1. a chemical compound used as a reagent to detect amino acids and proteins, often in forensic science for developing fingerprints
Usage: chemistry; forensic science

Examples

• The forensic team sprayed ninhydrin on the paper to reveal hidden fingerprints.
• Ninhydrin reacts with amino acids to produce a purple color.
• Laboratory technicians use ninhydrin to test for the presence of proteins.
• The ninhydrin solution turned purple when it contacted the fingerprint residue.
• Crime scene investigators rely on ninhydrin as a standard fingerprint development technique.
• The chemistry student observed how ninhydrin changed color in the presence of amino acids.