Superglue is most suitable for which types of surfaces?

Superglue, also known as cyanoacrylate, is particularly effective on non-porous surfaces because it forms a strong bond with materials that do not absorb moisture. Non-porous surfaces include glass, metal, and certain plastics, allowing the superglue to create a clear, durable layer that encapsulates latent prints. This method, known as cyanoacrylate fuming, involves vaporizing the superglue in a chamber, which then adheres to the moisture and lipids in the fingerprint residue, producing a visible print that can be further analyzed.

In contrast, porous surfaces such as paper or wood can absorb the adhesive, limiting the effectiveness of superglue. Similarly, while rough and textured surfaces may also impede the uniform application of the superglue, non-porous surfaces provide the optimal results for detecting latent prints due to their ability to effectively trap the adhesive and reveal the fingerprint pattern clearly.