Stabilisation of charred documents using alkyl-2-cyanoacrylate ester (superglue fuming)

Fire is often used by criminals to destroy incriminating documents. Police attending scenes may come across the smouldering remains of such documents. Forensic practitioners face the challenge of stabilizing this fragile source of potential evidence prior to transportation back to the laboratory for more thorough examinations. In the past, practitioners have had success using a solution of polyvinyl acetate in acetone to strengthen the char and ash. This preliminary research paper suggests there may be potential value for pre-treatment with alkyl-2-cyanoacrylate ester (superglue fumes) as an intermediary step prior to treatment with PVA