A test method based on supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and gas chromatography has been developed for some aromatic amines, such as 4-chloro-o-toluidine, β-naphthylamine and 4-aminobiphenyl. A two-level factor design was used as the optimization procedure. Four main variables were considered: CO 2 pressure, extraction temperature, static extraction time and volume of modifier (methanol). Results obtained for 4-chloro-o-toluidine, indicated that the volume of modifier was the variable with the most important influence on extraction, CO 2 pressure had a negative effect and temperature and time were less significant. For the other amines, static time was the most important variable in both cases, followed by CO 2 pressure and volume of modifier, with no influence of temperature. SFE was compared with Soxhlet extraction, and was found to give higher recoveries in all cases. Other commercial finger-paints were tested for the presence of aromatic amines.