Abstract: A method of and composition for developing latent fingerprints on various surfaces including but not limited to glass, plastic, various metals such as copper, brass and the like and other materials such as paper which involves subjecting the latent fingerprints to gaseous fumes produced by cyanoacrylate ester, sodium bicarbonate and sulfur which will develop the latent fingerprints in a very short period of time thereby enabling the fingerprints to be easily lifted by conventional techniques for comparison with known fingerprints. The method of developing latent fingerprints of this invention may be used at the site of a crime by providing the fumes in a pressurized container so that the fumes can be directed into contact with the surface on which the latent fingerprints appear. The method is also effective at the laboratory by providing a container of sufficient size to receive the article or articles on which the fingerprints occur and a quantity of the composition which produces the fumes.