What surface is super glue fuming not suitable for use on?

Super glue fuming, also known as cyanoacrylate fuming, is a technique used in forensic science to develop latent fingerprints. The process involves heating super glue, which releases fumes that adhere to the moisture and oils present in the fingerprints, making them visible.

The correct answer highlights that super glue fuming is not suitable for cardboard. This is primarily due to the absorbent nature of cardboard, which can lead to the glue fumes soaking into the material, thus obscuring the development of fingerprints rather than enhancing them. On the other hand, non-porous surfaces like glass, metal, and wood provide a better medium for the fuming process as the fumes can create a clear and distinct impression of the latent prints without interference from the surface's material properties.

In summary, the fuming process relies on the ability to cling to oils on the surface, a capability that is significantly hindered on porous materials like cardboard, making it less effective for fingerprint development compared to more solid surfaces.