Amido Black Aqueous Forensic Reagent Features
Pioneer Forensics Amido Black Aqueous is a ready-to-use water-based protein forensic reagent (item PF30008) producing blue-black coloration on blood-contaminated latent fingerprints and footwear impressions on porous and nonporous surfaces. Using a water base rather than methanol, it requires no fume hood ventilation during application — the appropriate formulation for field examination environments, limited-ventilation laboratories, or situations where methanol exposure must be minimized. Like all Amido Black formulations, PF30008 binds to proteins in blood and does not react with perspiration-only prints where no blood is present.
Available in 1L and 500mL poly bottles, Amido Black Aqueous eliminates preparation steps required for powder formulations. For evidence types where methanol contact is undesirable, the aqueous base avoids solvent incompatibility concerns. Consult the View / Download Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for handling requirements. An instructional video on Amido Black application is also available: View Pioneer Forensics Amido Black instructional video.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Pioneer Forensics |
| Item # | PF30008 |
| Chemical Name | Amido Black 10B, Aqueous Solution |
| Form | Ready-to-use liquid solution |
| Solvent Base | Aqueous (water-based) |
| Sizes Available | 1L — $29.00 | 500mL — $25.00 |
| Packaging | 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 prints and impressions without organic solvent handling requirements, Amido Black Aqueous is deployed in field crime scene kits without fume hood access, in laboratory settings with ventilation limitations, on evidence substrates incompatible with methanol, and wherever a non-flammable ready-to-use Amido Black solution is required. Evidence types include bloody fingerprints on glass, tile, plastic, paper, and fabric, and bloody footwear impressions on hard and soft surfaces.
Amido Black Aqueous vs. Amido Black Methanol Base
| Feature | Amido Black Aqueous (PF30008) | Amido Black Methanol Base (PF30004) |
|---|---|---|
| Solvent Base | Water — no organic solvent | Methanol — flammable organic solvent |
| Fume Hood | Not required for application | Required for methanol vapor control |
| Flammability | Non-flammable | Flammable — methanol flash point 11°C |
| Packaging | Poly bottle | Amber poly bottle |
| Drying Time | Slower evaporation — longer wet time | Faster evaporation — shorter process time |
| Evidence Suitability | Safe for all evidence types | Avoid on evidence sensitive to methanol |
| Sizes | 1L and 500mL | 1L and 500mL |
| Pricing | Below retail pricing | Below retail pricing |
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
Why does the aqueous base matter in Amido Black formulations?
Amido Black is available in water-based and methanol-based formulations. PF30008 uses an aqueous base, meaning no flammable organic solvent — it can be applied without fume hood ventilation controls required for methanol solutions. For laboratories with limited fume hood access, field examination environments with uncontrolled ventilation, or agencies with organic solvent restrictions, the aqueous formulation provides the same blue-black protein staining result without methanol flammability and vapor concerns.
When should aqueous Amido Black be chosen over the methanol-base version?
Choose Amido Black Aqueous when the examination environment lacks fume hood or forced ventilation for methanol vapor, when agency policy restricts organic solvent use, when the evidence substrate should not contact methanol (certain adhesives, plastic backings, or ink-based documents), or when a longer wet working time is preferred for more complete protein contact. Choose Methanol Base (PF30004) when faster solvent evaporation is needed or when established protocols specify methanol formulation.
What surfaces does Amido Black Aqueous enhance?
Amido Black Aqueous enhances blood-contaminated evidence on both porous surfaces (paper, fabric, cardboard, unsealed wood) and nonporous surfaces (glass, tile, metal, plastic, sealed flooring). It does not develop perspiration-only prints where no blood is present. On nonporous surfaces where aqueous solutions may bead rather than absorb, dwell time and application technique per established laboratory protocols become important.
Can Amido Black Aqueous be used on both fingerprints and footwear impressions?
Yes. Amido Black Aqueous enhances any blood-protein-containing pattern including ridge detail in bloody fingerprints and tread patterns in bloody footwear impressions on porous and nonporous surfaces. Pioneer Forensics has produced instructional video guidance on Amido Black application for both fingerprint and impression workflows — accessible via the link in the specifications above.
Pioneer Forensics Amido Black Family
Amido Black Aqueous (PF30008) is the water-based ready-to-use option in the Pioneer Forensics Amido Black line. For methanol-based ready-to-use solution, Amido Black Methanol Base (PF30004) provides faster solvent evaporation in 1L and 500mL amber poly bottles. For laboratories that prepare their own working solutions, Amido Black 10B Powder (PF15010) offers concentration flexibility and the lowest cost per volume of prepared solution. All three deliver the same blue-black protein staining for blood-contaminated evidence on porous and nonporous substrates, available at LabSupplies.com.