'Glowing Fingerprints' Can Speed Up Forensic Investigations

Now the thriller nuts can look at this amazing, new technique that make fingerprints "glow" under UV light. It is indeed a big find for forensics, reports HNGN.

"While police and forensics experts use a range of different techniques, sometimes in complex cases evidence needs to be sent off to a lab where heat and vacuum treatment is applied," said CSIRO materials scientist Kang Liang. "Our method reduces these steps, and because it's done on the spot, a digital device could be used at the scene to capture images of the glowing prints to run through the database in real time."

Just applying one drop of liquid containing crystals to the surface gives a greater contrast between print and surface, and permits higher resolution images in a short period of time compared to techniques available at present, CSIRO  reported.

As the scientists showed, the tiny crystals could bind to the "peptides, fatty acids and salts" in the fingerprint residue. "It makes a thin film of coating that replicates the pattern" according to HNGN.

"Because it works at a molecular level it's very precise and lowers the risk of damaging the print," Liang said.

The technique was tested on windows, wine glasses and nonporous materials, and could locate fingerprints clearly on these surfaces. The crystal solution reduced the monetary and time costs related to the usual "dusting" fingerprint detecting methods. Not forming dust or fumes, the fingerprints showed lowered risk of waste or harmful inhalation.

Liang began to explore the new technique, once his own house was invaded.

"When my house was broken into I saw how common practice fingerprinting is for police," he said." He tried to innovate the old technique of dusting, and got some good results.

The study was published in a recent edition of the journal Advanced Materials.