“Effect of Temperature on Development of Latent Fingerprints by Ninhydrin Method” Dinesh Kamble 1 , Divya Patel 1 , Ketan Patil 2 , , Dr. Kavita Sharma 3 Shri Vaishnav Institute of Forensic Science Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishvavidhyalaya, Indore Abstract: Effect of temperature on development of latent fingerprints by ninhydrin method, Ninhydrin method is used for development of latent fingerprints, but it takes an ample amount of time to develop the print, this paper aims to find out whether temperature as an external factor can be used to accelerate the process or not. For this, clean sheets of plain white paper, bond paper, cheque, and currency notes were taken on which fingerprints were made, Ninhydrin was sprayed and directly kept in the muffle furnace at different temperatures to understand and observe the effect of temperature on it. No instrumental methods were used as they were not required due to clear visibility of the fingerprints to naked eyes. It was found that, temperature accelerates the process of development of latent fingerprints. Keywords: Latent, Fingerprints, Development. 1. Introduction: - Fingerprints are considered as one of the most important evidence that are found at the crime scene. Fingerprints are mainly of three types: latent, patent and plastic. All three fingerprints serve differently for different investigation purpose. Patent prints can be made by blood, grease, ink or dirt and are visible to naked eye. Latent fingerprints are made of sweat and oil present on the skin's surface and are invisible to naked eyes and require additional processing in order to be seen. Plastic fingerprints are 3D in nature and can be made by pressing a finger in fresh paint, wax, soap or tar, they are also visible to naked eyes. Most of the criminals usually try not to leave any trace of their action, they try erase and destroy all the evidences which were left by them during their criminal activity. Plastic and plastic fingerprints due to their visibility can be destroyed easily, latent fingerprints are difficult to be destroyed as they are invisible to naked eyes. Number of latent fingerprint development methods are available in market, Ninhydrin method is the most common one. Ninhydrin is a white solid crystalline powder which is soluble in ethanol and acetone and easily available in market. Ninhydrin is a