Technical Note

Cyanowand™ Fuming Wand

Cyanoacrylate vapor has shown to polymerize with latent print residue. It fixes the prints to the nonporous background. The resulting latent prints are hard and pale in color. In the past, it has been required to do this process in a closed container. Small evidence was placed inside of a processing chamber and large evidence was draped with plastic sheeting to create a closed environment. A portable process has been developed for use in the field or in a fuming chamber. The Cyanowand™ glue fuming device is portable and fits easily in the hand. Each Cyanowand™ kit contains a self-igniting wand, a can of refill butane, ten glue cartridges, an extractor tool, a safety cover, all within a sturdy case.

If used in a closed area or small room, respiratory protection is necessary in the form of a fume hood, vent fan system or unvented goggles and a personal organic vapor respirator with a dust/mist pre-filter. When used in an open area, it may not be necessary to use a personal organic vapor respirator, but other precautions need to be taken. Make certain to stand away from and avoid skin contact with the vapors.

The wand and the cartridges become very hot. Use caution when handling. Remember, hot metal looks just like cold metal. Do not ignite or use the Cyanowand™ in areas where extremely flammable or explosive vapors, such as ethers, may exist. Do not use the Cyanowand™ inside a vacuum chamber of any kind.

Technique is definitely important when using the wand. It is easy to overfume a surface. It is also important to use the heat from the Cyanowand™ judiciously to obtain the longest fuming time possible from each glue cartridge. Before reading the instructions, study the diagram below for the position of the various switches.

Step one: Check to see if there is fuel in the wand by looking in the window. If no liquid appears, refill the handle with the butane can in the kit. Make sure the wand is cool and the On/Off Switch is in the "off" position. Insert the nozzle of the can of butane into the end of the handle and press. When the wand is full, the gas will overflow the nozzle. A full wand will operate for about 3 hours.

Step two: On the Cyanowand™, move the Temperature Regulator Button to the highest position. Adjustments should be made to decrease the heat when fuming begins.

Step three: Slide the switch from the "off" position to the "on" position. A hissing sound will be heard.

Step four: Slowly depress the Ignition Button and hold it down. A red glow will appear in the tip of the wand. Release the Ignition Button. If no glow appears, repeat Steps 1-4.

Step five: After the Cyanowand™ has become hot, use the extractor tool to place a glue cartridge on the tip of the wand. After about 30-45 seconds, copious amounts of white fumes will emit from the cartridge. It is wise to turn down the heat when this occurs, as it extends the life of the cartridge. When the fumes seem to taper off, increase the heat to activate them again. The average life of a cartridge is 1-2 minutes. It will be considerably less, if the heat on the wand is left at maximum for the entire time. The Magnum cartridges last 3-5 minutes.

Step six: Aim the Cyanowand toward the surface of the object to be treated with glue fumes. Hold the wand at least 8-12 inches away from the surface. The wand does produce heat and can damage some surfaces if held too close. If the object is small, hold it in front of and above the wand to allow the rising fumes to coat it. Carefully watch the development of the latent prints to avoid overfuming.

Step seven: When finished with the Cyanowand™, push the On/Off Switch to the "off" position. The black safety hood can be placed over the wand to protect someone from accidentally touching it while it is still hot. Also, placing the hood on the wand will push the On/Off Switch to the "off" position.

Fuming in an enclosed chamber with the Cyanowand™ has some advantages. By inserting the wand into a hole in the chamber, the fuming process can be accomplished in 30 seconds versus 15-30 minutes using other glue products. Our portable fuming chamber comes with a closeable hole in the side for this purpose.

When treating the entire interior of a vehicle, roll up the windows, leaving a small opening in which to insert the wand. Close all vents in the vehicle and seal the open part of the window near the wand with duct tape. Insert the Cyanowand™ which has begun to fume into the opening, and hold it there until the cartridge is used up and the fumes stop emitting. A medium-sized to small vehicle will probably only require two cartridges. Larger vehicles and vans may require three or four of the Magnum cartridges.

After about 20-30 minutes, the fumes will dissipate and the vehicle can be opened. Use caution not to breathe the vapors. Allow the vehicle to air out completely (about 15-30 minutes, depending on the breeze) before entering the vehicle. The times listed here are approximate. There are the variables of temperature and humidity. As always, place test prints on a black latent print card and place it inside a window where it can easily be seen. When the test prints have developed, it is time to open the vehicle and stop the process.

The Cyanowand™ can also be used to process deceased persons. Depending on the circumstances of the case, if the person is partially or completely unclothed, it may be best to build a tent of plastic sheeting around the body and insert the Cyanowand™ into the tent to fume the entire body. If only specific areas need to be processed, the fumes can be directed at those areas. Arrangements must be made with the Coroner or Medical Examiner in your area to obtain permission prior to processing any deceased body with this or any other treatment.

Please Note:

• Do not store the cartridges in the trunk of a vehicle during hot weather or in any other hot place. The glue will start to fume.
• To maximize the output of the glue cartridge and to save the butane, keep the heat to a minimum or turn it off completely while the glue fumes are emitting in a satisfactory manner. Turn the heat back on when the visible fumes begin to subside.
• Place the used but still hot cartridges in a safe receptacle until they cool. Because the cartridges are round, they have a tendency to roll and people have a tendency to grab them. If the cartridges are still hot, severe burns can result. The tip of the wand also gets quite hot. Place the black safety hood on the wand until it cools. Use the extractor tool to place the cartridges on the wand and to take them off.

Catalog No. 1-6005 Complete Cyanowand™ Kit
Catalog No. 1-6060 Pack of Ten Glue Cartridges
Catalog No. 1-6061 Ten Packs of Ten Glue Cartridges
Catalog No. 1-6030 Refill Butane, 1 5/16 oz.
Catalog No. 1-4675 Portable Fuming Chamber
Catalog No. 1-2101 Booklet of 50 Black Backing Cards, 2 1/4" x 4 1/4"

© 1994 Lightning Powder Company, Inc., Salem, Oregon, USA
Prepared by Kathleen D. Saviers, CLPE, CSCSA