DFO is the abbreviation used for 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one. When forensic laboratories source the reagent, matching the full identity and the supplied specification is more useful than relying on an abbreviated name alone.
The UK Fingermark Visualisation Manual and its supporting research provide practitioner guidance for choosing and evaluating fingermark processes. They are the right reference point for method decisions; a product page should help identify the material being supplied, not replace a laboratory’s validated procedure or authorise a processing sequence.
Make the product specification work for your method
Before ordering, compare the exact chemical identity, grade, quantity and any stated specification against your approved materials list. Confirm how the delivered lot is identified and ask for current technical or safety documentation if it is needed for your records. If changing a supplier or product, use your documented change-control process and verify compatibility with the method before use.
For laboratories, documentation is part of practical procurement. Keep the order reference, product identity and lot information together so staff can trace what was received and compare it with the material approved by the laboratory. Do not assume that matching abbreviations alone establish equivalence between products.
Review the DFO product listing from Lab Forensics and consult the current Fingermark Visualisation Manual for practitioner guidance. Laboratories purchasing a broader mix of analytical reagents can also explore the Online Reagents range. Lab Forensics is part of PMA; PMA’s chemical manufacturing background reflects over 50 years of experience in this field.
Sources: Fingermark Visualisation Manual; Dstl Fingermark Visualisation Source Book.