition of ridge detail in blood-contaminated fingerprints and impression patterns. It does not react with perspiration-only latent prints where no blood is present. Amido Black works on both porous surfaces such as paper and fabric and nonporous surfaces including glass, plastic, and sealed flooring.
Why choose Amido Black 10B powder over the ready-to-use Amido Black solutions?
Powder form gives the laboratory control over concentration, solvent base, and volume yield. A single 25g package yields multiple liters of working solution — the most economical format for agencies with regular Amido Black case volume. Working solution concentration can be adjusted to match substrate conditions. Laboratories validating protocols for both aqueous and methanol-based formulations benefit from the flexibility powder provides over fixed ready-to-use solutions.
What surfaces does Amido Black 10B enhance, and are there limitations?
Amido Black 10B enhances evidence on both porous surfaces (paper, fabric, cardboard, unsealed wood) and nonporous surfaces (glass, ceramic tile, metal, sealed flooring, plastic). One key limitation: it does not develop perspiration-based latent prints where no blood is present. Amido Black is used specifically in blood-present scenes, not as a general-purpose latent print developer.
Can Amido Black 10B be used on footwear impressions as well as fingerprints?
Yes. Amido Black 10B binds to proteinaceous material in any blood-containing impression pattern, including both ridge detail in bloody fingerprints and tread patterns in bloody footwear impressions. For footwear impression enhancement, Amido Black produces clear blue-black tread definition for photographic documentation. Pioneer Forensics has produced instructional video guidance on Amido Black application technique for both fingerprint and impression workflows.
Amido Black Product Family
Amido Black 10B powder (PF15010) is the preparation-form option in the Pioneer Forensics Amido Black family. For ready-to-use formulations, Amido Black Aqueous (PF30008) and Amido Black Methanol Base (PF30004) are available in 1L and 500mL. All three deliver the same blue-black protein staining for blood-contaminated prints and impressions on porous and nonporous substrates, available at LabSupplies.com.