BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES

Barangay. San Agustin Susano Road, Novaliches, Quezon City

NAME: ROSE ANNE N. DALISAY RATING: ____________________

YEAR AND SCETION: 3RD YR BSCRIM-3101 DATE PERFORMED: 10-04-23
PROFESSOR: DOC. ALEXANDER URBANO DATE SUBMITTED: 10-11-23

PARAFFIN-DIPHENYLAMINE TEST

I. OBJECTIVES:
1. To learn the techniques of taking paraffin cast as a means of reducing the nitrates
residues from the hand.
2. To analyze and interpret the result of paraffin-diphenylamine test.

II. MATERIALS: Paraffin wax, casserole, cotton, crucible tong, Bunsen burner, medicine
dropper, and DPA (Diphenylamine reagent).

III. PROCEDURES:
1. Taking the Cast
a. Wash the hands of the subject with tap water without using soap and then air dry
the hands.
b. Melt the paraffin wax by the aid of heat and then cool to a temperature the hand
can bear.
c. On two separate sheets of clean bond papers marked “Left Hand” and “Right
Hand”, place hands of subject flat with palms down on the table.
d. Using a crucible tong and cotton ball, drop the molten paraffin on the hands from a
height of about 15 inches. Cover the surface by a thick coating of paraffin from the wrist
joints to the fingertips.
e. Place a thin layer of cotton over the paraffin.
f. Coat the cotton layer with hot paraffin and press gently with a piece of cotton to
even the surface.
g. Lift off the cast gently after the paraffin has set and cooled.
h. On a separate sheet of bond paper write the necessary information regarding the
case (date and time the casts were taken, name of subject, place taken, nature of case,
name and signature of person who took the casts) and attach it at the back of the paraffin
cast.
i. Wrap the cast with a clean sheet of paper to avoid contamination.

2. The Diphenylamine Test (DPA Test)

Peel off the bond papers from the paraffin casts. Add few drops of the DPA reagent in
the surface of the paraffin in contact with the skin by means of a medicine dropper. Deep
blue specks develop when the nitrate comes in contact with the reagent. Observe results.
 BESTLINK COLLEGE OF THE PHILIPPINES
Barangay. San Agustin Susano Road, Novaliches, Quezon City

IV. Results and Observation: (Fill in to complete the table.)

Paraffin Number of Color of Location of Character of Time of

Cast Specks Specks Specks Specks Reaction

Subject’s
hand

With the above findings, could the subject have fired a gun with bare hands? Why?
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V. Conclusion:

1. Why are subject’s hands washed before taking the cast?

The subject washes his hands with the water without soap or detergent to observe the
cotton.

2. What is the purpose of placing a thin layer of cotton between the two paraffin layers?
Because the effect of thin layers on the frictional process is primarily since displacement
takes place between the layers and to add strength because it has a chance to crack if it is
not covered with another layer and it helps to form to the hands.

3. Why is melted paraffin was allowed to drop a certain height and not just rub over the skin?
The melted paraffin wax is allowed to drop a certain height because its hot and to solidify
the paraffin to get rid to excess heat that's why melted paraffin wax not allowed to rub over
the skin.

4. In the interpretation of DPA test result, what are the factors to be considered?
To ascertain if the suspect has a gun.

5. Explain briefly the purpose of Paraffin-Diphenylamine test?

The purpose of Paraffin Diphenylamine test is used to detect the presence of nitrate residue
and to know if the person a fired a gun, the gun powder will be appeared.

6. Is Paraffin-DPA test a conclusive test? Explain.

I believe that the test is not conclusive as to the presence of gunpowder because other
nitrogenous compound will give a positive reaction example if a person smoke cigarette.