Abstract: An inkless fingerprinting system comprises a porous, non-yielding reagent pad saturated with a substantially colorless metallic salt solution, preferably based on ferric chloride, and means for applying an organic developer, preferably 8-hydroxyquinoline, to a latent fingerprint obtained by pressing the distal surface of a finger against the reagent pad and transferring the reagent adhering to the ridges of the finger onto a paper or plastic surface. The reagent and the developer interact to form a colored chelate and, thereby, render the fingerprint visible.