Page 41 - Veritas - 02.03.22

• The development of latent prints using silica nanoparticles creates a

good contrast image showing detailed ridge characteristics due to the

coating ability of the dye and ease in synthesis.

• Silica nanoparticles are mostly doped with a dye for the development

on non-porous surfaces as it prevents photodecomposition,

aiding in the long life of the latent print.

• Recent research has found that amphiphilic silica nanoparticles have

an affinity towards amino acids in the fingerprint residue, therefore

providing a good quality image.

3. GOLD NANOPARTICLES

Gold nanoparticles are unique as they have properties like long

shelf-life, resistance to oxidation, chemical inertness, and a strong

reactant towards metallic surfaces, which aids in fingerprint analysis.

• They were processed with thiolate cyclodextrin, and along with a dye,

they were found suitable for the development of LP on porous and

non-porous surfaces.

• Gold nanoparticles were also functionalized with anti-cotinine

antibodies, which provided individual identity and a better way to

identify drugs from fingerprints.

• When gold nanoparticles were combined with amino acid-binding

antibodies and red fluorescent secondary antibodies that adheres to

the LP, it aided in visualizing prints almost 12 months old.

4. ZINC OXIDE (ZO) NANOPARTICLES

• ZO nanoparticles are an effective powder for the development of

latent prints as they possess fluorescence.

• As per studies conducted, zinc oxide nanoparticles show

fluorescence under UV light which helps in better visualization on

non-porous surfaces.

• ZO nanoparticles, when combined with silica nanoparticles, produce

a good contrast fingerprint on non-porous surfaces like glass, plastic,

metal.

5. QUANTUM DOTS (QDs)

• These are semiconductor nanocrystals used for fingerprint

development.

• Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) QDs are fluorescent. When combined with

non-toxic silica nanoparticles, they give enhanced images with good

ridge details and less background staining on non-porous surfaces.